This course is intended to be a treatment of current concepts of plant molecular biology. It will be a literature-based course, supplemented by handouts and reading lists. The course will deal as much as is possible with topics that are unique to plants. Current aspects of molecular biology that are relevant to the course content will be covered in the first part of the course; however, these lectures will not be a review of topics that should have been retained from introductory genetics and biochemistry courses. Also, they will not be a substitute for a molecular biology course.

A physiological/biochemical treatment of central topics in modern plant physiology. Topics will include: plant-cell biology, ion transport, water and translocation, respiration and photosynthesis.

Recognition and identification of plant diseases and their causes and development. The course is designed to give students practical experience in dealing with a wide array of plant diseases, symptom expressions, causal agents and interactions with environmental factors encountered in the difficult task of identifying plant diseases. May be repeated to a maximum of nine credits. Lecture, one hour; laboratory, six hours.

An overview of the biochemical pathways leading to compounds called natural products.

An integration of the effects of soil, climate, species and management on the nutrition and dry matter accumulation of plants. Lecture, three hours; laboratory, two hours per week.

With the advice and approval of his or her faculty adviser, the second-year student may choose approved electives offered by the Department of Preventive Medicine and Environmental Health. The intent is to provide the student an opportunity for exploration and study in an area which supplements and/or complements required course work in the second-year curriculum. PASS-FAIL ONLY.

To present students with the principles of plant pathology. The causes, effects, control and nature of plant diseases will be studied; the laboratory will expose students to common diseases and pathogens discussed in lecture. Emphasis will be given to diseases important in Kentucky. Lecture, two hours; laboratory, two hours.

Physiological and molecular aspects of plant biology underlying plant growth and development and plant interactions with microbial pathogens and symbionts.