Welcome to the website for Biology 324 - Introduction to Seed Plant Taxonomy.

Biology 324, Introduction to Seed Plant Taxonomy, is an optional course in the Biogeography specialization of Geographical Biogeosciences.

Have you ever thought to yourself, "There are so many beautiful plants around me. I wish I knew what some of them were?" This course provides a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the world of plants around all of us through different ways to identify plants based on taxonomic characteristics and by discussing their evolutionary relationships.

Students enrolled in this course are taken on two spectacular field trips exploring the UBC Botanical Gardens. They are provided with expert instructors to guide and point out things that might be missed when taking a solo walk through the park. But, by the end of the course, a walk through the park proves to be far more interesting with the knowledge in hand. Click here for a page detailing these exciting trips complete with pictures.

Students in this course also have a weekly lab wherin they have the opportunity to analyze plants from all over the world. Students learn to differentiate families, key a large variety of plants to genera and species and there is also a treat of the week related to the families being studied (Ericaceae brownies, anyone?)! Click here for a page describing the weekly wonder with pictures showing what's in store for those who take this course.

Click on images throughout this site to enlarge them and open a mini-gallery!