ECTS credits ECTS credits: 6
ECTS Hours Rules/Memories Hours of tutorials: 2 Expository Class: 34 Interactive Classroom: 18 Total: 54
Use languages Spanish, Galician
Type: Ordinary Degree Subject RD 1393/2007 - 822/2021
Departments: Botany
Areas: Botany
Center Faculty of Biology
Call: First Semester
Teaching: With teaching
Enrolment: Enrollable
Learning the main theoretical and practical aspects of fungi, algae, and bryophytes. Basic knowledge about the diversity of non-vascular plants, their life forms, and modes of reproduction. Studying the morphology, anatomy, reproduction, and diversity of fungi, algae, and bryophytes. Recognizing their main phylogenetic lineages. Knowing taxa of special applied importance. Understanding their role in ecosystems. Learning techniques for their recognition and conservation. Using appropriate bibliographic and internet information related to the theme.
THEORETICAL LECTURES
Classification systems of living beings. Groups of organisms that make up non-vascular plants. Fungi: Vegetative and reproductive characteristics, biological cycles, and classification. Fungal associations (lichens, mycorrhizae). Importance and applications. Algae: Vegetative and reproductive characteristics, biological cycles, and classification. Prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Importance and applications. Bryophytes: Vegetative and reproductive characteristics, biological cycles, and classification. Importance and applications. Evolutionary strategies of plants for conquering the terrestrial environment.
PROGRAM OF THEORETICAL LECTURES (34 h)
Introduction to the subject (1h)
Block 1: Fungi (15h)
Theme 1. Botany: Definition and object of study. Levels of organization and classification proposals. Biodiversity and number of species (1h)
Theme 2. General characteristics of fungi (morphology, nutrition, reproduction, and ecology). Biodiversity and Phylogeny (1h).
Theme 3. Slime molds. General characters. Examples of the main groups (Acrasiomycota, Myxomycota, and Plasmodiophoromycota). Pseudofungi. General characters and examples of Oomycota (2h)
Theme 4. Eumycota (true fungi). General characters. Classification and examples of Chytridiomycetes and Zygomycetes (2h)
Theme 5. Eumycota. Unicellular and mycelial Ascomycetes. Most representative groups. Economic importance and usefulness (3h)
Theme 6. Eumycota. Basidiomycetes. Most representative groups. Economic importance and usefulness (3h).
Theme 7. Lichenized fungi. Morphology, structure, and reproduction. Usefulness and applications (3h)
Block 2: Algae and Bryophytes (18h)
Theme 8. General characteristics of algae: Morphology, reproduction, and ecology. Biodiversity and Phylogeny (1h)
Theme 9. Prokaryotes: Cyanophyceae. General characters, habitat, and utilities. Classification (1h).
Theme 10. Eukaryotic algae: Cryptophyta, Dinophyta, Euglenophyta, and Haptophyta. Differential characters, reproduction, cycles, habitat, examples, and utilities (1h).
Theme 11. Ochrophyta: Phaeophyceae, Bacillariophyceae, Chrysophyceae, and Xanthophyceae. Differential characters, reproduction, cycles, habitat, examples, and utilities (4h).
Theme 12. Rhodophyta. Bangiophyceae and Florideophyceae. Differential characters, reproduction, cycles, habitat, and utilities (4h).
Theme 13. Chlorophyta and Charophyta. Differential characters, reproduction, cycles, habitat, and utilities (4h).
Theme 14. General concepts and aspects of bryophytes and related. Adaptations to the terrestrial environment. Reproduction and biological cycles. Main groups (Anthoceropsida, Marchantiopsida, and Bryopsida) (3h).
INTERACTIVE CLASSES
SEMINARS (4h)
Seminar 1. Introduction to practices 1 and 2: Fungi (1h).
Seminar 2. Introduction to practices 3, 4, and 5: Algae (1h).
Seminar 3. Introduction to practice 6: Bryophytes (1h).
Seminar 4. Collection and conservation of plant material (1h)
LABORATORY PRACTICES (14h)
Practice 1. Micro and macrofungi (2h).
Practice 2. Lichenized fungi (2h).
Practice 3. Microscopic algae (2h).
Practice 4. Macroscopic algae-1 (2h).
Practice 5. Macroscopic algae-2 (2h).
Practice 6. Bryophytes and related (2h).
Practice 7. Observation of fungi, algae, and bryophytes (2h).
TUTORING (2h) They will be used to clarify doubts, provide information, and guide students to acquire competencies.
EXAMS (3h)
All exams, both continuous assessment and final exams, will be in person. The theoretical part exams (Topics 1-14) will consist of short questions on the content of the syllabus. The practical part exams (Practical 1-6) will be specific test questions based on the content listed in the corresponding guides. Practical 7 will be evaluated with a visual test of the photographs of the specimens analyzed in this practice.
All activities are presential except for tutoring, which will be conducted through MS Teams.
BIBLIOGRAFÍA BÁSICA
- Díaz González, T.E., Fernández-Carvajal, M.C. & Fernández Prieto, J.A. 2004. Curso de Botánica. Madrid: Ediciones Trea.
- Sitte, P., Weiler, E.W., Kadereit, J.W., Bresinsky, A. & Körner, C., 2004. Strasburger. Tratado de Botánica. 35ª ed. Barcelona: Ediciones Omega.
- Van den Hoek, C., Mann, D. G. & Jahns, H.M., 1995. Algae: An Introduction to Phycology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- Vanderpoorten, A. & Goffinet, B., eds., 2009. Introduction to Bryophytes. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- Webster, J. & Weber, R., 2007. Introduction to fungi (en línea). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. http://deskuenvis.nic.in/pdf/WEBSTER30521807395.pdf
- Nabors, M.W. 2006. Introducción a la Botánica (en línea). Madrid: Pearson. https://bibliotecaia.ism.edu.ec/Varios/IntroduccionBotanica.pdf
BIBLIOGRAFÍA COMPLEMENTARIA
- Aira, M. J., Vázquez, R. A. & Izco, J., eds., 2014. Manual de prácticas de Botánica: Laboratorio y campo. Santiago de Compostela: Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Servizo de Publicacións e Intercambio Científico.
- Bárbara, I. & Cremades, J., 1993. Guía de las algas del litoral gallego. La Coruña: Casa de las Ciencias.
- Castro, M.L., 2004. Cogomelos de Galicia e Norte de Portugal. Vigo: Edicións Xerais de Galicia.
- Pérez, C.; López, M.C. & López de Silanes, E., 2003. Guía dos liques de Galicia. Vigo: Baía Ediciones.
RECURSOS EN INTERNET
- Algas marinas de Asturias
http: www.Asturias.es/medioambiente/publicaciones/ficheros/algas%20 marinas%20de%Asturias.pdf
- Bárbara, I. 2009. Algas bentónicas marinas y salobres de Galicia: iconografías y claves de identificación. Facultad de Ciencias. Universidad de A Coruña.
http://es.scribd.com/doc/28418650/Guia-Fotografica-Algas-Marinas-Galici…
- British Bryological Society. 2012. www.britishbryologicalsociety.org.uk
- Guiry, M.D. 2012. Algaebase: Listing the World's Algae. http://www.algaebase.org/
- Catálogo de setas y hongos https://www.fungipedia.org/hongos.html
- Sociedad Española de Liquenología. http://www.ucm.es/seliquen/
Knowledge/Contents: Com04, Com08
Con04: To know and be able to apply instrumental techniques and design work protocols in the laboratory and the field, applying appropriate regulations and techniques related to safety, hygiene, waste management, quality, and sustainable development.
Con08: To know and be able to apply basic techniques, principles, and processes to assess the conservation status of ecosystems and propose solutions in scenarios of global change, as a central criterion in achieving sustainable development goals.
Skills/Abilities: H/D05, H/D08, H/D11
H/D05: Develop the ability to obtain, handle, preserve, identify, and classify biological specimens, as well as their remains and traces.
H/D08: Ability for reasoning, argumentation, and critical thinking.
H/D11: Ability to elaborate and present an organized and comprehensible text, adequately reflecting the sources of information used.
Competencies: Comp03, Comp05
Comp03: That students know how to apply their knowledge to their work or vocation in a professional manner and possess the skills typically demonstrated through the development and defense of arguments and problem-solving within their area of study.
Comp05: That students have the ability to gather and interpret relevant data (usually within their area of study) to make judgments that include reflection on relevant social, scientific, or ethical issues
Expository and interactive teaching (including practical sessions) will be conducted in person. The contents of all course activities will be available on the virtual classroom, such as PowerPoint presentations or practice scripts. Tutoring sessions will be conducted virtually through the MS Teams platform.
• Expository lectures: The course content will be explained through lectures with audiovisual aids. Attendance is not mandatory.
• Interactive seminar classes: These sessions will be used to explain the characteristics of fungi, algae, and bryophytes that will be analyzed during practical sessions, as well as to explain practice scripts and methods for preparing samples for proper observation. Attendance is not mandatory.
• Interactive laboratory classes: The first six sessions will analyze the morphology and vegetative and reproductive structures of fungi, algae, and bryophyte species. In the final session, students will be provided with a diverse set of specimens for visual recognition. Students must attend these sessions with the scripts available in the virtual classroom. Attendance is not considered mandatory.
• Tutoring sessions: These sessions will be dedicated to resolving any questions related to teaching activities, whether theoretical or practical. Additionally, through the virtual classroom, students will be provided with a series of quizzes to self-assess their progress in acquiring competencies. Attendance is not considered mandatory.
• The exams will be in person, with short-answer questions in the theoretical part and test questions in the practical part, which will also include a visual test. Attendance at the final exams is mandatory.
Attendance at the activities of this course, with the exception of the final assessment tests, is not mandatory and will not be graded. The instruments used to assess students' acquired knowledge and competencies will be in-person, written exams covering both theoretical and practical content. The theoretical part will be graded with a maximum of 6 points out of 10, and the practical part with a maximum of 4 points out of 10. The final grade will be the sum of the results obtained in these tests, with a passing grade set at 5 out of 10, under the following specifications:
Continuous Assessment
It will cover both theoretical and practical parts. The dates of the exams will be announced in advance on the virtual classroom. These are optional but graded tests that must be taken in person.
Theoretical part
After completing the explanation of the topics in the first block (Topics 1 to 7, both included), a written exam with short-answer questions will be administered to assess knowledge and competencies. The maximum score for this test is 3 out of 10. Students who score 1.5 or higher may take only the exam on Block 2 content in the final test. Therefore, the grade obtained through continuous assessment will be retained for both final exam opportunities.
Practical part
After completing Practical 7, a written test on the first six laboratory practices (P1–P6) and a visu exercise based on Practical 7 will be administered. The maximum score for the test is 2 out of 10, and the same applies to the visu exercise (2 out of 10). To pass the practical part, students must obtain at least 1 point in the test and 1 point in the visu exercise. Those who do not meet this requirement must retake both parts (test and visu) in the final exam. That is, passing only one of the two (either test or visu) is not sufficient, and both must be repeated in any of the two final exam opportunities.
Students who, for any reason, do not attend the theoretical and/or practical tests of the continuous assessment on the scheduled date will forfeit this assessment system and must take the full exam: all topics (1–14) and the complete practical exam (test and visu) during the final assessment. In both parts (theory and practice), students must achieve the minimum score indicated for each section, as previously described.
Final Exam
This exam is mandatory and in-person for all students, as it complements the continuous assessment. However, students who passed any part during the continuous assessment will not need to repeat it in the final exam. The format and requirements of the final exam will remain the same in both exam opportunities.
The theoretical exam (expository classes) will be a short-answer questions divided into two blocks. Block 1 (Topics 1–7, both included) will be worth a maximum of 3 out of 10 (pass mark: 1.5), and Block 2 (Topics 8–14, both included) will also be worth 3 points (pass mark: 1.5). Students who do not reach the minimum score in either block must retake that part in the second opportunity. The following competencies will be assessed: Con4, Con08, Comp03, Comp05.
The exam for interactive practice classes will consist of a test and a visu exercise, with a combined maximum score of 4 out of 10. As in the continuous assessment, students must score at least 1 point in the test and 1 point in the visu to pass. Those who do not meet the minimum requirement must repeat the exam under the same conditions in the second opportunity. The following competencies will be primarily assessed: H/D05, H/D08, H/D11.
Repeat Students
Repeat students must adhere to the evaluation criteria outlined in the course guide for the current academic year, as no grades from previous years will be retained. The content presented in interactive seminar classes will not be graded.
In-class work
• Lectures: 34 hours
• Laboratory practices: 14 hours
• Seminars: 4 hours
• Tutoring: 2 hours
• Exam: 3 hours Total hours of in-class work: 57 hours
• Student's personal work: 93 hours
• Attendance to all teaching activities.
• Daily learning of the contents taught in class.
• Consultation of recommended and additional bibliography.
• Utilization of the virtual classroom.
• Consultation with the faculty for any doubts related to the subject.
In the case of fraudulent completion of exercises or tests, the provisions outlined in the "Regulations for the assessment of academic performance of students and review of grades" will apply. This subject will have a virtual classroom available to students on the Moodle platform and direct communication channels through the MS Teams application.
Mª Jesús Aira Rodríguez
Coordinador/a- Department
- Botany
- Area
- Botany
- Phone
- 881813263
- mariajesus.aira [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: University Professor
Maria De La Vega Martin Broncano
- Department
- Botany
- Area
- Botany
- vega.martin.broncano [at] usc.es
- Category
- USC Pre-doctoral Contract
Pilar Diaz Tapia
- Department
- Botany
- Area
- Botany
- pilar.diaz.tapia [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: University Lecturer
Julia Muñoz Acero
- Department
- Botany
- Area
- Botany
- julia.munoz.acero [at] usc.es
- Category
- Ministry Pre-doctoral Contract
| Monday | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 12:00-13:00 | Grupo /CLE_02 | Spanish | Classroom 04: James Watson and Francis Crick |
| 13:00-14:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Spanish | Classroom 03. Carl Linnaeus |
| Wednesday | |||
| 11:00-12:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Spanish | Classroom 03. Carl Linnaeus |
| 12:00-13:00 | Grupo /CLE_02 | Spanish | Classroom 04: James Watson and Francis Crick |
| Thursday | |||
| 11:00-12:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Spanish | Classroom 03. Carl Linnaeus |
| 12:00-13:00 | Grupo /CLE_02 | Spanish | Classroom 04: James Watson and Francis Crick |
| 01.08.2026 16:00-20:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 01. Charles Darwin |
| 01.08.2026 16:00-20:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 02. Gregor Mendel |
| 01.08.2026 16:00-20:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 03. Carl Linnaeus |
| 06.16.2026 16:00-20:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 01. Charles Darwin |
| 06.16.2026 16:00-20:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 02. Gregor Mendel |