University of Bahrain

Quality Assurance and Accreditation Center

Course Syllabus Form

2. Course
1. Course code: BIOLS 320 Plant Physiology
title:

3. College: Science

4. Department: Biology

5. Program: B.Sc. in Biology

6. Course credit: 2-3-3

7. Course NQF Level: 8

8. NQF Credit: 14

9. Prerequisite: BIOLS 300

10. Lectures Timing & Location:

Dr. Muhammad Azeem
Sections 1. 2.
Lectures UT 11:00am-12:00pm; S41-1058.
Lab. Section1: M 13:00-15:30pm, S41-1056; Section 2: T 16:00-18:30pm; S41-1056.

Sections 3 & 4:
Lectures UT 12:00am-1:00pm; S41-1058.
Lab. Section 3: T 13:00-15:30pm, S41-1056; Section 4: T 16:00-18:30pm; S41-1056
11. Course web page: UoB Blackboard and MS Teams
www.plantphys.net
12. Course Instructors:
Dr. Muhammad Azeem

Office Hours and Location:

Dr. Thuraya:
10:00-11:00 S41-1087

13. Course coordinator: Dr. Muhammad AZEEM

University of Bahrain – Quality Assurance& Accreditation Center - Course Syllabus Form

1 Note: Additional information could be added as required by the Instructor, (eg, Policies)
Note: Items shown underlined cannot be changed without the department consent.

QF-20-rev.a.3
14. Academic year: 2023-2024
15. Semester: √ First Second Summer
16. Textbook(s):
Taiz, L., Zeiger, E., Moller, I. M. and Murphy, A. (2015). Plant physiology and
development. Sixth Edition. Sunderland, (Massachusetts): Sinauer Associates.

And its companion webpage: www.plantphys.net

17. References form the library (http://www.ac-knowledge.net/uobv3/):

Plant Physiology by F. B. Salisbury and C. W. Ross.
Introduction to Plant Physiology by W. G. Hopkins.
Other selected references.

18. Other learning resources used (e.g. e-Learning, field visits, periodicals, software, etc.):
PowerPoint presentation will be provided through the team.
Lab handouts will be provided through the teams.
Lectures and lab sessions will be recorded on teams.

19. Course description (as per the published):

Water relations; uptake and accumulation of solutes; mineral nutrients; photosynthesis;
respiration; nitrogen metabolism; growth and growth hormones; environmental stress.

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 20. Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):
CILOs Mapping to PILOs
CILOs a b c d e f g h i j k l
1. Demonstrate understanding √ √
and apply water potential
concept in describing water
dynamics at the cellular and
in soil-plant-atmosphere
continuum.
2. Identify and categorize the √ √
essential elements required
by plants and relate each to
its physiological role in
plants.
3. Demonstrate understanding √ √
of solute transport
mechanisms in plant tissues
and relate the role of
chemical potential to solute
transport.
4. Distinguish the biochemical √ √
processes involved in
assimilation of mineral
nutrients, light harvesting,
CO2 assimilation,
photorespiration and
cellular respiration.
5. Integrate plant development √ √
to hormone action.
6. Interpret and analyze some √
physiological strategies
developed in plants to cope
with different abiotic
stresses.
7. Formulate hypothesis and √ √ √
design group project using
scientific method.
8. Analyze and present data √ √ √ √ √
orally and in writing.

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21. Course assessment:
Assessment Type Details/ Explanation Number Weight Date(s)
of Assessment in
relation to CILOs

Quizzes (CILO 1). (CILO 5). 10 % 10/10/23

20/01/24

Examinations 30 % 15/11/23

6/12/23

Laboratory/Practical 20 % 16/11/23

(Projects+Case 30/10/23
Studies)
25/12/23

Assignments %

Projects/Case %
Studies

Final Examination 40% 15/1/24

Total 100%

22. Course assessment:

Assessment Type Details/ Explanation of Number Weight Date(s)
Assessment in relation to
CILOs
Quizzes Two Summative 2
Quizzes
1- The students will be 5% 10/10/2023
asked to solve
problems pertaining
water potential
concept (CILO 1).

2- Student will be asked 5% 02/01/2024

to solve questions
pertaining plant
growth, hormones
and development.
(CILO 5)

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 Examinations • In Midterm I, the 2 15% Wednesday
students will be asked 15/11/ 2023
to demonstrate 10:45-11:45am
understanding of water
potential concept and
plant water relation.
Apply the concept of
water potential in
describing water
dynamics from cell to
cell and in soil-plant-
atmosphere continuum
(CILO 1).

• In Midterm II, the

students will be asked 15% Wednesday
to identify and 6/12/2023
categorize the essential 10:45-11:45am
elements required by
plants, identify the role
of each group of
elements. They will
also be asked to relate
the transport of the
essential elements at
cellular and whole
plants level to the
membrane potential
(CILOs 2&3).

Laboratory/Practical Students will be asked to 1 5% 16/11/2023

write a lab report to build Scientific
their skills in analyzing, report
presenting data collected
in writing (CILO 8).

Assignments -
Projects/Case • Students will be asked 1 Total 15 %
Studies to interpret and • Proposal = 2.5 Proposal:
analyze some 30/10/2023
physiological strategies
used by plants to cope • Lab Work = 5
with abiotic stresses Performance:
using hands-on- Refer to Lab
practice (CILO 6). Schedule
• The students will be

University of Bahrain – Quality Assurance& Accreditation Center - Course Syllabus Form

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 asked to formulate
hypothesis, design and
conduct group project • Presentation and Project oral
using scientific discussion = 7.5 presentation:
method (CILO 8). 25/12/2023
• Activities: The
students will be asked
to present a proposal
for a laboratory
project pertaining
abiotic stress
physiology; conduct
the project, collect,
critically interpret and
analyze; and finally
present and discuss
their findings, orally
(CILOs 6,7,8).

Final Examination • The students will be 1 40% 15 Jan 2024

asked to set a 8:30-10:30 AM
comprehensive
examination paper that
covers all of the topics
(CILOs 1-5).
• In addition to what
have been stated for
midterms I and II,
students will be asked to
demonstrate ability in
distinguishing the
various biochemical
processes involved in
CO2 assimilation,
cellular respiration and
nitrogen assimilation.
Furthermore, the
students will be asked to
demonstrate ability in
integrating and relating
plant growth to hormonal
actions.
Total 100%

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23. Description of Topics Covered
Topic Title Description
(e.g. chapter/experiment
title)
UNIT I. TRANSPORT Chapter 3. Water and Plant Cells
AND
TRANSLOCATION OF
WATER AND SOLUTES
UNIT I. TRANSPORT Chapter 4. Water Balance of Plants
AND
TRANSLOCATION OF
WATER AND SOLUTES
UNIT I. TRANSPORT Chapter 5. Mineral Nutrition
AND
TRANSLOCATION OF
WATER AND SOLUTES
UNIT I. TRANSPORT Chapter 6. Solute Transport
AND
TRANSLOCATION OF
WATER AND SOLUTES
UNIT II. Chapter 7. Photosynthesis: The Light Reactions
BIOCHEMISTRY AND
METABOLISM
UNIT II. Chapter 8. Photosynthesis: The Carbon Reactions
BIOCHEMISTRY AND
METABOLISM
UNIT II. Chapter 12. Respiration and Lipid Metabolism
BIOCHEMISTRY AND Note: Respiration sections only
METABOLISM
UNIT II. Chapter 13. Assimilation of Inorganic Nutrients
BIOCHEMISTRY AND Note: Nitrogen section only
METABOLISM
UNIT III. GROWTH Selected Topics from Unit III
AND DEVELOPMENT
UNIT III. GROWTH Chapter 24: Abiotic Stress
AND DEVELOPMENT

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24. Weekly Schedule

Week Date Topics covered CILOs Teaching Method Assessment

• Breaking the ice with students Activities
1
17-21 Sep What is Plant physiology
2023 Lecture and
discussion
• Structure and properties of 1 Lectures and Test 1 and
water discussion final exam
• Water Transport processes:
24-28 Sep
2
2023 - Diffusion
- Bulk flow
- Osmosis
Water potential concept
• Solving problems related to 1 Discussion and - Quiz 1
1-5 Oct problem solving.
3 water potential - Test 1
2023
Final exam
8-12 Oct • Water in the soil 1 Lectures and Test 1 and
4 discussion final exam
2023 Water absorption by roots
• Water transport through the 1 Lectures and Test 1 and
15-19 Oct xylem discussion final exam
5 2023 Water movement from the leaf
to the atmosphere
• Essential elements 2 Lectures, Test 2 and
22-67 Oct classifications and roles. discussion and final exam
6 activity
2023 Nutrient deficiencies and
plants disorders.
• Treating nutrients 2 Lectures Test 2 and
29 Oct-2 and discussion final exam
7 Nov 2023
deficiency.
Soil, root and microbes
5-9 Nov
8 MSB
2023
12-16 Nov Solute transport 3 Lectures and Test 2 and
9 discussion final exam
2023
Photosynthesis: 4 Flip Class: final exam
Light reactions Movie, discussion
• PS in higher plants, general and activity
concept
• PS pigments and Light
absorption
19-23 Nov
10 • PS apparatus
2023
• Organization of light
absorption antenna
• Mechanism of electron
transport
Proton transport and ATP
synthesis
26-30 Nov Photosynthesis: 4 Flip Class: final exam
11 Carbon reaction: Discussion and
2023
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 • The Calvin cycle activity
• C2 oxidative photosynthetic
carbon cycle
CO2 concentrating mechanisms:
in Algae, Cyanobacteria, C4 and
CAM plants
Photosynthesis: 4 Lectures and final exam
03-07 Dec Carbon reaction: discussion
12 2023 • C4 and CAM carbon cycles
Starch and sucrose synthesis
Plant growth hormones and 5 Flip Class: Quiz 2
their relation to plant Discussion and final exam
10-14 Dec development. activity
13 2023 Plant development and
morphogenesis.

Plant growth hormones and 5 Flip Class: Quiz 2

their relation to plant Discussion and final exam
17-21 Dec
14 development. activity
2023
Plant development and
morphogenesis.
Assimilation of Inorganic 4 Lecture, discussion final exam
Nutrients and activity
Note: Nitrogen section only
24-28 Dec
15
2023 • Nitrogen in the environment
• Nitrate and ammonia
assimilation
Biological nitrogen fixation
Respiration and Lipid 4 Lecture, final exam
Metabolism discussion and
Note: Respiration sections only activity
• Overview of plants
31 Dec-4 respiration, Glycolysis, the
16 Jan 2023 Citric acid cycle, electron
transport and ATP synthesis
Special emphasis on plants
respiration - intact plants and
tissues.

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25. Laboratory Weekly Schedule

Week Date Topics covered CILOs Teaching Method Assessment

17-21 Sep No Lab
1 2023
Exp. 1: The determination of 1,7 Practical Project
water potential of potato tuber (Group work)
tissues
24-28 Sep
2 2023
Exp.2: The determination of
water potential of using
Chardacove method
1-5 Oct Exp.3: Mineral deficiency 2,7 Practical Lab Report
3 symptoms Part 1 (Group work)
2023
Exp.4: Measuring the 2,7 Practical Lab Report
8-12 Oct Concentration of Chlorophyll (Group work) and
4 2023 and Carotenoides. Project

How to Avoid Plagiarism? 7 Criteria based peer Lab Report

How to conduct the project? feedback and and
15-19 Oct
5 Selecting project topic and a group discussion. Project
2023
relevant paper.

Mineral deficiency symptoms, 2,7 Practical Lab Report

continue: (Group work)
22-67 Oct
6 Harvesting and data
2023
collection.

Project proposal presentation 5,6 Group discussion. Project

29 Oct-2
7 Proposal oral
Nov 2023
presentation
5-9 Nov Mid-Semester Break
8 2023
Setting Lab Project: Practical 5,6 Performance 1
12-16
9 Project: Plant sample
Nov 2023
preparation
19-23 Project: Measuring water Practical 5,6 Performance 2
10 Nov 2023 potential
26-30 Project: Chemical Analysis Practical 5,6 Performance 3
11 Nov
2023
03-07 Project: Chemical Analysis Practical 5,6 Performance 4
12 Dec 2023
10-14 Project: Data Analysis Using 5,6,7 Performance 5
13 Dec 2023 Software
17-21 No Lab (National Day Holidays)
14 Dec 2023
24-28 Project: Oral Presentation Presentation 5,7 Oral
15 Dec 2023 presentation
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 1-5 Jan No Lab
16 2023

Academic Integrity Statement

Honesty and integrity are integral components of the academic process. Students are expected to be
honest and ethical at all time in their pursuit of academic goals in accordance with Regulations of
Professional Conduct Violations for University of Bahrain Students, UOB Plagiarism Policy and UoB
Guide to Students Rights and Duties. Any breach of academic integrity will be dealt according to the
Regulations for Professional Conduct Violations.

Prepared and modified by: dr. Muhammad AZEEM

Date: 17/9/2023

University of Bahrain – Quality Assurance& Accreditation Center - Course Syllabus Form

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