Plant Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Course Information Sheet

This course is taught every Spring semester by MSU. This course is a comprehensive study of the structural organization and biochemical processes of plant cells, alongside ample discussions of the recent advancements in plant biology and the impact of molecular genetics on the field. The course is structured in five main units:
1) Cell organization – This section is devoted to the general features and molecular organization of the plant cell.
2) Cell replication – This unit will cover aspects of the structure and function of nucleic acids, amino acids and lipids, alongside examples of molecular, biochemical and genetic investigative approaches and applied research in plants.
3) Pathways for energy flow – covers fundamental aspects of photosynthesis, carbohydrate metabolisms, and the biochemical basis and roles of respiration and photorespiration in plants.
4) Metabolism & Developmental regulation – This unit is devoted to plant-specific aspects of long-distance transport of resources and signal in vascular plants.
5) Fundamental discoveries: Plant-Environment-Agriculture – This section will discuss molecular mechanisms underlying plant responses to biotic and abiotic stress factors.

Expected Learning Outcomes: 

Upon completion of the course, students should be able to:
1) Enumerate and define the general features and characteristics of the biomolecules and structures present in the plant cell.
2) Describe the fundamental biochemical processes involved in replication, metabolism and energy transformation in the plant cell.
3) Explain and give examples of how modern technology has impacted the field of plant biology.

The campus coordinator for Mississippi State University is Dr. Richard Harkess (richard.harkess@msstate.edu) and the course management system is Canvas.