The institution is firmly committed to significantly enhance instruction in the plant sciences. A major goal is to develop a program in plant physiology, with a special emphasis on environmental plant physiology or ecophysiology. Key items of equipment are being used to teach concepts and experimental methods in microclimatology, radiation interception and leaf energy balance, water relations, photosynthesis, growth performance, and efficient data acquisition and analysis. The equipment is also being used for several exercises in the Ecology and General Biology courses. It is expected that our enhanced program will prepare majors for successful graduate work and productive careers in plant physiology, and that our approach can serve as a model for such programs in other institutions.
