Extended knowledge of evolutionary processes and selected specialisations in flowering plants: morphology and systematics of selected groups of flowering plants; speciation; working procedures of modern taxonomic investigations; specialisations in selected plant groups; convergence, divergence, selection; eco-morphology.

Overview of historical and ecological factors which help to explain current patterns in the geographic distribution of plants and animals; principles and examples.

Environmental factors and relationships between plants and their environment in the area of the Alps; origin of the flora of the Alps; altitudinal levels and their important vegetations.

Lecture: Environmental factors and interactions between plants and their environment in the area of the Alps; origin of the flora of the Alps; altitudinal levels and their characteristic vegetations.Field trip: Sites on different substrate in the subalpine and alpine zones; structure and development of the soils, implications for the plants, characteristic vegetation types and plant species.

Field trip: Knowledge of the interactions between plants and environment (especially climate and soil) in the Alps (demonstrated in the Davos region); sites on different substrate (dolomite, acid and basic silicate, serpentine) in the subalpine and alpine zones; structure and development of the soils, implications for the plants, characteristic vegetation types and species at the respective sites.

Overview over tasks, concepts and methods of biological systematics (taxonomy, nomenclature, phylogeny and classification)., with special emphasis on modern methods of inferring phylogenetic relationships.Discussion on phylogenetic approaches to better understand origin, evolution and ecological specialisations of selected groups.

Discussion on phylogenetic approaches to better understand origin, evolution and ecological specialisations of selected groups.

This course consists of lectures, practical courses and full-time excursions in Switzerland (especially in the subalpine and alpine zones) during which the knowledge about plant systematics, native and introduced plant species, and ecological factors (mainly climate and soil) is expanded and deepened.

The practical focuses on the flora and vegetation of the colline and montane belts in Valais. Students are offered guided field excursions to deepen their knowledge of plant species and to learn to recognise important vegetation units and their ecological characteristics.

Fundamentals of morphology and systematics of flowering plants, principles of evolution, ecological significance (including indicator plants), fundamentals for the knowledge of plant species; plants use. Use of determination key.

Field work: Field trips (various regions and altitudinal levels of Switzerland): Identification and knowledge of plant species, ecology of important species, indicator plants, knowledge of ecological interactions on the basis of important vegetation types.

Generation cycles, fundamentals of morphology and systematics of plants (mosses, ferns, flowering plants). Principles of evolution, ecological significance of plants (including indicator plants), fundamentals for the knowledge of plant species; plants use. Use of determination key.

Generation cycles, fundamentals of morphology and systematics of plants (mosses, ferns, flowering plants), principles of evolution, ecological significance of plants, fundamentals for the knowledge of plant species.