Course Contents

a) Pteridophytes Introduction, origin, features and a generalized life cycle. Methods of fossilization, types of fossils and geological time scale. First vascular plant - Rhyniophyta e.g. Rhynia. General characters, classification and affinities of the following phyla: Psilophyta (Psilotum), Lycophyta ,(Selaginella), Sphenophyta (Equisetum), Pterophyta (Dryopteris). b) Gymnosperms: Geological history, origin, distribution, classification and affinities of Cycadofillicales, Bennettitales, Ginkgoales, Cycadales and Gnetales. Origin and Evolution of seed habit. Distribution of gymnosperms in Pakistan. Economic importance of gymnosperms. c) Palynology: 1. An introduction to Neopalynology and Paleopalynology, its applications in botany, geology, archaeology, criminology, medicines, honey and oil and gas exploration. d) Angiosperms: 1. Origin of angiosperms 2. Evolution of fruit habit. Practicals 1. Morphological and reproductive features of available genera. 2. Study trips to different parts of Pakistan for the collection and identification of important pteridophytes and gymnosperms.