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tional methods of identification. The laboratories will be provided with four 
teletype terminals, with each student allowed about one hour of terminal time. 
The students are supplied with a lecture syllabus and laboratory manual which 
includes instructions for use of the computer. 
In alternate years the University offers a three-term course sequence in 
plant systematics for graduate students. In the first two courses of the sequence 
the evolution and classification of the angiosperms is emphasized and in the final 
course the philosophy of systematics is the principal subject. All three courses 
offer an excellent opportunity for introducing graduate students to computer 
methods in plant identification and the organization of taxonomic data. These 
students are now constructing data matrices for identification of plant groups in 
which they have a research interest. The^ may also become involved in computer 
program development for plant identification and taxonomic data handling, and can 
also employ batch processing methods for key construction and editing. The advanced 
courses also provide an opportunity for graduate students to obtain proficiency in 
computer identification techniques before they serve as teaching assistants in the 
introductory course. If interest proves sufficient, which seems likely, an ad¬ 
vanced course concerned solely with computer methods in botany will be instituted. 
Advanced Training and Research 
As major participants in the project several graduate students will receive 
training in computer applications through assisting in the preparation of the 
computer-adapted instructional materials to be used in the courses. They are 
expected to use computer techniques in their research and to continue development 
of the prototype systems for key construction, key editing and printing, and on-line 
identification. The assembling of data to build a library of taxonomic data matrices 
is one of their prime responsibilities. Development of these software systems offer 
many challenging subjects for thesis research. 
Inter-institutional sharin g of resources and taxonomic data 
One of the most important long-range implications of the project is the possi¬ 
bility for development of systems which will permit on-line sharing of taxonomic 
data among institutions. Such systems should make possible instantaneous and con¬ 
tinual updating of taxonomic research data for use by all investigators. 
The project participants will spend part of their time, especially in the 
summer, at the Smithsonian Institution where they will have the opportunity to 
utilize the collections of the U. S. National Herbarium. They will also profit from 
interaction with the scientific staff of the Smithsonian, which in turn should bene¬ 
fit by being able to draw upon the personnel resources of the University and by the 
increased use of its collections for research. Finally, the on-line link with the 
Smithsonian should increase students* appreciation -of the dynamic importance of 
museum collections for systematic research. 
Materia 1s Available 
A program package, not yet in final form, is available at cost for experimental 
use. Informal program descriptions, instructions for data preparation, and sample 
data and output are also available. [See below for list of programs. J 
