Biology 351 Plant Kingdom Fall 2011 Instructor: Text: Meeting Time: Office Hours: Dr. Donald B. Pratt Department of Biology 111 Miller Science 468-2038; prattdb@sfasu.edu Biology of Plants, 7 th edition, by Raven, Evert, and Eichorn Online supplemental materials Online lab manual Lecture: M W, 9:00-9:50 AM. 132 Miller Science Laboratory: M 1:00-3:50 PM, 119 Miller Science MW 11:00-11:50 AM TR 9:00-11:50 AM F 9:00-9:50 AM; 11:00-11:50 AM or by appointment Course Description: Comparative study of organisms traditionally classified in the plant kingdom, including: algae, bryophytes, lycophytes, ferns and allies, and seed plants. The course will highlight evolutionary trends in reproductive morphology and adaptations to a dessicating environment. Pre-requisite(s): 131 or equivalent (C or better) Co-requisite(s): 351L Program Learning Outcomes: Each course objective and student learning outcome listed below corresponds to the Biology Department PLO 1 to develop knowledge of biological concepts. Course Objectives: To introduce students to the diversity of organisms traditionally classified in the plant kingdom, including: algae, bryophytes, lycophytes, ferns and allies, and seed plants. To present students with basic principles of plant reproductive biology, including: life cycles, gametangia, sporangia, sporophylls, heterospory, ovules, seeds, fruits, and flowers. To introduce three themes of plant evolution: adaptations to a dessicating environment; variations in plant reproduction; and forms of plant dispersal.
Student Learning Outcomes (Course Competencies): The final grade includes both lecture and lab-based components. However, the lecture and lab components each encompass separate course competencies. Lecture-based Competencies Lecture-based competencies will be evaluated by a series of exams that will include a variety of question types, including: multiple-choice, matching, short answer, and essay questions. 1. Students will learn the reproductive features, adaptations, diversity, and evolutionary history of the various groups of plants traditionally classified in the plant kingdom: the algae, bryophytes, lycophytes, ferns and fern allies, and the seed plants (including both gymnosperms and angiosperms). 2. Students will master the basic concepts of plant reproduction and reproductive biology including: life cycles, alternation of generation, gametangia, sporangia, sporophylls, ovules, seeds, fruits, and flowers. Students will be able to associate reproductive features and patterns found within each lineage studied. 3. Students will learn the major adaptations that were necessary for life on land and the characteristics of all land plants. Course Requirements: Two midterm exams (120 pts each) 240 pts. Final exam 120 pts. Fern Life Cycle Paper 50 pts. Laboratory notebook (10 labs, 10 pts each) 100 pts. 510 pts. Tests will consist of a variety of testing formats including: matching/multiple choice, and short answer. Twenty points of each exam will consist of identification of indicated structures and organisms using projected slides. Test questions will come directly from lecture. In addition to the exams students are required to complete a lab report, a fern life cycle paper, and to turn their lab notebook as part of their lab grade. Grading: Students will receive a single grad from both lecture and lab. Final grades will be assigned using the following format: 90+% = A; 80-89%= B; 70-79%= C; 60-69%= D; -60% = F There will be no extra credit. Evaluations: The office of the Provost has stipulated that end-of-semester evaluations are mandatory for all students. As such, she has asked that professors refrain from giving bonus points as bribes to complete evaluations. Rather, we are required to deduct points for failure to comply. In accordance with the Office of the Provost, the Department of Biology has mandated that any student failing to complete an electronic evaluation have one percentage point (5/510 points above) deducted from their final grade.
Make-up exams: Only students with an excused absence will be allowed to make up an exam. Excused absences include: students participating in university sponsored events, serious illness, or family emergencies. To make up an exam, prior notification is necessary. In the case of illness or an emergency you must notify me no later than 24 hours after the exam. A doctor s note is required in the case of illness. Only the written portion of the exam can be made up, the practical portion (twenty points) cannot be made up. Student Responsibilities: Students are responsible for attending lectures, taking notes, and reading the course text. Additional material will be made available to you on webct. You are strongly encouraged to enable your titan account and visit MYSFA daily. Students reading a newspaper in class will be asked to leave. Disabilities Statement: To obtain disability related accommodations, alternate formats and/or auxiliary aids, students with disabilities must contact the Office of Disability Services (ODS), Human Services Building, and Room 325, 468-3004 / 468-1004 (TDD) as early as possible in the semester. Once verified, ODS will notify the course instructor and outline the accommodation and/or auxiliary aids to be provided. Failure to request services in a timely manner may delay your accommodations. For additional information, go to http://www.sfasu.edu/disabilityservices/. Acceptable Student Behavior Classroom behavior should not interfere with the instructor s ability to conduct the class or the ability of other students to learn from the instructional program (see the Student Conduct Code, policy D-34.1). Unacceptable or disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. Students who disrupt the learning environment may be asked to leave class and may be subject to judicial, academic or other penalties. This prohibition applies to all instructional forums, including electronic, classroom, labs, discussion groups, field trips, etc. The instructor shall have full discretion over what behavior is appropriate/inappropriate in the classroom. Students who do not attend class regularly or who perform poorly on class projects/exams may be referred to the Early Alert Program. This program provides students with recommendations for resources or other assistance that is available to help SFA students succeed.
Academic Integrity (University Policy A-9.1 Statement): Academic dishonesty includes both cheating and plagiarism. Cheating includes but is not limited to (1) using or attempting to use unauthorized materials to aid in achieving a better grade on a component of a class; (2) the falsification or invention of any information, including citations, on an assigned exercise; and/or (3) helping or attempting to help another in an act of cheating or plagiarism. Plagiarism is presenting the words or ideas of another person as if they were your own. Examples of plagiarism are (1) submitting an assignment as if it were one's own work when, in fact, it is at least partly the work of another; (2) submitting a work that has been purchased or otherwise obtained from an Internet source or another source; and (3) incorporating the words or ideas of an author into one's paper without giving the author due credit. Please read the complete policy at http://www.sfasu.edu/policies/academic_integrity.asp
Biology 351 Tentative Lecture Schedule Date Day Subject Text Lab Subject Aug. 29 M Introduction 29 Introduction 31 W Embryophytes 235-237; 345-351 Sept. 5 M Labor Day 5 No Lab 7 W Embryophytes 235-237; 345-351 12 M Anthocerophyta 356-358 12 Hornworts 14 W Marchantiophyta I 351-356 19 M Marchantiophyta II 351-356 19 Liverworts 21 W Bryophyta I 358-366 26 M Bryophyta II 358-366 26 Mosses 28 W Oct. 3 M Tracheophytes 368-377 3 Exam I 5 W Tracheophytes 368-377 10 M Devonian Explosion 377-380 10 Steles 12 W Lycophyta 380-389 17 M Polypodiophyta 389-406 17 Lycophyta 19 W Polypodiophyta 389-406 24 M Polypodiophyta 389-406 24 Ferns 26 W 31 M Spermatophytes 408-414 31 Exam II Nov. 2 W Spermatophytes 408-414 7 M Cycads and Ginkgos 427-431 7 Gymnosperms 9 W Pinophyta 414-427 14 M Pinophyta 414-427 14 Gymnosperms II 16 W Gnetophyta 431-432 21 M Angiosperms 434-450 21 Pollen Lab 23 W Thanksgiving 28 M Angiosperms 434-450 28 Angiosperms 30 W Fruits 465-470 Dec. 5 M Origins of Angiosperms 453-472 5 Fruits 7 W The First Flower Video 12 M Final 8:00-10:00 AM