General Botany Syllabus for 2013-2014
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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Course

BIOL-1411-001 General Botany

Prerequisites

Course Description

Fundamental biological concepts relevant to plant physiology, life cycle, growth and development, structure and function, and cellular and molecular metabolism. The role of plants in the environment, evolution and phylogeny of major plant groups, algae and fungi. Laboratory activities will reinforce lecture content. (This course is intended for science majors.)  

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Department Expectations

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Hours

(4 sem hrs; 3 lec, 3 lab)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Required – Plants and People, 1st ed., 2013, James D. Mauseth, Jones & Bartlett Learning.

                    Botany: A Lab Manual, 2014, Stacy Pfluger, Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Recommended – Wildflowers of the Western Plains, 1992, Zoe Merriman Kirkpatrick, University of Nebraska Press.

Supplies

None.

Student Performance

By the end of the semester the student will be able to satisfactorily complete all of the listed learning objectives (below) with a minimum of 60 percent competency level based on the completion of the required examinations and other work as required by the instructor.

LEARNING/ PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES (MINIMUM COMPETENCIES):
After studying the material presented in this course, the student will be able to do the following:

1. Compare and contrast the structures, reproduction, and characteristics of plants, algae, and fungi.
2. Describe the characteristics of life and the basic properties of substances needed for life.
3. Identify the principles of inheritance and solve classical genetic problems.
4. Describe phylogenetic relationships and classification schemes.
5. Identify the major phyla of life with an emphasis on plants, including the basis for classification, structural and physiological adaptations, evolutionary history, and ecological significance.
6. Identify the chemical structures, synthesis, and regulation of nucleic acids and proteins.
7. Identify the substrates, products, and important chemical pathways in photosynthesis and respiration.
8. Describe the unity and diversity of plants and the evidence for evolution through natural selection.
9. Compare different sexual and asexual life cycles noting their adaptive advantages.

Describe the reasoning processes applied to scientific investigations and thinking.

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

CELL PHONES & PAGERS: Cell phones and pagers must be in silent mode during lectures, labs, and any in class exams. Texting is not allowed during class. If you have an urgent need to have a phone or pager on, you must inform the Instructor before class, and must quietly exit the room to take a call. Recording lectures is encouraged by using a smartphone or other device. Cell phones are not allowed on laboratory benches. Hats cannot be worn during exams.

LABORATORY SAFETY. No open food or beverage containers can be taken into or consumed in the laboratory (a table outside Science Hall labs is available for use). For your personal safety students should not wear open-toed shoes, shorts, or very short skirts in the laboratory. While on outdoor field trips, students must wear sturdy walking shoes and a hat, and must bring a water bottle.

A classroom safety orientation will be provided the first day of class. While the risk of an accident is minimized as much as possible, there is the potential for contact with sharp instruments and possibly hazardous chemicals. Student must notify the instructor immediately if an accident occurs. Students will have to read and sign a laboratory safety contract before they will be allowed to continue attending.

Grading Criteria

Grading Scale: A = 90 - 100%, B = 80 - 89%, C = 70 - 79%, D = 60 - 69%, F < 60%.
 

Lecture exams are 50% of the total grade for the semester. Five 75-minute exams will be based on lecture material and any assigned reading material. Each exam will be worth 100 points, and the lowest exam grade will be dropped. Each exam format will use multiple choice, matching, true-false, definitions, and/or short essay questions. There will be a Plants and People Discussion assignment that can allow a student to add up to 2 points to their final average. There also will be a Symposium led by Honors students on the “Symbolism of Plants” that will allow any student to add 1 point to their final average. See below for the department’s testing policy.

The Final Exam is 20% of the total grade for the semester. The exam will be comprehensive, 2 hours, in class, on Wednesday May 14.

Laboratory and field trip activities are 30% of the total grade for the semester:

    Four lab exams will be given (15%).

    Students will make a Powerpoint presentation on one family of flowering plants (5%).

    Students are required to attend 2 field trips (5%). Attendance on all field trips will count an additional 2.5% of the laboratory grade, not to exceed the 30% value of the overall grade.

    Students will develop and present a dichotomous key for plant identification (5%).

There are NO makeup lecture exams; a missed exam can become the drop grade. For a missed lab exam, a student can request in writing to have a makeup lab exam be given during Week 15. Approval of any request is not automatic and must be clearly justified. All number grades for exams and assignments will be posted on Blackboard. Final course letter grades will be posted on Blackboard.

Biology Department Testing Policy

Science Testing Center: Warren Hall 112

All lecture tests, excluding the Final Exam, will be taken in the Science Testing Center and may be taken during normal Science Testing Center hours, day or evening. Tests are to be taken outside of class lecture time. Please note: No tests will be given out less than one and a half hours before the Science Testing Center closes. You must present an Amarillo College student ID every time you take a test. The Science Testing Center staff will retain your ID while you take your test and it will be returned to you when you turn in your test.

When using the Science Testing Center students should scan in and out with their Amarillo College student I.D.

Mandatory Tutoring: Warren Hall 110

In an effort to increase retention in Biology courses, any student who scores below a 70 on any exam (excluding the Final Exam) must complete a mandatory 30 minute tutoring session with his/her instructor or in the Science Enrichment before taking the next exam. Appointments for 30 minute tutoring are required and can be scheduled in the Science Enrichment Center or by calling (806) 371-5536.

A Record of Tutoring form will be given to you when you complete 30 minutes of required tutoring. You will not be allowed to take the next exam without the complete Record of Tutoring form.

Free Drop-in: Peer tutors are available at the Science Enrichment Center.

Cheating will not be tolerated in any biology course at Amarillo College. On the first day of class, you will be required to sign and date a Course Contract. Included in the contract is the following statement: "I fully understand that if I cheat, or attempt to cheat, on any test I will receive an automatic “F” in the course. This grade will go on my permanent transcript and cannot be removed. Cheating includes, but is not limited to: the illegal use of books, notes, cell phones*, copying or leaving the Science Testing Center with a test or questions from a test. Cheating also includes helping, or attempting to help, other students to cheat on a test.

You will not be allowed to take your tests until this contract is signed and on file in the Science Testing Center.

*Please Note: NO CELL PHONES in the Testing Room. If we see your cell phone out AT ANY TIME, FOR ANY REASON, while in the testing room, YOU WILL RECEIVE an "F" for the course!

Attendance

Attendance is not normally a numerical component of the grading of this course, but regular attendance is required for success.

Calendar

Additional Information

The Blackboard Content site for this class will have the syllabus, assignment instructions, and Powerpoint material for lectures.  Lecture and laboratory exam dates are subject to change, with reasonable notification given to all students.

 

Expectations: Every student will take personal responsibility for his/her learning in this course. To best succeed, each student should:

    Attend all lecture and laboratory sessions.

    Participate in lecture and laboratory activities by asking questions and working diligently.   

    Study 10 hours each week.

    Prepare for each class by reviewing previous lecture material and by reading that day's laboratory exercise.

    Complete all assignments when due.

 

Communication: All email communication will be to the student’s AC gmail address. Students are encouraged to correspond as often as needed to address any questions or concerns that one might have.