General Botany Syllabus for 2015-2016
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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.

          OR – Botany, 5^th ed., 2014, James D. Mauseth, Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Required – Botany 1411 Laboratory Manual, 2016, Brandon Moore

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.
10. 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 and must be turned off during any exams.  Texting is not allowed during class.  If you need to respond to a phone or pager message, please quietly exit the room to do so.  Using a smartphone or other device to record lectures is highly encouraged.  Cell phones normally are not allowed on or at laboratory benches.

LABORATORY SAFETY. No open food or beverage containers can be taken into or consumed in the laboratory, without permission from the instructor.  For your personal safety students should not wear open-toed shoes, shorts, or very short skirts in the laboratory.

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.  Students must notify the instructor immediately if an accident occurs.  Students must complete by the end of week 2 a safety quiz with a score of 80% or better before they will be allowed to continue attending lab class.

Grading Criteria

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

Lecture exams are 44% of the total grade for the semester. There will be 3 exams based on lecture material and any assigned reading material.  Each exam will be worth 100 points, with a format that will use multiple choice, matching, true-false, definitions, and/or short essay questions. There are NO makeup exams.

Laboratory activities are 25% of the total grade for the semester. There are 11 assigned lab “reports”, which will count 15% of the total lab grade.  Students can drop the lowest lab report grade.  There will be 2 student presentations that will count 5% each of the total lab grade.  These 2 assignments are to describe characteristics of a flowering plant family, and to design and describe a dichotomous key.  Instructions for these are in the lab manual and will be discussed in class.

Field trip activities are 6% of the total grade for the semester.  These tentatively include visits to the Amarillo Botanical Garden, the Panhandle Greenhouses, and Palo Duro Canyon.  Each will be assessed by participation as 2% of the possible 6% total.

As an optional activity before each exam, students can form study groups, meet twice for at least an hour with their group in the Science Enrichment Center, and then take a group exam in the SEC.  The two study sessions and group exam are worth up to 5 points added to the next lecture exam.  Instructions for this will be discussed in class and posted in the Course Content section of Blackboard.

The Final Exam is 25% of the total grade for the semester.  The exam will be comprehensive, 2 hours, in class, as listed on the Amarillo College Final Exam schedule.

Biology Department Testing Policy

Science Testing Center: Warren Hall Room 112

All lecture exams, excluding the final exam, will be taken in the Science Testing Center during days scheduled by the instructor during normal Science Testing Center hours.  Exams will be taken outside of class lecture and laboratory time.  Not attending class in order to take an exam will result in 10 pts being deducted from the exam grade.  Please note: No test may be started less than one and a half hours before the Science Testing Center closes.

When using the Science Testing Center students will scan in and out with their Amarillo College student I.D.  Therefore, you must present an Amarillo College student ID every time you take an exam.  The Science Testing Center staff will retain your ID while you take your exam and will return it to you when you turn in your exam.

Mandatory Tutoring: Warren Hall Room 110

In an effort to increase retention in Biology courses, any student who scores below a 70 on an exam before the Final exam review week, must complete a mandatory tutoring session for 1 hour in the Science Enrichment Center or with his/her instructor before taking the next exam.  Before getting mandatory tutoring, students must first schedule a tutoring time with the SEC by either calling (806 345-5536) or visiting Warren Hall Room 110. 

The SEC will do its best to accommodate a student’s schedule within the SEC hours of operation.  This may require plenty of advanced notice by the student as time slots fill quickly.  Upon arrival in the SEC, students must inform SEC staff that they are there for mandatory tutoring.  Mandatory tutoring will not require remediation over a failed test.

Free Drop-in:  Walk-in tutoring is welcome anytime during the hours of operation of the SEC, which are posted on the door and in the Content area of Blackboard.

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 the STC Contract for Success. 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."

*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

Regular attendance is required for success in this class. You should NEVER miss class unless it is absolutely unavoidable.

Calendar

Additional Information

The Blackboard Content site for this class will have the syllabus, schedules for ongoing activities, selected images for laboratory exercises, instructional videos, PowerPoint material for lectures, and all related course information.  Lecture exam dates are subject to change, with reasonable notification given to all students.

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

    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 communications will be through the student’s AC Connect portal.  Students are expected to check their email and course folder routinely.  The instructor will normally respond to student emails within 24 hours, except on the weekend.