Monday - Thursday 8:30 - 9:00, 1:30 - 2:00, other times by appointment.
If you have a disability (learning, mental, physical) that affects your ability to participate effectively and have access to any program or service at Amarillo College please contact Disability Services at (806) 345-5639 . Our offices are located in the Student Service Center office 112. More information may be found at www.actx.edu/disability.
Disability Services facilitates access to all programs and services according to the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as other federal and state laws.
Amarillo College is committed to providing equal access to all programs and services, including all working, learning, and service environments that affect equal access for persons with disabilities. This commitment to provide equal access and opportunity for persons with disabilities is in compliance with federal and state law. Amarillo College also strives to provide Electronic and Information Resources (EIR) that are accessible to all authorized users.
If you find you are unable to access material in an accessible format please contact the Disability Services Office at (806) 345-5639 . This office will work in conjunction with other campus resources to address and accommodate your issue in a timely manner.
As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc
Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016
Students who wish to withdraw from a course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline.
NOTE: Students who are attending Texas institutions of higher education, for the first time fall 2007 and later, may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career. This withdrawal limitation does not include dual credit or developmental classes (Senate Bill 1231 Rule 4.10.) For more information on Drop and Withdrawal Policies, please visit the Registrar's Office Web site.
The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students. If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .
BIOL-1411-001 General Botany
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.)
Student ResourcesStudent Resources Website
Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:
Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact your advisor, the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.
(4 sem hrs; 3 lec, 3 lab)
On Campus Course
Required – Botany, 6th ed., 2017, James D. Mauseth, Jones & Bartlett Learning LLC.
Required – Botany 1411 Laboratory Manual, Brandon Moore
Recommended – Wildflowers of the Western Plains, 1992, Zoe Merriman Kirkpatrick, University of Nebraska Press.
None.
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:
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".
CELL PHONES & PAGERS: Cell phones and pagers must be in silent mode during lecture and lab, 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.
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 Sunday September 3 a safety quiz with a score of 80% or better before they will be allowed to continue attending lab class.
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. There will be 4 one hour exams, based on material discussed in class. Each exam will be worth 100 points, and the lowest exam grade will be dropped. Each exam format will have multiple choice, matching, true-false, definitions, and short essay questions. There are NO makeup exams.
Laboratory activities are 25% of the total grade for the semester. There are 13 assigned lab “reports”, which will count 12% of the total lab grade. Lab reports are due the following Tuesday after completing the Thursday lab. Lab reports will not be accepted more than 1 week after they are due. Late lab reports will have a 20% grade deduction. The lowest lab report grade will be dropped. Lab books will be collected twice (Oct. 10, Dec. 5) for inspection and grading. Grading will be based on completeness and accuracy of all drawings and activities. Each lab book grade will count 6.5% of the laboratory grade.
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 8 points added to the next 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 can 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 any of the first 3 exams, must complete a mandatory tutoring session for 1 hour in the Science Enrichment Center, or with their 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!
Regular attendance is required for success in this class. You should NEVER miss class unless it is absolutely unavoidable. Students will need to use their student ID to scan in before lecture and before lab every day.
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BOTANY FALL-1 2016 SCHEDULE |
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WEEK |
LECTURE |
LABORATORY |
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1 8/21-24 |
Unit 1 Ch. 3 Cell Structure |
Lab Safety Orientation Lab 1 Microscopy |
|
2 8/28-31 |
Ch 3 Cont'd Ch 5 Tissues and Primary Growth of Stems |
Lab 2 Plant Cells and Simple Tissues |
|
3 9/5-7 |
Labor Day Sept 4 Ch 6 Leaves Ch 7 Roots |
Lab 3 Stems and Roots |
|
4 9/11-14 |
Ch 9 Flowers and Reproduction Unit 2 Ch 10 Photosynthesis |
Lab 4 Leaves and Flowers |
|
5 9/18-21 |
Ch 10 - Cont'd Ch 11 - Respiration Exam 1 (Thurs 9/21 – Sat 9/23) |
Lab 5 Photosynthesis |
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6 9/25-28 |
Ch 12 Transport Processes Ch 13 Soils and Mineral Nutrition |
Lab 6 Plant Genetics |
|
7 10/2-5 |
Ch 14 Development and Morphogenesis Ch 14 Cont'd |
Lab 7 Classification and Dicotomous Keys |
|
8 10/9-12 |
Unit 3 Ch 4 Growth and Division of the Cell Exam 2 (Thurs 10/12 – Sat 10/14) |
Turn in Lab Books Tuesday No Lab |
| 10/14-22 | FALL BREAK | |
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9 9/19-20 |
Ch 16 Genetics Ch 17 Population Genetics and Evol |
Lab 8 Algae Lab 9 Fungi |
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10 10/30-11/2 |
Ch 18 Classification and Systematics |
Lab 10 Bryophytes, Fern Allies, and Ferns |
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11 11/6-9 |
Ch 19 Algae Ch 20 Nonvascular Plants |
Lab 11 Gymnosperms |
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12 11/13-16 |
Unit 4 Ch 21 Vascular Plants Without Seeds Ch 22 Gymnosperms Exam 3 (Thurs 11/16 – Sat 11/18) |
Lab 12 Angiosperm Reproduction, Seeds, and Fruits |
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13 11/20-22 |
Ch 23 Angiosperms Ch 26 Populations and Ecosystems Drop deadline Tuesday Nov 21 |
No Lab |
| 11/23-26 |
Thanksgiving Holiday |
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14 11/27-30 |
Ch 27 Biomes Climate Change Exam 4 (Thurs 11/30 –Sat 12/2) |
Lab 13 Climate Change |
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15 12/4-7 |
Review for Final Exam |
Turn in Lab Books Tuesday Review for Final Exam |
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16 12/11-14 |
No Class Tuesday December 12 Final Exam Thursday December 14 |
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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 ~ 10-12 hours each week.
Prepare for each class by reviewing previous lecture material and on lab days 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.
08/10/17 4:32 PM
08/15/17 3:13 PM