General Botany Syllabus for 2023-2024
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Instructor Information

Office Location

<p>Science Building, 203-H</p>

Office Hours

Outside of class hours, I can be found in my office.  I welcome the opportunity to talk with you at any time! I keep an open-door policy.

Course Information

COVID-19 Protocols

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

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 Enrollment Center, Suite 700. 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.

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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.

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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

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

Tutoring for Success applies to any student whose overall performance in the course falls below 75%. The instructor will create the task in the Student Engagement Portal (Watermark) to direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty- or SI-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. The tutoring service assigned, the due date for when the tutoring must be completed, and the amount of tutoring required are at the discretion of the instructor. Additionally, the task will alert the student’s success team. Students who do not fulfill the assigned tutoring task may be subject to program- and course-specific penalties that could result in a grade reduction and/or in not being allowed to progress in the course until the tutoring requirement has been satisfied.

Administrative Drop Policy

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

Student Withdrawal Procedures

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.

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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 .

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.)  

Student ResourcesStudent Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

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:

Melodie Graves
Justice Involved Advocate
Student Service Center 117
mgraves24@actx.edu
806-371-5995
Make appointment at https://melodiegraves.youcanbook.me

You can also contact 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.

Hours

(4 sem hrs; 3 lec, 3 lab)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Stern's Introductory Plant Biology 15th edition (13th, or 14th editions are acceptable), Bidlack and Jansky, McGraw-Hill Publishing

Stern's Introductory Plant Biology Laboratory Manual 14th or 15th edition Bidlack, McGraw-Hill Publishing

The lab book must be either 14th or 15th edition.

Supplies

Hiking shoes; water bottle, canteen, or "Camelbak"; day back pack

Student Performance


 

  1.   Define the basic principles of chemistry as applied to biology.
  2.   Describe the basics of plant cell organization and function.
  3.   Describe the basic processes of photosynthesis.
  4.   Discuss Mendels contributions to genetics of plants.
  5.   Define basic principles of heredity and alternation of generations in plants.
  6.   Discuss the concept of evolution, natural selection, and speciation.
  7.   Discuss the classification of non-animal organisms.
  8.   Compare the various taxa of plants and their relationships.
  9.   Describe the physical structures and their functions in plants.
  10.   Discuss the functions and development of plant organs.

 

 

 

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

Do not bother other students with your cell phone usage.

Do not do anything that looks like you are cheating, including looking at your phone during exams

WITHDRAW: A grade of "W" will be given for drops or withdraws on or before the published official withdrawal date.  You may not drop or withdraw after that date (Thursday, April 18th, 2024). The link below is for the drop form:

Link to Drop Form on Registrar's website

Grading Criteria

GRADING: 900 - 1000 = A   

800 - 899 = B    

700 - 799 = C   

600 - 699 = D

Below 599 = F

A grade of "D" or better is required for credit toward graduation.

 

Lecture exams (4) 150 points each; lowest exam grade will be dropped

Lab Practicals (two) 200 points

Quizzes 50 points

Collection/Project 50 points

Field trips 50 points

Final exam, comprehensive 200 points

Total     1000  points

 

There will be no makeups for missed quizzes, projects, collections, or exams. Make-up practicals will be given only on the Friday before the final exam and only if requested in writing at least 48 hours in advance of the make up date.

To take an exam, you must make a reservation in person or on line: https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/ScienceTestingCenter@actx.edu/bookings/ You must have a photo ID, preferably an AC ID.

AC has a mandatory tutoring policy: If you make less than 70% on an exam, you must sign up for and receive one hour of tutoring in the Science Tutoring Center.  https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/ScienceTutoringCenter@actx.edu/bookings/

Attendance

Calendar

Exams will be on line first weekend of each month after class starts and will be taken in the Science Testing Center, Warren Hall 112. To take an exam, you must make a reservation in person or on line: https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/ScienceTestingCenter@actx.edu/bookings/ You must have a photo ID, preferably an AC ID.

First lab practical will be on a Thursday about the middle of March and the second will be Thursday the first week of May

Final 1030-1230 on Tuesday last week of class.

Additional Information

Syllabus Created on:

01/08/24 9:33 AM

Last Edited on:

01/16/24 12:11 PM