General Botany

Course Details

Course Number: 1544  Section Number: 102

Fall 2012

Location: Bolin Hall

Classroom Number: 212

Days & Times:

Tuesday & Thursday 11:00 AM - 12:20 PM

Course Attachments

Textbooks
MSU Faculty Member
Dr. Magaly Rincon-Zachary   
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Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

·  Recognize that Botany is the scientific study of plants

·  Describe the importance of plants in our lives

·  Describe the different disciplines within Botany and their field of study

·  Explain the role of plants in maintaining the health and functioning of ecosystems

·  Describe the general principles governing the life cycle of plants

·  Describe the structure and cellular organization of plant cells

·  Describe, in general terms, the chemical composition of plant cells

·  Explain how plant cells form specialized tissues and tissues form specialized organs

·  Describe the functions of all plant organs

·  Understand the principles of plant cell growth and differentiation

·  Understand and apply the scientific method to study growth and development of plants

·  Explain that plant diversity is the result of evolutionary processes

·  Describe adaptations of plants to different environments

·  Explain how the environment, hormones and endogenous factors (e.g., gene expression) control plant growth and development

·  Describe the structure and organization of peer-reviewed research articles


Course Expectations

Students are expected to follow the lecture outline and read the material before coming to class

Students must follow the university standards of conduct (2011-2012 Student Handbook, p. 75-81).


Final Exam12/11/2012  1:00 - 3:00 PM

Submission Format Policy

Unless otherwise indicated, all assignments must be typed and followed the format below:  

Line spacing: 1.5

Margins: 1" all around

Font:  Times New Roman

Font size: not smaller than 10 point and not larger than 12 point

Proper English usage is required.



Note: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance.

Late Paper Policy

Assignments are handed in during class.  No late assignments will be accepted unless the student has a compelling reason such as an injury, illness, or family emergency and informs the instructor of the situation in a timely manner (not later than 24 hours).


Plagiarism Policy Plagiarism is the use of someone else's thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")-whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not.

Student Honor Creed

As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so."

As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception. Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters. We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student. We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed. Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.

Students with Disabilities The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, 397-4140.

Safe Zones Statement The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being - regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor's expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.

Contacting your Instructor All instructors in the Department have voicemail in their offices and MWSU e-mail addresses. Make sure you add your instructor's phone number and e-mail address to both email and cell phone lists of contacts.

Attendance Requirements

1.  Students must attend lectures and labs.

2.  Students must be punctual.  The instructor calls roll everyday.  You must be in the classroom when the instructor calls your name.  Attendance is considered into your final grade as 3% is added to your final grade for perfect attendance.  A student with excessive absences may be dropped from the course (2011-2012 Student Handbook, p. 43-44).

3.  No make-up exams or quizzes will be given except in cases of authorized absences (2011-2012 Student Handbook, p. 43-44), injury, illness, or family emergency.  If the reason of your absence is a non-life threatening injury or illness or a family emergency, you must contact me without delay.  If the reason of your absence is a university activity (athletic, art, music, etc.), you must furnish a letter from the instructor indicating the reason for the absence. If you must be absent from class for a long period of time because of injury, illness, or family emergency, please contact the Dean of Students.

4.  Unexcused absences from exams or quizzes will be recorded as zero.


Other Policies

Cell Phone Etiquette

I personally consider answering a cell phone and text messaging in class very impolite. Students who engage in text messaging and answer their cell phone during class will be asked to leave the classroom and will be considered absent.  If a student needs to have a cell phone on because an extraordinary circumstance (e.g., having a family member sick at home or in the hospital), he/she must let me know about it before class.

Academic Honesty

MSU students demand of themselves the highest level of academic honesty as stated in their honor creed “As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so” (2011-2012 Student Handbook, p. 4).  In this course you will be asked to work together in groups on assignments and then show your understanding of the topic by writing a summary, answering questions, etc.  I want to be absolutely clear on this subject, while I strongly encourage students to discuss assignment materials among themselves, it is absolutely unacceptable to copy each other or share documents electronically.  Academic honesty involves the submission of work that is wholly the student’s own work. Academic honesty also involves giving credit or authorship by following the proper citation rules.

Students with disability

In accordance with the law, MSU provides students with documented disabilities academic accommodations. If you are a student with a disability, please contact me and Disability Support Services, Clark Student Center, room 168, phone: 397-4140.

Intellectual property

By enrolling in this course, the student expressly grants MSU a "limited right" in all intellectual property created by the student for the purpose of this course.  The "limited right" shall include but shall not be limited to the right to reproduce the student's work product in order to verify originality and authenticity, and for educational purposes.

Graduating seniors are not exempt from taking the final exam unless they are graduating Summa cum laude.


Writing Proficiency Requirement All students seeking a Bachelor's degree from Midwestern State University must satisfy a writing proficiency requirement once they've 1) passed English 1113 and English 1123 and 2) earned 60 hours. You may meet this requirement by passing either the Writing Proficiency Exam or English 2113. Please keep in mind that, once you've earned over 90 hours, you lose the opportunity to take the $25 exam and have no option but to enroll in the three-credit hour course. If you have any questions about the exam, visit the Writing Proficiency Office website at http://academics.mwsu.edu/wpr, or call 397-4131.