General Botany

Course Details

Course Number: 1544 Section Number: 202

Spring 2013

Location: Bolin Hall

Classroom Number: 127/214

Days & Times:

TR 8:00-9:20

Course Attachments

SyllabusThis is the syllabus for General Botany BIOL 1544-202 GBSylSp'13-20130121-092356.pdf

Textbooks

Stern's Introductory Plant Biology, 12e
A textbook that introduces students to Plant Biology
ISBN: 978-0-07-304052-3

The Green Kingdom: What is a Plant?
A laboratory manual that introduces students to plants.
ISBN: 978-1-59871-234-6

MSU Faculty Member

Dr. William B. Cook
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Course Objectives

The successful student will be able to:

Recognize Botany as the scientific study of plants,

Describe the importance of plants to humans,

Explain the role of plants in the functioning of ecosystems,

Describe the principles governing the life cycles of plants,

Describe the structure and organization of plant cells,

Recognize the tissues and organs of plants,

Recognize the factors that affect plant growth and development,

Understand that plant diversity is the result of evolutionary processes,

Understand the structure and organization of scientific research articles, and

Understand and apply the scientific method to the study of plants.

Course Expectations

The student is expected to attend each scheduled classroom and laboratory meeting.

The results of four examinations will represent 65% of the course grade. Attendance at these examinations is required.

Exercises will be assigned through Desire2Learn (D2L). Scores on these assignments will represent 10% of the course grade. Work done in completion of D2L exercises must be submitted by the deadline in order to receive scores.

One means of earning extra credit is to complete on-line quizzes. The results of extra credit quizzes must be submitted prior to the examination that covers the quiz chapter.

A second means of earning extra credit is to attend class each day. The attendance of students present at the start of class (8:00 A.M.) will be recorded. Students who arrive after 8:00 must make their presence known to the instructor at the end of the class period in order to be eligible for attendance extra credit. Students who leave class after having their attendance recorded will not receive credit for attending class.

Grading Standards

A=90-100%

B=80-89.9%

C=70-79.9%

D=60-69.9%

F<60%

Final Exam5/9/2013 8:00-10:00 A.M.

Submission Format Policy

Desire2Learn (D2L) assignments must be submitted according to the instructions provided with each assignment. Improperly submitted results will not be recorded and will not earn credit. Work done in completion of D2L exercises must be submitted by the deadline in order to receive scores.

Extra credit (on-line) quiz results must be submitted according to the instructions provided at the textbook web site. Improperly submitted results will not be recorded and will not earn extra credit.

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

All assignments must be turned in by their deadlines in order to earn credit.

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

Attendance records will be kept to provide this information to university offices that require it. Extra credit will be awarded to the student who misses two or fewer class meetings during the semester.

Other Policies

Out of courtesy to classmates and the instructor, please

1) don't walk across the front of the classroom after class has begun or before class has ended.

2) don't converse during lectures, videos, examinations or other classroom activities.

At the beginning of each class period, turn off cell phones, pagers, and other electronic devices that may make noise, disrupt or distract.

Observe University policies regarding class attendance (do), grounds for an instructor drop, classroom conduct and academic dishonesty (don't). These policies may be found in the MSU Student Handbook <http://students.mwsu.edu/studentaffairs => Campus Life => Student Handbook>.

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.