Heartland Community College
Master Course Syllabus
Division name: Math and Science
Course Prefix and Number: BIOL 131
Course Title: Plants and Society
DATE PREPARED: February 2, 2012
DATE REVISED: September 25, 2013
PCS/CIP NO: 1.1-260301
IAI Number: L1 901L
EFFECTIVE FIRST DAY OF CLASS: Fall 2013
CREDIT HOURS: 4
CONTACT HOURS: 5
LECTURE HOURS: 3
LABORATORY HOURS: 2
CATALOG DESCRIPTION:
This general education course emphasizes scientific inquiry using plants as the study organism.
Concepts covered include cell and molecular biology, plant structure and function, plant
genetics, classification, evolution and ecology. The importance of plants in human society will
be an ongoing theme throughout the course. The laboratory exercises will make extensive use of
plant models, living and preserved plant specimens, and wet mount and prepared slides.
TEXTBOOKS:
Textbook/lab manual or comparable texts:
1. Levetin, E. and McMahon K. (2008) Plants and Society. Boston: McGraw-Hill.
2. Levetin, E., McMahon, K., Reinsvold, R. (2002) Laboratory Manual for Applied
Botany. Boston: McGraw-Hill.
RELATIONSHIP TO ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS AND
TRANSFER:
Biology 131 fulfills 4 hours of the semester hours of credit in Life and Physical Science
required for the A.A. or A.S. degree. This course should transfer as part of the General
Education Core Curriculum described in the Illinois Articulation Initiative to other Illinois
colleges and universities participating in the IAI. However, students should consult an
academic advisor for transfer information regarding particular institutions. Refer to the IAI #
L1901L for information as well at www.itransfer.org.
COURSE OBJECTIVES (Learning Outcomes):
At the completion of this course, student will be able to:
Course Outcomes
Describe the process of
scientific method used in
plant research.
Describe the basic structure
and function of plants.
General Education
Outcomes
CT1
CO2
Range of Assessment Methods
Exams, Experiments, Lab Reports,
Quizzes, Lab Dissection Simulations,
Concept Maps, Group Projects,
Individual Projects, Journal Article
Reports, Short papers and Case Studies
Exams, Experiments, Lab Reports,
Quizzes, Lab Dissection Simulations,
Concept Maps, Group Projects,
Individual Projects, Journal Article
Reports, Short papers and Case Studies
Identify the plants at the
family and genus level.
Exams, Experiments, Lab Reports,
Quizzes, Lab Dissection Simulations,
Concept Maps, Group Projects,
Individual Projects, Journal Article
Reports, Short papers and Case Studies
Analyze the Mendelian
principles of Genetics
Exams, Experiments, Lab Reports,
Quizzes, Lab Dissection Simulations,
Concept Maps, Group Projects,
Individual Projects, Journal Article
Reports, Short papers and Case Studies
Examine the effects of plants
on human society.
Exams, Experiments, Lab Reports,
Quizzes, Lab Dissection Simulations,
Concept Maps, Group Projects,
Individual Projects, Journal Article
Reports, Short papers and Case Studies
Analyze various factors
effecting the environment.
Describe the evolutionary
relationship among the major
groups of plants
CT1
Exams, Experiments, Lab Reports,
Quizzes, Lab Dissection Simulations,
Concept Maps, Group Projects,
Individual Projects, Journal Article
Reports, Short papers and Case Studies
Exams, Experiments, Lab Reports,
Quizzes, Lab Dissection Simulations,
Concept Maps, Group Projects,
Individual Projects, Journal Article
Reports, Short papers and Case Studies
CO2 – Students effectively deliver a message via various channels/modalities.
CT1 – Students gather knowledge, apply it to a new situation, and draw reasonable
conclusions in ways that demonstrate comprehension.
COURSE OUTLINE:
Unit1. Introduction to Scientific methods, Chemistry and Plant cell structure
 What is science?
 What is the scientific method?
 Basic chemistry and organic macromolecules
 Biological and chemical components of plants and their importance to society
 Basic unit of life- the structure of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
 Detailed function of cell organelles
Unit 2 Molecular genetics, Cell cycle and Plant Genetics
 DNA replication
 Gene expression and Protein Synthesis
 Plant cloning, genetically modified organisms and their impact on society
 Cell cycle
 Asexual and sexual lifecycle of plants
 Flowers and Seeds
 Mendelian laws of genetics
Unit 3 Plant Structure & Physiology
 Plant organization
 Basic anatomy and function of root and human use
 Basic anatomy and function of stem and human use
 Basic anatomy and function of leaf and human use


Process of photosynthesis and respiration
Impact of plant metabolic processes
Unit 4 Plant Diversity, Evolution and Ecology
 Classification basics
 Evolution of plant groups
 Characteristics and human uses of algae
 Characteristics and human uses of fungi
 Characteristics and human uses of seedless plants
 Characteristics and human uses of gymnosperms
 Characteristics and human uses of Angiosperms
 Biomes and ecosystem
 Green house effect and global warming
LAB OUTLINE:
Scientific method (Supplemental Lab)
Microscopy
Chemical components of the cell
The cell
`
Movement of water into the cell
Metabolic reactions photosynthesis and respiration
Cell division processes (mitosis and meiosis)
Plant genetics
Morphology and anatomy of root, stem, flower and leaves
Classification of plants
METHOD OF EVALUATION (Tests/Exams, Grading System):
Student grades will be based on multiple measures of student performance which may include
the following: exams, experiments, lab reports, journal article reports, short papers, quizzes, lab
dissection simulations, concept maps, group projects, individual projects and case studies.
The grading scale for the course is as follows:
90-100%
80-89%
70-79%
60-69%
0-60%
A
B
C
D
F
Lecture activities account for 75% of the final grade; lab activities account for 25% of the final
grade.
REQUIRED WRITING AND READING:
Students are required to read the assigned textbook chapters, lab manual readings as well as other
readings that may be assigned, approximately 30 to 50 pages per week. Some research based
writing will be required, including but not limited to summaries of articles, projects or portfolios,
worksheets and lab exercises.