WAYLAND BAPTIST UNIVERSITY
_________ CAMPUS
SCHOOL OF MATHEMATICS & SCIENCES
WAYLAND MISSION STATEMENT: Wayland Baptist University exists to educate students in an
academically challenging, learning-focused and distinctively Christian environment for professional
success and service to God and humankind.
COURSE NO. & TITLE: BIOL 4400-section; PLANT TAXONOMY
TERM:
NAME OF INSTRUCTOR:
OFFICE PHONE NO. AND WBU EMAIL ADDRESS:
OFFICE HOURS, BUILDING, AND LOCATION:
CLASS MEETING TIME AND LOCATION:
CATALOG DESCRIPTION: Natural history and taxonomy of the major groups of vascular plants;
attention is given to identification, nomenclature, and classification of flowering plants. At least one
weekend trip or extended field trip may be required for this course. Lecture three hours, laboratory
three hours. Other fees may apply for field trip costs. $45 fee
PREREQUISITE: BIOL 1401 and BIOL 1402, or school approval.
RESOURCES (LIBRARY & TEXTBOOK): Rocky Mountain Flora, William A. Weber, Colorado
Association University Press. Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas, D.S. Correll and M.C.
Johnston, 1970, Texas Research Foundation, Renner, TX. Floral analysis sheets and illustrated
pages showing the major identifying features of the common families are handed out.
*Choose from the official booklist
COURSE OUTCOME COMPETENCIES:
Identification of organisms is fundamental to understanding many concepts in biology--"one must know
what an organisms is to study it effectively". Students will be expected to learn the principles of
identification, classification, and nomenclature for flowering plants. This knowledge is expected to
make the students study of other courses such as ecology and natural history more meaningful.
Specific competencies are listed under COURSE REQUIREMENTS.
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
An absence will be recorded when a student fails to return after an allowed breaktime during the
process of an extended session class (i.e., lab-lecture combos). Any student absent during an
announced quiz has seven (7) calendar days (one week) in which to make up the exam, otherwise it
becomes a zero and will be averaged into the semester grade as such.
STATEMENT ON PLAGIARISM AND ACADEMIC DISHONESTY: Wayland Baptist University
observes a zero tolerance policy regarding academic dishonesty. Per university policy as described in
the academic catalog, all cases of academic dishonesty will be reported and second offenses will result
in suspension from the university.
DISABILITY STATEMENT: In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), it is
the policy of Wayland Baptist University that no otherwise qualified person with a disability be excluded
from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any educational
program or activity in the university. The Coordinator of Counseling Services serves as the coordinator
of students with a disability and should be contacted concerning accommodation requests at (806) 2913765. Documentation of a disability must accompany any request for accommodations.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND GRADING CRITERIA:
Students will learn the principles of vascular plant classification (with emphasis on flowering
plants), identification and nomenclature. To accomplish this purpose, each student will be
expected to master the following items:
1. learn how to use a dichotomous key to identify vascular plants
2. collect, press, identify and label plants to total 100 points (converted to 40% of grade) as escribed
in the grade section below
3. learn to make herbarium mounts
4. learn to identify 100 species of local flowering plants by family, common and scientific names
5. to develop a rudimentary knowledge of the Besseyn, Engler and modern systems of Angiosperm
classification
6. to become familiar with the criteria used to delineate plant species
COURSE EVALUATION:
University Grading System:
+
A grade of incomplete is changed if the deficiency is made up by midterm of the next regular
semester, otherwise, it becomes a "F". This grade is given only if circumstances beyond the student's
control prevented completion of work during the semester enrolled and attendance requirements have
been met.
GRADE DETERMINATION:
Tests
Plant collection
Final exam
Tests - identification (ID) quizzes will be given weekly. You will learn to identify on sight 100
common plant species. Several keying quizzes will be given during the semester.
Plant Collection - four (4) points per FAMILY correctly identified to species, e.g., family, genus,
and species = 4 (NOT MORE THAN 1 FERN AND 1 GYMNOSPERM). One (1) point for each
additional GENUS and SPECIES in a family. Must have at least 5 grasses. All specimens must be
properly pressed, dried, and labeled.
Students shall have protection through orderly procedures against prejudices or capricious academic
evaluation. A student who believes that he or she has not been held to realistic academic standards,
just evaluation procedures, or appropriate grading, may appeal the final grade given in the course by
using the student grade appeal process described in the Academic Catalog. Appeals may not be
made for advanced placement examinations or course bypass examinations. Appeals are limited to
the final course grade, which may be upheld, raised, or lowered at any stage of the appeal process.
Any recommendation to lower a course grade must be submitted through the Executive Vice
President/Provost to the Faculty Assembly Grade Appeals Committee for review and approval. The
Faculty Assembly Grade Appeals Committee may instruct that the course grade be upheld, raised, or
lowered to a more proper evaluation.
TENTATIVE COURSE OUTLINE:
I.
Introduction
II.
The Species
III.
The Impact of Evolutionary Studies
IV.
Environmental and Genetic Influences
V.
How Species are Grouped and Named
VI.
The Characteristics of Flowering Plants
VII.
Interspecific Hybridization
VIII. Systematics today
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
This class requires field trips for the purpose of collecting plants. Students with allergies or hay
fever should remember to bring their medication.
Revised: 03/17/15