BIO 597D/620D: Plant Systematics and Evolution, Monfils 2007
BIO 597D/620D: Plant Systematics and Evolution
Spring Semester 2007
Course Description:
This course is an in-depth study of plant systematics and evolution. Systematics brings
together knowledge, methods, and techniques of many different sciences and disciplines including
information relating to morphology, ecology, geography, geology, evolutionary biology, molecular
biology, chemistry, computer science, and information management technology. Systematics is
the theory and practice of recognizing species, inferring evolutionary history, and arranging
species into nested groups based on inferred evolutionary history, so that the hierarchy of
classification reflects evolutionary descent. Classifications (and taxonomy) are thus used to
organize and retrieve information about plant evolution. This course will cover important topics
in plant identification, evolution and systematics.
Course Objectives:
Students taking this course acquire the knowledge, skills and techniques to identify
plants and classify them into species, genera and families. They will expand their
knowledge about the evolution of land plants and various plant characteristics including
evolution of the seed, flower and pollen. In addition students enrolled in this class will
learn the foundation of cladistic theory and how to generate and analyze molecular and
morphological data sets in an attempt to surmise phylogenetic hypotheses of evolution
within specific plant groups. As part of this course, students will acquire proficiency in
reading and interpreting the scientific literature of plant evolution and systematics. Students will
become authorities on a designated plant family and learn to compile relevant
identification and evolutionary evidence for the group.
Professor:
Dr. Anna K. Monfils
125 Brooks Hall
774-2492
anna.monfils@cmich.edu
Office Hours: Monday
Wednesday
8:00-10:00
8:00-10:00
Lecture and Laboratory Location and Time:
104 Brooks Hall, MW: 01:00-03:50
Course and Laboratory Text:
Simpson, M. G. 2006. Plant Systematics. Elsevier Academic Press, Burlington, MA
Harris, G.H. & M.W. Harris. 2006. Plant Identification Terminology: An Illustrated
Gossary. Spring Lake Publishing, Spring Lake, Utah
Course material will also include support materials from the library and internet.
Suggested Materials:
Lab notebook with a sewn binding, pen and pencils, hand lens, forceps, dissection
needle, blades, ruler
BIO 597D/620D: Plant Systematics and Evolution, Monfils 2007
Lecture and Laboratory Attendance:
Since learning is a co-operative relationship between the instructor and students,
attendance and class participation are obligatory to the learning process. Some material
may be covered in lecture that may not be covered in the assigned lecture readings. It is
expected that students will attend all lectures and be responsible for all announcements
made in lecture with regards to changes in lecture topics, laboratory assignments,
exams, dates, etc. for BIO 597D/620D.
Office Hours:
Office hours are offered by Dr. Monfils. Feel free to attend the office hours to ask any
questions pertaining to the lab or lecture. This amounts to 4 hours available a week to
interact one on one. Take advantage of these times as a learning opportunity. If your
grade falls behind or you have a situation which is affecting your grade…do not wait until
the end of the semester to contact the professor. Open lines of communication between
the students and instructor can help avert critical issues with grades and attendance. Do
not hesitate to communicate with the instructor about such issues.
Time Commitment:
When the registrar assigns course credit there is an implied study load associated with
the credit hours. Three of the hours associated with this course are “lecture hours”. Each
lecture hour requires two hours of study outside of class. An additional three hours is
expected for each test during the semester. On average, six hours of outside work a
week is required to pass the lecture class. One credit of this course is attributed to “lab
hours”, and the same rules apply. While lab meets for a full 2 hours and 50 minutes
every week, there is an expectation for 2 hours of work and study outside the lab hours
and additional hours for test preparation. This amounts to approximately three hours in
lab and three hours out of lab, for each week in the semester. The total requirement with
lab and lecture is nine hours of study outside of a formal learning environment.
Remember this is an average – some weeks will require more, others less. Use your
time wisely and don’t fall behind.
Grading and Exams:
Lecture Tests and Final Exam:
Lecture tests will cover the important lecture content in the course. Tests will be a
combination of essay, short answer and fill in the blank questions. Some tests
and lecture questions may be take-home. Lecture test questions are designed to
provide the students an opportunity to share what they know. Lecture test and
the final exam are worth 30% of the course grade.
Laboratory Quizzes:
Laboratory quizzes are a combination of essay, short answer and fill in the blank
questions. They are focused on the “hands on” plant identification portion of the
course. They will include a practical component on plant identification. Laboratory
quizzes and the lab final are worth 25% of the course grade.
Lab and Lecture Exercises:
Exercises include several worksheets, essays and in-class assignments worth
20% of your grade. No In-class Assignments or Readings Worksheets will be
accepted from students not in attendance. All late assignments will have a
deduction of 10% of the total points for every day late on the assignment.
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BIO 597D/620D: Plant Systematics and Evolution, Monfils 2007
Final Project:
The Final Project consists of a written report with micrographs on a family of
plants, a 36" x 48" poster formatted with M.S. PPT (BIO 620D and graduate
students), and a 20-25 minute audio/visual presentation of the research findings
in that group. The paper is to be written in a format suitable for publication of a
review article in a scientific journal. Evaluation is based on subject complexity,
appropriate preparation, analytical methods, and quality of images and writing. A
peer review of the presentations is included in the Final Project point totals. In
total, the final project is worth 25% of your grade. All late project components will
have a deduction of 10% of the total points for every day late.
Extra Credit Opportunity:
Every student has one opportunity to gain extra credit points. At any point during
the semester, a student can read and write a two page summation of, a primary
literature article which utilizes systematic methodology (type written, single
space, one inch margins). The summation must explain the significance of the
article to the field of plant systematics. The significance, breath and value of the
paper will be taken into account when the assignment is graded. This must be on
a subject or group of plants different than the one used in the final project.
Class points:
Assignment
Lecture Tests and Final Exam
Lab quizzes
Lab and Lecture Exercises
Final Project
Points
30%
25%
20%
25%
Percentage breakdown for grading:
93-100 = A
90-92 = A87-89 = B+
84-86 = B
80-83 = B77-79 = C+
74-76= C
70-73 = C67-69 = D+
64-66 = D
60-63 = D<60 = E
Questions about grading and exam scores:
All questions regarding grading and rescoring of test questions should be directed to Dr.
Monfils via email. Any requests for re-grades should be explicit, with a complete
description of how and why the question needs to be re-graded and a complete
explanation of the correct answer. Requests for re-grades must be received via email
within 48 hours of when the test grades are reported to the students.
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BIO 597D/620D: Plant Systematics and Evolution, Monfils 2007
Make-Up Exams:
Make-up exams will be given only in the case of illness or other serious reasons. are
required to notify Dr. Monfils within 24 hours of the scheduled exam date, to supply the
instructor with a written excuse (e.g. from an unrelated physician) to qualify for a makeup exam and to schedule a make-up exam date. The decision on weather to provide a
make-up opportunity is at the instructor’s discretion.
Absences and Excuses:
Students are adults and should make the choice about class attendance. Everyone has
unexpected situations arise over the semester that have the potential to negatively
impact their grade. If such a situation arises, a student misses class and feels the
instructor should take this in to account when tabulating grades…an opportunity during
the last week of the semester will be made to write this out and supply documentation.
This provides an opportunity for open communication between the student and the
professor. Utilizing this information, in no way implies Dr. Monfils will change the grade
nor excuse an absence. It merely provides the opportunity for open communication.
Policy on Academic Integrity:
In May 2001, the Central Michigan University Academic Senate approved the Policy on
Academic Integrity which applied to all university students. Copies are available on the
CMU website at http://academicsenate.cmich.edu/noncurric.htm, and in the Academic
Senate Office in room 108 of Bovee University Center. All academic work is expected to
be in compliance with this policy.
Classroom Civility:
Each CMU student is encouraged to help create an environment during class that
promotes learning, dignity, and mutual respect for everyone. Students who speak at
inappropriate times, sleep in class, display inattention, take frequent breaks, interrupt the
class by coming to class late, engage in loud or distracting behaviors, use cell phone or
pagers in class, use inappropriate language, are verbally abusive, display defiance or
disrespect to others, or behave aggressively toward others could be asked to leave the
class and subjected to disciplinary action under the Code of Student Rights,
Responsibilities and Disciplinary Procedures.
Accommodations for Students with Disabilities:
CMU provides students with disabilities reasonable accommodation to participate in
educational programs, activities, or services. Students with disabilities requiring
accommodations to participate in class activities or meet course requirements should
first register with the office of Student Disability Services (Park Library 120, telephone
989-774-3018, TDD #2568), and then contact the professor as soon as possible.
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BIO 597D/620D: Plant Systematics and Evolution, Monfils 2007
Tentative Syllabus – January 2007
Class
Date
1
01/08/07
2
01/10/07
X
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
01/15/07
01/17/07
01/22/07
01/24/07
01/29/07
01/29/07
02/05/07
02/07/07
02/12/07
02/14/07
12
02/19/07
13
14
02/21/07
02/26/07
15
02/28/07
Lecture and Laboratory Topics
Introduction to Course
What is Systematics? What is Biodiversity?
History of Plant Systematics.
Plant Identification and Keys
Using and Generating Keys: Introduction toTaxonomy
Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration
Phylogenetic Systematics
Lecture Test
Evolution and Diversity of Plants: Algae, Non-vascular Land Plants and Vascular
Plants
Evolution and Diversity of Plants: Gymnosperms
Evolution and Diversity of Plants: Angiosperms
Review Trends in Evolution of land Plants and Angiosperms
Lab Quiz
Pick and Discuss Final Project
Plant Morphology:
Roots, Shoots, Fruits and Flowers
Plant Reproductive Biology:
Breeding Systems and Pollination
Assignments
Chapter 1
Chapter 15
Chapter 2
Chapter 3 & 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 9
Chapter 13
BIO 597D/620D: Plant Systematics and Evolution, Monfils 2007
Class
X
X
16
17
18
Date
03/05/07
03/07/07
03/12/07
03/14/07
03/19/07
19
03/21/07
20
03/26/07
21
22
03/28/07
04/02/07
23
04/04/07
24
04/09/07
25
26
27
28
29
04/11/07
04/16/07
04/18/07
04/23/07
04/25/07
05/02/07
Lecture Topics
Laboratory Topics
Assignments
Spring Break
Systematic Evidence
Article Review
Molecular Systematics
Chapter 14
Plant Evolution:
Hybridization, Introgression, Speciation and Species Concepts
Lecture Test
Early Flowering Plants and Magnoliids
Plant Nomenclature
Monocots
Plant Collecting and Documentation
Monocots and Early Eudicots
Herbaria and
Core Eudicots: Caryophyllales,
Data Information Systems
Santales, Saxifragales
Lab Quiz
Core Eudicots: Rosids – Eurosids I
Core Eudicots: Rosids – Eurosids II
Core Eudicots: Asterids - Euasterids I
Core Eudicots: Asterids - Euasterids II
Final Project Presentations
Final Exam and Lab Quiz 12:00-1:50
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Supplemental Reading
Chapter 7
Chapter 7 & 16
Chapter 7, 8 & 17
Chapter 8 & 18
Chapter 8