COURSE SYLLABUS – APPROVED FORMAT
General Information
 Northern Arizona University- Yuma; Department of Arts and Sciences
 BSC 414, Native Plants of Arizona
 Fall or Spring
 3hrs. Lecture, 3 credit hours
 Professor John King
 Science and Research building, Office 112
 Office hours: Monday/Wednesday 8:00am to 9:00am and 4:00pm to 5:00pm
Course prerequisites
BIO 181 and BIO 182
Course Corequisite
None
Course description:
BSC 414 will provide an in depth study of the flora and vegetation types of Arizona, with an
emphasis on species and vegetation found in Southwestern Arizona, will present information on
morphology, taxonomy, and natural history of important flowering plant families of Arizona. It
will also involve the examination of live plant material of species discussed in lecture. We will
also identify plants using keys and descriptions in standard floras.
Student Learning Expectations/Outcomes for this Course
Upon satisfactory completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Identify local plants, via a working knowledge of the special language of botany, and the
structure of plants.
Assemble a plant collection, pressed and identified.
Understand the evolutionary history of plants and adaptations.
Become skilled in identifying flora and vegetation types of Arizona, with an emphasis on
species and vegetation found in Southwestern Arizona
Course structure/approach:
The course may involve one or more of the following approaches: lecture and discussion;
application exercises; scheduled activities; case analysis; team projects; field trips, speakers with
relevant expertise, and/or other activities as appropriate to achieve learning outcomes.
Textbook and required materials: Student learning is facilitated with textbooks, readings,
audio-visual content, software, and/or other materials
Recommended optional materials/references (attach reading list): None
Revised 04/22/03
Course outline:
Week 1: Introduction; Plant evolution and basic structure
Week 2: Vegetative and flower structure
Week 3: Plant classification
Week 4: Plant structure
Week 5: Fieldtrip to UA Herbarium
Week 6: Guest speaker
Week 7: Deserts of the World
Week 8: Fieldtrip to Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
Week 9: Plant adaptations, physiology
Week 10: Biogeography
Week 11: Landforms
Week 12: Keying out plants
Week 13: Fieldtrip to Mt. Lemmon
Week 14: Identify plants from Mt. Lemmon
Week 15: Uses of desert plants; native plants and native people
Week 16: Final exam
Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes
 Methods of Assessment: In-class exams, homework, in-class activities, research paper,
and/or presentations as determined by student.
 Timeline for Assessment: Over the course of the semester
Grading System:
Letter grades for the course will be determined based on the percentage of the total points as
follows:
90-100%
A Excellent
80-89%
B Good
70-79%
C Average
60-69%
D Lowest passing
<60%
F Failure
Course policy:
Retests/makeup tests:
No make-up exams or re-tests except for what the instructor may deem as extenuating
circumstances.
Attendance Policy:
Under NAU Policy, students are expected to attend every session of the class in which they are
enrolled.
Statement on plagiarism and cheating:
Revised 04/22/03
DON’T CHEAT!
Please refer to the NAU Student Handbook policy statement on Academic Integrity. Academic
honesty does not allow "plagiarism — knowingly representing the words or ideas of another as
one's own" (2005, Undergraduate General Academic and Graduation Policies).
If your instructor determines that you are guilty of plagiarism he deserves the right to give you a
zero on the alleged assignment up to failing the course in question. All incidents regardless will
be reported to the university.
University policies
Attach the Safe Working and Learning Environment, Students with Disabilities, Institutional
Review Board, and Academic Integrity policies or reference them on the syllabus. See the
following document for policy statements:
http://www4.nau.edu/avpaa/UCCPolicy/plcystmt.html.
Your instructor reserves the right to make any changes to the course policies, schedule, or any
other aspect of the class as he sees fit.
Revised 04/22/03