BIOLOGY OF ALGAE AND FUNGAE with Lab (4 CREDITS)
BIOL 331/333 (CRN: 20432; 20433)
Spring 2011
Professor: Dr. William R. Norris
Phone: (575) 538-6625 Fax: (575) 538-6228
Office Hours:
Office Location: HH142
E-Mail: norrisw@wnmu.edu
Tuesday and Wednesday: 1:30-3:30 PM
A) PREREQUISITES:
BIOL 202/203; BIOL 204/205; BIOL 206/207
B) COURSE CATALOG DESCRIPTION: Structure, taxonomy, evolution, and ecology of algae and
fungi; three lectures and one laboratory period per week.
C) ELECTRONIC SUPPORT.
1) A Blackboard Vista page for this course will be maintained by your instructor. Class activities,
reading assignments, and a calendar of daily events are available for your use. Your user name is
the same as the first part of your WNMU e-mail address. Your password is the same as your
WNMU W000 number. You will be trained on how to use Blackboard VISTA in the first two
weeks of class
2) Class Powerpoints will also be posted in Bill’s professor’s folder. To access, enter
ftp://godzilla.wnmu.edu, then click on Norris’s folder, and finally click on Biology of Algae and
Fungi.
D) CELL PHONE POLICY: Use of cell phones (in-class conversations, text-messaging) is NOT
ALLOWED in this class because these activities are distracting to me, you and your classmates.
 First violation will result in VERBAL WARNING
 Second violation will result in REMOVAL from class until joint meeting between instructor,
student and department chair
 Third violation will result in REMOVAL from class until joint meeting between instructor, student
and provost
E) TEXTBOOKS AND MATERIALS:
REQUIRED.
1) Graham, L.E., J.J. Graham, and L.W. Wilcox. 2009. Algae, 2 nd edition. Benjamin Cummings,
New York, NY, 616 p.
2) Webster, J. and R.W.S. Weber. 2007. Introduction to Fungi. Cambridge University Press, New
York, NY. 841 pp.
OPTIONAL.
ALGAE
Bold, H.C. 1985. Introduction to the algae, 2 nd ed. Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ.
Prescott, G., J. Bamrick, E. Cawley, and W. Jaques. 1978. How to know the freshwater algae, 3rd
edition. McGraw Hill.
Lee, R.E. 1999. Phycology. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK.
Van Den Hoek, C., D.G. Mann and H.M. Jahns. 1998. Algae: an introduction ot phycology.
Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK.
Wehr, J.D. and R.G. Sheath. 2003. Freshwater algae of North America. Academic Press, Boston,
MA.
FUNGI
Alexopoulos, C.J, C.W. Mims and M. Blackwell. 1996. Introductory mycology. John Wiley & Sons,
Inc. New York, NY.
Carlile, M.J., S.C. Watkinson and G.W. Gooday. 2001. The fungi. Academic Press, San Francisco,
CA.
Graham, J., L.W. Wilcox and L.E. Graham. 2008. Algae, 2 nd ed. Benjamin Cummings Press.
Kendrick, B. 2000. The fifth kingdom. Focus Publishing, R. Pullins Company. Newburyport, MA.
Moore-Landecker, E. 1996. Fundamentals of the fungi. Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ.
States, J.S. 1990. Mushrooms and truffles of the southwest. University of Arizona Press, Tucson, AZ.
LICHENS
Brodo, I.M., S.D. Sharnoff, and S. Sjarnoff. Yale University Press, New Haven, CT.
F) COURSE INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVES
ALGAE (Including eubacteria and eukaryotes)

Introduction to Algae

Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae): Evolutionary Relationships; Cell Structure, Fossil
Record; Nutrition, Photosynthesis; Cell Division; Genetic Reproduction; Human
Significance

Glaucophytes: Evolutionary Relationships; General Eukaryote Cell Structure; Putative
Chloroplast Origin; Nutrition, Photosynthesis; Cell Division

Euglenoids: Evolutionary Relationships; Cell Structure; Putative Chloroplast Origin;
Nutrition; Motility, Photosynthesis; Cell Division; Ecological Significance

Cryptophytes (crytomonads): Evolutionary Relationships; Cell Structure; Putative
Chloroplast Origin; Nutrition; Motility, Photosynthesis; Cell Division; Ecological
Significance

Haptophytes (coccolithophorids): Evolutionary Relationships; Cell Structure; Putative
Chloroplast Origin; Nutrition; Motility, Photosynthesis; Cell Division; Life Cycle; Ecological
Significance; Evolutionary Relationships

Dinoflagellates: Evolutionary Relationships; Cell Structure; Putative Chloroplast Origin;
Nutrition; Motility, Photosynthesis; Cell Division; Life Cycle; Ecological Significance

Diatoms: Evolutionary Relationships; Cell Structure; Putative Chloroplast Origin;
Nutrition; Motility, Photosynthesis; Cell Division; Life Cycle; Ecological Significance;
Human Significance

Brown Algae and Kelp: Evolutionary Relationships; Cell Structure; Putative Chloroplast
Origin; Nutrition; Motility, Photosynthesis; Cell Division; Life Cycle; Ecological
Significance; Human Significance

Rhodophytes (red algae): Evolutionary Relationships; Cell Structure; Putative Chloroplast
Origin; Nutrition; Motility, Photosynthesis; Cell Division; Life Cycle; Ecological
Significance; Human Significance

Chlorophytes (green algae): Evolutionary Relationships; Cell Structure; Putative
Chloroplast Origin; Nutrition; Motility, Photosynthesis; Cell Division; Life Cycle; Ecological
Significance
FUNGI (Eukaryotes only)

Introduction to Fungi

Oomycetes (water molds): Evolutionary Relationships; Cell Structure; Nutrition; Motility;
Cell Division; Life Cycle; Ecological Significance; Human Significance

Dictyosteliomycetes (cellular slime molds): Evolutionary Relationships; Cell Structure;
Nutrition; Motility; Cell Division; Life Cycle; Ecological Significance

Myxomycetes (plasmodial slime molds): Evolutionary Relationships; Cell Structure;
Nutrition; Motility; Cell Division; Life Cycle; Ecological Significance; Human Significance;
Evolutionary Relationships

Chytridiomycetes (chytrids): Evolutionary Relationships; Cell Structure; Nutrition;
Motility; Cell Division; Life Cycle; Ecological Significance; Human Significance

Zygomycetes (bread molds): Evolutionary Relationships; Cell Structure; Nutrition; Cell
Division; Life Cycle; Ecological Significance; Human Significance

Glomerales (Arbuscular Mycorrhizae): Evolutionary Relationships; Cell Structure;
Nutrition; Cell Division; Life Cycle; Ecological Significance; Human Significance

Ascomycetes (cup fungi, morels, truffles, etc.): Evolutionary Relationships; Cell Structure;
Nutrition; Cell Division; Life Cycle; Ecological Significance; Human Significance

Basidiomycetes (gill fungi, smuts, rusts): Evolutionary Relationships; Cell Structure;
Nutrition; Cell Division; Life Cycle; Ecological Significance; Human Significance
LICHENS

Nature of Symbiosis; Cell Structure; Nutrition; Cell Division; Life Cycle; Ecological
Significance; Human Significance
G) COURSE OUTCOMES OR COMPETENCIES: To learn about the basic biology, evolutionary
relationships, ecological relationships; and human importance of the algal, fungal and lichen
groups as outlined above.
H) GENERAL CLASS PROCEDURES
LECTURE: A combination of whiteboard lecture, Powerpoint presentations, and small group
activities will be used to help students master course content.
LAB: Both live and preserved (= slides) material will be studied in the lab. Drawings will
frequently be required in the laboratory. Use plain white unlined paper and lead pencil for
the lab. Draw on one side of the paper only. There will be occasional fieldtrips to observe
these organisms in the field. [Note: We will be assisted by Dr. Keller, Suberkropp, Emeritus
Professor of Mycology, University of Alabama, in the fungal labs.
I) ASSESSMENT/EVALUATION AND GRADING SCALE:
GRADING:
3-4 Lecture Exams 2 and one Final Exam2
2 Lab Practicals (Midterm and Final) 2
6-8 Lab and Lecture Quizzes (Lowest dropped)
Miscellaneous Lab3 and Lecture Assignments 1
40%
20%
20%
20%
Students will receive the same grade for the lecture and the laboratory. All points earned in
lecture and lab will be totaled and divided by the points possible to determine a final percent.
Letter grades will be distributed on the following percentage basis:
90 -- 100
80 -- 89
70 -- 79
60 -- 69
59 -- below
A
B
C
D
F
1
Assignments turned in late will be docked 20% off the top of the assigned grade if submitted within
one week of due date. Assignments turned in more than one week late will be docked 50% off the
top of the assigned grades.
2
If you are absent from any exam and don’t contact Bill in advance or on the day of the exam, 20%
will be deducted from the top of any makeup exam administered at a later date.
3
Lab assignments will include two online profiles (one alga, one fungi) to be posted on
http://gilaflora.com with the help of Dr. Russ Kleinman
J) ASSIGNMENTS AND DUE DATES: All lecture and lab practical exams will be announced at least
one week in advance. All quiz dates will be announced at least two days.
K) COURSE CALENDAR
[This is meant to be a general guideline to presentation of topic; some deviation from this schedule
will probably occur during the semester]
JAN 10
Lecture: Intro to Algae / Cyanobacteria
[No Lab]
JAN 17
Lecture: Cyanobacteria / Glaucophytes
[Monday, Jan. 17 2009: Martin Luther King Day – No lecture or lab]
JAN 24
Lecture: Euglenoids / Cryptomonads
Lab: Cyanobacteria / Glaucophytes
JAN 31
Lecture: Haptophytes / Dinoflagellates
Lab: Euglenoids / Haptophytes / Dinoflagellates]
FEB 7
Lecture: Dinoflagellates / Diatoms
Lab: Diatoms
[Exam I will probably occur this week]
FEB 14
Lecture: Diatoms / Brown Algae / Kelp
Lab: Brown Algae / Kelp
FEB 21
Lecture: Red Algae
Lab: Red Algae
FEB 28
Lecture: Green Algae
[Exam II will probably occur this week]
MAR 7
SPRING BREAK
MAR 14
Lecture: Intro to Fungi / Oomycetes
Lab Practical Midterm
Lab: Oomycetes
MAR 21
Lecture: Dictyosteliomycetes / Myxomycetes
Lab: Dictyosteliomycetes / Myxomycetes
MAR 28
Lecture: Chytridiomycetes / Zygomycetes
Lab: Chytridiomycetes / Zygomycetes
APR 4
Lecture: Zygomycetes / Glomales / Ascomycetes
Lab: Glomales / Ascomycetes
[Exam III will probably occur this week]
APR 11
Lecture: Ascomycetes
Lab: Ascomycetes
APR 18
Lecture: Ascomycetes / Basidiomycetes
Lab: Basidiomycetes
[Spring Holiday Friday, Apr. 22]
APR 25
Lecture: Basidiomycetes
Lab: Basiciomycetes
[Exam IV will probably occur this week]
MAY 2
Lecture: Lichens
Lab Practical Final
[DEAD WEEK]
MAY 9
EXAM WEEK
Exam for Biology of Algae and Fungi will be on Wednesday, May 11 (10:0012:00 AM – noon)
Services for
students with disabilities are provided through the Academic Support Center’s
Disability Services Office in the Juan Chacon Building, Room 220. Some examples
of the assistance provided are: audio materials for the blind or dyslexic, note takers,
readers, campus guides, audio recorders, a quiet testing area, and undergraduate
academic tutors. In order to qualify for these services, documentation must be
provided by qualified professionals on an annual basis. Disability Services forms are
available in the Academic Support Center. The Disability Services Office, in
conjunction with the Academic Support Center, serves as Western New Mexico
University's liaison for students with disabilities.
L) DISABILITY SERVICES AT WESTERN NEW MEXICO UNIVERSTIY:
M) COMMUNICATION POLICY STATEMENT REGARDING OFFICIAL EMAIL: WNMU’s
policy requires that all official communication be sent via Mustang Express. As a result, all emails
related to your enrollment at WNMU and class communication – including changes in assignments and
grades – will be sent to your wnmu.edu email address. It is very important that you access your
Mustang Express e-mail periodically to check for correspondence from the University. If you receive
most of your email at a different address you can forward your messages from Mustang Express
to your other address.
Example: Martin Classmember was assigned a WNMU email address of classmemberm12@wnmu.edu
but Martin would rather receive his emails at his home email address of martinclass@yahoo.com.
Martin would follow the direction provided at
http://www.wnmu.edu/campusdocs/direction%20for%20forwarding%20email.htm
N) WNMU POLICY ON E-MAIL PASSWORDS: WNMU requires that passwords for access to all of
the protected software, programs, and applications will be robust, including complexity in the number
of characters required, the combination of characters required, and the frequency in which passwords
are required to be changed. Minimum complexity shall include:
 Passwords shall contain at least six (6) characters.
 Passwords shall contain at least one capital (upper cas) letter, and at least one symbol (numbers
and characters such as @#$%&*)
 Passwords shall be changed at least every 90 days
O) ACADEMIC INTEGRITY AND PROCEDURES: Each student shall observe standards of honesty
and integrity in academic work as defined in the WNMU catalog. Violations of academic integrity
include “any behavior that misrepresents or falsifies a student’s knowledge, skills or ability with the
goal of unjustified or illegitimate evaluation or gain“ (WNMU Faculty Handbook, 2008). Generally
violations include cheating and plagiarism. Refer to the catalog pages 60-61 for definitions. Penalties
for infractions of academic integrity in this class are as follows:
Plagiarism: “the intentional or unintentional representation of another’s work as one’s own without
proper acknowledgement of the original author or creator of the work: (WNMU Faculty
Handbook, 2008).
Penalty: Grade of “0” on work affected. Second offense: Removal from class with grade “F”
Cheating: “using or attempting to use unauthorized materials .. and unauthorized collaboration with
others, copying the work of another or any action that presents the work of others to misrepresent
the student’s knowledge” (WNMU Faculty Handbook, 2008)
Penalty: Grade of ‘0” on affected work. Second offense: Removal from class with grade “F”
P) CLASS PROCEDURES FOR INCLEMENT WEATHER: Refer to the OTA Student Handbook for
notification procedures. In the event that classes are closed during the scheduled final exam for this
class, the following procedure will be followed: student may opt to accept course grade without final
exam, or to arrange with instructor for a makeup exam to be administered at an agreed upon time.