TAXONOMY OF VASCULAR PLANTS (aka ADV.PLANT TAX.) BSC 620 - 622
PR - BSC 120 AND 121
Text
Stace, C.A. 1989. Plant Taxonomy and Biosystematics. Cambridge
University Press. 2nd Ed.
Cambridge, UK. 264pp. Reprinted in 2005.
References on Reserve in the lab
Fernald, M.L. 1950. Gray's Manual of Botany. 8th Ed. American Book
Company, New York.
Gleason, H.A. 1968. The New Britton and Brown Illustrated Flora. 3
Vols. Hafner Publishing Company, New York.
Gleason, H.A., and A. Cronquist. 1991. Manual of the Vascular
Plants of Northeasstern United Stataes and Adjacent Canada. 2nd.
Edition. The New York Botanical Garden, Brooklyn, NY.
Harmon, P.J. 2000. Atlas of the Vascular Plants of West Virginia. West
Virginia Department of
Natural Resources. Draft Edition.
Holmgren, N.H. 1998. Illustrated Companion to Gleason and
Cronquist's Manual. The New
York Botanical Garden, N.Y.
Selected Journal Readings. Reprints on file in the lab.
Stuessy, T. 1990. Plant Taxonomy: The Systematic Evaluation of
Comparative Data. Columbia
University Press. New York.
Stuessy, T. 1994. Case Studies in Plant Taxonomy. Columbia
University Press, New York.
Walters, D.R.,D.J.Keil and Z.E. Murrell. 2006. Vascular Plant
Taxonomy. 5th Edition. Kendal/Hunt Publishing Company, Dubuque, Iowa.
Lecture, library and laboratory topics
1. Overview of plant taxonomy
Goals and objectives of systematics and taxonomy
Student responsibilities
2. Taxonomic resources, Stace 196-210
Classical manuals, journals, indices, the herbarium
Interlibrary loans, Internet citations
3. Initiation of a taxonomic study, Stace 211-218
The research problem
Problem assignment
Nomenclature, type descriptions, type collections
4. Bio-geographic analysis
Maps, atlases, literature reports, herbarium specimens
Journal article discussion
Stace 156-177
5. Character selection, morphology, variation and measurements
Data gathering and sample size
Lab: Select characters, statistical analysis of initial
Measurements, Stace 65-85; Walters, et al. 509-523
6. Breeding systems, Stace 129-255
Hybrid recognition
Isolating mechanisms
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7. Biosystematics, the chromosome, cytotaxonomy, Stace 109-128
Chromosome atlas, polyploidy, pollen viability
Journal article discussion
Lab: Root tip preparation, mitotic counts
Pollen mother cell preparation, meiotic counts
Pollen viability
Camera lucida
FIRST EXAMINATION - DATE: 17 March 09 (Tentativew)
8. Anatomy as a taxonomic tool, Stace 73-83
Journal article discussion
Lab: Microtome, acetate cast, leaf surface characteristics
9. Chemotaxonomy, Molecular Taxonomy, Stace 86-108
Compounds and methods of analysis
Journal article discussion
Guest Speaker
10.Phenetics, Phylogenetics and Cadistics
Journal article discussion
Stace 29-63; Walters and Keil 461-506
11. Analysis of taxonomic data
Standard statistics
Computer analysis
Initial computer analysis
12. Graphic presentation of data
Hybrid index
Frequency distribution
Polygonal graphs
Population range diagrams
Scatter diagrams
Discriminate analysis grouping
13. Writing the research manuscript
Format, data, graphics
Publishing a paper
Rough draft
14. Presentation of research (Final Exam) – 8:00 AM 5 May 09
PowerPoint guidelines
Oral presentation guidelines
15. Turn in research paper for grading – 30 April 09
FINAL GRADE IS BASED UPON:
INSTRUCTOR:
First Examination 25%
Dan K. Evans, Ph.D.
PP Presentation 25%
evans@marshall.edu; (304)696-6467
Research Paper 50%
OFFICE SCI 364 OFF HRS MW 9-11:30AM
Grade Scale 90%-A 80%-B
70%-C 60%-D <60%-F
Class Meetings TR 9-11:50AM SCI 360
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BSC 620-622 (Cont.)
Course Outcomes Expected
To understand the principles of plant systematics.
Be capable of researching the taxonomic history of a specific group of plant or animal species.
Be capable of using numerical methods in solving taxonomic problems.
Be capable of writing research results in journal manuscript style.
IMPORTANT POLICIES
Attendance and Participation. Attendance at all scheduled classes in required. If you must miss a
class for any reason, it is your responsibility to contact my office prior to the class period. Written excuses
for legitimate absences can be obtained through the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs (see
http://www.marshall.edu/student-affairs/sections/handbook/absence.html).
Students with Disabilities. The Marshall University H.E.L.P. Program is committed to providing
assistance through individual tutoring, mentoring and support, as well as fair and legal access to
educational opportunities for students diagnosed with Learning Disabilities (LD) and related disorders
such as ADD/ADHD. If you have, or believe you may have, a handicap or learning disability that will make
it difficult for you to complete this course as structured, please contact the H.E.L.P. office in Myers Hall at
696-6252 (http://www.marshall.edu/help/). The H.E.L.P. program will assess your situation and provide
information designed to help me meet your educational needs
Plagiarism Policy/Academic Honesty/Academic Integrity: Any form of academic dishonesty will be
sanctioned by an automatic “F” grade. A report will immediately be filed for evaluation by the Student
Affaires Office. It may result in academic probation at Marshall University. All students are responsible for
knowing and understanding the university's policy regarding academic dishonesty. Information regarding
this policy is available in the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs (Old Main). If needed, appeals can be
filed through the BSC Chairperson’s office.
Responsibility. This is a graduate level class. At this point in your education you should no longer be
“tape recorders” that are capable of taking up information and repeating it back verbatim. You should also
strive to be more than “computers” that are capable of recovering the proper information only if someone
taps on the correct keys. It is time to start critically examining the information that you encounter, and
incorporating it into the context of your knowledge base. It requires effort on your part. More importantly, it
requires that you take full responsibility for your learning experience. The amount that you get out of this
course will depend upon the amount of work you are willing to put into it.
Dropping the Course. I hope every student who enrolls in BSC 620-622 will complete the course.
However, I know that may not always be the case. So, be aware that Fri 20 March is the last day to drop
a full-semester course. Make sure you know your standing in the class at that point so that you can make
an informed decision.
Electronic Devices. Please turn off all cell phones, pagers, and other electronic devices when you enter
the classroom. No electronic devices will be needed, and none will be permitted, during exams. The use
or access of an electronic device during an exam will be considered evidence of academic dishonesty.
Office Hours. Feel free to drop by at any time although people who call ahead for an appointment will be
given priority. An appointment is recommended if want to come by at times other than posted
office hours.