COURSE NUMBER: AG V03/BIOL V23
COURSE TITLE: PLANT BIOLOGY
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COURSE SYLLABUS
TERM: Spring
INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Marta D. de Jesus
OFFICE/DIVISION LOCATION: SCI-337
OFFICE PHONE: (805) 654-6400 x1275
E-MAIL ADDRESS: mdejesus@vcccd.edu
YEAR: 2011
OFFICE HOURS: TBA (later the first week)
INSTRUCTOR WEB PAGE: N/A
(leave notes/paper with the Division Assistants in SCI Bldg. Main Office, NOT the main Admin. Bldg.)
COURSE WEB PAGE: http://dewhozitz.net/agv03.html
ONLINE CHAT: N/A
CLASS HOURS: Mon. & Wed. 9:30 AM - 12:20PM in AA 8
Units: 4
CLASS CRN: AG V23 31792 /BIOL V23 30486
Transfer credit: CSU, UC; IGETC 5 applicable
PREREQUISITE(S): none, but a college-level reading level is required for the textbook
RECOMMENDED PREP: none, but knowledge of HS chemistry and/or biology is very helpful (or these
VC non-majors introductory classes: CHEM V20 & 20L, BIOL V01 & V01L)
A. COURSE DESCRIPTION (from the VC Catalog)
This course is a study of the practical aspects of plant growth, environmental relationships,
physiology, structures, function, reproduction, and evolution. Basic concepts of biology will be illustrated
utilizing the identification and study of important economic crop plants, independent study projects and field
laboratories are required.
B. METHOD OF INSTRUCTION
In the lecture portion of this class, Powerpoint-illustrated talks will be the primary mode of
instruction with regularly scheduled textbook reading. The lab portion of this class consists mostly of a
“hands-on” set of lab exercises (see Schedule) with a few field trips. There will be presentation of
individual reports by the students near the end of the semester. Please see the Schedule and Grading
Plan for a list of reading and other assignments, tests, labs and report dates.
COURSE NUMBER: AG V03
COURSE TITLE: PLANT BIOLOGY
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C. STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES
1. Apply principles of scientific reasoning and scientific method (observation of natural physical
phenomena, development of plant growth, environmental relationships, physiology, structures, function,
reproduction, and evolution
2. Develop basic conceptual understanding of plant biologic function, as related to physical structure and
form derived from evolutionary processes.
3. Defend a logical hypothesis to explain observed phenomenon.
D. COURSE OBJECTIVES (see official course outline on file at the Division Office)
E. COURSE TOPICS/UNITS (see schedule)
F. CORE COMPETENCIES
1.1 Read, retain and apply published ideas.
1.5 Employ vocabulary of the subject studied.
2.3 Find and interpret relevant information.
2.5 Utilize data to draw conclusions or create new information.
G. TEXTBOOK(S) AND TOOLS/SUPPLIES
Required Textbook: Introductory Botany (2nd ed.) by Linda Berg. Bring your textbook to every class
meeting. Read the assigned chapters before class! There is a textbook-related website from the
publisher: http://www.cengagebrain.com/shop/isbn/9780534466695 then go to access Cengage Brain.com
site. Some of the materials may require a fee for access.
Lecture Outlines: download from: http://dewhozitz.net/agv03.html to help with note-taking. These also
serve as study/review guides for the chapters.
Required Lab Manual: available at the Bookstore.
Required DNA Model (by Mark Hoffmann) will be handed out in class. You will construct this model in
lab.
Lab supplies: a calculator, a small ruler with both English and Metric scales, #2 pencil, at least 4 color
pencils (red, blue, green, yellow), and eraser for drawing.
Optional/Recommended:
1) Photo Atlas for Botany,1st Edition by James W. Perry & David Morton or Photographic Atlas For The Botany Lab
by K. M. Van De Graaf
2) Botany Coloring Book by Paul G. Young
3) Botany Illustrated: Introduction to Plants, Major Groups, Flowering Plant Families by Janice Glimn-Lacy and Peter
B. Kaufman
4) Dictionary of Word Roots and Combining Forms by D. Borror
H. GRADING PLAN and I. COURSE COMPONENT SPECIFICS
Grading: in general there are NO MAKE-UPS, and late assignments will NOT be accepted. Grades will
be assigned equitably based on work submitted and evaluated.
Guaranteed Grades:
A = 90-100%
B = 80-89%
C = 65-79%
D = 55-64%
F = below 55%
1) Tests: There are 16 written weekly lecture tests with true-false & multiple choice questions => 25
points. They will occur at the start of each Monday after the first week (NOTE: if you are late, you miss that
amount of time; I stop the test when either the last on-time person finishes or I deem a reasonable time has
passed.). Because of Monday holidays, there will be two weeks without a lab and you’ll have a test and
lecture on Wednesday. You will need SCANTRON answer sheets (Form #882; available at the Bookstore
and a few vending machines like the one at the LRC), #2 pencils (other numbers of pencil lead or ink are
NOT read correctly by the machine), & a good eraser (the white plastic ones work best). Each will cover
the material since the last test (Note: anything in the lecture or text is “fair game,” unless I specifically say
that it’s not required.). Your 2 lowest scores will be dropped (so that make-ups are not required).
COURSE NUMBER: AG V03
COURSE TITLE: PLANT BIOLOGY
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2) Final Exam: 25 points from last set of material & 75 points cumulative => 100 points.
Scheduled for Friday May 13, 2011 at 7:30 - 9:30 AM (see the last page of the Schedule of Classes).
{Note: To get permission to take the exam at any other time requires a petition to be submitted, approved,
and on file at the Dean’s Office prior to the giving of the exam.}
3) Individual Report: this will be an individual report on an one of the economic botany plants listed by
genus at http://www.botgard.ucla.edu/html/botanytextbooks/economicbotany/index.html to be presented at
last lab meeting (all parts). Each person will prepare:
a) an oral talk (6 minutes each)
b) a more complete, written report with a bibliography containing a listing of all sources of information,
images, etc. The format of the entries is specific and will be given in another handout.
c) a Powerpoint set of a few images to accompany and illuminate your presentation (your peers will help to
grade this). (If you have never used Powerpoint and/or want some help please talk to me well before the
due date.)
More details later.
4) Attendance: Roll will be taken at the start of every class either by your attendance at the weekly tests
or sign-in after the first week of class. If you are tardy or leave early you will lose points (particularly on test
days), and you may miss valuable information/ announcements. Expect to be present in class the entire
time listed. You are responsible for your credit and enrollment status; be aware of Ventura College’s
add/drop dates and policies.
Note: College policy states: “When absence from the class exceeds in number 1/9th of the total class
contact hours for the session (for this class - 4 meetings), the instructor may recommend to the Registrar
that such student be dropped from the class and a grade recorded in accordance with withdrawal from
class policy as stated in (the) Catalog. Classes missed because of late registration are counted toward the
number of absences.”
Also note: “After registration, seven (7) days are allowed for payment of fees, after which the student will be
dropped from all classes.”
Last Day to Withdraw: April 22, 2011
Course Grade Tally (tentative):
Grades will be determined on the percentage of total possible points earned:
Tests (16 - 2 = 14 @ 25 pts ea)
350
Labs (11 @ 15 pts ea)
165
Individual Report
50
Final Exam
100
Attendance/Participation (1 pt/class meeting)
32
Total (projected)
697 possible points
I. CLASSROOM RULES OF CONDUCT
(see also Appendix 1 of the Ventura College Catalog - Student Conduct Code).
Academic Dishonesty (a.k.a. Cheating): This can take a variety of forms. In Academia in general, at
Ventura College, & especially in this class, it will NOT be tolerated. All work you submit for grading
(assignments, papers, & exams) must be your own work. In this course you are being graded as an
individual & your work must reflect that. Dishonest behavior includes:
a) looking at another’s test/exam/quiz;
b) allowing someone else see your test/exam/quiz;
c) passing information in any form during an test/exam/quiz (talking will NOT be tolerated);
d) using crib notes or other “aids” during a test/exam/quiz;
(continued on next page)
COURSE NUMBER: AG V03
COURSE TITLE: PLANT BIOLOGY
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e) plagiarism = using someone else’s words as your own. This includes copying your assignment from
another student or allowing someone else to make a copy of your assignment, and paraphrasing which
means using the same words/phrases as the original author even if they are rearranged.
At the least, the first time academic dishonesty becomes an issue, you will receive a ZERO GRADE for the
assignment. If the incident is outrageous or a second offense, sterner measures will be taken.
A Word to the Wise: Since you have chosen to continue in Academia beyond high school, realize that
behavior that may have been treated as a minor infraction in high school will have increasingly serious
consequences as you continue your Academic and/or professional career!
Disruption/Obstruction of class: None will be tolerated; any disruptive behavior will get you excluded
from class. Beepers, telephones, etc. must be turned audibly-off during classroom time and totally out of
sight during test time. Please LEAVE if you cannot conduct yourself as required. Note if you are involved
in an emergency situation, please advise your instructor as soon as possible so accommodation can be
made.
Lab Safety: As this class has a laboratory component, there is a required introduction to lab safety at the
first lab. No student will be allowed to participate in lab until this instruction has taken place.
J. EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
Campus Emergency Numbers
From any pay phone on campus #9
Campus Police Business Office
Dial 911 from on-campus
9-911
College Nurse
From off-campus phones
642-7000
Emergency Procedures for Accidents and Acute Illness
x6486
x6346
a) In life-threatening situations, dial 9-911.
Give the nature and exact location of the accident or medical emergency! DO NOT MOVE THE VICTIM,
unless to prevent further injury!
b) For non-life-threatening situations, contact the Student Health Center (x6346).
A nurse is on duty during daytime hours and limited evening hours (not on Friday after 12:00 pm). When
the nurse is not available or the Student Health Center is closed, call 642-7000. NOTE: First Aid is
available from Campus Police when the Student Health Center is closed.
Please report ALL student college-related injuries, as soon as possible to the Student Health
Center. The instructor or person in charge shall make a written report of the injury. Accident report forms
are available at the Student Health Center, the Evening Dean's office, or from Campus Police. Accident
reports are essential to process Insurance Claims; both are processed through the Student Health Center.
Once an accident report is received that requires an Insurance Claim, the student will be given information
about the college's insurance coverage and the billing procedures. An injury resulting from an illness is not
covered by the college insurance, but it still needs to be reported to the Student Health Center! Ventura
College insurance coverage for college-related injuries is limited, and it does not guarantee payment in full!
K. MISCELLANEOUS
MyVCCCD.edu: Your online place to check your Ventura College records, register for classes, etc.
Please check this at the beginning of class to check/update your contact information for the college.
On-Campus Student Support Services: see the Schedule of Classes.
Educational Assistance Center: “If you have a documented (learning) disability that may require
accommodations in this class, please see the EAC, then me, as soon as possible so that your learning
needs can be appropriately met.”
If you’d like to be tested for a learning disability please contact the EAC as soon as possible.
COURSE NUMBER: AG V03
COURSE TITLE: PLANT BIOLOGY
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Counseling & Career Centers: Counselor Aseneth Cota runs the Transfer Center. (Note: Please realize
that many of your professors can answer some questions about transfer & careers! We’ve been to some of
the schools & know details about careers in our majors & related ones that the counselors do not know.)
The website www.assist.org - has all current class transfer information between all California community
colleges and all California public universities (CSUs and UCs). This is the same resource the counseling
staff uses to advise you.
In the Science Bldg:
Math Center (SCI-223) offers free math tutoring
MESA Center (SCI-224, Marcos Lupian) helps economically-disadvantaged students interested in
majoring in math, engineering, or science
STEM Grant Program (see Gema Espinoza)
Biology Club
Useful Study Skill & Test-taking Advice Online:
(there are lots of sites; here are just a few & some cross-reference each other)
http://ollie.dcccd.edu/Services/StudyHelp/StudySkills/
http://www.uni.edu/walsh/linda7.html
http://www.ucc.vt.edu/stdysk/stdyhlp.html
http://www.richland.cc.il.us/staff/sblahnik/studyskills.html
DISCLAIMER: This syllabus is subject to change & may do so depending on circumstances. Every
attempt will be made to advise the class of these changes in a timely & equitable manner. Any grading
changes will be made in an equitable manner based on work performed. Being absent from class, thus
missing announcements, does NOT constitute an excuse for missing those announcements and the
information they contain.
COURSE NUMBER: AG V03/BIOL V23
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L. WEEKLY OR DAILY PLANNED SCHEDULE (tentative -3)
Wk
Date
Lecture Topics & Text Chapters
Date Laboratory
1
1/10
Ch 1: Intro to Class, Botany & Sci Method
1/12
Lab Orientation & Safety, Metric
Measurements
2
1/17
1/19
1/21
1/24
HOLIDAY
Ch 2: Chemical composition of cells
last day to ADD or DROP & get full refund
Ch 3: Plant cells
1/26
Plant pigments & pH
2/2
Introduction to microscopes
Plant cells & tissues I
2/9
FT: Beylik Farms
3
4
1/31
2/6
5
2/7
6
2/14
2/18
2/21
2/23
7
8
2/28
9
3/7
3/133/20
Ch 5: Plant Tissues
Ch 7: Stems
Last day to DROP w/o "W")
Ch 7: Stems (cont.)
Ch 8: Leaves
Ch 6: Roots
Ch 9: Mineral Nutrition & Transport
HOLIDAY
HOLIDAY
Ch 18: Classification of Plants
Ch 19: Viruses & Prokaryotes
Plant tissues 2 & organs
2/16
(Groc Store Botany 1)
Ch 19: Prokaryotes (cont.)
Ch 12 Mitosis, Meiosis & Life cycles
Ch 20: Kingdom Protista
3/2
Ch 20: Kingdom Protista
3/9
Bacteria, Algae & Fungi
Mitosis, Meiosis & Life cycles
Spring Break
10
3/21
Ch 21: Kingdom Fungi
Ch 22: Kingdom Plantae: Bryophytes
3/23
FT: Fruit Growers Lab
11
3/28
Ch 23: Kingdom Plantae: Seedless Vasc. Plants
Ch 24: Kingdom Plantae: Gymnosperms
3/30
Living plants (with campus walk)
12
4/4
Ch 25 Kingdom Plantae: Flowering Plants
Ch 9: Flowers, Seeds & Fruits
4/6
Pollination (Groc Store Botany 2)
13
4/11
Ch 4: Metabolism in (Plant) Cells
4/13
Photosynthetic pigments
14
Ch 13: Patterns of Inheritance
Ch 14: Molecular Basis of Inheritance
Last day to DROP (w. "W")
Ch 11: Growth
4/20
(FT: Seminis Seeds)
15
4/18
4/22
4/25
4/27
DNA model & DNA extraction
16
5/2
Ch 15: Genetic Frontiers
5/4
Student Presentations
17
5/9
Ch 26: Global Ecology
18
Fri 5/13
Final: 7:30 - 9:30 AM
Kinds of Testable Questions (from Bloom’s Taxonomy; Bloom et al. 1956):
You (as a college student) should be able to answer questions that use any of these formats:
Easiest: Knowledge
remembering
memorizing
recognizing
recalling identification
recalling information
Examples:
who, what, when, where, how ___ ?
describe __
Comprehension
interpreting
translating from one medium to another
describing in one's own words
organization and selection of facts and ideas
Example:
retell __
*Application
problem solving
applying information to produce some result
use of facts, rules and principles
Examples:
how is __ an example of ...?
how is __ related to ...?
why is __ significant?
*Analysis
subdividing something to show how it is put together
finding the underlying structure of a communication
identifying motives
separation of a whole into component parts
Examples:
what are the parts or features of __ ?
classify __ according to __
outline/diagram __
how does __ compare/contrast with __ ?
what evidence can you list for __ ?
Synthesis
creating a unique, original product that may be in verbal form or may be a physical object
combination of ideas to form a new whole
Examples:
what would you predict/infer from __ ?
what ideas can you add to __ ?
how would you create/design a new __ ?
what might happen if you combined __ ?
what solutions would you suggest for __ ?
Most difficult: Evaluation
making value decisions about issues
resolving controversies or differences of opinion
development of opinions, judgments or decisions
Examples:
do you agree that __ ? (then explain why!)
what do you think about __ ? (then explain why!)
what is the most important __ ? (then explain why!)
place the following in order of priority __ (then explain why!)
how would you decide about __ ? (then explain why!)
what criteria would you use to assess __ ? (then explain why!)
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COURSE NUMBER: AG V03/BIOL V23
COURSE TITLE: Plant Biology
Spring 2011
L. AFFIDAVIT
My signature below indicates that I have read and understand this syllabus and have been
given a copy of my own to keep.
Print Name:
Student Signature
Date
(over)
Student Information Sheet
Class: AG V03/BIOL V23
Name:
Semester: Spring 2011
Nickname?
(last)
(first)
Student ID No.
Telephone No.
Email address:
Major?
How long have you been in college?
(note: “pre-something” is NOT a major)
Eventual employment goals?
Planning to transfer?
Where?
What college-level Biology classes have you had or are in now?
What college-level Chemistry classes have you had or are in now?
What college-level Math, Engineering or Physics classes have you had or are in now?
What is the reason you are taking this class?
Is there anything else you want to tell me as you start this class?