BIOL 2500-- Introductory Plant Biology
Course Syllabus - Spring 2009

Individuals with disabilities who need to request accommodations should contact the Disability Services Coordinator, Student Center room # 255, 678-466-5445, disabilityservices@mail.clayton.edu.

Course Description

Number and Title:

BIOL 2500, Introductory Plant Biology

Credit Hours:

2.0 semester credit hours

Catalog Description:

Survey of the plant kingdom with greatest emphasis on structure and function of angiosperms.

Course Prerequisites:

BIOL 1108 and 1108L

Notebook Computer Requirement:

Each CSU student is required to have ready access throughout the semester to a notebook computer that meets faculty-approved hardware and software requirements for the student's academic program. Students will sign a statement attesting to such access.  For further information on CSU's Official Notebook Computer Policy, please go to http://itpchoice.clayton.edu/policy.htm.

Computer Skill Prerequisites:

• Able to use the Windows^TM operating system.
• Able to use a the Microsoft Word^TM word processing program.
• Able to send and receive e-mail using the Outlook^TM or Outlook Express^TM program.
• Able to use a Web browser.

In-class Use of Student Notebook Computers:

Student notebook computers will not be used in the classroom. Computers will be required to access course materials and to communicate with your instructor.

Course Objectives:

• Effectively demonstrate knowledge of plant biological principles.
• Communicate scientific information in a clear and concise manner in writing.
• Demonstrate the ability to interpret scientific data and employ critical thinking to solve problems in plant biology.
• Collaborate effectively on team-oriented projects.
• Demonstrate the ability to identify and describe the impact of plant biology on the environment and society.

Biology Program Outcomes: 

• Effectively demonstrate knowledge of the basic principles of major fields of biology.
• Communicate scientific information in a clear and concise manner both orally and in writing.
• Demonstrate the ability to employ critical thinking to solve problems in biological science and supporting fields.
• Collaborate effectively on team-oriented projects.

Student Learning Outcomes:

• General education outcomes:
  • Communication: knowledge base. BIOL 2500 will provide knowledge base information necessary for communication of information concerning genetics, biotechnology and biodiversity..
  • Critical thinking: all components (question/issue, method, evidence, conclusion). BIOL 2500 will require application of knowledge base information to understand biological relationships.

Instructor Information:

Dr. Jere Boudell (CRN# 24385)
Office: Administration Building,  Room A40A (Campus Map)
Phone: (678) 466-4772
e-mail: JBoudell@mail.clayton.edu
Internet address: http://a-s.clayton.edu/jboudell
Office hours:  http://a-s.clayton.edu/jboudell/schedule.htm

Class Meetings:

Textbook Information:

Text:

Raven, Peter H., Ray F. Evert, and Susan E. Eichhorn.  2005.  Biology of Plants.  7th Edition.  W.H. Freeman and Company, New York, New York.  

Writing papers in the biological sciences, 4th edition, Victoria E. McMillan. 2006. Bedford/St. Martin's. New York .

Text Coverage:

Chapters to be covered: See reading schedule below.

Evaluation:

Item	Points
3 Exams @ 75 points	225
Homework Assignments &/OR Quizzes	100
1 Final Exam (25% new material & 75% old material)	100
Total	425

Grading:

Your final grade will be determined as follows:

The mid-term grade in this course which will be issued near or on March 1, reflects approximately 20% of the entire course grade.  Based on this grade, students may choose to withdraw from the course and receive a grade of "W."  Students pursuing this option must fill out an official withdrawal form, available in the Office of the Registrar, by mid-term, which occurs on March 6.  It is important to note that the mid-term grade is only a form of feedback, and does not in ANY way affect the final grade.

Tentative Course Schedule:

Textbook: Biology of Plants, Raven, Evert, and Eichhorn, 7th Edition, 2005.

**This lecture schedule and lecture testing is tentative and may change. Tests may be given the week before or the week after the week listed here or during the week predicted. Specific test dates will be announced approximately one week in advance in class.

Final Examination Schedule (Tentative)

Course Policies:

Absences from EXAMS must also be accompanied by a signed physician's or judge's excuse (there are no exceptions). Without an excuse provided within one week, a grade of zero points will be assigned for the missed assessment.  If the student has a valid excuse the final exam will be doubled to make up for the missed one, unless it is a final exam, in which case a makeup will be administered.  You are only permitted one excused absence from class exams. Because one quiz grade is dropped at the end of the semester, make up quizzes are not given.

Attendance is expected for all class periods.  Attendance is required for quiz and examination periods (see above).  Any absence must be accompanied by a written excuse from a doctor or other competent authority.  Without an excuse, a grade of zero points will be assigned for the missed work.  Late assignments must be turned in within one day of the due date and 10% will be deducted from the final assignment grade.   Assignments may NOT be sent to the instructor via email.

Visitors (friends, children, etc.) are strictly prohibited from attending class without the permission of the instructor.

No smoking, eating or drinking is permitted at any time in the classroom.

Students may not play video games during lecture.

Students must abide by policies in the Clayton State University Student Handbook, and the Basic Undergraduate Student Responsibilities.

Any type of activity that is considered dishonest by reasonable standards may constitute academic misconduct. The most common forms of academic misconduct are cheating and plagiarism.  All instances of academic dishonesty will result in a grade of zero for the work involved.  All instances of academic misconduct will be reported to the Office of Student Life/Judicial Affairs.   Judicial procedures are described at http://adminservices.clayton.edu/studentconduct/.  

Disruptive Classroom Behavior¹

Disruptive behavior in the classroom can negatively affect the classroom environment as well as the educational experience for students enrolled in the course. Disruptive behavior is defined as any behaviors that hamper the ability of instructors to teach or students to learn. Common examples of disruptive behaviors include, but are not limited to:
# Eating in class
# Monopolizing classroom discussions
# Failing to respect the rights of other students to express their viewpoints
# Talking when the instructor or others are speaking
# Constant questions or interruptions which interfere with the instructor’s presentation
# Overt inattentiveness (e.g., sleeping or reading the paper in class)
# Creating excessive noise
# Entering the class late or leaving early
# Use of pagers or cell phones in the classroom
# Inordinate or inappropriate demands for time or attention
# Poor personal hygiene (e.g., noticeably offensive body odor)
# Refusal to comply with faculty direction

Students exhibiting these types of behaviors can expect a warning from the instructor or dismissal for the lesson in which the behavior occurs. Failure to correct such behaviors can result in dismissal from the course.

More extreme examples of disruptive behavior include, but are not limited to:
# Use of profanity or pejorative language
# Intoxication
# Verbal abuse of instructor or other students (e.g., taunting, badgering, intimidation)
# Harassment of instructor or other students
# Threats to harm oneself or others
# Physical violence

Students exhibiting these more extreme examples of disruptive behavior may be dismissed from the lesson or the entire course.

Students dismissed from a lesson will leave the classroom immediately or may be subject to additional penalties. Dismissed students are responsible for any course material or assignments missed.

Students dismissed from a course have the right to appeal the dismissal to the department head responsible for the course. Appeals beyond the department head may also be pursued. If no appeal is made or the appeal is unsuccessful, the student will receive a grade o WF (withdrawal – failing) regardless of the current grade in the course.

Conditions attributed to physical or psychological disabilities are not considered as a legitimate excuse for disruptive behavior.

1 The description of disruptive behavior and listings of examples of disruptive behavior are taken from the Web sites of James Madison University, the University of Delaware and Virginia Tech.

 

Changes or additions to this syllabus, including reading, exam schedule, grading, and course policies can be made at the discretion of the instructor at any time.

Last update: April 20, 2009