Biology 5 Botany
Spring 2012
R. Morales Office LS 116			Office Hours: T 9:30-10:30 or by appt.
rmorales@gavilan.edu (408) 848-4872
General Botany- Biological Science 5	           	Lecture 	TTh 8:10 - 9:30 AM 	LS102							Lab		Th    9:45-12:49 PM	LS102
					Field trip scheduled for 4/26 8-5pm
Course Description:	
This course is designed for students majoring in botany and/or its related disciplines.  The course includes the study of the ecology, evolution, anatomy, physiology and systematics of plants as well as the use of plants in biotechnology and agriculture.  This course is transferable to the CSU or UC system.    

Course Learning Objectives are as Follows:
1.	Relate the evolution, ecology and structure of plants to their classification.
2.	Apply knowledge of plant physiology and structure to the use of plants in agriculture and biotechnology.
3.	Develop basic laboratory and dissection skills which may be utilized in further investigations.
Prerequisite:  	Math 233 with a grade ‘C’ or better.  Advisory:  Biology 10, eligible for English 
250 and 260.
Required Text:
Lecture Text:	P. Raven, R. Evert, S. Eichhorn. 2005. Biology of Plants 7th ed. W.H. Freeman. 
Lab Text: 	S. Eichhorn, J. Perry, & R. Evert. 2005. Laboratory topics in Botany 7th ed. W.H. Freeman.   
	Lab Composition Notebook for field studies 
Course Website: http://hhh.gavilan.edu/rmorales
Lecture: (60% of course grade)
Lecture Exams: 45%
There will be Three Midterm exams containing multiple-choice, fill-in, T/F, matching questions and possible short answer question(s).  Each exam is worth 15% of your grade and covers the lecture material, laboratory exercises, assignments, and reading material. The lowest Midterm score will be dropped when calculating final grade and everyone must take a comprehensive Final worth 15% of your overall grade.  The Final exam score does not qualify as a Midterm exam score and will not be dropped- for any reason!
Lecture Quizzes: 5% 
Lecture Quizzes may be given during any time and cover current or previous lecture and/or lab topics.  
      Lecture Assignments: 5%
Lecture Assignments may be given throughout the course and will be due one week from the assigned date or otherwise noted.  
      Presentation: 5%
Students will be asked to choose a topic/area of special interest (California Native and non Native plant in Northern California).  Students will be paired by plant family into groups- one family per group, chosen in the order requested (See attachment)!  Students must coordinate with each other and design a (10 min. per student) presentation format that allows both students the opportunity to express their ideas/interest.  

For full credit, each person must have equal amount of time presenting and before the scheduled presentation, each person will turn in a 1-2 page presentation outline that includes the group topic, individual’s topic, abstract, presentation outline, and a list of at least four references.     

Lab: (40% of course grade) 
•	Each week students are required to attend a One-Day lab (Thursday).  Laboratories are designed to give the student practical experience and is scheduled for 3 full hours per lab.  The Lab grade will be calculated from the following: Participation, Preparation (have Lab book and composition book at all times), Lab notes, completed assignments/notebook and Lab quizzes/practicums.  
•	The Lab is intended to complement lectures and to provide hands-on experience.  Participation is a major part of your grade! Students must attend every lab, be prepared and accomplish all of the desired goals during this period for full credit. 
Basic Lab Guidelines:  Follow basic lab safety procedures and guidelines.
1	Know the emergency evacuation procedure and our assembly points. Campus Police dial 10 from campus phone or cell (408) 710-7490.
2	Do not attempt to pick up any broken glassware, please notify the instructor and he/she will dispose.
3	If you get cut or injured please inform the instructor so that we can treat you and fill out appropriate paperwork.
4	DO NOT EAT IN THE LAB! We work with various solutions that include unhealthy material and will find their way into your body if you do not protect yourself and follow this guideline. 
5	Keep your work areas clean from any debris, water bottles, electronic devises, backpacks at all times.
6	If you are using the Microscope follow the procedure found on the cabinet.
7	Lab notebooks must be open at all times and ready to be observed by the instructor.    
     Lab Reports:  10%
Participation will be taken and counts towards laboratory points- no points will be allowed if students do not attend and there will be no make-ups for missed labs.  
In class Lab assignments will be given out during the first part of the lab-lecture and lab assignments are expected to be completed during the lab time unless otherwise instructed.  
     Lab Notebook: 5%
Students are required to have a composition notebook that would include all lab assignments and field notes.  Proper notes format will be covered during first week of Lab and will be docked if not followed.
     Laboratory Quizzes/Practicum: 10%
Quizzes may be given at anytime throughout the semester.  Lab quizzes will cover topics from the previous laboratory assignments and/or daily objectives. 
     Service Learning:  5%
SL activities will be scheduled throughout the semester and be discussed during the first week of class.  Students must attend/participate at minimum 10 SL hours of service this semester for full credit.   If you are not able to attend any of these activities you can make up half the total points by designing your own SL and having it approved 2 weeks prior to the events.  If you fall into this category please meet with me so that we can discuss the requirements of the project. 

Projects for this semester may include Teaching resources for community at large such as Pollinators of the area (Insect collection), Arboretum (map plants of the college), and habitat restoration (Canada de los Osos and Gavilan).

Lab Project: 5%  
During the 6th week we will plant seeds to measure the extent of Growth Regulators (Lab 27) and Inorganic Nutrients Required by Plants (Lab 29) during the 15th week of the schedule.   

 Field Trips: 5%
Throughout the semester students are asked to attend at least one of two field trips scheduled (announcements will be given in lecture and lab)      

Extra Credit: 1- 3 %  Must be pre-approved by instructor
Students who identify and present interesting points about campus native and non-native plants or on our field excursion will earn up from  1-3%  points depending on the amount of work for the presentation.     

Late Assignments or Make-Ups will not be accepted!
Make-Ups for Lecture and Lab will only be offered to those students who have a medical excuse otherwise will receive a zero for the exam/quiz/assignment.   

Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated and dealt with appropriately.  
If you’re unsure whether your action violates the College Academic Honesty Policy (i.e. Homework, Presentations and Lab assignments) please check with me before continuing. 	
Grades:	
The Percent breakdown for determining your grade is as follows:
15% 	Final Exam
30% 	Mid-Term Exams
10% 	Lecture Quizzes/Practicum
5%	Lecture Assignments (Presentation) 
40%	Laboratory ( lab report 10%, lab notebook 5%, , lab quiz 10%, Service Learning 5%, Field trip 5%, lab project 5%)
Note: an extra 1% to 3% credit for Field Presentation
Please note: In order to pass the class you must obtain a passing grade (C or Better) for the Lab.
Your grade will be determined by the percentage you earn of the total possible points available 

Grading Scale
            Please note that this scale may vary and should only be used to give the student a              
            guideline for calculating course grades. 

Grade	%	
A	90-100	
A-	88.0-89.9	
B+	86.0-87.9	
B	80.0-85.9	
B-	79.0-79.9	
C+	78.0-78.9	
C	70.0-77.9	
D	60-69.9	
F	<59	

ADA Accommodation Statement: Students requiring special services or arrangements because of hearing, visual or other disability should contact their instructor, counselor, or the disabled Student Service Office.