Plant Physiology

OBJECTIVES:
This course satisfies one of the 300-level course requirements for the biology major. It is designed to provide you with comprehensive exposure to the subject of plant physiology. You will learn about the structure and function of plants throughout their development from seeds through reproduction. Considerable experience in chemistry is assumed, as is recall from BIO 221 (Cell and Molecular Biology). Our discussions and exercises will cover from the biochemical level through the organismal level. The laboratory exercises will be investigative and perhaps more open-ended than you have experienced before. If you are a person who has over-specialized in zoology or human biology, this course will expand your horizons significantly. As a study of producers, this course will examine those organisms so important because of their position at the energy and elemental intake portion of the energy pyramid and the food web! Upon these organisms depends human survival.

ELECTRONIC MATERIALS:
You will find lecture notes, lab exercises, old exams, and other course materials available for you "as is" on the World Wide Web at this address: http://plantphys.info/

TEXT:
L. Taiz and E. Zeiger. 2002. Plant Physiology. 3ded. Sinauer Associates, Inc., Publishers, Sunderland, MA. You will need to bring this book with you to all lectures. The book is available at the bookstore. I'm sorry about The $104.95 price.

LAB MANUAL:
Separate exercises will be handed out for your preparation. You should obtain a three-ring binder to hold them together as a laboratory manual.

LAB KIT:
Large three-ring binder with zipper pouch containing: Small Scissors, Metric Rule, Forceps, Pencil (mechanical preferred), Eraser. Available at the bookstore, etc.

GRADING:
Your final grade will be based on 1000 points:

EXAMS:
Coverage will be announced for each exam, but they will cover BOTH lecture and laboratory material. Each exam will consist of a variety of question types but mostly essay. You will be given one week after each exam is returned in which to challenge, in writing, the grading/scoring of the exam. THERE WILL BE NO MAKE-UP EXAMS! If you have a written excuse for missing one exam, your course grade will be calculated on the basis of the other three exam scores. If you miss two exams, you must withdraw from the course.

EXERCISES:
Each laboratory exercise will be inspired by a short handout. You will work out how to do each project with your partner(s). Each person will write a one-page abstract about the project. This abstract will be amplified by attached notes, drawings, graphs, etc. These amplified abstracts will be due one week after the exercise is officially completed. Late papers will receive a penalty of 10% per day late; after a graded exercise is returned to your classmates, your late abstract is not acceptable and earns a grade of 0%.

LABORATORY REPORT:
The format of the report must follow the standard guidelines in the departmental style manual (Pechenik). The laboratory report is due on the last day of classes; late papers will receive a 10% deduction per day late. Failure to hand in this report before the final exam will result in a failing grade for the course.

PRESENTATION:
You will make one oral presentation to the class based upon your laboratory experience. You will choose the laboratory exercise to present (first come-first served). The presentation will be made in the laboratory meeting in the week after all data have been collected for your exercise. Late presentations receive a late penalty of 10% per class meeting. Failure to present by the last day of classes will result in a failing grade for the course.

PARTICIPATION:
Your level of attention, attitude, and attendance will be a significant part of your overall grade. This could be assessed partially by means of quizzes, practicals, or subjective observations of your interaction with your laboratory partner(s). Participation is critical for success, particularly in the laboratory setting. MAKEUP LABORATORY EXERCISES AND EXAMS ARE NOT POSSIBLE. Absence can be excused only with written documentation. Advice: arrive on-time, prepared for class, and contribute extensively to the work.

ACCOMMODATIONS:
If you are a student with a disability and believe you will need accommodations for this class, it is your responsibility to contact the Office of AccessAbility Services at (860) 465-5573. To avoid any delay in the receipt of accommodations, you should contact the Office of AccessAbility Services as soon as possible. Please understand that I cannot provide accommodations based upon disability until I have received an accommodation letter from the Office of AccessAbility Services. Your cooperation is appreciated

CHEATING:
In many exercises you will work with laboratory partners and will share the data obtained. Your calculations, your reports, abstracts, and exams must, however, be done ON YOUR OWN. Plagiarism will not be tolerated and severe penalties will be invoked. Copying will not be tolerated.

This page © Ross E. Koning 1994.

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Send comments and bug reports to Ross Koning at rkoning@snet.net.