Plants and Human Affairs

ENROLLMENT: Bio 207 is a course for non-science majors intended for use in the GER to satisfy the IIIB1 or IIIB2 requirement. Bio 507 is a parallel course for teachers.

OBJECTIVES: In this course the basic principles of life will be stressed. These include cellular structure, metabolism, growth, reproduction, adaptation, and evolution. This course approaches these basic principles of biology using two examples: plants and humans. We will stress plants, so you will learn about the form and function of plants, how to optimize environmental factors to maximize the growth and health of plants both in the home and in the garden, field, or orchard. In laboratory, you will become intimately familiar with the seven-step scientific method and will be able to distinguish experimental science from descriptive science. You will begin to learn critical thinking skills and develop analytical logic in approaching solutions to simple problems. You will learn how to apply simple math and statistical testing of hypotheses to everyday questions. In short, you will develop some basic skills in the discipline of science. These experiences qualify this course for use in the GER.

TEXT: Brian Capon, Botany for Gardeners, Timber Press, 1992. This is available for $18 in paperback at the bookstore in the Student Center. You will need this book IN CLASS EVERY DAY! The laboratory manual will consist of individual exercises handed out as needed. Buy a pencil, mechanical preferred, with eraser because you will definitely need one, especially in laboratory!! Other material may appear on the WWW at the URL above.

EXAMS: There will be three exams each lasting about one hour. The third exam will NOT be particularly cumulative, but this course does do some "building" during the term. You must bring a pencil and eraser to each exam. You can expect a variety of question types: multiple choice, matching, diagrams to draw and/or label, charts, structured essays, etc. Absence from an exam can only be excused by justification IN WRITING and will result in a make-up exam which will be difficult for you because of the short semester. Exams are 50% of the grade.

LABORATORY: For each exercise you must bring the laboratory exercise worksheet and a pencil. It is expected that you will read the lab exercise before coming to class...you and your grade will suffer if you fail to read ahead. The completed worksheets will be due as announced during the term. The laboratory exercises constitute 50% of the grade. Late papers will receive a penalty of 10% per day late. There are no make-up laboratory sessions and absence from a laboratory session can only be excused by justification IN WRITING.

PARTICIPATION: My estimate of your participation in the course may provide leverage or barrier should your earned grade fall near a grade border. Attendance, attitude, and attention are three strong components to this factor in the final grade. Attendance is particularly important based upon past student performance in this course. Staying on-task and remaining engaged in class discussion is the second-most important criterion. Your performance as an effective team-member in class is also critical. Missing a day in summer session is like missing a three days of a regular semester!

GRADING: Grades will be determined by modified straight scale: Best score = 100%, then 90%=A, 80%=B, 70%=C, 60%=D. NEVER use anything but pencil in this course!

EXTRA CREDIT ASSIGNMENTS: Extra credit assignments will not be given to anyone for any reason.

CHEATING: Copying or plagiarism will not be tolerated. While you will work together to obtain data in the laboratory, your own observations and calculations must be shown on the worksheets and exams. Joint efforts will receive a single score to be divided equally among the participants.

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