Course Outline
BI368: Plant Form and Function
Fall, 2015
Course description:
Objectives: In this course, we will study cells, tissues, and organs of plants in an attempt
to link them to specific functions. Once the functions are understood, we will highlight
how organs are capable of structural, mechanistic, and physiological modifications to
allow the non-mobile plants to live well in their environment. Throughout the term, you
will be provided with examples illustrating how the structure of an organ is related to the
constraints of the plant’s physical environment, so that you will be able to apply your
knowledge to deduce its anatomical characteristics and original habitat from its
morphology. Communication in biology will be stressed in this course through
presentations and the writing of an extended abstract.
Recommended References:
Making Sense - Life Sciences: A Student’s Guide to Research & Writing Northey and
Von Aderkas, Oxford University Press, 2010.
Schedule:
Lectures:
Mon, Wed and Fri 9:30–10.20 am at BA111
Evaluation:
Lectures;
60%
Mid term exam 1 (written, Oct 9; wk 1-4)
15%
Mid term exam 2 (written, Nov 27, wk 5-9)
20%
Research project
25%
[Extended abstract (submission- Nov 13) 15%]
[Presentations (wk 10-12)
10%]
Lab
40%
--------100%
*Students who have 80% or more class attendance for lectures will receive 2 bonus
points for class participation.
My Learning Space (MyLS):
Please refer to MyLS for lecture notes, announcements etc. Use my MyLS e.mail for any
correspondence. I will be posting lecture notes on MyLS before the lecture. However,
there will be additional material that will be discussed during the class which may NOT
be on posted lecture notes. This means the slides DO NOT represent a complete set of
lecture, and DO NOT substitute for coming to class and taking your own notes.
Evaluations:
The mid term exam 1 will cover the lectures from week ONE to FOUR, and the mid
term exam 2 will cover lectures from week FIVE to NINE, and is NONCUMULATIVE, but some background of the previous lectures may require. Both mid
term exams are written exams and will be held in-class.
If you are going to miss a mid term exam (allowed only for medical reasons), please
inform me BEFORE the exam. You have to provide with me an approved note from a
medical doctor within a week of the test.
Recent research on Plants’ structure and function: Extended abstract
Find a recent (within past five years) research journal article on plants’ structure and
function. Summarize the article into three pages (A4 paper, single-sided; double-spacing;
12 pt Times Roman font) excluding the spaces for figures, tables and references. It should
have an introduction to the title, literature review, results and discussion (if applicable),
conclusion and references (at least five). Link to the original journal article should be
provided in the text, under the title. The article should include relevant figures, tables,
flow charts etc. as necessary, not just the text. Deadline for submission is November 13,
2015. The extended abstract will be checked for plagiarism. Late assignments will
receive a zero mark. If you have a legitimate reason (eg. medical or family emergency),
contact me before the deadline to discuss for an extension (need proof for the reason).
Recent research on Plants’ structure and function: Presentation
Prepare a short presentation (4-minute) on the article, no power point slides, just a speech
about your topic. Attendance for presentations is mandatory.
Important information:
Please note that any evaluation component will NOT be substituted by any other exercise.
Students are strongly advised NOT to request any form of assignment to substitute any
evaluation that they have been absent or received poor marks. I want to help students to
succeed academically. The best way for me to do that is to be fair to all students in my
grading practices If you want to earn a particular grade the best way is to work hard
throughout the semester, learn from your strengths and weaknesses on the exams during
the semester and apply that knowledge to your plan for studying for the final exam. You
are always welcome to visit me during office hours or by appointment.
Attending all classes is very important, as I will give information and hints during the
lectures on how to be successful in the exams. Please make every attempt to attend
lectures. Active participation in the classes is always expected. Make sure your clickers
are registered and also charged at all times. Bring clickers to the class every day.
If you have any question about the course, please talk to me. If it is a quick question, you
can talk to me anytime during and after the class. If you need more time, please meet
with me in my office during office hours. You could contact me through MyLS, if it is
not really necessary to meet.
Office hours:
Mondays from 10.30 am -11.30 pm at KB32, 232 King St. or by appointment.
Lecture schedule
Week
Date
Lecture
September 11
Introduction to the course
1
September 14, 16, 18
Plants and their adaptations to environment
2
September 21, 23, 25
Plants – structures and functions
3
September 28, 30
October 2
October 5, 7
Cell wall
October 9
Mid term exam 1
5
October 12, 14, 16
October 19, 21, 23
Reading Week
Functional cells of the vascular tissue- Xylem
6
October 26, 28, 30
Functional cells of the vascular tissue- Phloem
7
November 2, 4, 6
Nodulation and mycorrhiza
8
November 9, 11, 13
Mycorrhiza and Insect herbivory
November 13
Extended abstract submission
9
November 16, 18, 20
Applied Plant Biology
10
November 23, 25
Presentations
11
November 27
November 30,
December 2, 4
December 7, 9
Mid term exam 2
Presentations
4
11
Cell wall biosynthesis and plasmodesmata
Presentations
*This proposed lecture schedule may slightly change at the discretion of the course instructor.
IMPORTANT NOTES Adding and Dropping Important Dates for Course Adding/Dropping and Tuition charges for the Fall 2015 Term, please see this link: http://legacy.wlu.ca/calendars/dates.php?cal=1&t=243&y=65 Important Dates for Course Adding/Dropping and Tuition charges for the Winter 2016 Term, please see this link: http://legacy.wlu.ca/calendars/dates.php?cal=1&t=244&y=65 Examination Deferrals The Academic Date section of the Calendar (Printed and Web Site Versions) clearly states the examination date period for each semester. Students must note that they are required to reserve this time in their personal calendars for the examinations. The Fall examination period is: December 12‐23, 2015. The Winter examination period is: April 7‐23, 2016. Students who are considering registering to write MCAT, LSAT or GMAT or a similar examination, should select a time for those examinations that occurs outside the University examination period. For additional information that describes the special circumstances for examination deferment, please check the following web page: http://legacy.wlu.ca/page.php?grp_id=1&p=17294 – Faculty of Science: Request for Deferred Final Examination. Student Awareness of Accessible Learning Centre Students with disabilities or special needs are advised to contact Laurier’s Accessible Learning Centre for information regarding its services and resources, ext. 3086. Students are encouraged to review the Calendar for information regarding all services available on campus. http://waterloo.mylaurier.ca/accessible/info/home.htm Academic and Research Misconduct Academic misconduct is an act by a student, or by students working on a team project, which may result in a false evaluation of the student(s), or which represents a deliberate attempt to unfairly gain an academic advantage. For detailed information on Academic Misconduct please refer to: http://www.wlu.ca/page.php?grp_id=2505&p=11452 Plagiarism Detection Software Wilfrid Laurier University uses software that can check for plagiarism. Students may be required to submit their written work in electronic form and have it checked for plagiarism. Learning Services There is a range of academic learning support services offered at Laurier designed for all students who want to improve their academic achievement in the classroom. These services include the following specific areas: * Central Academic Advising Office * Mathematics Assistance Centre * Study Skills and Supplemental Instruction Centre * Writing Centre Please access the following web page for detailed information: (www.wlu.ca/learningservices) Laurier Email Account Our official means of communication is with your Laurier email account. Students are expected to regularly check their Laurier email account for important notices from the university community. Students are also expected to send emails to official members of the university community from their Laurier email account in order to ensure delivery. Emails sent from non‐Laurier accounts, such as hotmail, may be identified as spam and not delivered. Your co‐
operation is appreciated.