Plant Biology Lab
BOT3015L
INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Erin Goergen
Office: NM 218, phone (727) 791-2561
Email: [email protected]
OFFICE HOURS:
M and W:
1:00 - 4:00 (NM 218 or LA 112)
ACADEMIC DEPARTMENT:
Natural Science
Chair: Dr. Linda Gingerich, NM 211, (727) 791-2538
Dean: Dr. John Chapin, Seminole Campus, UP 337, (727) 394-6995
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This is a laboratory experience to accompany Plant Biology. The lab will emphasize the
systematics, taxonomy, morphology and physiology of plants, fungi, and autotrophic protists.
PREREQUISITE OR CO-REQUISITE: BOT 3015
Assignment
Points
3 Practicals
300
Herbarium
100
Lab Notebook
150
Total possible points
550 points
GRADING:
Final Grade:
90-100% = A
80-89%
=B
70-79%
=C
60-69%
=D
0-59%
=F
To calculate your grade at any
time, divide the points you
have earned by the points
possible up to that time. If you
need assistance, you can stop
by your instructor’s office to
get help calculating your
grade.
Lab Practicals:
There will be 3 practical exams covering the material from labs. You will be required to identify specimens and answer
questions during the practical exam. Each practical is worth 100 points. Do not miss these exams. Make-up of these
exams will ONLY be given to students with valid, documented excuses. The make-up of the exam may be in an essay
format.
Herbarium:
As part of your lab grade, you will be creating an herbaria. For this class, you will need to collect 25 specimens,
press them well, and accurately identify/label them. For your collection, you will need to have representative
samples from 3 of the 4 plant groups we cover in class – nonvascular, seedless vascular, gymnosperms &
angiosperms. This project takes multiple weeks from start to finish, so do not wait until the last week of class
to get it completed. More information will be provided in class and in resources posted on mycourses.
Lab Notebook:
The study of plants requires observations at all levels of organization from the individual organism to the ecosystem, and
includes physiology, morphology, anatomy, life history traits, distribution, abundance, habitat, landscape and all kinds of
interrelationships. The lab notebook is the naturalist/ecologist's record of all of these matters as they present
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themselves to the observer. Each student will be responsible to maintain a notebook detailing the organisms studied
during the course, including key characteristics, evolutionary relationships, and sketches/drawings/pictures of the
organisms observed. The notebook will be graded on neatness, completeness, and quality of the content. Information
on how to set up your notebook is located on mycourses and will be covered in class.
Extra Credit:
Extra credit opportunities MAY arise and will be announced in class. Individual extra credit opportunities will not be
offered- please do NOT even ask as this is not fair to your classmates.
EXPECTATIONS:
WHAT I EXPECT FROM YOU:
 Be on time for class and do not leave until class is over.
 Texting, web-browsing, working on projects for other classes, chatting with friends, entering and leaving during
lecture and other disruptive behaviors will NOT BE TOLERATED. You will be dismissed from the class and
considered “absent” for that period.
 Take good notes during class.
 You should treat the opinions of others with respect and tolerance.
 You should complete all assignments on time and with thoughtfulness.
 You should practice academic honesty in all your work. This includes working independently on ALL assignments
unless you are told otherwise. All work you submit should be YOUR OWN.
 You should contact me promptly if there is a problem requiring my attention.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM ME:
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Be on time and well prepared to teach each class.
Check MYCOURSES at least once per day, Monday-Friday.
High level of availability to address any concerns or issues that may interfere with the learning process.
That the class will be kept moving at a reasonable pace in order to satisfy the learning objectives.
Thoughtful and critical responses to your written assignments to further enhance your complete understanding
of the subject.
Presentation of key elements within the assigned activities to help structure and organize your ability to learn
the material.
Fair and objective grading policies.
RESOURCES:
MYCOURSES:
The MYCOURSES class website contains your syllabus, the course schedule, and information about assignments/quizzes.
It also has a discussion area where you can post questions, a calendar, an email area where you may communicate with
me and with one another, and an announcement page where I will post important announcements. You can also check
your attendance, grades and your current class average. Please check the MYCOURSES website on a daily basis.
Learning Support Commons:
If you haven’t done so yet, take time in the beginning of the semester to visit the Learning Support Commons (LSC).
There is a Science resource room (LA 112) and tutors available to help you, free of charge.
ACTIVE PARTICIPATION (ATTENDANCE) POLICY AND WITHDRAWL:
The college-wide attendance policy is included in the Syllabus Addendum (http://www.spcollege.edu/addendum/). The
policy notes that each instructor is to exercise professional judgment and define “active participation” in class (and
therefore “attendance”), and publish that definition in each syllabus.
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First two weeks:
As per SPC policy students must attend at least ONE class in the first two weeks of the semester. Faculty verifies that
students are in attendance at least once each week during the first two weeks of class. Students classified as “No Show”
for both of the first two weeks will be administratively withdrawn and will still be responsible for the tuition and fees.
Non-payment of course fees:
Students will be automatically withdrawn at the beginning of the term for non-payment of course fees.
Withdrawal:
Students will be able to withdraw themselves at any time during the term. If a student wishes to withdraw from a
course, it is the responsibility of the student to withdraw either online through MySPC or with the help of an advisor in
the registration office. If the withdrawal is completed by June 24th, 2016, a grade of “W” will be recorded which does
not impact the student’s GPA. If the withdrawal occurs after June 24th, 2016, the student will receive a grade of WF
(withdraw-failing). The WF grade is punitive; it has the same impact on the GPA as an “F”. Students who withdraw from
all classes may be required to repay some or all of the financial aid received for the term. Should you consider totally
withdrawing from all classes before June 24th, 2016 it is important that you consult the Scholarships & Student Financial
Assistance office on your home campus to understand your options and the consequences of total withdrawal. Students
in the third attempt of a course who withdraw will receive a WF regardless of the date of withdrawal.
Active participation:
Immediately following the 60% point (June 24th, 2016) of the term the instructor will verify which students are actively
participating in class. Active class participation will be judged based on timely submission of at least 70% of assigned
work. A student who has submitted 70% or more of the assigned work (in a timely manner) and/or has NO MORE THAN
4 absences by that deadline will be considered to be actively participating; a student with less than 70% timely
submission of material and/or more than 4 absences will be deemed “not actively participating” and assigned a grade of
“WF” by Administration. To qualify as an excused absence, you must have a valid, written document that can be verified.
Students classified as not meeting the criteria for active class participation will be administratively withdrawn with a
“WF.” Students and instructors will automatically receive an email notification to their SPC email whenever a withdrawal
occurs. Please come see me if you have any questions.
Attendance:
Regular class attendance is expected of all students. If you miss class, it is YOUR responsibility to obtain notes from your
peers, and to know of important announcements and any assignments.
SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS:
If you wish to request accommodations as a student with a documented disability, please make an appointment with
the Learning Specialist on campus (Jeff Zeigler, 791-2710). I need to see your accommodation form at least one week
before the first assignment in which you intend to use the accommodation.
If you have a documented hearing loss, please contact the Program for the Deaf/Hard of Hearing at 791-2628. If you
need assistance during an emergency classroom evacuation, please contact your campus learning specialist immediately
about arrangements for your safety. The Office of Services for Students with Disabilities can be reached at 791-2628 or
791-2710.
ACADEMIC HONESTY:
The college has an official policy on academic honesty and proper classroom behavior. If there are any questions, please
refer to the brochure, "Academic Honesty and Student Behavior: Expectations of Students at SPC" (also available online).
I take this subject very seriously and will not tolerate academic dishonesty or inappropriate/disruptive behavior in the
classroom. ALTHOUGH YOU MAY WORK IN GROUPS, EACH PERSON MUST COMPLETE ALL WORK IN THEIR OWN
WORDS. College policy states that a first offense (cheating, plagiarism, etc) is given a “zero” for the assignment with no
possibility of replacing the score. In addition, on the first offense, a form is filed in the Assistant Provost’s office. This
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does not go onto the student’s transcript, but should a second offense occur, the student is then subject to expulsion
from school.
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS:
In the event that a hurricane or other disaster causes closure of St. Petersburg College facilities, you may not be
provided the opportunity to complete your course work online due to the hands-on requirements for this course.
Following the event, please visit www.spcollege.edu to see if there are any options for completing this course work at an
alternate location.
This syllabus is currently available in MYCOURSES for your convenience. Log in to MYCOURSES to confirm that you have
access, reporting any difficulty to the SPC Student Technical Support Center at 727 341-4357 or via email at
[email protected].
Learning outcomes and objectives:
1.The student will examine evolutionary relationships of plants as illustrated through classification schemes by:
a. performing laboratory experiments to analyze the cells and tissues of the plant body as well as root, leaf, and stem
structures and arrangements common to angiosperms.
b. examining live specimens to include the various reproductive structures of angiosperms and gymnosperms.
2. The student will consider autotrophic protists and fungi within the scope of plant biology and the general
context of evolution by:
a. comparing and contrasting the dinoflagellates, euglenoids, and cryptomonads.
b. examining live specimens of various fungi phyla as well as slide of representative structures.
3. The student will analyze the organization of the plant body within the context of features of evolution and
the relationships of plant groups by:
a. examining live specimens and prepared slides to recognize the various unique structures present with the three
major groups of Pteridophytes and Lycophytes.
b. examining live specimens and prepared slides to recognize the unique structures present in various phyla of
gymnosperms
c. examining live specimens as well as prepared slides to recognize the unique structures of the three major phyla of
Bryophytes
4. The student will analyze physiological processes of seed plants by:
a. performing laboratory experiments to analyze the effects of growth regulators and external factors on plant growth.
b. performing laboratory experiments to examine the inorganic nutrients required by plants.
c. performing laboratory experiments to examine the movement of water and solutes in plants.
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