Plant Biology

Biology 336: Plant Biology

George M. Diggs, Jr.
Department of Biology and Center for Environmental Studies
Austin College, Sherman, Texas
& Research Associate, Botanical Research Institute of Texas (BRIT), Fort Worth

To Contact Dr. Diggs:

Austin College Phone: (903) 813-2246, Home Phone (903) 868-1642
Office: 317 Moody Science
Mailing Address: Department of Biology, Austin College, Sherman, TX 75090
AC Suite 61564
e-mail: gdiggs@austincollege.edu
Home page: http://artemis.austincollege.edu/acad/bio/gdiggs/diggs.html
Office Hours: 1:30-2:30 M, Tu; Other times by appointment.

Class Meetings: Lecture 9:30-10:50 a.m. Tu,Th - IDEA Center 211; Lab 1:30- 4:20 p.m. W, Th - IDEA Center 254

Text: Shinners and Mahler's Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas, G.M. Diggs, Jr., B. Lipscomb, and B. O'Kennon, 1999

Additional Readings: Various readings will be assigned during the semester. They will be either on Moodle, as live links on the class schedule page, or as handouts given out in class.

Course Content: The first part of the course will be a survey of the major groups of seed plants. This will be followed by an in-depth look at some specialized areas of botany including Angiosperm evolution, plant animal coevolution, plant systematics, plant ecology, and plant physiology.

Exams (Lecture & Lab): Exam dates are given on the course outline. There are three lecture exams including the final which is comprehensive over the last two-thirds of the course (all material after Exam 1). The first two lecture exams are each worth 100 points and the final is worth 150 points. Questions from the labs, including identification of plants learned in lab, will be given on the lecture exams.

Late Penalty: Exams must be taken when scheduled or earlier. If you have to take an exam late, either contact me or leave a message with the Division Secretary (Ext. 2342 BEFORE exam time. A late penalty of at least one grade level will be imposed for unexcused late exams. Plant collections and research summaries will not be accepted late.

Class Attendance: Lab attendance is mandatory. Unexcused absences from lab will result in a ten point penalty TAKEN OFF ONE OF YOUR EXAMS. Attendance is expected at all lectures. If you miss a lecture you will need to turn in a make-up assignment (points will be taken off if you do not do make-up assignments. Because powerpoints/slides are an integral part of the lectures, frequent absences will probably result in a lower grade.

Classroom Decorum: No texting is allowed in lecture or laboratory. Students fiddling with phones are a distraction to the teacher and to other students and is rude behavior. If you expect an emergency communication during class then let me know ahead of time. Texting after a warning may result in you being asked to leave class.

No student may unfairly advance his or her academic performance or impede the performance of other students. Any activity that unfairly gives an advantage to a student or group of students is a violation of academic ethics and will be punished to the fullest extent of College policy.

Examples of violations include: using unauthorized notes on an exam; failure to give credit to a colleague who assisted with a project; failure to give credit to an author whose work is cited; fabrication of data; removing items from the library in violation of library policy (e.g. removing journal issues from the library building); intentionally mis-shelving materials in the library such that other individuals would not be able to locate them; and removing old tests from a bulletin board thereby preventing other students from reviewing those materials. This list is not exhaustive.

Each item that you submit for a grade in this course must include the following statement along with your signature.

This work was prepared in accordance with the Austin College academic integrity.

Laboratory Work: Unless otherwise notified, meet for all labs in IDEA Center 254. One laboratory requirement is to make a collection of vascular plants. Five plants will be due EACH FRIDAY beginning the 3rd week of classes. A total of 25 plants are required. Further details on this assignment will be given in lab. Most of our labs will be in the field, often in difficult terrain. Therefore, stout boots, long pants, long sleeve shirts and a hat should be worn; you will be asked to read and sign the Field Biology Safety Contract. Field trips begin at 1:30 p.m. If you're late, you'll miss the van.

Students with Disabilities: Austin College seeks to provide reasonable accommodations for all individuals with disabilities and complies with all federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and guidelines. It is the responsibility of the student to register with and provide verification of academic accommodation needs to the Director of the Academic Skills Center as soon as possible. The student also must contact the faculty member in a timely manner to arrange for reasonable academic accommodations. For further information call (903-813-2454) or visit the Academic Skills Center.