General Botany (For Majors)

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Fundamental biological concepts relevant to plant physiology, life cycle, growth and development, structure and function, and cellular and molecular metabolism. The role of plants in the environment, evolution, and phylogeny of major plant groups, algae, and fungi. (This course is intended for science majors.) Three hours lecture and three hours lab per week.

Course Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion of the lecture component of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Compare and contrast the structures, reproduction, and characteristics of plants, algae, and fungi.
  2. Describe the characteristics of life and the basic properties of substances needed for life.
  3. Identify the principles of inheritance and solve classical genetic problems.
  4. Describe phylogenetic relationships and classification schemes.
  5. Identify the major phyla of life with an emphasis on plants, including the basis for classification, structural and physiological adaptations, evolutionary history, and ecological significance.
  6. Identify the chemical structures, synthesis, and regulation of nucleic acids and proteins.
  7.  Identify the substrates, products, and important chemical pathways in photosynthesis and respiration.
  8. Describe the unity and diversity of plants and the evidence for evolution through natural selection.
  9. Compare different sexual and asexual life cycles noting their adaptive advantages.
  10. Describe the reasoning processes applied to scientific investigations and thinking.

Upon successful completion of the lab component of this course, students will:

  1. Apply scientific reasoning to investigate questions and utilize scientific tools such as microscopes and laboratory equipment to collect and analyze data.
  2. Use critical thinking and scientific problem-solving to make informed decisions in the laboratory.
  3. Communicate effectively the results of scientific investigations.
  4. Compare and contrast the structures, reproduction, and characteristics of plants, algae, and fungi.
  5. Describe the characteristics of life and the basic properties of substances needed for life.
  6. Identify the principles of inheritance and solve classical genetic problems.
  7. Describe phylogenetic relationships and classification schemes.
  8. Identify the major phyla of life with an emphasis on plants, including the basis for classification, structural and physiological adaptations, evolutionary history, and ecological significance.
  9. Identify the chemical structures, synthesis, and regulation of nucleic acids and proteins.
  10. Identify the substrates, products, and important chemical pathways in photosynthesis and respiration.
  11. Describe the unity and diversity of plants and the evidence for evolution through natural selection.
  12. Compare different sexual and asexual life cycles noting their adaptive advantages.
  13. Describe the reasoning processes applied to scientific investigations and thinking.

Required Institutional Learning Core Learning Outcomes (ICLO):

Communication (COM), Critical Thinking (CT), Empirical & Quantitative Reasoning (EQR), Teamwork (TW)

Required Textbooks

Text Book: Bidlack, Stern’s Introductory Plant Biology, 13th Edition, 2014, McGraw-Hill Companies Inc. ISBN 978-0-07-336944-0 with required learning software package.

Lab Manual: Kazmierski, JA. Exercises for the Botany Laboratory, Revised Edition, 2002, Morton Publishing Company.ISBN 978-1-6173104-0-9

Evaluation Standards

Lecture assignments and tests = 75%

Lab assignments and practical = 25%

POINT DISTRIBUTION

Exams  (4 exams 100 points each)                                      400 points = 40%          

Comprehensive final exam                                                  100 points = 10%

Group Project                                                                       100 points = 10%

Connect Homework                                                             150 points = 15%

Lab Average                                                                         250 points = 25%

Total Points Available                                                       1000 points = 100%

LETTER GRADE DETERMINAITON:

A = 90 – 100%

B = 80 – 89%

C = 70 – 79%

D = 60 – 69%

F = 0 – 59%

Disabilities

ADA Statement:

Any student with a documented disability (e.g. learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) may contact the Office on the Weatherford College Weatherford Campus to request reasonable accommodations. Phone: 817-598-6350 Office Location: Office Number 118 in the Student Services Building, upper floor. Physical Address: Weatherford College 225 College Park Drive Weatherford, TX.

Academic Integrity
Academic Integrity is fundamental to the educational mission of Weatherford College, and the College expects its students to maintain high standards of personal and scholarly conduct. Academic dishonesty of any kind will not be tolerated. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on an examination or other academic work, plagiarism, collusion, and the abuse of resource materials including unauthorized use of Generative AI. Departments may adopt discipline specific guidelines on Generative AI usage approved by the instructional dean. Any student who is demonstrated to have engaged in any of these activities will be subject to immediate disciplinary action in accordance with institutional procedures.
Hope Statement
Any student who faces challenges securing basic resources such as food, clothing, or housing and believes this may affect their performance in their course of study is urged to contact the Director of Student Resources, Dr. Deborah Cregger, for support at (817) 598-6444. Her office is on the first floor of Student Services. If the student prefers, they may contact their instructor, who can reach out on their behalf. Weatherford College also provides the Coyote Pantry. The Pantry maintains boxed and canned foods for students in need. The location of the Coyote Pantry is two blocks west of the Weatherford campus at the Baptist Student Ministry (118 E. Park Ave., Weatherford). Pantry hours are Mon-Thurs. 8:30 am-4:30 pm and Fri. 8.30 am-12:00 pm (817-599-6586).