BIO 597D/620D: Plant Systematics and Evolution, Monfils 2007
BIO 597D/620D: Plant Systematics and Evolution
Spring Semester 2007
Course Description:
This course is an in-depth study of plant systematics and evolution. Systematics brings together knowledge, methods, and techniques of many different sciences and disciplines including information relating to morphology, ecology, geography, geology, evolutionary biology, molecular biology, chemistry, computer science, and information management technology. Systematics is the theory and practice of recognizing species, inferring evolutionary history, and arranging species into nested groups based on inferred evolutionary history, so that the hierarchy of classification reflects evolutionary descent. Classifications (and taxonomy) are thus used to organize and retrieve information about plant evolution. This course will cover important topics in plant identification, evolution and systematics.
Course Objectives:
Students taking this course acquire the knowledge, skills and techniques to identify plants and classify them into species, genera and families. They will expand their knowledge about the evolution of land plants and various plant characteristics including evolution of the seed, flower and pollen. In addition students enrolled in this class will learn the foundation of cladistic theory and how to generate and analyze molecular and morphological data sets in an attempt to surmise phylogenetic hypotheses of evolution within specific plant groups. As part of this course, students will acquire proficiency in reading and interpreting the scientific literature of plant evolution and systematics. Students will become authorities on a designated plant family and learn to compile relevant identification and evolutionary evidence for the group.
Professor:
Dr. Anna K. Monfils
125 Brooks Hall
774-2492
Office Hours: Monday 8:00-10:00
Wednesday 8:00-10:00
Lecture and Laboratory Location and Time:
104 Brooks Hall, MW: 01:00-03:50
Course and Laboratory Text:
Simpson, M. G. 2006. Plant Systematics. Elsevier Academic Press, Burlington, MA
Harris, G.H. & M.W. Harris. 2006. Plant Identification Terminology: An Illustrated Gossary. Spring Lake Publishing, Spring Lake, Utah
Course material will also include support materials from the library and internet.
Suggested Materials:
Lab notebook with a sewn binding, pen and pencils, hand lens, forceps, dissection needle, blades, ruler
Lecture and Laboratory Attendance:
Since learning is a co-operative relationship between the instructor and students, attendance and class participation are obligatory to the learning process. Some material may be covered in lecture that may not be covered in the assigned lecture readings. It is expected that students will attend all lectures and be responsible for all announcements made in lecture with regards to changes in lecture topics, laboratory assignments, exams, dates, etc. for BIO 597D/620D.
Office Hours:
Office hours are offered by Dr. Monfils. Feel free to attend the office hours to ask any questions pertaining to the lab or lecture. This amounts to 4 hours available a week to interact one on one. Take advantage of these times as a learning opportunity. If your grade falls behind or you have a situation which is affecting your grade…do not wait until the end of the semester to contact the professor. Open lines of communication between the students and instructor can help avert critical issues with grades and attendance. Do not hesitate to communicate with the instructor about such issues.
Time Commitment:
When the registrar assigns course credit there is an implied study load associated with the credit hours. Three of the hours associated with this course are “lecture hours”. Each lecture hour requires two hours of study outside of class. An additional three hours is expected for each test during the semester. On average, six hours of outside work a week is required to pass the lecture class. One credit of this course is attributed to “lab hours”, and the same rules apply. While lab meets for a full 2 hours and 50 minutes every week, there is an expectation for 2 hours of work and study outside the lab hours and additional hours for test preparation. This amounts to approximately three hours in lab and three hours out of lab, for each week in the semester. The total requirement with lab and lecture is nine hours of study outside of a formal learning environment. Remember this is an average – some weeks will require more, others less. Use your time wisely and don’t fall behind.
Grading and Exams:
Lecture Tests and Final Exam:
Lecture tests will cover the important lecture content in the course. Tests will be a combination of essay, short answer and fill in the blank questions. Some tests and lecture questions may be take-home. Lecture test questions are designed to provide the students an opportunity to share what they know. Lecture test and the final exam are worth 30% of the course grade.
Laboratory Quizzes:
Laboratory quizzes are a combination of essay, short answer and fill in the blank questions. They are focused on the “hands on” plant identification portion of the course. They will include a practical component on plant identification. Laboratory quizzes and the lab final are worth 25% of the course grade.
Lab and Lecture Exercises:
Exercises include several worksheets, essays and in-class assignments worth 20% of your grade. No In-class Assignments or Readings Worksheets will be accepted from students not in attendance. All late assignments will have a deduction of 10% of the total points for every day late on the assignment.
Final Project:
The Final Project consists of a written report with micrographs on a family of plants, a 36" x 48" poster formatted with M.S. PPT (BIO 620D and graduate students), and a 20-25 minute audio/visual presentation of the research findings in that group. The paper is to be written in a format suitable for publication of a review article in a scientific journal. Evaluation is based on subject complexity, appropriate preparation, analytical methods, and quality of images and writing. A peer review of the presentations is included in the Final Project point totals. In total, the final project is worth 25% of your grade. All late project components will have a deduction of 10% of the total points for every day late.
Extra Credit Opportunity:
Every student has one opportunity to gain extra credit points. At any point during the semester, a student can read and write a two page summation of, a primary literature article which utilizes systematic methodology (type written, single space, one inch margins). The summation must explain the significance of the article to the field of plant systematics. The significance, breath and value of the paper will be taken into account when the assignment is graded. This must be on a subject or group of plants different than the one used in the final project.
Class points:
Assignment / PointsLecture Tests and Final Exam / 30%
Lab quizzes / 25%
Lab and Lecture Exercises / 20%
Final Project / 25%
Percentage breakdown for grading:
93-100 = A90-92 = A-
87-89 = B+
84-86 = B
80-83 = B-
77-79 = C+
74-76= C
70-73 = C-
67-69 = D+
64-66 = D
60-63 = D-
<60 = E
Questions about grading and exam scores:
All questions regarding grading and rescoring of test questions should be directed to Dr. Monfils via email. Any requests for re-grades should be explicit, with a complete description of how and why the question needs to be re-graded and a complete explanation of the correct answer. Requests for re-grades must be received via email within 48 hours of when the test grades are reported to the students.
Make-Up Exams:
Make-up exams will be given only in the case of illness or other serious reasons. are required to notify Dr. Monfils within 24 hours of the scheduled exam date, to supply the instructor with a written excuse (e.g. from an unrelated physician) to qualify for a make-up exam and to schedule a make-up exam date. The decision on weather to provide a make-up opportunity is at the instructor’s discretion.
Absences and Excuses:
Students are adults and should make the choice about class attendance. Everyone has unexpected situations arise over the semester that have the potential to negatively impact their grade. If such a situation arises, a student misses class and feels the instructor should take this in to account when tabulating grades…an opportunity during the last week of the semester will be made to write this out and supply documentation. This provides an opportunity for open communication between the student and the professor. Utilizing this information, in no way implies Dr. Monfils will change the grade nor excuse an absence. It merely provides the opportunity for open communication.
Policy on Academic Integrity:
In May 2001, the Central Michigan University Academic Senate approved the Policy on Academic Integrity which applied to all university students. Copies are available on the CMU website at http://academicsenate.cmich.edu/noncurric.htm, and in the Academic Senate Office in room 108 of Bovee University Center. All academic work is expected to be in compliance with this policy.
Classroom Civility:
Each CMU student is encouraged to help create an environment during class that promotes learning, dignity, and mutual respect for everyone. Students who speak at inappropriate times, sleep in class, display inattention, take frequent breaks, interrupt the class by coming to class late, engage in loud or distracting behaviors, use cell phone or pagers in class, use inappropriate language, are verbally abusive, display defiance or disrespect to others, or behave aggressively toward others could be asked to leave the class and subjected to disciplinary action under the Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities and Disciplinary Procedures.
Accommodations for Students with Disabilities:
CMU provides students with disabilities reasonable accommodation to participate in educational programs, activities, or services. Students with disabilities requiring accommodations to participate in class activities or meet course requirements should first register with the office of Student Disability Services (Park Library 120, telephone 989-774-3018, TDD #2568), and then contact the professor as soon as possible.
6
BIO 597D/620D: Plant Systematics and Evolution, Monfils 2007
Tentative Syllabus – January 2007
Class / Date / Lecture and Laboratory Topics / Assignments /1 / 01/08/07 / Introduction to Course
What is Systematics? What is Biodiversity?
History of Plant Systematics. / Chapter 1
2 / 01/10/07 / Plant Identification and Keys
Using and Generating Keys: Introduction toTaxonomy / Chapter 15
X / 01/15/07 / Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration
3 / 01/17/07 / Phylogenetic Systematics / Chapter 2
4 / 01/22/07
5 / 01/24/07 / Lecture Test
6 / 01/29/07 / Evolution and Diversity of Plants: Algae, Non-vascular Land Plants and Vascular Plants / Chapter 3 & 4
7 / 01/29/07
8 / 02/05/07 / Evolution and Diversity of Plants: Gymnosperms / Chapter 5
9 / 02/07/07
10 / 02/12/07 / Evolution and Diversity of Plants: Angiosperms
Review Trends in Evolution of land Plants and Angiosperms / Chapter 6
11 / 02/14/07
12 / 02/19/07 / Lab Quiz
Pick and Discuss Final Project
13 / 02/21/07 / Plant Morphology:
Roots, Shoots, Fruits and Flowers / Chapter 9
14 / 02/26/07
15 / 02/28/07 / Plant Reproductive Biology:
Breeding Systems and Pollination / Chapter 13
Class / Date / Lecture Topics / Laboratory Topics / Assignments
X / 03/05/07 / Spring Break
X / 03/07/07
16 / 03/12/07 / Systematic Evidence / Article Review
17 / 03/14/07 / Molecular Systematics / Chapter 14
18 / 03/19/07
19 / 03/21/07 / Plant Evolution:
Hybridization, Introgression, Speciation and Species Concepts / Supplemental Reading
20 / 03/26/07 / Lecture Test
Early Flowering Plants and Magnoliids / Chapter 7
21 / 03/28/07 / Plant Nomenclature / Monocots / Chapter 7 & 16
22 / 04/02/07 / Plant Collecting and Documentation / Monocots and Early Eudicots / Chapter 7, 8 & 17
23 / 04/04/07 / Herbaria and
Data Information Systems / Core Eudicots: Caryophyllales, Santales, Saxifragales / Chapter 8 & 18
24 / 04/09/07 / Lab Quiz
Core Eudicots: Rosids – Eurosids I / Chapter 8
25 / 04/11/07 / Core Eudicots: Rosids – Eurosids II
26 / 04/16/07 / Core Eudicots: Asterids - Euasterids I
27 / 04/18/07 / Core Eudicots: Asterids - Euasterids II
28 / 04/23/07 / Final Project Presentations
29 / 04/25/07
05/02/07 / Final Exam and Lab Quiz 12:00-1:50
6