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Biology 421, Agrostology |
Instructor Information:
Dr. Karen Antell
Associate Professor of Biology
Office: Badgley Hall 303 E
Phone: 541-962-3610
Email: kantell@eou.edu
Catalog description: Classification and identification of grasses of
the
Prerequisites: BIOL 211, 212, 213; or BIOL 101, BOT 202, BIOL 334
Class meeting times: Lectures MWF 11:00 AM -12:50 PM, Badgley Hall Room 324
Objectives:
Students will learn the following:
Terminology necessary for grass identification
To identify grasses accurately with the use of identification keys
Subfamily and tribal systems used for grass classification
Outcomes and assessment for BIOL 421, Agrostology:
The outcomes for Agrostology include a combination of both applied skills and
theoretical knowledge. Applied skills are developed through guided practice in
the laboratory. Theoretical knowledge is developed through classroom
discussions, reading assignments and lectures.
Terminology: Students must learn to recognize dozens of morphological characteristics of grasses. These are often minute or inconspicuous features. Students require practice in observation of specimens in order to develop the ability to describe these features accurately. The laboratory sessions each week provide this opportunity as students work with specimens and microscopes at their own work stations. Lab exams are used to assess their ability to recognize grass features. Students must learn the scientific vocabulary that is used to accurately describe the morphological features. These are often from Latin or Greek word roots and may sound unfamiliar to the students initially. Development of their vocabulary begins with the first week of class and continues throughout the term. Lab and lecture exams are both used to assess accurate application of terminology to morphological features.
Identification: Students learn to use dichotomous keys to identify specimens from all of the major grass subfamilies. These keys utilize morphological terminology extensively and students must be able to discriminate among many similar features in order to use the keys successfully. This takes many hours of practice in the lab sessions. A final lab exam is used to assess student ability to identify grasses accurately. Students must identify several specimens that they have never seen previously.
Grass classification: To understand how grasses are classified, students
must develop their knowledge of the range of morphologic and genetic
variability that occurs within grasses. They must learn the characteristics of
all of the grass subfamilies, and selected tribes and genera that are important
to
Students are required to read selected papers from the current botanical literature. They are invited to draw their own conclusions about each paper and to develop their own opinions about how grass classification should be structured. Lecture exams are used to assess student knowledge and understanding of grass classification. All lecture exams use questions in an essay format. This allows students to express their own opinions, while drawing on the knowledge and vocabulary that they have developed in the course.
Brief Outline of Course Content:
Relationship of Poaceae to other families
Morphology of grasses
Evolutionary trends in grasses
Coevolution of grasses and herbivores
Reproduction in grasses
Cytogenetics and grass classification
Classification of grasses
Grass-fungal interactions
North Americal grassland biome
Characteristics of Cyperaceae (as time allows)
Suggested Materials:
Hitchcock, C.L. and A. Cronquist. 1973. Flora of the
Dissecting tools: forceps, probes, metric ruler
Course Requirements and Means of Assessment: Students will complete one midterm exam and one final exam in essay format assessing their knowledge of systems of grass classification and how these topics are addressed in the current literature. Students also will complete a practical lab final exam in which they must identify several unknown grasses to genus and species.
Lecture exam I: 40 pts.
Lecture exam II: 40 pts.
Lab notebook: 40 pts.
Keying exam: 40 pts.
Total points: 160 pts.
90-100% = A; 80-89% = B; 70-79% = C; 60-69% = D; below 60% = F
Class schedule and assignments may be altered during the course of the term as needed.
Academic Integrity:
Americans with Disabilities Act:
If you have a documented disability or suspect that you have a learning problem
and need reasonable accommodations, please contact the Disability Services
Program in Loso Hall 234. Telephone: 962-3081. Students with disabilities
should make their need for reasonable accommodation known to the instructor
within the first two weeks of the term.
Disclaimer: Class schedules and assignments may be altered during the course of the term as needed.
Links to other information regarding this course:
Miscellaneous Class Documents (Poaceae terminology,
DNA technology)
Dr. Karen Antell
Associate Professor of Biology
Eastern
Page updated 15 September 2006