Required text and Other Materials:
Mauseth, James D. 1995. Botany, 4th Ed.; Saunders College Publ.

Learning Outcomes:
Students will read selected chapters from the text and complete two essay exams over the material read.

Students successfully completing this course should have an introductory to intermediate level of knowledge of the morphology and anatomy of plant leaves, stems, roots and flowers. They will have an introductory level of understanding of the processes of plant growth from both apical meristems and vascular cambium. Students will read a survey of the plant kingdoms and will learn the basic characteristics of each of the major kingdoms and divisions of organisms that are considered by many to be plants, including Cyanobacteria, Autotrophic Protista (Algae), Non-vascular plants, Lower vascular plants, Gymnosperms and Angiosperms.

Course Requirements:
Students will read and be tested over the content of the following chapters in the text: 5, 6, 7, 8, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24. I recommend that students answer the review questions at the end of each chapter, as practice for the exams, but these need not be submitted to me. Click on the hyperlink for Outline of Course Content for detailed information about material that should be emphasized in each chapter.

Students should contact me with specific questions about any course content, or what should be studied most thoroughly for the exams.

Grading Policies:

Means of Assessment:

Students will complete two written exams. These will both be essay format with one or two significant essays per chapter. Each essay will be evaluated on a 10-point scale. Students may take the first exam any time after completing their reading of chapters 5, 6, 7, and 8. Exams must be taken in order; the first exam must be taken before the second. The exams are "closed book" and no notes may be used during the test. Students have up to two hours for completion of each test.

Exam I, Chapters 5, 6, 7, 8 - 40 pts.
Exam II, Chapters 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 - 60 pts.

A = 86-100%; B = 76 - 85%; C = 66 - 75%; D = 56 - 65%; F = below 56%

Brief Outline of Course:

I. Plant Anatomy

Chapter 5: Tissues and the Primary Growth of Stems
There are two major components to this chapter. Students should begin by learning the charcteristics of the three types of plant cells, parenchyma, collenchyma and sclerenchyma. Next, you should focus on how specialized types of these cells are organized in primary stems. Study the pictures in Fig. 5.37 and use the lab materials to help you learn how to recognize the cell types in plant tissue cross-sections.

Chapter 6: Leaves
Leaves are extremely diverse and this diversity of anatomy and morphology allows plants to grow in many different types of habitats. You do not need to learn the morphological terms describing leaf shapes or margins (Figs. 6.6, 6.7, 6.8, 6.10). These terms are covered in BOT 203. You should focus on the anatomical characteristics of typical leaf mesophylls, as described and illustrated in Box 6.1, Fig. 6.17, 6.19, 6.22, 6.23, and 6.24. The final several pages of the chapter describe leaves of conifers and insectivorous plants - you will not be tested over this material, but may find it interesting to read.

Chapter 7: Roots
Study the root structures as illustrated in Figs. 7.6 and 7.7. Then focus on the internal root anatomies, as described in Figs. 7.13 and 7.14.

Chapter 8: Structure of Woody Plants
I think you will find the entire chapter interesting, so read it all and make sure that you have a clear idea of how woody plants grow.

II. Plant Diversity

Chapter 19: Algae
This is a large chapter with lots of information. Just try to learn a little about each of the six divisions of algae. You don't need to learn all of the life cycles, nor do you need to learn the orders or classes.

Chapter 20: Nonvascular Plants: Mosses, Liverworts and Hornworts
Read about the mosses in division Bryophyta. Try to understand the moss life cycle in detail. You won't be tested over liversorts (Hepatophyta) or hornworts (Anthocerotophyta)

Chapter 21: Vascular Plants Without Seeds
Read about some of the early vascular plants, then focus on members of the division Lycophyta, especially Lycopodium and Selaginella, and the division Pteridophyta (ferns).

Chapter 22: Seed Plants I: Gymnosperms
Read a little about the origin of seed plants then focus on the division Coniferophyta, Coniferales. Try to understand the Pine life cycle in as much detail as possible. Familiarize yourself with the other gymnosperms groups, but not in as much detail as Pine.

Chapter 23: Seed Plants II: Angiosperms
There is a lot of information in this chapter about flowering plants. You do not need to learn the characteristics of the subclasses for BOT 202, but you should learn the differences between the classes Liliopsida (monocots) and Magniliopsida (dicots).

Chapter 24: Kingdom Myceteae: Fungi
Many people may not consider fungi plants, but they do have many plant-like characteristics, including cell walls and spore production. Read the introductory pages about fungi, then concentrate on the groups described in the Subdivisions Zygomycotina, Ascomycotina, and Basidiomycotina. Also read about lichens and rusts and smuts.

General Education Category and Outcomes:
Natural, Mathematical and Information Sciences (SMI):
SMI courses focus on the physical and biological world, as well as the body of knowledge centered on concepts such as quantity, structure, space, and change using an empirical methodology. SMI courses work on the assumption that there is a rational and understandable order to the universe. Some of these disciplines introduce and work with models for understanding physical phonomena; while other are typically involved in describing and predicting physical behaviors. A central focus of SMI is on the phenomena exhibited by natural objects, organic or inorganic, and their substances; numerical analysis and statistics; and mathematical and information structures and patterns. Upon completion of course work in SMI, students should be able to employ scientific methods in the laboratory or in fieldwork as defined by the specific discipline(s) or sub-discipline(s) the student has studied, analyze and evaluate data based on discipline-defined criteria, observe accurately, integrate knowldedge and data with the fundamental concepts of the specific discipline(s) or sub-discipline(s) the student has studied, and report results effectively both orally and in writing.

Bot 202, Plant Biology II fits the criteria for the SMI category of general education because of the focus on the biological world. Study will include models for understanding the physical characteristics of plant cell structure and the organization of specilized cells within leaves, stems, roots and shoots of vascular plants. Students will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the taxonomy, specialized structures, and reproductive processes of groups of organisms that may be considered to be plants or plant-like. Students will demonstrate increased vocabulary, content and conceptual knowledge of plant anatomy and diversity. They will demonstrate their ability to integrate and synthesize knowledge of the subject and communicate this understanding in writing.

Program outcomes that will be met by Bot 202 are Category #1, Content Knowledge and Category #2, Inquiry. The Breadth outcome that will be met by this course is #6, Problem Solving and Analytical Thinking (SMI).

Specific assignments that will be used to assess these outcomes include:

The two exams for the course each include four written essays in which the students are asked to design experiments, think creatively about plant-like qualities of different types of organisms, and demonstrate basic understanding of the roles of specilized cells and their functions in plant anatomy and morphology. Students employ approaches to inquiry from different disciplines, including chemistry, physics and history of science in composing their essay responses.

Statement on Academic Misconduct:
Eastern Oregon University places a high value upon the integrity of its student scholars. Any student found guilty of an act of academic misconduct (including, but not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, or theft of an examination or supplies, may be subject to having his or her grade reduced in the course in question, being placed on probation or suspended from the University, or being expelled from the University - or a combination of these. Please see Student Handbook at: http://www.eou.edu/saffairs/handbook/honest.html

Statement on American with Disabilities:
If you have a documented disability or suspect that you have a learning problem and need accommodations, please contact the Disability Services Program in Loso Hall 234. Telephone: 541-962-3081.

Schedule of Assignments, Tests, Projects:
Students may take the first exam any time after completing their reading of chapters 5, 6, 7, and 8. Exams must be taken in order; the first exam must be taken before the second.

Special Instructions:
Exams should be proctored by a qualified representative for EOU. Students may have two hours for completion of each exam. No course notes or books are allowed during the exam.

Computer Technology Required:
Students must have access to an Internet capable computer for viewing the plant anatomy images.

Information about Supplementary Resources:
Detailed information about contents of each chapter to be studied is available at http://www2.eou.edu/~kantell/dep202b.html

The Plant Biology Image Gallery is located at http://www2.eou.edu/~kantell/images.htm

Plant Biology Image Gallery

Suggested timeline for one-term completion
Students who are not receiving federal financial aid may take two terms for completion.

Syllabus Prepared by: Dr. Karen Antell, 7 October 2008