BIOLOGY 306 -- PLANT AND FUNGAL DIVERSITY -- Fall 2008

PLANT AND FUNGAL DIVERSITY                  (http://sun.iwu.edu/~jdey/diversity.html)

Historically, the organisms that we will be studying were considered to be plants or were studied chiefly by botanists. Modern classifications often place these organisms into three super kingdoms or domains--two prokaryotic domains (Bacteria and Archaea) and one eukaryotic domain (Eukarya). Within the Bacteria we will study typical bacteria, cyanobacteria, and mention the prochlorophytes. The Archaea include methanogens, extreme halophiles and sulphur-dependent thermophiles and will only be mentioned briefly. Among eukaryotic organisms, we will examine various species of fungi, slime molds, algae and true plants in order to gain some understanding of the organisms themselves and of the different taxonomic groups to which they have been assigned. In turn we will consider some thoughts about the evolutionary origins of the groups and their phylogenetic relationships. Lecture/discussions, laboratory work, and field trip are fully integrated with each other. In the laboratory we will observe, and sometimes dissect, living organisms; we will study preserved specimens, sectioned materials, projected slides, and fossil specimens, and we will culture some organisms and follow developmental processes as they occur. Our field trip to Dawson Lake includes looking for slime molds, fungi, and lower plants.  (index)

SCHEDULE

TEXTS:

Biology of Plants, 7th ed. by P.Raven, R. Evert & S. Eichhorn, W.H. Freeman and Company/Worth Publishers (Bring to each lab session.)

A Photographic Atlas for the Botany Laboratory, 5th ed. S. Rushforth, et. al. Morton Publishing Company  (Bring to each lab session.)

Morphology of Plants and Fungi, 5th ed. by H. Bold, et. al., Harper & Row Publishers, Inc. (Copies are in the laboratory and are not to be removed from the laboratory.)

Plant and Fungal Diversity Laboratory Manual by J. P. Dey. (Bring to each lab. session.) Note: You will receive your lab manual in the laboratory and you will be billed approximately $5 by the Business Office to cover its cost.

GRADES:

There will be four hour tests (60 points each), three practical tests (60, 75 & 75 points each), written worksheet on "Seeds for Tomorrow" video (20 points) and a genus/species/topic report (30 points) totaling 500 points. Attendance at all laboratory sessions, field trips, tests and student presentations is required.

ATTENDANCE:

Required at all tests, all laboratory sessions, field trips and student presentations. Attendance will not be taken at lecture classes (except on student presentation days), but students are expected to attend and to be on time. Lectures will begin promptly at the assigned time. Unexcused absences at tests will result in a score of zero for each test missed. Other unexcused absences will result in a fifteen point deduction each from your semester total. The only person who can excuse you from a test or a laboratory session is Dr. Dey. If you have a problem, try to contact him before missing class.

Laboratory sessions begin promptly at 1 pm or 3:35 pm by the clock in the laboratory. Be in your seat and be ready to begin at that time. If you come late to lab and the lab door is already closed, it means that the laboratory introduction has already begun and you should not attempt to enter the lab.  As soon as the laboratory introductory presentation is finished, the lab door will be opened and you will be permitted to enter the lab.

IMPORTANT NOTICES:

Student presentations will occur during lecture periods.


Tests on Wednesdays will run from 4 to 5:30 pm.  Plan ahead to avoid conflicts with late class ending.

Keep up with the assigned textbook reading in Raven et.al. (before lecture), the lab exercises (before lab) and required marked web link readings for each topic (on a weekly basis) because they are an important part of the course materials.


The field trips to Dawson Lake on Tuesday Sept 9th will be longer than the regular time lab time (Lab #1 will be 1-3:45 & Lab #2 will be 3:45-6:30). Plan ahead to avoid conflicts.

The above schedule of lectures, laboratories, field trips and tests are unlikely to change. Dr. Dey retains the right to make modifications; any changes will be announced in lecture and in laboratory.

LINKS:

Plant and Fungal Diversity Links
Illinois Wesleyan University Biology Department Home Page
Jonathan Dey's Home Page