Instructor:

Dr. Julie R. Etterson

GTA:    

Ada Tse

Office:

153B SSB

Office:

75 MWAH

Phone:

726-8110

Phone:

726-6853

Email:

jetterso@d.umn.edu

Email:

tsexx015@d.umn.edu

Lecture:

8:00-8:50 am T, Th SSB 115

Lab:

Section 1     9:00-11:50 am   Th   LSci 306 (Etterson)

Section 2     1:00-2:50   pm   Th   LSci 306 (Tse)

Text:

Introduction to Botany by Murray W. Nabors. Lab handouts can be downloaded from links to the syllabus.

Office hours:

Etterson: Immediately after lecture on Tuesday or by appointment

Tse: Monday 3:00-3:50 and Thursday 4:00-5:00

Purpose: 

To provide an introduction to the evolutionary diversification of plants including the genetics of speciation, a survey of the plant phylogenetic tree, adaptive innovation in angiosperms, the distribution of plant biodiversity, and an overview of the major biomes of earth.

Attendance:

Lecture attendance is expected. You will be responsible for any supplementary material that is presented in lecture but does not appear in the book.  We will also have short discussions during the lecture period. Participation in discussions during lecture periods and will be taken into consideration as a component of your final grade.  Lab attendance is mandatory, will be recorded, and will constitute a significant fraction of your lab grade. You must notify me in advance if you will not be able to attend a lab.  If you miss more than two labs, you will not pass the course.

Exams: 

Exams will cover required readings from the text, lecture material, and discussions.  Exams will combine multiple choice (30 questions; 60 points), short answer (~ 6 questions; 30 points), and essay (1 question; 20 points).  The final is not comprehensive and will have a similar format as the lecture exams.  Unexcused absences from exams will result in a grade of zero.

Labs: 

Lab activities will vary and will include self-directed learning in the lab, group research projects, outdoor plant identification, and discussions. 

Academic Dishonesty:

Academic dishonesty tarnishes UMD's reputation and discredits the accomplishments of students. UMD is committed to providing students every possible opportunity to grow in mind and spirit. This pledge can only be redeemed in an environment of trust, honesty, and fairness. As a result, academic dishonesty is regarded as a serious offense by all members of the academic community. In keeping with this ideal, this course will adhere to UMD's Student Academic Integrity Policy, which can be found at www.d.umn.edu/assl/conduct/integrity. This policy sanctions students engaging in academic dishonesty with penalties up to and including expulsion from the university for repeat offenders.

Student Conduct Code: 

The instructor will enforce and students are expected to follow the University's Student Conduct Code (http://www.d.umn.edu/assl/conduct/code). Appropriate classroom conduct promotes an environment of academic achievement and integrity. Disruptive classroom behavior that substantially or repeatedly interrupts either the instructor's ability to teach, or student learning, is prohibited. Disruptive behavior includes inappropriate use of technology in the classroom. Examples include ringing cell phones, text-messaging, watching videos, playing computer games, doing email, or surfing the Internet on your computer instead of note-taking or other instructor-sanctioned activities.

Access for Students with Disabilities:

Individuals who have any disability, either permanent or temporary, which might affect their ability to perform in this class are encouraged to inform the instructor at the start of the quarter. Methods, materials or testing may be modified to provide for equitable participation.

Promotion of Bias-free Instruction:

The University of Minnesota is committed to the policy that all of its students shall have equal educational opportunities. The University expressly forbids discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, disability, veteran's status, ethnicity, religion, creed, national origin or marital status. If you believe that your Biology instructor has not followed this policy, you are invited to bring this to the attention of the Biology Department Head (211 Life Science; 726-7263) or the Associate Dean of the College of Science and Engineering (140 Engineering; 26-7585). Your conference will be kept confidential.