LOCATION: Rm. 004, Butler Hall (Next to Heldenfels Hall)
LAB COORDINATOR: Monique Dubrule Reed - Rm. 009, Butler Hall (845-8650)
TEACHING ASSISTANTS: Amanda Neill (sections 501 [M-1:50 to 4:40] and 503 [T-2:20 to 5:10]), and Amy Miller (sections 502 [T-9:35 to 12:25] and 504 [W-1:50 to 4:40]).
TEXT: Jones, S. B. and A. E. Luchsinger. 1986. (2nd edition) Plant Systematics (J&L). Lab Handouts and Key, (packets 244 and 243) at 'Copy Corner', Redmond Terrace Mall near junction of George Bush Drive (1710) and Texas Ave.
MATERIALS: You are required to provide your own set of laboratory tools for floral dissections. A basic, minimum kit would include:
| DATE | TOPIC |
|
| 31 Aug | Exercise in Key Construction - Herbarium Tour |
|
| 7 Sep | Using the Key - Vegetative Characters/Campus Walk |
|
| 14 Sep | Using the Key - Reproductive Characters |
|
| 21 Sep | Family studies - Magnoliidae/Hamamelidae (Lecture Exam I) |
|
| 28 Sep | Family studies - Caryophyllidae |
|
| 5 Oct | LAB PRACTICAL I - FIELD OPTION | |
| 12 Oct | Family studies - Dilleniidae |
|
| 19 Oct | Family studies - Rosidae (5 Collection specimens due) |
|
| 26 Oct | FIELD TRIP | |
| 2 Nov | Family studies - Asteridae |
|
| 9 Nov | Family studies - Liliopsida I |
|
| 16 Nov | Family studies - Liliopsida II - Full collections due, as well as collection logs, and plant presses |
|
| 30 Nov | LAB PRACTICAL II* - Lab notebooks due |
PLANT COLLECTION: 20 complete specimens of 20 different species of flowering plants. These must represent 15 angiosperm families. All material must be collected this semester. No specimens from cultivation. Five specimens will be due during your lab during the week of 19 October. These will be graded and returned so you can check your progress. These will be corrected and resubmitted with the other 15 specimens. The final collection (all 20 plants) is due at your lab period during the week of 16 November. Plant presses will be issued in lab during the week of 7 September. (see Lab Handouts, p. 10)
KEY QUIZZES: Short Quizzes will be given during
most lab periods, testing your ability to key out any unknown plant using
your lab-manual key or one that we will give you. While you cannot study
for these, keeping up with the lab, work with your collections, and learning
to recognize plant families will help you do well.
| GRADING: | Lab Practical I | 50 |
| Lab Practical II | 50 | |
| Key quizzes | 100 | |
| Plant Collection | 100 | |
| Notebook/Collection Log | 50 | |
|
Total:
|
350 |
NOTES:
` Room 004 will be closed while not in use. However, we want you to have as much access to it as possible, so if you need to get in, just find Monique (rm. 009) and she will be glad to unlock the door for you. There will be no access to room 004 during the lab practical weeks. Instead, a review will be set up elsewhere.
` BE PREPARED for field trips. Wear sturdy shoes or boots and long pants; be aware of the sun, the weather, insects, and snakes. A little caution and planning can make the field trips one of the best parts of the course.
` KEEP IN MIND: We will be stressing your ability to USE A TAXONOMIC KEY and to IDENTIFY IMPORTANT FAMILIES AND GENERA ON SIGHT. We assume no prior experience and we EXPECT some problems at the beginning of the semester. Keep up with the labs and make good use of our facilities, materials, and expertise to develop your knowledge and skills.
` Plant presses must be returned at the time plant collections are due. Failure to return a press results in a grade of 'I' and the blocking of fees and registration for the following semester. Grades are restored and blocks removed when the press is returned.
` If you
have any problems or questions related to the course or lab, please do
not hesitate to contact Dr. Wilson, Monique Reed, or your TA.
