This page contains class information for Plant Structure and Development (BIO 311) taught at the University of Rhode Island in Fall 2007. It includes: contact information, lecture schedule, course information, lab schedule, and a small list of course related links.

Dr. Alison Roberts
Department of Biological Sciences
University of Rhode Island
Kingston, RI 02881

Telephone: (401) 874-4098
E-mail: aroberts@uri.edu
Office location: 203 Ranger Hall
Office hours: Tuesdays and Wednesdays 12:30-2:00 PM
Class meeting times: Tuesday and Thursday, 11:00-12:15 PM, Room 103 Ranger Hall

Teaching Assistant: Michael Budziszek (401 Ranger Hall, 855-9441, mbudziszek@mail.uri.edu)

Most assigned reading material is available through traditional (check out from the reserve desk in the library) and electronic (online) reserves.

To access online reserves:

1. Go to http://helin.uri.edu.
2. Search under "Course Reserves", "Course Name". Type the course code (BIO 311) in the box and click the "submit" button.
3. Click on the title of the article you wish to download.
4. Type your name and library barcode (NOT your student ID number) in space provided.
5. Click the "submit" button. You may now download or print your document.

*Encyclopedia of Life Sciences published by Nature Publishing Group, 2002.

Plant structure is best understood in the context of function and development. You can expect to leave BIO 311 with a greater appreciation for how plants grow, survive, and interact with their environment.

Lecture and lab:

The best way to learn about plant structure and development is to examine plants, dissect them, and look at their tissues under the microscope. For this reason, the laboratory is a critical element of this course. The lectures provide background material and information on what to look for as you examine the laboratory material. For best results, plan on attending all lectures and labs. Lab material will be put away after class on Wednesday. It will not usually be possible to make up labs.

Grading:

Your course grade will be based on your performance on the following:

Your best 7 out of 9 quiz and homework scores:	20%
Two midterm exams:	40%
Laboratory exercises:	20%
Final exam:	20%

Your final percentage score will be converted to a letter grade using the following scale:

90-100% A(+/-), 80-89% B(+/-), 70-79% C (+/-), 60-69 % D, <60% F

Quizzes and homework:

Quizzes will be given at the beginning of class on the dates shown on the lecture schedule. Quiz questions may include identification of cell types or tissues from photographs projected on a screen, or short-answer questions on the function or development of tissues or structures. In addition, five homework assignments will be distributed in class. Your two lowest quiz or homework scores will be dropped. If you miss a quiz, you will receive a "0", two of which can be dropped as your lowest scores. Please plan to take all quizzes as scheduled.

Midterm exams:

Midterm exams will consist of both photograph and short-answer sections, which will be similar to those on quizzes. Please make every effort to take the midterm exams at the scheduled times.

Laboratory assignments:

Your laboratory assignments will be graded each week. In this way you will get regular feedback on your understanding of the material. Required drawings and discussion questions will be outlined at the beginning of each lab. Do not be concerned if you do not consider yourself to be an artist. Simple drawings with clear, concise labels are usually the most helpful. Your completed lab work must be turned in to your T.A. at the end of each lab. Each lab exercise is worth about 1.5% of your final course grade. Please bring to each lab: 5X8" index cards (you will need about 70 cards to complete all assignments for the semester) and colored pencils (optional, but very helpful).

Final exam:

The final exam will be cumulative and will include practical and short-answer questions. Please plan on taking the final exam at the scheduled time.

Studying:

At times you may feel that you would like to review the lab material itself, rather than relying on your notes and the textbook. The following resources are available:

Online lab reviews: Photographs and accompanying review questions are available at this site.

Review sessions: These will be scheduled shortly before midterm and final exams. Come prepared to test yourself!

In-class assignments: These will provide feedback on your understanding of concepts.

The Academic Enhancement Center houses the University's writing center and learning assistance program, as well as other academic support services such as tutoring, study groups and workshops. The Center is located on the 4th floor of Roosevelt Hall in University College.

Do not neglect one of your best study resources, your classmates! You are encouraged to work with others during and between labs. However, be aware that the work you turn in must be your own!

Any student with a documented disability may contact me early in the semester to work out reasonable accomodations to support your success in this course. Students should also contact Disability Services for Students, Office of Student Life, 330 Memorial Union, 874-2098.

A few of my expectations:

1. Please arrive on time and ready to work. Please turn off your cell phone during class.
2. Food and drinks are not allowed in any URI classroom. This is especially important in laboratories where harmful chemicals may be used.
3. Microscopes and prepared slides are delicate and expensive. Please handle them carefully.
4. At the end of the lab period, please clean up your work area. Return microscopes to the case and prepared slides to their trays.
5. Study hard and enjoy yourself!

An electronic copy of the lab manual is available online at the lab manual page.

LAB	MONTH	DATES	TOPIC
1	Sept.	11, 12	Introduction to plant structure
2		18, 19	Plant cells
3		25, 26	Analysis of plant genes
4	Oct.	2, 3	Meristems, growth, and differentiation
8		9, 10	Monday classes meet on Wednesday, no labs this week
5		16, 17	Epidermis
6		23, 24	Ground tissues
7		30, 31	Vascular tissues
8	Nov.	6, 7	Anatomy of stems
9		13, 14	Anatomy of leaves
10		20, 21	Anatomy of roots
11		27, 28	Vascular cambium
12	Dec.	4, 5	Secondary growth

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OTHER LINKS

URI Sites and Resources

• URI home page
• Department of Biological Sciences
• Alison Roberts faculty page
• URI Library Resources home page
• Library hours

General Plant Anatomy

• The The Plant Ontology Consortium presents a controlled vocabulary for plant structure and development.
• The Plant Anatomy Archive contains photographs of various plant structures.
• The Revision Modules in Plant Anatomy is an interactive site for reviewing plant structure.
• The Virtual Plant Cell is an interactive site with basic information on plant cell structure.
• The Plant Anatomy Laboratory contains micrographs and explanatory text from the out-of-print textbook "Plant Anatomy", by James Mauseth.
• The Photographic Atlas of Plant Anatomy contains photographs of plant structures.
• The The Botanical Society of America Online Image Collection includes many photographs of plants and their anatomy.
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Alison Roberts (aroberts@uri.edu)
© 1998-2007 AWR