This page contains class information for Plant Structure and Development (BIO 311) taught at the University of Rhode Island in Fall 2009. 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: 283 CBLS
Office hours: Mondays 12:00-2:00 PM, Wednesdays 12:00-1:00 PM
Class meeting times: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11:00-12:15 PM, Room 10 CBLS

Teaching Assistant: Michael Budziszek (267 CBLS, (401) 855-9441, mbudziszek@mail.uri.edu)

Most reading is from Plant Structure: A Color Atlas, Second Edition, by Bowes and Mauseth. Other readings are 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.

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.

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:

The following resources are available to help you master the material for BIO 311:

Review questions: These will be distributed in class before quizzes and exams and are intended to help you focus your studying effort. Many students find that writing down the answers to these questions help them understand and remember the major concepts presented in lecture. I will not post the answers, but I will be happy to discuss the questions at the beginning of class, during office hours, or during review sessions.

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!

Accommodations:

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, http://www.uri.edu/disability/dss/.

Special policies for fall 2009:

The H1N1 Flu Pandemic may impact classes this semester. Anyone who develops flu-like symptoms is being advised to stay home until 24 hours after the fever has subsided. So, if you develop a fever with a cough or sore throat, please stay home and notify me at 874-4098 or aroberts@uri.edu and we will work together to ensure that course instruction and work is completed. Since the CDC recommends against seeking medical care for mild flu-like symptoms, you are not required to provide documentation of illness. However, makeup labs and exams are disruptive for everyone and we must work together to keep them to a minimum. To avoid transmission of illness, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, wash your hands frequently, avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth, and stay home when you are sick. For more information, please view http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/habits.htm. URI information on the H1N1 will be posted at http://www.uri.edu/news/h1n1.html.

A few of my expectations:

1. Please show respect for your classmates by arriving on time and remaining engaged. Turn off your cell phone during class.
2. Conduct yourself according the URI standards of academic integrity.
3. Please refrain from eating and drinking in the classrooms. This is especially important in laboratories where harmful chemicals may be used.
4. Microscopes and prepared slides are delicate and expensive. Please handle them carefully.
5. At the end of the lab period, please clean up your work area. Return microscopes to the case and prepared slides to their trays.
6. 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.	15, 16	Introduction to plant structure
2		22, 23	Plant cells
3		29, 30	Analysis of plant genes
4	Oct.	6, 7	Meristems, growth, and differentiation
5		13, 14	Ground tissues
6		20, 21	Vascular tissues
7		27, 28	Epidermis
8	Nov.	3, 4	Anatomy of stems
		10, 11	Veteran's Day, labs do not meet
9		17, 18	Anatomy of leaves
10		24, 25	Anatomy of roots
11	Dec.	2, 3	Vascular cambium
12		8, 9	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 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.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Alison Roberts (aroberts@uri.edu)
  © 1998-2009 AWR