BIO 486 - SYSTEMATICS OF VASCULAR PLANTS
SPRING 2008 - SYLLABUS
SECTIONS 1 - T,TH (12:30 - 1:45 PM), TH (2:00-5:00 P.M.)

COURSE DESCRIPTION: A study of identification, nomenclature and classification of vascular plants with an emphasis on field investigation. Techniques for identification, collection and preservations will be stressed. Major ecological associations in the mid-Appalachian region will be studied.

LECTURE & LAB ROOM: Burruss 232

INSTRUCTOR: Dr. C.K. McMullen

OFFICE: Burruss 202

RESEARCH LABS: Burruss 201 and Burruss 260 (Herbarium)

PHONE: 568-3805

E-MAIL: mcmullck@jmu.edu

MY WEB SITE: http://csm.jmu.edu/biology/mcmullck

JMU's BLACKBOARD COURSE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM: http://blackboard.jmu.edu/

LECTURE TEXT: Plant Systematics by Michael G. Simpson.

LECTURE & LABORATORY OBJECTIVES:
By the end of this semester, the successful student will:
1) know the outstanding characteristics of several plant families common to the mid-Appalachian region.
2) know enough taxonomic terminology to effectively use botanical keys for the identification of vascular plants.
3) understand the concepts of variation, natural selection, and evolution in plant populations and the relationships of these concepts to plant classification and identification.
4) become familiar with some of the "newer" tools used in classification, such as cytogenetics, numerical taxonomy, biochemical analysis, molecular biology, cladistics, and computer-aided keys.
5) be familiar with the historical development of the taxonomic categories and classification systems used today.

METHODS OF EVALUATION IN LECTURE:
3 Lecture Exams: 10% each
1 Lecture Final: 20%
2 Laboratory Practicals: 15% each
10 Laboratory Quizzes: 10%
1 Plant Project: 10%

LECTURE EXAMS: These will cover material from the text readings, lectures, and any additional readings that may be assigned. The exams will not be returned, but will be available for review after they have been graded. Schedule a time with your instructor to review the exam, and bring your text and notes with you. The instructor reserves the right to deduct points on any exam for illegible answers, as well as those that are gramatically "unreasonable."

LECTURE FINAL: This will cover material from the entire course, but will concentrate on the topics presented after the fourth exam. The final exam must be taken during the official day and time scheduled by JMU (see tentative schedule).

LABORATORY PRACTICALS: Two lab practicals will be given during the semester. These will test your knowledge gained by "hands-on" experience with both living plants and preserved specimens.

QUIZZES: Quizzes will be given during each laboratory session. Only the ten highest scores will be counted in your final grade.

PLANT PROJECT: To be determined!

GRADE SCALE:
A = 90-100 %
B = 80-89 %
C = 70-79 %
D = 60-69 %
F = below 60 %

IMPORTANT CLASSROOM POLICIES: Class begins at 12:30 P.M. Please respect your instructor and classmates by being punctual. Students are expected to attend all lecture sections (labs too, but this is your lecture syllabus!). The lectures will include material not covered in the text and not in your PowerPoint notes, so missing these will adversely affect your grade. More than five absences, regardless of the reason, will automatically result in a final grade reduction equivalent to one letter grade. Good attendance and participation may in fact help your grade if, at the end of the semester, you're on the border between two grades. Missed exams can be made-up only at the discretion of the professor and in a manner prescribed by the professor. You must inform me ahead of time, in person, if you are going to miss an exam. It is in your best interest not to miss an exam on the scheduled day. Exam dates will be made final at least a week in advance. The JMU Honor Code should be carefully observed. Please become familiar with "Violations of the Honor Code," found in the JMU Student Handbook. Any evidence of a violation will be immediately turned over to the Honor Council for investigation. Finally, use of laptops and cell phones, including text messaging, is NOT allowed in class. Make sure that you turn your phone off before coming to class!

Students are responsible for registering for classes and for verifying their class schedules on e-campus. The deadline for adding this Spring 2008 semester class without instructor and academic unit head signature is January 15, 2008. From January 16 to January 24, 2008, instructor and academic unit head signatures will be required to add this class. No student will be allowed to register for this class after Januery 24, 2008. The last day to withdrawl form this class with a "W" grade is March 14, 2008. No exceptions will be made to these deadlines.

Students with disabilities who require reasonable accommodations to fully participate in course activities and/or meet course requirements must register with the Office of Disability Services (ODS) and contact me to discuss access issues. ODS will provide you with an Access Plan Letter that will verify your need for services and make recommendations for accommodations to be used in my classroom. ODS is located in the Wilson Learning Center, Room 107; Phone: 568-6705.

TENTATIVE LECTURE SCHEDULE