Prerequisites: None. Botany is open to all Juniors and Seniors.
Course Description: The focus of this semester course is to emphasize the continuous interaction of plants with the global environment by examining the structure and functions of their cells, tissues and organs.
Students will have the opportunity to examine how both biotic and abiotic factors impact plant growth and development. through hands-on work in our greenhouse
Students are expected to complete weekly readings from their primary text as well as additional articles from current scientific publications.
Students will be assigned an area of the greenhouse to maintain their personal collection of specimens. Most plants will be grown from seeds and those plants that are not consumed as part of a lab will be taken home by the student at the completion of the class.
The laboratory/ greenhouse component of this class is integral to the understanding of the material. Students will be expected to work both independently and in groups to collect data, formulate hypotheses and execute labs. Students will occasionally need to collect data and/or tend to their plants outside of class..
Student will learn to utilize available technology to expedite
data collection and analysis. By the conclusion of this course students will
have been trained to use the following technologies:
- The Leica Microscopy Lab- Video networked microscopes
- The Pasco Xplorer GLX - Allows research grade datalogging of gasses, pH
and many others
- Mobile Laptop Lab- Graphing and Data Analysis using Excel and Pasco's
Data Studio
Student Learning Objectives:
A] Students will learn basic botanical facts and principles
B] Students will be able to relate these facts and principles to familiar examples
and human
activities
C] Students will understand the roll of plants in the environment and their
impact on human society
D] Students will develop an increased environmental understanding and awareness
E] Students will self evaluate assignments using rubrics
F] Students will become prefect in the operation of various technologies
for observation and data collection
