BIO445 --
Plant Anatomy
Web-Based Version
INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Tim Mulkey, Science Building 261, Office (812)237-2418, FAX (812)237-4480, home (812)877-9735
TEXT: None required. All materials are provided via the web.
GRADE DETERMINATION: The course is divided into 15 Units. Each unit represents material presented during a typical week of a traditional, classroom-based course.
| Associated with each unit are 3 Quizlets worth 5 points each. Quizlets are multiple choice and short answer questions designed to test your knowledge and comprehension of the material presented in the current unit. You build upon your knowledge base as you progress through the units of the course. Quizlets will assist you in determining whether you have mastered sufficient knowledge to progress to the next unit. | To see an example of a Quizlet, click the button. |
| Each unit will
present you with a "Critical Thinking" question. These questions
are short, discussion-style questions concerning the topics presented
in the units. You will discuss, analyze, interpret, and apply the
information you gain from a unit to a current issue related to
biology. Each "Critical Thinking" question is worth 10 points.
|
To see an example of a "Critical Thinking" question, click the button. |
| Your responses
to the "Critical Thinking" questions will be posted to an on-line
bulletin board for other members of the class to read. In classes
with large enrollments, students will be assigned to groups of 10-12
students. Each group will have a separate bulletin board to
prevent the number of postings on bulletin boards from becoming
overwhelming. You should read other students' responses to the
"Critical Thinking" questions. You can post comments concerning
other students' responses to the bulletin board. You should
participate in this activity. Your participation will earn you up
to 10 points per unit.
|
|
| Seven times
during the course (every other unit), you will be asked to apply the
knowledge you have gained during the course. You will be provided
with an on-line form. On the form, you will be asked to provide a
citation for an article you have read in a newspaper, magazine or other
source related to any field of biology, although articles related to
plant anatomy are preferred. This "Real World Biology" form will
ask for the citation of the article, an one paragraph abstract of the
article, and a paragraph in which you discuss, analyze and interpret
the importance or effects of the the news item. The "Real World
Biology" abstracts will be posted to a bulletin board so that other
members of the class can read the abstracts and interpretations.
You can make comments concerning other students'
abstracts/interpretations by posting them to the bulletin board.
You can also respond to posting concerning your "Real World Biology"
articles/interpretations.
|
To see an example of the "Real World Biology" form, click the button. |
| Four major exams will be given during the course. These exams are not comprehensive in testing your mastery of units covered by previous major exams. But, your knowledge of biology increases from unit to unit. Knowledge mastered in previous units is used in understanding, analyzing, and interpreting new knowledge; thus in one sense, the exams will be comprehensive since they build upon previous knowledge. Each major exam will include multiple choice, true/false, short answer questions. The exams will be taken on-line and will be worth 100 points per exam. |
The various activities will provide you with an opportunity to earn 1065 points during the course. A breakdown of the course activities is shown below. |
| Activity | Frequency of Activity |
Points per Activity |
Total Points per Activity |
| Quizlets | 3 per Unit | 5 per Quizlet | 225 |
| "Critical Thinking" Questions | 1 per Unit | 10 per Question | 150 |
| Discussion/Participation | per Unit | 10 per Unit | 150 |
| "Real World" interpretations | 7 per Course | 20 per Abstract | 140 |
| Exams | 4 per Course | 100 per Exam | 400 |
A total of 1065 points are available. You can check the number of points which you have earned from the Utilities/Help page. The grading scale for the course is shown below.
|
|
Percentage |
Total Points |
Final Grade |
|
90 - 100 |
958 - 1065 |
A |
|
87 - 89 |
926 - 957 |
B+ |
|
80 - 86 |
852 - 925 |
B |
|
77 - 79 |
820 - 851 |
C+ |
|
70 - 76 |
745 - 819 |
C |
|
67 - 69 |
713 - 744 |
D+ |
|
60 - 66 |
639 - 712 |
D |
|
0 - 59 |
0 - 638 |
F |
| Week | Topic | Assignments |
| Week 1 | Introduction The Cell |
3 Quizlets, 1 "Critical Thinking Question, "Real World Biology" abstract |
| Week 2 | Cell Wall | 3 Quizlets, 1 "Critical Thinking Question, |
| Week 3 | Parenchyma and
Collenchyma Sclerenchyma |
3 Quizlets, 1 "Critical Thinking Question, "Real World Biology" abstract |
| Week 4 | Epidermis | Exam 1 3 Quizlets, 1 "Critical Thinking Question, |
| Week 5 | Xylem: General Structure and Cell Types | 3 Quizlets, 1 "Critical Thinking Question, "Real World Biology" abstract |
| Week 6 | Xylem: Variations in Wood Structure | 3 Quizlets, 1 "Critical Thinking Question, |
| Week 7 | Phloem | 3 Quizlets, 1 "Critical Thinking Question, "Real World Biology" abstract |
| Week 8 | Vascular Cambium Periderm |
3 Quizlets 1 "Critical Thinking Question, Exam 2 |
| Week 9 | Secretory Structures | 3 Quizlets 1 "Critical Thinking Question, "Real World Biology" abstract |
| Week 10 | The Root | 3 Quizlets, 1 "Critical Thinking Question, |
| Week 11 | The Stem | 3 Quizlets, 1 "Critical Thinking Question, "Real World Biology" abstract |
| Week 12 | The Leaf | 3 Quizlets, 1 "Critical Thinking Question, Exam 3 |
| Week 13 | The Flower | 3 Quizlets, 1 "Critical Thinking Question, "Real World Biology" abstract |
| Week 14 | Fruit and Seed | 3 Quizlets, 1 "Critical Thinking Question, |
| Week 15 | Embryo and Seedling | 3 Quizlets, 1 "Critical Thinking Question, Exam 4, Course Evaluation |