Great Basin College Course Syllabus NRES 150

Course Title: Fundamentals of Plant Science

Semester Offered: Spring 2008

Instructor Name: Melvin D. Cheney

Phone number: 777-3494

For Assistance: Please call or arrange for time before or after class or other as needed.

Credits: 3

Format: Lecture/Participation

Course Description and Goals/Objectives This course is an introduction to plant science including structure, growth process, propagation, growth media, biological competitors and physical and chemical surroundings of the environment, including soils and practices is the modern world.

Expected Learner Outcomes: Learner Outcome Measurements: - Describe the climatic influences - Class participation, quiz, test on plant growth and development. - Describe the physical and chemical - Class participation, quiz, test properties of soils. - Categorize the biological competitors - Class participation, quiz, test of higher plants. - Describe the structural components of - Class participation, quiz, test, higher plants. paper - Describe the stages of growth and - Class participation, quiz, test, development in higher plants. paper - Explain photosynthesis, respiration and - Class participation, quiz, test translocation in higher plants. - Name the standard plant propagation - Class participation, quiz, test, methods. paper - Categorize food, feed and fiber crops. - Class participation, quiz, test, paper - Categorize forage crops and range crops - Class participation, quiz, test, paper Student Learning Assessment: Assessment Devise: Standard College grading scale will be used. The following items will be graded accordingly and will carry the assigned grading values. A. Students will prepare a written paper on an approved plant 25% value B. Student participation including quizzes 25% value C. Mid Semester tests (2) and Final exam 50% value ______Total Value Percentage 100% value

Student performance will be based on the level of completion of quizzes, reports and presentations and tests. Class attendance and participation is expected. Plagiarism will not be tolerated in any fashion. Students are expected to develop their own skills through the process of learning and development.

The paper will be due at the beginning of class on April 1. The paper will be accepted before that date. After the beginning of class on April 1, the grade will be reduced on the paper. The paper will be 8 to 10 pages in length and include: - a quality picture or drawing of the plant - details about the plant - plant development (discussion of cultivars, hybridization, and etc.) - plant use - management of the plant The paper must include all five components for a full grade. Basic plant information may be obtained from the internet or other sources but the assessment portion must reflect the student learning and reasoning process. The student portion needs to include the strengths and limitations for the plant in our location or the specified location. This portion should be at least 3 of the pages of the paper.

Quizzes will be given regularly and will cover both items covered in class and assigned reading to encourage class preparation. Quiz grades will be added together and comprise much of the class participation grade. Quizzes will be given at the start of class and can not be made up.

Mid semester exams can be taken prior to schedule if requested to meet specific need. The exam schedule is: Mid semester I – Feb. 26, Mid semester II exam Apr. 3 and final exam – May 13. Mid semester exams will be worth 15 percent each and the final 20 percent of the total grade. Attendance and Assignment Policy All assignments are required. It is advised that students read the materials assigned before it is covered in class. This will enable the student to grasp the materials more quickly and accurately. There will be a correlation between class attendance, turned in assignments and class participation to students’ final grade. It is the students’ responsibility alone to acquire lecture notes, handouts and exercises.

Additional Considerations:

Prerequisite or Co-requisite: none

Required Text: McMahon, Margaret, et al (2007), Hartmann’s Plant Science: Growth, Development and Utilization of Cultivated Plants, Fourth Edition. Pearson Prentice Hall, NJ. (ISBN: 0-13-114075-2)

Students With Special Needs: Great Basin College is committed to providing equal educational opportunities to qualified students with disabilities in accordance with state and federal laws and regulations, including the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. A qualified student must furnish current verification of disability. The ADA Officer (Julie G. Byrnes ) will assist qualified students with disabilities in securing the appropriate and reasonable accommodations, auxiliary aids, and services. For more information or further assistance, please call 753-2271.