Instruction will be accomplished by means of lectures, discussions, demonstrations, laboratory experiments, dissections, and other applicable means.  Science courses are very content rich and it is hard to retain all you need to if you rely on in-class memory alone.  Taking of notes is highly recommended.  I do not collect these for grading, but may look at them to get an idea of where you are having trouble.  Select a seat where you can see and hear best.  No seats are assigned, so you can move at any time to benefit yourself. 

     This course addresses the following Illinois State Teaching Standards: 

Core Science Standards: 

1) The competent science teacher understands scientific inquiry and has the ability to conduct scientific inquiry; 

2) The competent science teacher understands the concepts, principles and processes of technological design; 

4) The competent science teacher understands and can apply concepts that describe how living things interact with each other and with their environment; 

7) The competent science teacher understands and applies concepts that explain the composition, structure of, and changes in the universe and earth's place in it ; 

9) The competent science teacher understands and applies accepted practices and implications of science in contemporary and historical contexts; 

11) The competent science teacher understands the major unifying concepts of all sciences (systems, order, and organization; evidence, models, and explanation; constancy, change, and measurement; evolution and equilibrium; form and function), and how these concepts relate to other disciplines, particularly mathematics and the social sciences; 

and Biology Core Standards: 

1) The competent biology teacher applies an understanding of the concepts of cell biology; 

2) The competent biology teacher applies an understanding of the molecular basis of heredity and the associated mathematical probabilities of pedigrees; 

3) The competent biology teacher applies an understanding of biological evolution; 

4) The competent biology teacher applies an understanding of organismal biology and diversity; 

5) The competent biology teacher applies an understanding of ecology; 

6) The competent biology teacher applies an understanding of the matter, energy, and organization in living systems. 
 

• Levetin, McMaon, Plants and Society, 3rd ed., McGraw-Hill, 2003
• Levetin, McMahon, Reinsvold,  Laboratory Manual for Applied Botany, McGraw-Hill, 2002

• Mrs. Carol Kasper (HomePage has schedule, etc.) E-mail; carol.kasper@mac.edu

  50% - Exams 
  30% - Labs 
   5% -  Attendance/participation 
   5% -  Research Paper 
  10% - Comprehensive Final
100%

RESEARCH PAPER:  Research some topic of botany and write a short paper on it. (5 pts - 5 reliable sources cited, 10 pts - topic or controversy explained, 10 - pts class presentation, 5 pts - proper spelling, grammar and punctuation).  You must have your topic approved by me BEFORE midterm 

The FINAL EXAM will be mostly on material not covered on previous exams and the remainder on material from the rest of the semester. 

NOTE: YOU CANNOT PASS THIS COURSE IF YOU DO NOTPASS LAB, REGARDLESS OF YOUR OTHER GRADES.  If you have at least 60% in lab, your total percentage from lab and class work will determine your final grade.

An approved absence gives you the right to MAKE UP the material without penalty, NOT SKIP it.  This requires a note from Dr. Metcalf or the school nurse.  Oversleeping, family events, "vacations", or minor illnesses are reasons, not approved absences (even though I may sympathize).You have four "freebies" - use them wisely. 

Athletic practice sessions NEVER outrank class.  The coaches know you will be late to practice on lab days.  If you are in an approved athletic event which interferes with class, you are expected to contact me to make up the material/lab/test. 

Participation includes appropriate behavior and response when called upon in class plus productive activity and interaction in laboratory sessions.  Maturity and attitude will be considered in assigning points under this criterion. 

Participation, attendance and chronic tardiness will influence latitude on borderline grades

Lab grade points will come from Lab Reports or quizzes. Note: you cannot pass the course if you do not pass lab, regardless of your test grades.  Grades for lab and lecture are kept separately but figured together for the final overall grade.

BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS:

You responsible for getting all materials (lecture notes, handouts, etc.) covered during any given class or lab period.  I will not chase you down to make sure you have them.  This is part of what we mean by "taking ownership of your education." 

You must respect other students' rights to learn and develop both inside and outside the classroom.  Any behavior which compromises this right will be strongly discouraged. 

All classroom buildings are smoke free facilities - this includes use of tobacco in any form.  All pagers and cell phones are to be turned OFF during class and lab.  No headphones are to be worn in either setting.Violators will be asked to leave the class session.

OTHER STUDENTS: Consider a "study buddy" or group of classmates to brainstorm with. They are suffering about the same growing pains as you are and each of you knows a little something that the others don't.  Practice positive synergy!   (Hint: If you are getting a D/F, do not study ONLY with other D/F students.  If they aren't able to help themselves they probably can't help you.) 

PEER TUTORS: Check with the Student Life about local peer tutors. 

STUDY SKILLS: Ms. Lori Pahde in the LearningCenter is also able to give or arrange guidance in study, note-taking, and testing strategies to enhance your performance.  The price is right -the LearningCenter's offerings are free to all MacMurray students. 

ONE-ON-ONE WITH INSTRUCTOR:  I will be available to answer questions during office hours as well as shortly before and after class.  Check the schedule on my Home Page or the one on my office door for other times I might be available.  You may also E-mail me questions and I will be happy to answer: carol.kasper@mac.edu

PERFORMANCE TERMINOLOGY: If you are confused about what teachers want when they say words like "know" or "apply" in a question, take a look here.

Five rows of "P"s: 
      Preparedness, 
          Promptness, 
              Perseverance, 
                  Politeness, 
                       Prayer. 

Three rows of squash: 
      Squash gossip, 
          Squash criticism, 
              Squash indifference. 

  Five rows of lettuce: 
      Let us love one another, 
          Let us be faithful, 
              Let us be loyal, 
                   Let us be unselfish, 
                       Let us be truthful. 

Three rows of turnips: 
      Turn up for church, 
          Turn up with a new idea, 
              Turn up with the determination to do 
                     a better job tomorrow than you did today.

Online Biology Book: see botany related chapters
MIT Hypertextbook: Summary of photosynthesis
Internet Directory for Botany- USA Mirror
Internet Directory for Botany: Images a virtual herbarium with images of plants from all over the world 
Botany Related WWW Sites
Plant Genetics : see sections on plants 
Prairies : collection of links to prairie restoration and research groups 
Overview on plant physiology
Phylogeneticsystematics and phylogenetic trees, An introduction
Introductory Taxonomy
Advanced Taxonomy
Bryophyte Home Page
Introduction to Gymnosperms, cycads, and conifers : tour U. Georgia's collection of unusual seedless vascular plants 
The ancient bristlecone pine, the earth'soldest living thing