BIO 335:  Plant Systematics

Credit Hours (3) Spring Semester Only

Professor:  Dr. Ronald L. Jones

Course Description:  Identification, classification, and phylogeny of vascular plants; principles of taxonomy. 1 lec/4 lab.

Texts:

Walters, D. and D. Keil. Vascular Plant Taxonomy. Kendall Hunt Publ. Co.
Harlow, W. M. 1959. Fruit key and twig key. Dover.
Jones, R. L. In preparation. Keys to the Kentucky Flora (provided by the instructor).

Other Required Equipment:  You must purchase a hand lens (at least 10X) and always bring to class and to the field; also each student will need a set of 3X5 white index cards.

Additional Readings:  Some additional materials may be placed on reserve in the library or herbarium for required reading assignments.

Major Internet Site:  http://www.csdl.tamu.edu/FLORA/tfp/tfphome1.html.  See the information on Botany 301--Taxonomy of Flowering Plants, lecture and lab syllabus, and from the lab syllabus, access a variety of information on terminology, subclass, and family features.

Objectives:  The aim of this course is to lead the student to an understanding and appreciation of the science of plant systematics. The student will learn the objectives, methods, and goals of the science, and, in addition, will gain a knowledge of about 200 species of vascular plants.

Lecture Outline:

1. Introduction to course--Significance of Plant Systematics, (Chapter 1).
2. Vegetative Terminology, (Chapter 3)
3. Reproductive Terminology, (Chapter 10)
   
   LECTURE EXAM I


4. Nomenclature and Identification, (Chapters 2, 4)
5. Introduction to Vascular Plants: Ferns and Gymnosperms--Evolution and Families-Features, ecological and economic significance, (Chapters 7, 8, 9)
6. Angiosperm Subclasses
   1. Representative families and genera (emphasizing Magnoliidae, Hamamelidae, Caryophyllidae) (Chapters 11, 17, 18)
   2. Ecological and Economic importance
   
   
   LECTURE EXAM II


7. Collecting techniques, the Herbarium, Literature, and Floristics, (Chapters 5, 6)
8. Biogeographic Regions, Flora Provinces, and Plant Communities of eastern North America and Kentucky, (Handouts)
9. Angiosperm Subclasses, (Chapters 12, 13, 15, 16)
   Representative families and genera (emphasizing Dilleniidae, Rosidae, Asteridae)
   
   LECTURE EXAM III


10. Angiosperm Subclasses, (Chapters 15, 19, 20)
1. Representative families and genera (emphasizing Asteridae, Liliidae, Arecidae)
2. Ecological and Economic importance
11. Plant Evolution and Classification, (Chapters 21, 22, 23)
12. The problem of endangered species, (Handouts)
    
    FINAL LECTURE EXAM

Laboratory Outline:

Weeks 1-3:  Examination of specimens in terminology exercises. Writing of descriptions and preparation of illustrations. Species identifications.
Weeks 4-6:  Classification, Nomenclatural and Keying exercises, Species identifications. Variation exercises.
Weeks 7-9:  Lab work on keying. Campus and field trips for plant identifications and community observations.
Week 10:  SPRING BREAK
Weeks 11-16  Campus and field trips for identifications of flowering plants and community observations.
Final Lab/Field Exam:  in Pre-final Exam Week

Course Requirements:

Class Meetings:  Tuesday: 3:30-5:30 pm, and Thursday: 3:30-6:30 pm

Labs and Field Trips:  Laboratory work will involve examination of specimens in the lab and in the field; field trips will be taken during the Tuesday and Thursday meetings; a few Saturday trips may be scheduled. The student will be provided with a schedule of all field trips and times in early part of semester. Students should come prepared for a field trip at each class meeting--dress appropriately, bring your handlens, collecting equipment, and field manual. No alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, or other drugs are allowed on field trips.

Test Specimens:  Students are expected to be able to identify families, genera, and species, on sight, after the species have been discussed in class. During any laboratory or field period, students may be quizzed over these previous species identifications. Also, another method of quizzing, to test the student’s keying ability, is to give unknowns to key. Each correctly identified test specimen is worth 3 points (for correct family, genus, and species). If students are to be tested over large (15 or more specimens) sets of species, ie. as in a lab practical arrangement, they will be given advance notice.

Special Projects:  Each student must conduct a special project. The nature of the project is variable, but usually will involve field work and/or library or herbarium research, and be selected based on individual student’s interests.

Student Progress:  Students may determine their mid-term grade by adding together all exams prior to mid-term, including test specimens, and calculating their total earned points out of all possible points, and using the scale below.

Students with Disabilities:  If there is any student in this class who is in need of academic accommodations and who is registered with the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities, please make an individual appointment with the course instructor to discuss accommodations. Upon individual request, this syllabus can be made available in alternative forms. If any student who is not registered with the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities has need of academic accommodations, please contact the Office directly either in person on the first floor of the Turley House or by telephone at 622-1500.

Point Totals:
    

3 lecture exams at 100 points each	300 points
150 test specimens (lab and field, including Final Lab/Field Practical) at 3 points each	450 points
Special Project	100 points
Final Exam, selectively comprehensive	150 points
Total Points:	1000

Course Grade:  Determined as follows:

89.5% to 100%  = A
79.5 to 89.4  = B
69.5 to 79.4   = C
59.5 to 69.4   = D
below 59.4   = F

Attendance and Academic Honesty:  Regular class attendance and the performance of laboratory work are required of all students. Absences can be a factor in determining your grade. Credit for the class will not be allowed if there is a recorded absence of 20% or more in either lab or lecture. Make-ups for lecture tests will be allowed in the case of excused absences. There are no make-ups for lab and field quizzes, but special arrangments can be made if absences are excused. Cheating or plagiarism will be dealt with according to EKU policies outlined in Faculty/Staff Handbook.