Time and Location

Lecture (note that this is generic information about the course and varies among semesters)

Tuesdays and Thursdays, Period 5 (11:45 AM-12:35 PM)

You are expected to attend every class meeting. Group work and discussions will occur frequently during lecture periods, with additional assignments in most classes to facilitate use of your textbook and notes.

Laboratory

Everyone will attend their assigned section once per week in Rolfs Hall Room 105.

•  Wednesday, Periods 3-4 (9:35-11:30 AM)
• Tuesday, Periods 7-8 (1:55-3:50 PM)
•  Wednesday, Periods 6-7 (12:50-2:45 PM)

Description and Goals

To gain appreciation of the beauty in the forms and functions of plants from molecular to global levels. This appreciation will derive from understanding more about plant anatomy, physiology, genetics, life cycles, evolution, and ecology.

Throughout this semester you will learn not only about plants, but also about how to do science, and how to communicate with others about science. Your instructors have redesigned this course to better reflect current research in student learning. Pedagogical research (i.e., studies on the science of teaching) reveals that students learn better when they work in cooperative groups, have opportunities to discover information for themselves that is relevant to their own lives, and when they have choice and control over what they learn. To foster learning, therefore, inquiry-based activities are extensively used in this course.

Interestingly enough, inquiry-based learning looks remarkably like the scientific method. In most labs this semester begin before reporting to your session—your lab preparation task will usually be to consider a question or a situation (Pre-Lab Questions). Based on that question or situation, we expect you to develop hypotheses, design experiments, carry out experiments, analyze data, develop conclusions, and suggest modifications to experiments. This creative and generally iterative process is Science.

The cooperative learning methods we employ in BOT 2010 may differ from many of your previous experiences with group work. For the most part, you will not form groups based on proximity or prior acquaintance. Instead, on the basis of examination of your learning styles, majors, and a variety of other factors, you will be assembled into heterogeneous groups with complementary skills, capacities, and interests. Your instructors expect all group members to work together to achieve goals, which will require you to draw on your interpersonal skills. If you are having difficulty with your group at any point in the semester, contact one of your instructors so they can assist your group in getting back on track.