Plants & Human Affairs (BIOL106) - Stephen G. Saupe, Ph.D.; Biology Department, College of St. Benedict/St. John's University, Collegeville, MN 56321; ssaupe@csbsju.edu; http://www.employees.csbsju.edu/ssaupe |
Tentative Syllabus - Fall 2008
Cycle |
Date |
Topic (chapter in text) |
Lab (day 2) |
I |
Aug 28 (Th) |
Unit 1: Introduction. Course & requirements; The importance of plants. Asking questions. (intro online notes; Botany without borders - K Niklas) |
Deciduous trees & shrubs of Central Minnesota
(systematic science) Due: signed Safety Contract |
Sep 1 (M) |
Plant blindness? The Plant Way of Life - What is a plant? (Ch intro, 5 & 6; plant way of life online notes, pp 16-22; Wandersee & Hershey articles) | ||
3 (W) |
More plant way | ||
II |
5 (F) |
Are plants intelligent? (Trewevas, etc. articles); Plant communication? |
Are
leaves good predictors of climate? (model building science) Due: Tree post-lab exercise; Leaf climate Pre-lab |
9 (T) |
Unit 2: Science. Facts, philosophy and paradigms; Tom Jones; The Tomato Effect (online notes for science) | ||
11 (Th) |
The scientific method(s); Botanical Science Survey | ||
III |
15 (M) |
"Roses" - Special guest lecture by B Woodard | Field trip: Munsinger & Clemens Gardens, St. Cloud |
17 (W) |
Dodo's & white snakeroot |
||
19 (F) |
Pseudoscience; Case Study: Crop Circles vs. Fairy Circles vs. UFO/Fairy Rings; Article analysis | ||
IV |
23 (T) |
Exam #1 (Intro - pseudoscience, dichotomous keys & deciduous trees) - Review Sheet |
Surface-to-volume ratios
(model building & hypothetico-deductive science)
Greenhouse Tour |
24 (W) | Heritage Day - "Sustainable foods for the family table" | ||
26 (F) |
Unit 3: Evolution. The evolution of evolution (NAS book; online notes; Historical Readings; Case Studies; Crab evolution; Evolution survey; Evolution questions | ||
30 (T) |
Natural selection | ||
V |
2-5 | Free Days |
Do Osage Oranges Repel Spiders? (hypothetico-deductive
science)
Bogus Botany -
Assignment, Topic selections;
Questions |
Oct 6 (M) |
More evolution; Evolution as fact & theory (Freudian Slip; Panda's Thumb) | ||
8 (W) |
Evolution vs. creationism; Intelligent design? (Gink & Go discuss Ribs, Creationism, Intelligent Design) | ||
10 (F) |
Holiday Botany: Columbus Day - global impact, plant exploration, crop origins (online notes; questions; PPT in public folder) | ||
VI |
14 (T) |
Unit 4. Botany for Gardeners Roots, shoots & growth (Ch 2) (online notes - vegetables; veggie study guide) |
Brine Shrimp Lab
- includes field trip to collect samples, herbarium & collecting techniques,
and tour of the Bailey Herbarium (H-D science) Due: Brine Shrimp Pre-Lab #1; Osage-orange post-lab Private Lives of Plants: Vol.1 |
16 (Th) | No Class (Heritage Day) | ||
20 (M) | Exam #2 | ||
VII |
22 (W) | Inside stems, roots & leaves (Ch 3, 4) (online notes - wood; wood sg) |
Pod Size
& Life cycle of Rapid
cycling Brassica rapa (RCBr)
(H-D & descriptive science) Due: RCBr Pod Size Pre-Lab; Brine Shrimp Post-Lab Private Lives of Plants: Vol. 3 |
24 (F) | Control of plant growth & development (Ch 7) | ||
28 (T) | Uptake and use of water, minerals and light (Ch 8) | ||
VIII
|
30 (Th) |
Halloween Botany - ergot, pumpkins, chocolate. Prizes awarded for coming to class with a botanical costume (online notes) |
Plant Growth - greenhouse work (observational, H-D science) Due: RCBr pod post-lab Private Lives of Plants: Vol. 4 |
Nov 3 (M) |
Flowers (Ch 9) | ||
5 (W) |
Fruits (Ch 9) | ||
IX |
7 (F) |
Seeds - structures, types, dormancy, raising plants from seed (Ch 1 & 9; PPT public folder; online notes; seed questions; seed packets) |
Forensic botany - sticky seeds to the
defense Private Lives of Plants: Vol. 5 |
11 (T) |
Strategies of inheritance (Ch 10); GMO's | ||
13 (Th) |
Unit 5. Economic Botany Maple syrup |
||
X |
17 (M) | Biodynamic plants (online notes; study guide; mini-quiz) |
Using Brine Shrimp to Screen for Biological Activity (extract prep) Due: Forensic botany post-lab; Plant Care Assignment Video: Private Lives of Plants: Vol. 6 |
19 (W) | Exam #3 | ||
21 (F) | Medicinal plants (online notes) | ||
XI |
25 (T) | Psychoactive plants (online notes) |
More Brine Shrimp
(assay)
Due: RCBr Life Cycle journal & pods Video: Death Trap or Shaman's Apprentice |
26-30 | Thanksgiving Break | ||
Dec 2 (T) | Poisonous plants | ||
4 (Th) | Non-alcoholic beverages (coffee, tea) | ||
XII |
8 (M) | Fermented products |
Trees for
the Christmas Season & Conifers of Central
Minnesota (systematic & observational science) Due: Conifer Pre Lab; Brine shrimp Post-Lab #2 |
10 (W) | Essential Oils - spices & perfumes | ||
12 (F) | Holiday Botany: Christmas - mistletoe, mushrooms, trees | ||
15 (M) |
Study Day | ||
|
17 (W) |
Exam #4 (Final): 3:30 pm -5:30 p.m. |
Other possible topics (if time permits):
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Last updated: 01/07/2009 / � Copyright by SG Saupe