Algae - Botany 330
Books and Grading
We aim to provide a basic background of information and training that should serve the needs of course clients in general. In addition, we will provide opportunities for specialized learning in accordance with individual student interest. We provide instruction in all three of the major learning modes: auditory (lectures), visual (books, slides, videos, and other images), and manipulative ("hands on" exercises). Please let instructors know if accommodation to individual learning style is needed.
Textbooks:
1) Algae 2009—Graham, Graham, and Wilcox – Pearson
The text supplements lectures, and is also meant to be used in the lab. It is the major source of information for composition of lecture exams, which are in "take-home" essay format. PDF files are on the lab computer. You may download and print files you need, but please do not distribute them. Hardcopies will be available at the bookstore in October.
2) How to Know the Freshwater Algae - Prescott
This is the taxonomic key that we will use in the lab for algal identifications to genus. Other reference books will be available in the lab for keying to species (not required in this course--but some students may wish to do this for individual projects or other personal reasons).
Exams and other Course Requirements:
Lecture exams--There will be two exams on lecture material--a mid-term and a final exam. The final exam may contain questions related to some material from the first half of the semester, but is not meant to be completely cumulative. Both exams will consist of short written answers or essays, and will be take-home exams to be completed without collaboration.
Undergraduates will answer 5 questions from a choice of 10. Graduate students will be required to answer one additional question. Answers should be at least one double-spaced page in length. Pre-grading of exams is encouraged. For pre-grading, receipt of a preliminary draft will be required at least one week prior to submission deadline. Preliminary drafts will be examined by Dr. Graham, who will provide suggestions for improvement of both scientific content and English expression, if needed, then returned for revision not less than three days prior to the exam due date. Preliminary and final drafts should be typed, if possible. Each exam will be worth 100 points.
Lab exams--Two 50 point mid-term lab exams will evaluate ability to identify on sight algal genera that were presented in lab, without the use of an identification key. Twenty or so stations will be set up in the lab; these will most often consist of a microscope with specimen on a slide, but could also consist of macroalgae or herbarium sheets. Stations will not be timed. In addition, students will be asked to use the Prescott key to identify two "unknown" microalgae. Plenty of time is available for completion of both parts of the lab exams.
Lab exercises--Five brief written reports related to class lab or field exercises will be worth 20 points each for a total of 100 points. These will be evaluated for both scientific content and English expression. An additional week beyond the first due date will be given to revise reports, if this is recommended.
Project reports--A written report describing the results of individual or team field, lab, or library projects will be due at the final exam. Projects will be chosen in consultation with instructors. It is highly desirable for projects to coordinate with other work that students are doing (in research or other coursework). It is fine to submit the same report in Botany 330 and in a concurrent course, if there is substantial algal content, and with instructor approval. Examples of previous reports will be available as models. During the final lab period students will be expected to present a brief oral report (10 min or so) on their project (to be considered as part of the project grade). Pre-grading of final project reports is available and we encourage you to take advantage of this option. Drafts for pre-grading are due at least one week prior to the final exam date, and will be returned for revision no less than three days prior to the final exam date. The project report is due at the time and date of the final exam.
Other oral presentations--At least two additional oral presentations will be required and written feedback will be provided (though not graded).
Grading:
Lecture exams (2) 200 points (100 each)
Midterm lab exams (2) 100 points
5 exercise reports 100 points (20 points each)
Project report 100 points
____________
500 points
There is no limit to the number of A, B, etc. grades given. 92-100% =A; 88-91% = AB; 80-87% = B