BIOLOGY 3390

Economic Botany

INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Uma Garimella

            Office: LSC 136                  

         Office phone: 501.450.5971

            Email:      ugarimel@uca.edu

            Course website: http://faculty.uca.edu/~ugarimel/personal/ucacourses.htm

             Office hours are posted outside office door

LOCATION AND TIMINGS OF THE CLASSES:

Three lecture hours per day.

Section: 6300

Lecture: The class meets from 10:50am – 12:05 Tuesdays and Thursdays in room LSC 168

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course addresses the impact that plants have on modern society, and includes discussion of major food crops, plants used for paper and wood, medicinal plants, and the role of plant biotechnology in crop.  improvement. 

PREREQUISITES: An elective course for biology majors. Prerequisite: BIOL 2490, genetics with C or better grade.

REQUIRED TEXTS:

            Economic Botany: Plants in our World. 3Ed., by Simpson, B. B. and Ogorzaly, M. C.

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES:

1. GRADING: There will be four major lecture examinations. A comprehensive final exam will be given during finals week. In general, each exam will cover the material discussed in lecture and the assigned material in the textbook beginning where the previous exam material stopped.  For the comprehensive final exam there will be heavier emphasis on "new" material covered, but material from examinations 1, 2, 3 and 4 will be included.  Final Examinations will NOT be given early or late. The laboratory grade will be determined from a combination of quizzes and reports. The final grade will be computed based upon the percentage of the possible points achieved.

Grade Distribution                                                    Grading Scale

            Lecture Exams – 100 X 5 = 500                          A = 900 - 100

            Lecture Final Exam – 150 X 1 = 150                     B = 800 - 899

            Plant of the week - 10 x 15 = 150                        C = 700- 799

            Presentation - 200                                             D = 600- 699

                                                                                     F = Below 600

2. ATTENDANCE: You will not receive a specific grade for attendance though you will sign an attendance sheet each day.  Poor attendance seriously impairs your ability to succeed and often imposes a burden on other students.  When attendance is poor, leniency should not be expected in borderline situations.  Your input in the classroom is of value to the instructor, yourself, and other students.  Poor attendance deprives all involved. 

3.  ABSENCE FROM EXAMINATIONS OR QUIZZES: Examinations will be given only at the times assigned by the instructor. Absence from a major examination will result in a grade of zero for that exam. If a major examination is missed, you should submit a written request to the instructor stating the reasons for missing the examination and requesting a make-up grade.  If the instructor deems it appropriate, the grade achieved on the comprehensive portion of the final examination may be substituted for one and only one missed major examination.  Absence from the final examination will automatically result in a grade of F.

4. MISCELLANEOUS: No eating, drinking, or children in class or laboratory.  Prohibited items include any electronic or other noise- or light-emitting device that can distract or disturb its owners or others, such as beepers, cell phones, palm pilots, laptop computers, games, and the like.  Cellular telephones are not to be used during class for any purpose, including making or receiving calls, photographs, or text messages, or playing games. Students cannot wear headphones or ear buds in class. The instructor may exclude any student from the class in which a disturbance occurs. The student is responsible for any missed material and class assignments made during his/her absence.

5. DISCLAIMER: Every attempt will be made to keep within the schedules set by this syllabus, although from time to time changes may be made. The instructor will endeavor to inform the class of these changes as soon as possible.

6. AMERICAN DISABILITIES ACT: In compliance with the American Disabilities Act, it is the students' responsibility to contact their instructors concerning any special accommodations required for completion of course requirements.

University of Central Arkansas is an equal opportunity Affirmative Action Educational Institution.  No person shall be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefit of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity of the College because of race, color, national origin, age or handicap.

Student Handbook