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BIOL 109 Plants, People, and Ecosystems

This course is designed for non-biology majors who are interested in learning about the fascinating world of plants. People often have a stereotypical view of plants as static organisms, but they are, in fact, dynamic and interactive organisms that play an important role in society and in the ecosystems in which they live. Topics include basics in plant biology, including the structure, function, and diversity of plants. Other topics include plant evolution and adaptation, plant interactions with pollinators and seed dispersers, and plant behavior. Special emphasis will be placed on scientific literacy, the importance of plants to people and the environment, and how people are impacting the plant world.

Credits

3

Prerequisite

ENGL 086 or ENGL 096

Hours Weekly

3

Course Objectives

  1. Demonstrate a basic understanding of the principles of science, apply these principles to solve problems, and analyze and interpret the reasonableness of the solution.
  2. Understand the basic structure of plants and how these structures relate to their function; use appropriate vocabulary and/or symbols to communicate these concepts to others.
  3. Demonstrate an understanding of evolution by natural selection and how plants are uniquely adapted to their environments.
  4. Explain the life cycles of plants, including the concepts of reproduction, pollination, and seed dispersal.
  5. Demonstrate an understanding of how plants respond to their environment and interact with other organisms in ecosystems.
  6. Identify the major groups of plants and their ecological and evolutionary relationships.
  7. Understand how plants are important to people and how people are impacting the plant world.

Course Objectives

  1. Demonstrate a basic understanding of the principles of science, apply these principles to solve problems, and analyze and interpret the reasonableness of the solution.

    Learning Activity Artifact

    • Other (please fill out box below)
    • exams

    Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

    • Scientific Reasoning Rubric

    Scientific Reasoning

    • SR2
    • SR3
  2. Understand the basic structure of plants and how these structures relate to their function; use appropriate vocabulary and/or symbols to communicate these concepts to others.

    Learning Activity Artifact

    • Other (please fill out box below)
    • exams

    Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

    • Scientific Reasoning Rubric

    Scientific Reasoning

    • SR1
  3. Demonstrate an understanding of evolution by natural selection and how plants are uniquely adapted to their environments.

    This objective is a course Goal Only

    Learning Activity Artifact

    • Other (please fill out box below)
    • exams

    Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

    • Scientific Reasoning Rubric

    Scientific Reasoning

    • SR1
  4. Explain the life cycles of plants, including the concepts of reproduction, pollination, and seed dispersal.

    This objective is a course Goal Only

    Learning Activity Artifact

    • Other (please fill out box below)
    • exams

    Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

    • Scientific Reasoning Rubric

    Scientific Reasoning

    • SR1
  5. Demonstrate an understanding of how plants respond to their environment and interact with other organisms in ecosystems.

    This objective is a course Goal Only

    Learning Activity Artifact

    • Other (please fill out box below)
    • exams

    Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

    • Scientific Reasoning Rubric

    Scientific Reasoning

    • SR1
  6. Identify the major groups of plants and their ecological and evolutionary relationships.

    This objective is a course Goal Only

    Learning Activity Artifact

    • Other (please fill out box below)
    • exams

    Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

    • Scientific Reasoning Rubric

    Scientific Reasoning

    • SR1
  7. Understand how plants are important to people and how people are impacting the plant world.

    This objective is a course Goal Only

    Learning Activity Artifact

    • Other (please fill out box below)
    • exams

    Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

    • Scientific Reasoning Rubric