Welcome to Botany 105, General Botany. General Botany is an introductory course to the botanical sciences and, as such, is a rigorous and full course. Complete mastery of its content will be the equivalent of gaining an advanced degree in Botany, sans the thesis. General Botany is also a course fulfilling a science requirement for general education. That means that a serious effort will be made to make its content relevant to many other aspects of life. Well, we'll see. We will all work hard and, I hope we'll all share some laughs.

Every course finds its own niche in the curriculum. That niche is determined largely by the instructor. A wag has proposed that we name the courses after the instructors instead of the discipline. In that case, you're taking Rasmussen 105, and I believe that some courses in your curriculum should push you to study on your own and think for yourself. That's too big an order for an introductory course, but we will make a small start at it.

All knowledge is a synthesis of experience or interpretation of observations, if you will. The textbook and I have our own interpretations of the observations of botanists. You will learn as much of our interpretation as you can.

In laboratory, you will not be told exactly what to do. Instead, you will be shown some techniques of observation and provided with some material to observe. Beyond that, your instructors will willingly answer your questions. You will be provided with a series of goals, in the form of a list of terms. It will be your responsibility to link book, lectures, material, and observations to these terms.

You will be given a chance to write a number of papers on botanical topics. You will be expected to make logical arguments, in standard American English, as befits an educated person. These papers will be graded for cogency and literacy.

There you have it. Now, to satisfy your insatiable craving for petty details:

Anyone of college caliber can pass this course. To assure this, I have provided you with a short list of things that you must recognize and be able to demonstrate or explain. If you master this list and submit all the required papers, you are guaranteed a C-, regardless of your test scores. You will be given several opportunities to demonstrate your knowledge of the list material. The first opportunity will be during the regular examinations. If you miss, you can make an arrangement with your instructor to try again, and again, and ... Each time you blow it, the requirements for the next try will get more specific and detailed. Try to get it the first time.

The papers are an important part of your grade. You must write them. (Students with diagnosed dyslexia should talk to me as soon as they can.) If writing papers scares you, see me, or your instructor for advice.

Laboratory examinations take the form of a scavenger hunt. Each exam consists of a list of terms. You must find material from that provided to match the term and then demonstrate it carefully to the instructor. You will have a second chance (for 1/2 score) at each item. Lab questions will generally relate to material on the minimum content list. Hint, hint.

Lecture examinations will count as less than half the course grade. Match lecture topics with the assigned readings to get a feel for testable material. I am much more likely to test on something that is in the book and in my lecture than on anything else. There will be a few questions from the assigned reading that are not in my lecture but not many (the difference between an A and a B).

Grading is a complex affair. I will chart total scores and look for breaks in the distribution to serve as breaks between letter grades. Generally speaking, A's run to 90% of top score. B's break around 80%, give or take 2%. The bottom of the C range is hard to pinpoint. It is generally at 65%, give or take 5%. No matter how low the distribution breaks fall, less than 50% of top score will be the Fail line.

Those whose scores merit D or F grades can still get that C- by completing the demonstration of "must know" items and completing all the assigned essays by final exam time. Understand that reading the text, walking into my office, and regurgitating the text will not qualify. You will have to "convince" one of us that you understand a minimum content item.

There is only one book to buy. You are welcome to purchase lab picture books, coloring books, or any other aids that you wish. Only Raven, Evert, and Eichhorn, Biology of Plants is required.

The laboratory is yours. You may use it anytime there is an empty seat, as long as you don't disturb others and as long as there is no examination in session (in which case your very presence is a disturbance).

You will need some tools. Do not buy the rhinoceros dissecting kit sold for General Zoology. Plants are more delicate. You will want razor blades, fine pointed forceps, some insect pins, an eye-dropper, glass slides, and cover slips. Bring them to every lab.

PLANTS, FOR FUN AND PROFIT!