Plant Biology				
Course Syllabus Fall 2021

I.  Course Description
An overview of plant and soil science with emphasis on plant physiology, plant environmental factors, and properties of soils.  We will also explore the aspect of biotechnology and GPS systems used in mapping agricultural systems as part of this course.

II.  Instructor
Mr. Philip Simpson
Phone: (308) 346-4150 at school, (308) 346-2455 at home
E-mail address: philip.simpson@burwellpublicschools.com
Best times to contact: 7:30-8:00 a.m. & 3:20-4:00 p.m.

III.  Instructional Materials
Text:			Various	

Required Materials:	Each student needs to have a calculator, and a 3-ring folder for notes and record books.

IV.  Course Outline

Class Topic:			                   	  		____________________
Unit 1 – Introduction to Plant Science
1.	 Introduction to Plant Science
2.	Understanding Plant Kingdom
3.	Understanding Classification Systems
4.	Using Dichotomous Keys to Classify Plants
5.	Understanding Important Agronomic Crops
6.	Learning the Importance of Field Crops
7.	Introduction to Horticulture
8.	Understanding Environment, Ecology, and Ecosystems
9.	Energy flow within an Ecosystem
10.	Understanding how Ecosystems work
11.	Understanding Bio Diversity

Unit 2 – Plant Physiology and Growth	
1.	Plant Cell and Microscope Lab
2.	Discovering Plant Cell Structure Part 1
3.	Discovering Plant Cell Structure Part 2
4.	Comparing and Contrasting Plant and Animal Cells
5.	Exploring Photosynthesis
6.	Exploring Respiration
7.	Carbon Cycle
8.	The Cell Cycle – Mitosis
9.	Cellular Reproduction - Meiosis	
Unit 3 – Life of a Plant
1.	 Life Cycles of a Plant
2.	Plant Organisms and Their Function
3.	Monocots vs. Dicots
4.	Transpiration and Translocation Systems
5.	Plant Hormones and Their Effect
6.	Root Types, Structures and Functions
7.	Stem Structures and Functions
8.	Leaf Structures and Functions
9.	Male and Female Reproductive Anatomy
10.	Fruit Structures and Functions

Unit 4 – Plant Reproduction
1.	Introduction to Plant Reproduction
2.	Sexual Reproduction in Plants
3.	Seeds Fruits and Germination
4.	Asexual Propagation I
5.	Asexual Propagation II
6.	Asexual Propagation III
7.	Cloning African Violets Lab
8.	Chromosomes and Genetics
9.	Mendel and Genetics
10.	Dominant and Recessive Genes
11.	Variation and Gamete Formation
12.	Things that Affect Heredity

Unit 5 – Environmental Factors
1.	Understanding the Environmental Factors of Plant Growth
2.	Understanding the Influence of Light on Plant Growth
3.	Understanding Temperature Effects on Plant Growth
4.	Understanding the Water Cycle
5.	Water Quality and Pollution
6.	Irrigation Methods
7.	Primary and Secondary Macronutrients Necessary for Plant Growth
8.	Functions of Essential Nutrients in Plant Growth
9.	Symptoms of Nutrient Deficiencies
10.	Methods of Nutrient Application
11.	Nitrogen Cycle

Unit 6 – Soils
1.	Introduction to Soils
2.	Soil Origins
3.	Soil Horizons
4.	Soil Structure and Texture
5.	Determining Soil Color
6.	Organic Matter in the Soil
7.	Soil Moisture Behavior
8.	Benefits of Soil Organisms
9.	Soil Erosion

V.  Grading		
Student’s grades will be determined as follows:
Daily assignments and effort (Clean-up), tests, quizzes, presentations, projects  and SAE and record books – 100%

VI.  Homework	
For each assignment I will announce if it is due at the beginning or end of the next class. (if you are in doubt, assume that it is at the beginning of class.) If you do not have your homework in on time, you automatically lose 25% of the points and have until the beginning of the next class meeting to turn it in. If it is not turned in at that time, you lose all credit for that assignment.  

VII. Course Content
FFA is a key component of Agricultural Education and students enrolled in agricultural education courses will spend a great deal of class time preparing for various FFA events.   Examples - - Range Judging – Study Plants, Livestock Judging – Judge classes and give oral reasons, LSE’s – preparing and presenting public speeches/demonstrations, SAE’s  - Students will work on record keeping and preparing applications.   

VIII. Classroom Procedures
Student expectations will be outlined in an expectation contract given to the students the
first week of class.
.