INSTRUCTOR: Dr. J. A. NIENOW
OFFICE: 2089 Biology/Chemistry Building; 249-4844
Office hours: MTW 11:30-12:30 or by appointment
EMAIL: jnienow@valdosta.edu
TEXTS: Graham, L. E., and L. W. Wilcox. 2000. Algae.
Prentice-Hall,
OTHER RESOURCES: A number of taxonomic references have been placed on 3-day reserve in Odum Library. You might also want to check my web page (http://www.valdosta.edu/~jnienow) periodically, especially the class notes and the links to other algae web pages.
PREREQUISITES: A passing grade in Biology 2230 and 2270 or the consent of the instructor.
COURSE GOALS: The primary goal of this course is to introduce the students to the study of algae, with the emphasis on practical aspects related to the study of freshwater microalgae. Along the way it is hoped that the students will develop an appreciation of the evolutionary diversity of photosynthetic microorganisms and the role they play in the environment.
ATTENDANCE: Students are responsible for attending class and for the material presented in all classes. Make-ups of missed lab exercises will be on a case by case basis and will depend both on the nature of the excuse the complexity of the lab. EXAMS MISSED WITHOUT PRIOR PERMISSION OF THE INSTRUCTOR MAY BE MADE UP, BUT THE FINAL SCORE WILL BE REDUCED BY 25%. Students who have missed 20% of regularly scheduled class meetings, especially labs, are subject to a failing grade for the course.
LECTURE GRADING: There will be three unit exams, each worth 200 points. The exams will include a mixture of short answer and essay questions. The dates of these exams are included in the attached schedule of lectures. REMEMBER, DO NOT MISS THESE EXAMS WITHOUT PRIOR PERMISSION. If you are caught cheating on an exam you will receive no points. Estimated total from exams--600 points.
INDENTIFICATION EXAMS. In addition to the lecture exams, there will be two identification exams, each worth 75 points. During this exam you will be asked to identify specimens from micrographs to a specified level, usually genus. The taxa potentially appearing on each exam will be provided well ahead of time. Estimated total for identification exams--150 points.
LABORATORY/HOMEWORK GRADING: The laboratory grade will be based on the following types of graded assignments.
GRADUATE STUDENT REQUIREMENTS: Graduate students will also be required to develop a proposal for research on a topic related to phycology. Topics for this requirement will be developed in consultation with the instructor. The final proposal will be written in accordance with NSF guidelines for graduate proposals (see separate handout). Estimated total for the research proposal--250 points.
GRADING: The final grade will be determined by the percentage of points earned out the total assigned (right now, it is anticipated that there will be 1250 (1500) points assigned, 750 from exams and 500 (750) from other exercises). The percentage earned will then be compared to usual scale and a letter grade assigned: percentages between 90 and 100 earn an A, between 80 and 90 earn a B, between 70 and 80 earn a C, between 60 and 70 earn a D, and below 60 earn an F.
DROPPING A COURSE WITHOUT PENALTY: In order to officially drop a course without penalty, a student must obtain and fill out a drop/add form from the Registrar's Office, acquire appropriate signatures, and return the completed form to the Registrar's Office before the designated date (published in the academic calendar). If you don't officially withdraw, and instead just stop coming to class, you will receive an F for the course. It will then take three A's in science classes cancel out that F and bring your GPA back up to 3.0 so you can maintain your scholarship.
SPECIAL NOTE 1: Grades will be neither posted nor given out over the telephone.
SPECIAL NOTE 2: Students requiring special accommodations because of disability should discuss their needs with me as soon as possible. Those needing accommodations who are not registered with the Special Services Program should contact the Access Office, room 1115 Nevins Hall (phone: 245-2498).
SCHEDULE OF LECTURES AND LABS
BIOLOGY 3550--SPRING 2006
Note: Pacing and testing dates may be changed if the need arises. Attend class regularly.
|
1/09 |
Introduction |
pp. 1-80 |
|
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LAB--Preliminary observations |
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|
1/11 |
An overview of the algae and algal diversity |
pp. 1-80 |
|
- |
LAB--Working with microalgae: cultures, size, and numbers |
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|
1/16 |
MARTIN LUTHER KING HOLIDAY--NO CLASS |
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|
- |
LAB— |
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1/18 |
Algae and biochemical cycles; review of photoautotrophy |
pp. 22-80 |
|
- |
LAB--Qualitative pigment analysis |
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1/23 |
Photosynthetic prokaryotes, phylogenetic relationships |
pp. 80-97 |
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LAB--Quantitative pigment analysis |
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1/25 |
Photosynthetic prokaryotes (continued) |
notes |
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LAB--Measuring photosynthesis |
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1/30 |
Cyanobacteria |
pp. 97-132 |
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LAB--Control of heterocyst formation in cyanobacteria; chromatic adaptation |
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|
2/01 |
Cyanobacteria (continued) |
pp. 132-154 |
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- |
LAB--Observing cyanobacteria; preparation of semi-permanent mounts |
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|
2/06 |
Origins of eukaryotic algae |
pp. 132-154 |
|
- |
LAB--Observing cyanobacteria |
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2/08 |
Origins of eukaryotic algae |
pp. 132-154 |
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LAB--Observing eukaryote algae--cell size, cell number, cell shape |
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|
2/13 |
FIRST UNIT EXAM |
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- |
LAB--complete heterocyst and chromatic adaptation labs |
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|
2/15 |
Introduction to the green algae, Ulvophyceans, |
pp. 397-452 |
|
- |
LAB--Observing green algae |
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2/20 |
Chlorophytes--Trebouxiophyceans, Chlorophyceans |
pp. 452-494 |
|
- |
LAB--Observing green algae; zoosporogenesis and mating in green algae |
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|
2/22 |
Chlorophytes--Charophyceans |
pp. 494-544 |
|
- |
LAB--Diversity of green algae |
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|
2/27 |
Theory and practice of scanning electron microscopy (Dr. Goddard) |
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|
- |
LAB-- Theory and practice of scanning electron microscopy continued (Dr. Goddard) |
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|
3/01 |
Red algae |
pp. 343-397 |
|
- |
LAB--FIRST IDENTIFICATION TEST |
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3/06 |
Introduction to the ochrophyte (chromophyte; stramenopile) algae |
pp. 232-241 |
|
- |
LAB--preparations of diatom samples (continued); observations of living diatoms |
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3/08 |
Diatoms |
pp. 241-269 |
|
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LAB--Observations of cleaned diatoms in the LM and SEM |
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3/13 |
SPRING BREAK--NO CLASS |
pp. 241-269 |
|
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LAB--SPRING BREAK |
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3/15 |
SPRING BREAK--NO CLASS |
pp. 269-301 |
|
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LAB--SPRING BREAK |
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|
3/20 |
Diversity of ochrophytes: raphidophytes, chrysophytes, xanthophytes, etc. |
pp. 301-342 |
|
- |
LAB--Observations of cleaned diatoms in the LM and SEM |
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|
3/22 |
Diversity of ochrophytes: phaeophytes |
pp. 310-343 |
|
- |
LAB--Examining seaweeds |
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|
3/27 |
SECOND UNIT EXAM |
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|
- |
LAB--examining seaweeds (continued) |
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|
3/29 |
Cryptophytes |
pp. 169-180 |
|
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LAB--applied phycology--chemical composition/analysis of algae |
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|
4/03 |
Haptophytes |
pp. 180-198 |
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LAB--collections and identifications |
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4/05 |
Euglenoids |
pp. 154-169 |
|
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LAB--collections and identifications |
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|
4/10 |
Dinoflagellates |
pp. 198-232 |
|
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LAB--collections and identification |
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|
4/12 |
Aspects of phytoplankton ecology |
pp. 544-603 |
|
- |
LAB--practice lab practical |
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4/17 |
Aspects of phytoplankton ecology |
pp. 544-603 |
|
- |
LAB--Algae and water quality assessment |
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4/19 |
Aspects of phytoplankton ecology |
pp. 544-603 |
|
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LAB--Algae and water quality assessment |
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4/24 |
Aspects of periphyton ecology |
pp. 603-640 |
|
- |
LAB--Algae and water quality assessment |
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4/26 |
Aspects of periphyton ecology |
pp. 603-640 |
|
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LAB--Algae and water quality assessment |
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5/01 |
Ecology of terrestrial algae |
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- |
LAB--SECOND LABORATORY EXAM |
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5/02 |
READING DAY |
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5/03 |
EXAM 3 during final exam period (12:30-2:30) |
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Continue
with the outline of Unit I
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