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Welcome to Botany for Gardeners Fall Semester This is a class on the
science of plant life especially designed for students who either dislike
science or have found it difficult in the past. I present a holistic
view of plant science in the context of world food production, our favorite
foods and flowers, and home gardening. We will look at plant parts, how
plants work, the evolution and ecology of plants, and try to relate these
topics to our own lives. Satisfies the GenEd
requirement for Biological Sciences (BS). 3 credits. Time: 9:05am-9:55am MWF Location: Goessmann Chem Lab Room 64 Instructor: John M. Gerber, Professor of Plant Sciences
and Sustainability Studies Office: 308 Bowditch Hall Contact: 545-5301 or jgerber@psis.umass.edu Grading: There are four unit exams and a final (one exam
grade will be dropped). In addition, extra credit points for each unit exam
may be earned by participating in a discussion of the suggested text, Botany
of Desire by Michael Pollan. This is a terrific book! Exam questions will come from lectures,
PowerPoints, and videos shown in class.
Suggested Textbook: Pollan, M. 2002. Botany of Desire: a Plant’s Eye
View of the World. This book is available at Food for Thought bookstore
in Amherst (across from Bart’s Icecream) and used at www.amazon.com or other on-line
sources. A few copies will on reserve in the university library. This book is also online at: http://site.ebrary.com/lib/umassa/docDetail.action?docID=10137641
Optional Textbook: Capon, Brian (any edition). Botany for
Gardeners: An Introduction and Guide. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
This book is available from the Bookstore Annex, local bookstores and
sometimes used at www.amazon.com or
other on-line sources. It is not required but may be useful. No exam questions
will come directly or exclusively from this text. Notes: All of the PowerPoint presentations are available
online. You need an OIT account to access SPARK. WARNING: the
online PowerPoints will not cover all of the materials on the exams. Online Class: to learn more about the online version of this
class which is offered during the winter term, click here. |
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@2009 John M. Gerber |
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