- Basic Botany: Plants and People

Institution:

The Evergreen State College

Subject:

Description:

Faculty: Frederica Bowcutt (botany) Major areas of study include introductory plant science, economic botany, field botany, expository writing and independent research in botany. Class Standing: This Core program is designed for freshmen. Basic Botany: Plants and People is an introductory program in plant science. Our focus will be on developing an understanding of both the natural and cultural dimensions of the kingdom Plantae. We will attempt to address the following questions: How does present form and function inform us about the evolution of various groups of plants How does the form and function of plants shape animal/plant interactions People use plants to build houses and to make baskets, furniture and a variety of other material objects. Globally most food and medicines are derived from plants. Why do people use the plants they do What meaning do people give to plants We will work through a botany textbook learning about plant anatomy, morphology, systematics and ecology. Lectures based on the textbook readings will be supplemented with laboratory work. Students will get hands-on experience studying plants under microscopes and in the field. Seminar readings will be on the general theme of plants and people. Readings and films will cover such topics as horticulture, agriculture and ethnobotany including herbology and basket making. In addition, we will explore the religious, folkloric, mythological and historical meanings given to plants. Students will learn library research methods and complete a research project, of their choosing, related to plants and people. Time will be spent helping students improve their ability to write a research paper that is thesis driven and supported with evidence from the scientific literature. Students will also learn basic plant identification of common species. To support their work in the field, students will learn how to maintain a detailed and illustrated field journal. Total: 16 credits. Enrollment: 23 Internship Possibilities: With faculty approval. Special Expenses: $200 for field trip. Program is preparatory for careers and future studies in conservation, ecological agriculture, ecological restoration, forestry, herbology, natural resource management, plant ecology, or plant taxonomy.

Credits:

16.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.evergreen.edu

Phone Number:

(360) 867-6170

Regional Accreditation:

Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

Calendar System:

Quarter

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