Summer Flora 2014

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Revision as of 16:50, 18 June 2014 by Nora Mitchell (Talk | contribs) (Tentative schedule: subject to weather!)

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SoapstoneMountain.jpeg

EEB 4272

Summer Session I
June 2nd to July 2nd
M/W/F 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm
TLS 179
SyllabusPdficon small.gif

Instructor

Nora Mitchell (nora.mitchell@uconn.edu)
Contact me for a permission number

Course description

New England is home to a diverse and thriving selection of plants, many of which reach their peak exuberance during the summer. Proper identification of plants and an understanding of their interactions with the environment are important facets that aid in the appreciation of our natural resources. In this course, students will:

  • Learn to recognize by sight some of the more common plant species
  • Develop a skill set for identifying unknown plant species
  • Gain experience in plant census, collection and curation techniques
  • Learn the system of classifying plant diversity and of naming plant species
  • Learn about the diversity of plant habitats in New England
  • Learn about invasive species and conservation issues in plant biology

The course focuses primarily on plant identification and classification, but students also will acquire skills that would serve them in any number of careers dealing with natural resource management.

Required equipment (all available from UConn Co-op)

  • 30x hand lens (provided for you!)
  • field notebook
  • pencils

Course Texts

  • Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide by L. Newcomb, 1989.
  • Trees of Eastern and Central United States and Canada by W.M. Harlow, 1957.
  • Fern Finder by A. C. Hallowell and B. G. Hallowell, 1981.

Grading

  • Quizzes & Assignment 20%: Pdficon small.gif
  • Mid-term exam 30%
  • Final exam 30%
  • Plant collection/preservation project 20%: Pdficon small.gif
  • Rubric for assignments: Pdficon small.gif
  • Extra Credit Key Guide: Pdficon small.gif


Tentative schedule: subject to weather!

Day Lecture Field Notes
Week 1
Mon June 2 Introduction, Nomenclature, Vegetative Characters Campus walk Pdficon small.gif Lecture 1 Pdficon small.gif Plant list 1
Wed June 4 Vegetative Characters Cont. Moss Preserve/Tift Pond, Mansfield Pdficon small.gif Lecture 2 Pdficon small.gif Plant list 2
Fri June 6 QUIZ 1, Floral Characters & Pollination Valley Falls Park, Vernon Pdficon small.gif Lecture 3 Pt 1 Pdficon small.gif Lecture 3 Pt 2 Pdficon small.gif Plant List 3
Week 2
Mon June 9 UCONN Herbarium Hillside Environmental Education Park, Storrs Pdficon small.gif Lecture 4 Pdficon small.gif Plant List 4
Wed June 11 Fruits & Seed Dispersal Soapstone Mountain, Somers Pdficon small.gif Lecture 5 Pdficon small.gif Plant List 5
Fri June 13 QUIZ 2, Ferns Webster Fern Garden Tour Pdficon small.gif Lecture 6 Pdficon small.gif Midterm Plant List
Week 3
Mon June 16 MIDTERM EXAM Horsebarn Hill, Storrs (quick lab!) Pdficon small.gif Lecture 7 Pdficon small.gif Plant List 6
Wed June 18 Vegetation Surveys Fenton River, Storrs Tell me your invasive/endangered plant!
Fri June 20 QUIZ 3, Mounting Specimens Mansfield Hollow, Mansfield
Week 4
Mon June 23 Bog Plants Willington Bog, Willington
Wed June 25 New England Habitats Bigelow Hollow State Park, Union Written Assignment Due
Fri June 27 QUIZ 4, Aquatic Plants Coventry Lake, Coventry Specimens due in plant presses!
Week 5
Mon June 30 Hammonassett State Park, Madison Room available for review after class
Wed July 2 FINAL EXAM Specimen mounting & Collections Due Extra Credit Due!


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