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PHYCOLOGY LABORATORY
SPRING 2015
Instructor: Dr. (Claudia) Ligia Collado-Vides
Date: January 12th – April 25th, 2015
Lab section: Th 11:00- 1:50 PM OE 297
Office: MMC- OE 211
Office Hours: M and W 10:30-12:00
By appointment only
Email: colladol@fiu.edu
Justification
This course is the laboratory-field section of the course Phycology. Phycology approaches
the study of algae including the taxonomy, biology and ecology of algae, freshwater and
marine. Particular emphasis is given to the identification of local marine macroalgae.
Description
We will provide students with information and technical skills for the study of the biology and
taxonomy of seaweed, with emphasis on South Florida and Caribbean ecosystems. Field
trips to recognize seaweeds, in nature will be conducted. Laboratory sessions, or field trip
will run once a week. The major focus is in learning how to identify algae, and create a
herbarium collection.
Syllabus
1. INTRODUCTION
Basics of how to us an identification key
Basics of how to use microscopes
Basics of how to create a herbarium label and vaucher
2. Marine Macroalgae
Observation of general features of seaweeds
Observation of general features of marine green macroalgae
Identification of marine green macroalgae
Herbarium preservation of marine green macroalgae
Observation of general features of marine red macroalgae
Identification of marine red macroalgae
Herbarium preservation of marine red macroalgae
Observation of general features of marine brown macroalgae
Identification of marine brown macroalgae
Herbarium preservation of marine brown macroalgae
Classification of local seaweeds into form-functional groups
ASSIGNMENTS
Each student will keep a lab notebook with results from lab exercises and observations from
the field trips. This notebook will be turned in at the end of class. In the notebook students
will draw each one of the identified algae showing taxonomic characteristics for each one.
Include observations and taxonomic discussion.
Note books are individual.
Students will create a herbarium collection using provided material and samples from the
field. Herbarium collection is also individual work. Each student will work each of the below
categories has to be included in the collection.
The identification and collection of material in the field will be conducted in groups, but the
herbarium collection will be an individual product.
Identify and create a herbarium collection at species level of:
4 Green algae
4 Red algae
4 Brown algae
Directions for each lab session will be provided by the instructor via Blackboard.
EVALUATION
40 % Notebook
60 % Herbarium collection
Notebook and herbarium collection will be returned finished and revised on Thursday April
16th, 2015.
Students are encouraged to create art pieces with beautiful specimens, their work will be
considered as extra credit in the evaluation depending on the quality and quantity for their
work. Instructions will be provided in the Blackboard web site.
IDENTIFICATION KEYS
Littler D. S. and Littler M. M. 2000, Caribbean Reef Plants, Offshore Graphics, Inc.542 pp.
Taylor R. 1960. Marine algae of the eastern tropical and subtropical coast of the Americas.
University of Michigan Press. 870 pp.
Identification keys will be provided by instructor.
Grading:
A
90-100
B+
85-89
B
80-84
C+
75-79
C
70-74
D+
65-69
D
60-64
F
< 59
Grades are not negotiable. I do not curve grades. I do not allow students to complete extra
credit assignments to bring up their final grade. You must attend lectures, participate in
discussions, and study throughout the semester. ** Important! If you are struggling in the
course, please come for help during the semester when there is still time for me to help you.
Take advantage of my office hours or make an appointment with me. Do not wait until the end of
the semester and ask me to change your grade; by then it is too late.
Late Assignment Policy: Late assignments (herbarium, notebook etc.) will be penalized by
10% for each day late.
Instructors Communication: All instructor communication and announcements will be done by
email and through the blackboard section of the course web site. Only students’ FIU email
address will be used. If students do not use their FIU email account, use the easy to set up
automatic mail forwarding option to the email account you are using regularly. Students are
required to maintain a functional FIU email account and to observe the “News” web page.
Emails that are returned due to “over quota” email accounts will not be re-sent. All email from
students must contain “Phycology Lab” in the subject line; student emails without proper
subject line and without the student’s name will not be answered!
Academic Integrity: There is a zero tolerance policy for cheating in this course! Cheating
during exams (e.g., looking at another’s paper, possession of notes, talking) and on
assignments is unacceptable, will result in an automatic zero on the assignment, and will be
reported to University Officials. Plagiarism on written assignments (passing off another person’s
ideas as your own) will result in the same actions. If you are unsure whether an action is
considered plagiarism, please see the PLAGIARISM POLICY in the Student handbook or ask
me.
Student Disability: Any student who, because of a disability, may require special arrangements
in order to meet course requirements should contact DRC (Disability Resource Center) within 1
week of the beginning of this course to make the necessary accommodations.
Sexual harassment policy: FIU is committed to eliminating sexual harassment. In accordance
with the FIU Faculty Senate guidelines, this syllabus includes a warning that any misconduct will
be reported.
Academic misconduct: FIU is committed to not tolerating any academic misconduct by
students. In accordance with the FIU Faculty Senate guidelines, this syllabus includes a warning
that any academic misconduct, particularly cheating in exams, will be reported and penalized.
Schedule might have unexpected changes.
ALWAYS STAY INFORMED!
Please check your Blackboard site regularly
PLEASE BE RESPECTFUL WITH YOURSELF, PROFESSOR AND PEERS
No cell phones or beepers, chatting, surfing internet are tolerated during class.