AGH 573 Plant Propagation

AGH 573 consists of lectures and labs each week throughout the semester. All lectures are in a multimedia format. Lecture notes and the 2006 lab manual can be downloaded from this course website.

Course Objectives

This course is designed to encourage an interest, understanding, and appreciation of the principles and techniques of plant propagation, and to enhance skills in finding and understanding published research about scientific advances in plant propagation. Students will acquire a comprehensive knowledge of the science of plant propagation including the effects of plant physiology, anatomical structure, and environment influences on materials used in plant propagation.

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Lectures

Lectures are designed to provide a broad information base on plant propagation practices.

Quizzes

Announced or unannounced quizzes may be given in lecture or lab at any time during the semester over any material covered up to that date. Points given for quizzes will count toward the final grade the same as any other points earned in the course.

Exams

Three lecture exams are scheduled, and are worth 50 points each.
- The final exam will primarily cover information presented since the last exam, but may also include any information covered in the course.
Exams will consist of a variety of questions, including multiple choice, true/false, matching and essay. I do expect neat handwriting and proper writing mechanics on essays.
Tentative dates for the exams are on the course schedule but are subject to change by a majority vote of members of the class.
No makeup exams will be given.
- If you miss one exam for any reason including illness or university-sanctioned events, your score for that exam will be the average of the scores you earn on the other two exams.
- You will receive a 0 (zero) for any additional missed exam(s).

Student Participation

Participation in class is expected. Some of you have extensive propagation experience through work and internships, and your input is valuable.

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Labs

Labs will provide hands-on experience with some of the techniques involved in plant propagation. They will loosely coincide with lecture topics to try and reinforce underlying principles and practices involved in plant propagation.
You will earn 5 points for each lab in which you attend and participate (excluding practical exams).
In addition, you will be expected to turn in five lab reports or assignments worth 10 points each. Details on the reports and assignments will be announced in lab. No late lab reports or assignments will be accepted. Tentative due dates for the reports are as follows.
- Mist System Components and Cost Analysis, Feb. 19
- Germination Environment, March 11
- Herbaceous Cuttings, Apr. 8
- Seed Dormancy, Apr. 29
- Softwood Cuttings, May 6
Two lab practical exams will be given and are worth 25 points each. No makeup exams are given. Tentative dates for the practicums are on the course schedule.

Literature Summaries

During the semester each student will read seven scientific journal articles which relate to plant propagation.
Each report is worth 7 points.
The articles must be recent (no more than five years old) and must be from reputable scientific, refereed journals (i.e. Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science, HortScience, Plant Physiology, Journal of Forestry, etc.). Popular-press magazines such as Horticulture, Organic Gardening and Mother Earth News are not acceptable.
After reading the article, submit a summary (typed, 12-point font, double-spaced, two pages or less) that includes the following information at the top of the page: the name of the author(s), date, title and publication information, in a format similar to the one I used at the beginning of this syllabus to list course texts. Start the summary by writing an original abstract of the article.
- Abstracts are designed to outline the purpose of the experiment and to provide a short description of the methods used, the results and any conclusions the authors have made.
- These abstracts must be in your own words—do not repeat the wording of the abstract published with the article.
- Abstracts should not exceed 150 words.
Please submit a copy of the article with the summary.
At least one summary is due by each of the following dates, although the summaries may be submited earlier than these dates.
- Jan. 29
- Feb. 12
- Feb. 26
- March 11
- Apr. 1
- Apr. 15
- Apr. 29
No credit will be given for reports handed in late.
Note: Please write at the college level. On all written papers including lab reports and exams, you will lose points for poor spelling, grammar and punctuation.

Discussion Sessions

Each student will lead discussions about one or more of the literature summaries he/she turned in during the semester.
Students will be expected to summarize information in the journal articles they read, answer questions from the instructor or other students if clarifications are needed, and participate in a discussion of the journal articles.
I will choose the literature summaries to be discussed.
You may earn up to 20 points for leading and participating in each discussion session. Questions about information covered during the sessions could be included on lecture exams.

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Graduate Students

In addition to other course requirements, you are expected to submit additional reports as follows: Pick five references from either of the course textbooks. References are listed at the end of each chapter. Submit a two-page typed, double-spaced report of each journal article. Include a proper citation (author(s), date, title, and publication information including the volume reference number and pages where the article is listed), a summary of the work, and your thoughts on the impact or limitations of the study. Use a 12-point font and 1-inch margins. Please submit a copy of the article with each report. Reports are worth 20 points each.

Grading for Graduate Credit: Students participating taking this course for graduate credit will earn up to 100 points for journal article reports as outlined above. Therefore, the grading scale for graduate students is based on a total of 484 points.

Grading for Undergraduate Credit

	Maximum Points Possible
Lecture Exams (3 at 50 points each)	150
Literature Summaries	49
Discussion Sessions	60
Lab Attendance	50
Lab Reports (5 at 10 points each)	50
Lab Practical Exams (2 at 25 points each)	50
TOTAL POINTS POSSIBLE	409 plus any quiz points

Grading Scale:

A = 90-100%

B = 80-89%

C = 70-79%

D = 60-69%

F = less than 60%

Actual points subject to change if quizzes are given during the semester. Percentages will remain the same but will be based on the total points available.

Attendance

Attendance will be taken only during labs; however, attendance at all lectures and labs will be necessary to be successful in the course.

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Prolonged Absence from Class

It is very important that you contact your instructors and the Dean of Students’ office if illness or other life circumstances make it difficult for you to attend class for a prolonged period.
Sometimes, there are things that can be done to allow you to catch up and complete the course work, or take an incomplete grade to finish the course after the end of the semester (only if your absence occurs at the end of the course).
Other times, it may be very difficult to receive a passing grade due to prolonged absence, so it may be in your best interest to drop the course to avoid receiving an F.

Dropping the Class

It is your responsibility to understand the university’s procedure for dropping a class.
If you stop attending this class, but do not follow proper procedure for dropping the class, you will receive a failing grade and will be financially obligated to pay for the class.
To drop a class any time after the first week of classes, you must complete and turn in a drop slip at an authorized registration center. You do not need to obtain any signatures on the drop slip. It does not need to be signed by your instructor, your advisor or department head.
If you wish to withdraw from the university (drop all your classes), contact the Registration Center in Carrington 320.
It is important to note that dropping a course or courses may affect your financial aid eligibility, so you should contact Student Financial Services for information on financial aid status.

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Academic Integrity

You are encouraged to study and interact with fellow classmates; however, all assignments, quizzes and exams must be your own, independent work.
Taking and giving assistance both constitute academic dishonesty and will result in a zero for the assignment, quiz or exam and notification of university authorities as required by university policy.
A second offense will result in a failing grade for the course.
In addition, in accordance with university policy, any student detected participating in any form of academic dishonesty in this course will be subject to sanctions as described in the Student Academic Integrity Policies and Procedures, available at the Reserves Desk in Meyer Library, in abbreviated form in the MSU Undergraduate Catalog, and at the following website: www.missouristate.edu/acadaff/AcademicIntegrity.html. It is your responsibility to read and fully understand MSU’s Student Academic Integrity Policies and Procedures.

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University Policy—Students with Disabilities

To request academic accommodations for a disability, contact Katheryne Staeger-Wilson, Disability Services, Plaster Student Union, Suite 405, (417) 836-4192 (voice); (417) 836-6792 (TTY) http://www.missouristate.edu/disability.
Students are required to provide documentation of disability to Disability Services prior to receiving accommodations.
Disability Services refers some types of accommodation requests to the Learning Diagnostic Clinic (LDC).
The LDC also provides diagnostic testing for learning and psychological disabilities. A fee is charged for testing.
For information, contact the LDC (417) 836-4787, http://www.missouristate.edu/contrib/ldc/.

My Non-Discrimination Statement

I do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status.

MSU Non-Discrimination Statement

Missouri State is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution, and maintains a grievance procedure incorporating due process available to any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against. At all times, it is your right to address inquiries or concerns about possible discrimination to Jana Long, Equal Opportunity Officer, Office of Human Resources, Carrington 128, (417) 836-4252. Concerns about discrimination can also be brought directly to your instructor’s attention or to the attention of your instructor’s department head.

MSU Academic Calendar

http://calendar.missouristate.edu/academic.asp

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