Instructor Information | Course Information | Course Materials
Course Activities and Design | Grading and Evaluation | Course Policies
Instructor: Patrick Miller, Ph.D. (Click here to see your instructor's Bio) [link opens in new window].
Contact Information:
Email: millerpatricka@msn.com (Emergency use only, please. See "E-Mail" below.)
Mailing Address: 1528 Westview Avenue, Fort Collins, CO 80521
Phone: (970) 482-4675
Office Hours: 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday
On-line any time
Instructor Accessibility: Please do not hesitate to e-mail me with any questions you may have. Please use the WebCT email tool except in case of an emergency.
I will respond to e-mail as promptly as possible, usually within twenty-four hours from Monday-Friday. Weekend response times will be longer.
Course Title: Weed Management and Control
Course Description: This course is designed for weed management professionals, students in biology, or agriculture majors. The course includes study of weedy plant classification, characteristics such as reproduction and dispersal, and weed ecology. We will discuss non-chemical weed control (mechanical, cultural and biological) and chemical control (herbicides). In addition to learning about allelopathy and the role of weed competition, we will also discuss herbicides and the factors affecting their use. Finally, we will introduce the topics of herbicide resistance and invasive plant species.
Credit Hours: This course carries 3 semester credits. You can normally expect to put in 10-15 hours per week on this course.
Prerequisites:
Student Outcomes:
At the end of the course, the student should be able to:
Required Text: Fundamentals of Weed Science, Zimdahl, R.L., 3rd edition. 2007. Elsiver Press, San Diego, CA., and Weeds of the West, Whitson, T. D., et al., 9th edition, 2000. Western Society of Weed Science in cooperation with the Western United States Land Grant Universities Cooperative Extension Services, Newark, CA.
Optional Text: Colorado Weed Management Guide, Beck, K.G., S McDonald, S. Nissen, P.Westra, C. Oman, Colorado State University Extension, 2003, and Weeds of Colorado, Zimdahl, R.L., Colorado State University Extension, 1997. Both are available at: Cooperative Extension Resource Center
Note from Your Instructor
Welcome to BSPM 201, Weed Management and Control. Participation and communication are the keys to a successful online learning experience. I suggest that you log into the course, if only to check mail and announcements at least every other day. I look forward to "meeting" each of you in the student introductions.
The first step toward success: LEARN YOUR WAY AROUND! Look first at the Start Here information (click on the link at the top of this page), definitely read and perhaps print out the syllabus and schedule, get acquainted with how the online classroom works.
Getting Started
An online course requires a great deal of self-discipline. While this course is not self-paced, you still have more flexibility in timing the completion of your assignments than you would in most on-campus courses. Be sure to pace yourself, allowing plenty of time for computer difficulties or e-mails lost in cyberspace!
The biggest key to success in an online course is participation. Log-on often, get to know your fellow classmates and do not be reluctant to ask questions. In a traditional classroom you can count on being able to catch your instructor at class, but that is not the case in the online world. You need to take the time to contact me by other means. My e-mail address and phone number are listed on the syllabus.
Your schedule outlines due dates for all assignments-it is an important document! Whether you are new to online learning or a seasoned online student, you may have some questions or concerns about how the process works. Please follow the steps outlined below, and after completing these steps, e-mail me with any questions you have about this online course. Sometimes a quick question now can save a lot of frustration later!
In order to complete this course successfully, you should be responsible and have the ability to work independently. This is not a self-paced course. You are expected to spend a minimum of 10 to 15 hours per week on coursework). If you find that this amount of time cannot be allocated, it is recommended that you withdraw as soon as possible.
Computer Access Considerations
You will use WebCT's internal E-mail function for this course. You must have access to a computer with email and web browsing software. Such access may be via your own personal computer and an account with an ISP, through any one of the public computer labs on a campus utilizing a student account, or through facilities provided at a local public library. In any case, it is important that you be able to access the World-Wide Web at a sufficient speed to view graphics and preferably, full multimedia content.
If you experience a technical problem with access to on-line course materials, it is your responsibility to contact the instructor immediately and alert the instructor to the problem. You are expected to consult with the appropriate technicians at the link listed on the Course Menu (Student Resources) [link opens in new window], or at the software site in use to resolve technical problems. Be sure to complete the browser tune-up to make sure your computer settings will allow you to complete all course tasks.
In this course you will gain a basic overview of the world of weeds and weed science. The course is divided into 6 sections: Weed Biology, Classification and Reproduction; Weed Ecology; Allelopathy; Plant Competition; Chemical and Non-Chemical Weed Control; and finally, a section on Weed Science in the Future.
This may be your first exposure into the plant sciences. There may some areas within this broad framework that may be of interest to you. Unfortunately, we'll only be able to "scratch the surface" with our limited time frame. Other classes related to this area are also available at Colorado State University (see University Catalog) at http://www.catalog.colostate.edu/ [link opens in new window].
The biological and other sciences are different from other subjects that you may have taken. The largest hurdle that many students face is not in understanding the concepts but in learning the language. This course will have many specialized terms that you won't encounter elsewhere. It is critical to your success that you take a little extra time to learn the vocabulary for each chapter before you try to learn the material. It is very difficult to comprehend a conversation when it is being spoken in a language that you don't understand!
Methods: Final grades will be determined by total points you earn divided by the total points possible on all graded assignments.
Grading Policies:
How and Where to Hand Work In:
Each unit has the following requirements that should be completed during the time allotted for each unit as outlined in the Course Schedule.
Submit homework/lab assignments via mail or as an attachment through the internal e-mail (discussions). Indicate in the body of your message: your name and section #, and name of the assignment you are sending. Text attachments should be sent in .rtf or .doc format. If you plan to submit anything via external e-mail, (please notify me in advance) as this is not the preferred way to submit assignments. There will be numerous occassions you can get extra-credit (especially when viewing PowerPoint presentations.) I encourage you to get these points throughout the course, as they can make the difference between a B and an A. They are also easy points to get!
Late Work:
One percent of the total points per item will be deducted for each day late.
All assignments for each week are due or must be postmarked by 8:00 a.m. of the Monday following the unit end date, except as noted on the Schedule page. Assignments submitted after Monday 8:00 a.m. will be considered to be late.
Summary of Grading
|
Task |
Points |
|---|---|
|
Exams (2 @ 50 points each) |
100 |
|
Plant Identification Quizzes (4, approximately every 3 weeks @ 25 points each) |
100 |
|
Essay Discussion (10 @ 5 points each) [See Discussion Guidelines for details] |
50 |
|
Term Paper: topic and outline (5 points), final draft (45 points) [See Term Paper Introduction for more details] |
50 |
| Internet Assignments (2 @ 20 points each) [See Internet Instructions for more details] | 40 |
| Dichotomous Key exercise (2 @ 20 points each) [See Dichotomous Key instructions for more details] | 40 |
|
Calibration Exercises: (2 @ 10 points each) |
20 |
Final Examination |
100 |
|
Total Course Points |
500 |
Grading Scale
|
Points |
Percent |
Grade Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
|
500 - 450 |
100 - 90 |
A |
|
449 - 400 |
89 - 80 |
B |
|
399 - 350 |
79 - 70 |
C |
|
349 - 300 |
69 - 60 |
D |
|
299 - 0 |
59 - 0 |
F |
Mutual Respect in Communications:
A very important aspect of online learning is respectful communication. The Colorado State University Learning Community is based on the value of mutually respectful communication.
Upon enrolling in programs provided by or at Colorado State University, students assume responsibility for respectful communications with other students and with course instructors, including communications which do not disrupt the online environment.
The definition of disruptive communications and their consequences are listed below.
Disruptive Communications:
Definition:
Consequences:
All email contact should be made using WebCT's internal email tool except in case of emergency. If you must contact me via external email, you may do so at the email address on the syllabus.
ALL emails to me MUST contain your FULL name (first and last), the class and section number in which you are enrolled (for example, "CSU BI201 Sect 1"), and the topic of your email IN THE SUBJECT LINE or I will delete it. Do not send email attachments; use the assignment drop box to submit all of your assignments.
Incomplete Grades:
The "Incomplete" grade is a temporary grade indicating that the student has a satisfactory record of work completed but, for exceptional reasons, was unable to complete the final assignments.
If circumstances beyond your control prevent you from completing an assignment at the end of the term, consult your instructor, immediately. The instructor will determine whether you have a reasonable chance of satisfactorily completing the remaining activities without online access to course materials. Your instructor must work out a way for you to complete the course without benefit of the course Web site.
NOTE: You are encouraged to let me know as soon as possible if you are having difficulties with any part of the course.
Academic Integrity:
Plagiarism is the act of using words and/or ideas from another person of source without acknowledgment of debt to that person or source and is a serious academic crime. Students are expected to do their own work. Whenever you use a general concept, idea, quotation, fact, statistic, or illustration that is not yours, site the source. The minimal penalty for plagiarism is failure for the particular project. The maximum penalty is expulsion from the university.
Special Services:
If you have a learning or physical disability that will require special accommodation, please notify your instructor immediately upon enrollment.
End of Semester:
You will be able to access the class for one week after the end of the semester. However, the last day to turn in any work is the last day of the semester. The extra week of access is only to check your grades.
Disclaimer:
Other than competencies, elements of this syllabus may be subject to adjustment.