SYLLABUS - BIOLOGY 614
SUMMER 1996
Course: Algae
Section: BIO 614-41
Text: Prescott, G. W. 1978. How to Know the Freshwater Algae, 3rd ed.
Time: MTWRF 8:00 am - 3:50 pm
Room: NS-116
Instructor: Larry A. Giesmann
Office: NS-512
Hours: by appointment
Phone: (NKU) 572-5304; (Home) 635-5322
e-mail: giesmann@NKU.edu
Course Description
This course is one of a series of 600-level courses designed for high school science and biology
teachers. Each is offered as a two-week short course during a summer session and carries two-credit
hours. The Algae covers commonly occurring freshwater algae of the northern Kentucky greater
Cincinnati area with emphasis on algal life cycles, laboratory identification at the genus level, and
techniques of isolation and culture. Additional topics will include taxonomy, evolution, and ecological
significance of the various genera studied. Special attention will be given to the interests of classroom
teachers whenever possible.
The course meets in a classroom for lecture and a botany lab for laboratory exercises. The
distribution of time between lecture and lab varies at the discretion of the instructor, so that the
schedule will be flexible.
Lab Procedures
Laboratory sessions are designed to illustrate topics presented during lecture as well as general
procedures of investigation used in various disciplines of biology, especially phycology. Binocular
compound, stereo dissecting, and other types of microscopy will be used extensively--at least several
hours each day--and techniques of microscopy will be stressed.
Preparation of specimens for observation, preservation, and culture will be practiced with the
high school teacher in mind. Students will make collections from habitats on campus and other places
of their choice; these collections will be the subject of several lab sessions.
Evaluation:
Lecture Exam: There will be one comprehensive written exam on the last day of the course. The
exam will be essay in format and cover the entire course content.
Practical Exam: Laboratory work will be evaluated through a practical exam at the last laboratory
meeting of the course. The exam will test identification of specimens through a microscope,
techniques of preparation, and use of the dichotomous key.
SYLLABUS - BIOLOGY 614
SUMMER 1996
Tentative Schedule
Date Time TOPIC
WEEK I
July 8 8:00-11:00 Lecture: Introduction to course; presentation of major algal
groups including taxonomy, life cycle,
morphological features, and use of taxonomic key.
11:00-12:00 Laboratory: Collecting trip to Lake Inferior--plankton tow and
sampling of soil and wet-spot algae.
12:00-1:00 Lunch (on your own each day at this time)
1:15-2:30 Lecture: Blue-green algae
2:15-3:50 Laboratory: Examination of collections
July 9 8:00-10:00 Lecture: Yellow-green algae (including diatoms);
euglenoids and dinoflagellates
10:00-12:00 Laboratory: Lab exercises (handouts) on blue-greens,
yellow-green; euglenoids, and dinoflagellates
1:15-3:50 Lecture: Green algae
July 10 8:00-10:00 Lecture: Brown and red algae; charophytes (stoneworts)
10:00-12:00 Laboratory: Lab exercises on green algae
1:15-2:50 Laboratory: (continuation of work on green algae)
July 11 8:00-10:00 Lecture: Culture techniques for algae
10:00-12:00 Laboratory: Lab exercises on charophytes, brown algae, and
red algae
1:15-3:50 Laboratory: Examination of campus collections and prepared
slides from written exercises
SYLLABUS - BIOLOGY 614
SUMMER 1996
Tentative Schedule
WEEK II
July 15 8:00-10:00 Lecture: Summary of algal groups
10:00-12:00 Laboratory: Identification of student collections using
information from labs to date
1:15-3:50 Laboratory: Work on all lab exercises to date
July 16 8:00-10:00 Lecture: Review of all lecture material
10:00-12:00 Laboratory: Identification of samples and prepared slides
1:15-3:50 Laboratory: Continuation of work on collections
July 17 8:00-10:00 Laboratory: Continuation of work on collections
10:00-12:00 Laboratory: Continuation of work on collections
1:15-3:50 Laboratory: Work on collections and review of all lab material
July 18 8:00-10:00 Laboratory: Completion of all lab work, including preparation
of any material students will be taking home
10:00-12:00 Lecture: Question-and-answer period covering all course
material, including laboratory work
1:00 Exams: Written lecture exam and laboratory practical
exam
Last Modified 25 August 1996