Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2026

Plant Physiology (Face-to-Face)

BIOL 3530-01

Course: BIOL 3530-01
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2026
Department: Biology
CRN: 33318

Course Description

Study of functions of plants including water and mineral relations, biochemical processes, and growth. Three (3) hours of lecture per week. A minimum grade of "C" (2.0 or above) must be earned in this course before it can be counted in a biological science major or minor or as a prerequisite for any other biology course. (Fall - Even Years) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Co-requisite(s): BIOL 3535 Prerequisite(s): BIOL 1620 and BIOL 1625 - Prerequisite Min. Grade: C

Required Texts

  • Fundamentals of Plant Physiology, 1st edition by Taiz and Zeiger
The textbook is optional. I will post pre-recorded lecture videos going over the key information you need to know. If you learn best by having printed information for reference, you may want a copy. Note that a new second edition of this textbook recently came out, but I will be using the first edition.

Learning Outcomes

  • Understanding plant function from a perspective of whole-plant integration and functional trade-offs.
  • Exploring the theme of plant dynamism and the question of whether plants have a kind of non-neurological intelligence.
  • Comparing physiological and developmental differences between plants and our usual point of reference, animals.
  • Understanding how low-level plant functions (e.g., photosynthesis at the cellular level) scale up to have major effects on the biosphere.

Course Requirements

Flipped lectures:
I will be teaching this class in the “flipped” style rather than a traditional lecture format. The key elements of a flipped class are: 1) you prepare for class ahead of time by watching a video lecture or doing a reading, and 2) you spend time in class doing activities designed to clarify the concepts you covered before class. For a flipped class to really work, step 1 is very crucial; if you come to class without preparing, you will be very lost. 

Using Canvas:
I use Canvas to post supplementary readings, notify of due dates for homework assignments, and to make general announcements. Please check Canvas regularly to stay aware of what’s coming up in the course.

Exams:
Exams will be based primarily on the material covered in lecture. Exams will be a combination of multiple choice and short answer questions, and you will be asked to apply the knowledge you have learned to new situations and information. The final exam will be a cumulative review of the whole class. I schedule my exams at the Testing Center so you have flexibility on when you take it, as well as ample time to do so (180-minute time limit).

Assessment:
Lecture and lab will be graded separately.
Your lecture grade is based on:
  • Daily reading/lecture notes (5 pts x ~20 = ~100 pts)
  • 3-4 paper summaries. We will read a few primary literature papers during the semester, for which you will write brief summaries to prepare you for class discussion (10 pts each).
  • Two midterm exams (100 pts each) and one combo (new + cumulative material) final (150 pts).

Course Outline

Course units:
  1. Overview: what is a plant? Plant morphology and anatomy basics
  2. Plants and the nature of intelligence
  3. Photosynthesis - molecular
  4. Photosynthesis - ecological
  5. Water relations - water potential and cells
  6. Water relations - SPAC
  7. Leaf temperature and energy budgets
  8. Phloem transport
  9. Nutrient uptake and assimilation
  10. Plant secondary chemistry
  11. Plant hormones
  12. Light detection

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Late work is reduced by 10% of the total points possible for that assignment per day and will be considered late once the due date and time for the assignment as posted on Canvas has passed. Due dates/times for all assignments can be found on the syllabus calendar and will be posted on Canvas.

Attendance Policy

In-person attendance is required and expected. If you are unable to attend, please contact a classmate to request their notes. Your lowest two reading notes scores are dropped, which gives a buffer for a couple of unplanned absences. If you exceed two missed days because of circumstances out of your control, contact me and we can work out a plan to make up missed assignments.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.