FRS 002 — Sec. 009 — (2 units) — CRN 53597 — R 3:40-5:30 pm — 1111 Plant Repro Biology
Research in Plant Biology: Relevance for Students, Society and Scientists

Instructor: John Labavitch, Department of Plant Sciences, College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences

Description: In terms of information exchange, the series is designed to introduce students to the concept of scientific research (what it is, how it is done, why it is done) and show students the diversity of research that is done in Plant Biology at UC Davis. The first session of the series will be devoted to a discussion of what research is and explore student pre-conceptions of the impact of research on their lives. Subsequent sessions will be devoted to seminars presented by selected UC Davis researchers. These talks are to be given without use of the jargon that is characteristic of the conversations that scientists have with one another so that the students can understand the concepts that underpin the investigation, even if they are not yet able to understand all of the details in the results. The success of the series depends on the effectiveness of the speakers and the willingness of students to “want to understand.” The latter is demonstrated by student willingness to ask questions. Whether the students go on in Biology or not, their success at the University and in living lives filled with learning will depend on having the self-confidence needed to put aside the fear of appearing stupid and ask the questions that will lead to understanding and insight. The seminar will attempt to stimulate this willingness to inquire. In a more specific sense, the students will be exposed to research into issues that touch society in important ways.

Format: There will be no text for the series. In some cases the speakers will assign background reading. This material will be provided to the students in advance of the researcher’s presentation. Each seminar will begin with a discussion that is based on the students’ thinking about a short question set that will be distributed the week prior to the session. The discussion questions will cover a series of subjects, including general interest topics related to genetic engineering, the role of research in addressing environmental, health and resource availability issues, etc. No later than the start of each class session, beginning with the third session, students will turn in a one-paragraph commentary (preferably typed, it can be submitted electronically) about what they got from the prior week’s presentation. The focus of these commentaries can be the plant biology that they heard about, their impressions on the personal or potential societal impact of the material presented, or any other aspect about what was presented that they feel deserves their personal comment. Grading: 80% of the grade will be based on the collection of commentaries they have submitted. The remainder of the grade will be based on the student's contributions to weekly discussions. Students will be expected to attend and participate. The primary objective of the series is to foster skills that can only be developed and exercised in the sessions. One absence will be permitted without an impact on a student's grade. A schedule of seminar topics will be distributed at the first session.

Note: The first session will be on September 29th, the second will be on October 13th.

About the Instructor: Professor Labavitch has been a member of the Pomology Department faculty for 27 years. He is a member of the interdepartmental Postharvest Biology research group and an academic advisor in the Plant Biology Graduate Group (PBGG). His teaching is centered in the PBGG where he is an instructor in several advanced courses (PBI 201 - Plant Senescence, PBI 208 - Plant Hormones, and PBI 214 - Plant Cell Walls. In the 2003-2004 academic year he will be a lead instructor in the new PBGG core course series. He is also a co-instructor in a Winter quarter section of BIS-1C. He and his research colleagues study aspects of the developmental physiology and biochemistry of fruit ripening and plant interactions with pathogens and insect pests.