FRS 002S — (2 units) — CRN 53167 — W 5:10 - 7:00 pm —159 Olson
Research in Plant Biology — Relevance for Society, Students and Scientists

Instructor: John M. Labavitch, Department of Pomology, College of Agricultural and 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 and on their classroom experiences at UC Davis. 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 chracteristic 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 seminar. In some cases speakers will identify background reading in advance of the seminar presentation. A short question set will be provided to student one week in advance of each seminar. The questions will cover a series of subjects in plant biology as well as addressing general interest subejcts related to genetic engineering and the role of plant research insolving environmental, health and resource availability problems. The only assignment will be a brief, typed report (2-3 pages) based on the subjects addressed by one of the speakers. The pairing of each student with one of the speakers will be determined by lot at the first session of the series. Students are expected to meet with the speaker after his/her seminar presentation as part of the preparation for writing the report. Reports are to be turned in no later than three weeks after the researcher's seminar has beden presened and will be posted on a seminar series web site. Each student will be expected to draw on information in her/his report in the seminar series "wrap-up" session at the end of the quarter. Grading: Half of the grade will be based on the reporting assignment described above. 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.

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 also is 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.