Overview of Agronomy 259: Organic Compounds in Plants and Soils

Instructors

Dr. Michael Thompson	Dr. Renuka Mathur
Email:  mlthomps@iastate.edu	Email:  rrmathur@iastate.edu
Office: 2503 Agronomy Hall	Office: G407 Agronomy Hall
Office Hours: By appointment.	Office Hours: By appointment.

Overall Course Objectives

• Learn to identify and classify common organic compounds that occur in plants and soils.
• Learn how the structure of organic compounds influences their function in plants and their reactivity in soils.
• Learn to apply fundamental chemical concepts to practical concerns in agronomy and environmental sciences.

Enduring Understandings

(1)     The properties, processes, and functions of plants and soils are regulated by organic compounds that make up plant tissues and soil organic matter.

(2)     The properties, processes, and functions of organic compounds in plant tissues and soil organic matter are regulated by chemical functional groups in the compounds.

(3)     The properties and activities of functional groups are determined by the elements in those groups, the types of bonds that occur between atoms, and the geometry of the bonds.

Textbook

Essentials of General, Organic, and Biochemistry, 3rd ed. by Denise Guinn. (Earlier editions are OK to use.) This text will get us through about the first one-half of the course, after which we will turn to supplemental study guides. A study guide (required) is also available for purchase as a course packet at the university bookstore.

Prerequisite Courses

• Introductory college chemistry
• Introductory crop science and soil science
• Introductory biology
• College algebra

Math Skills You Will Use

• Fractions, proportions, percentages
• Unit conversions
• Logarithms and scientific notation
• Algebra 

Grading (Please check out the grade calculator (spreadsheet) posted in the Introduction folder on Canvas.)

• Class participation (including attendance, group collaboration, and in-class attention and responses) 10%
• Quizzes (12) 20%
• Homework (5) 20%
• Exams (5) 50%

Studying for This Course

During most class periods, you will work on problem sets in small groups. So, prepare for each class by reading the material assigned and by working through study problems before you come to class.

Classroom Activities

In our MWF classes, you will work with your group on problem sets, ask questions of the instructor, and present questions and solutions to the rest of the class when called on during the class discussion.

If you have not encountered a “flipped” classroom before, please take 60 seconds to watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=r2b7GeuqkPc.

Quizzes

There will be ~12 5-minute quizzes during the semester. The questions are in the course packet or given out as handouts. One question will be chosen for you to answer in the last 5 minutes of the class. There will be no make-up quizzes, but the two lowest quiz scores will be dropped from your grade.

Homework

Problem sets will be collected five times from each 3-student team during the course (see the course calendar for dates and details). The group homework will be evaluated and returned to the group before each exam.

Class Participation

(a) Students are expected to attend class each period, and attendance will be part of the class participation grade (which could be negative). If you do not attend class, you will miss handouts, in-class discussions, and quizzes. If you are sick and you know that you will not be able to attend class that day, please send me an email message to explain. The class participation score will be dropped one point for an unexcused absence.

(b) Students participate in class by working in teams on study problems in class and homework. Effective participation on the team requires preparation before each class. An assessment of the contribution to teamwork will also be part of the class participation score.

(c) As part of their professional development, students are expected to participate in class without electronic distractions. Thus your attention during the class will also be part of your class participation grade. During online sessions, your video must be on. The class participation score will be dropped one point for inappropriate use of a phone or computer during a class period.

University Notices

COVID-19 Health and Safety Requirements

Face masks are encouraged: Because of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, all students
are encouraged—but not required—to wear face masks, consistent with current
recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Further
information on the proper use of face masks is available at:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/effective-masks.html.

Vaccinations are encouraged: All students are encouraged to receive a vaccination against
COVID-19. Multiple locations are available on campus for free, convenient vaccination.
Further information is available at:
https://web.iastate.edu/safety/updates/covid19/vaccinations. Vaccinations may also be obtained from health care providers and pharmacies.

Physical distancing is encouraged for unvaccinated individuals: Classrooms and other
campus spaces are operating at normal capacities, and physical distancing by faculty,
staff, students, and visitors to campus is not required. However, unvaccinated individuals
are encouraged to continue to physically distance themselves from others when possible.Students are responsible for abiding by the university’s COVID-19 health and safety expectations.

All students attending this class in-person are encouraged to:

• properly wear a face covering and/or face shield, covering the nose and mouth, while in classrooms, laboratories, studios, offices, and other learning spaces.
• assist in maintaining a clean and sanitary environment;
• not attend class if you are sick;
• not attend class if you have been told to self-isolate or quarantine by a health official.

Academic Dishonesty. The class will follow Iowa State University’s policy on academic dishonesty. Anyone suspected of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Students Office.

http://www.dso.iastate.edu/ja/academic/misconduct.html

Disability Accommodation. Iowa State University is committed to assuring that all educational activities are free from discrimination and harassment based on disability status. All students requesting accommodations are required to meet with staff in Student Accessibility Services (SAS) to establish eligibility. A Student Academic Accommodation Request (SAAR) form will be provided to eligible students. The provision of reasonable accommodations in this course will be arranged after timely delivery of the SAAR form to the instructor. Students are encouraged to deliver completed SAAR forms as early in the semester as possible. SAS, a unit in the Dean of Students Office, is located in room 1076, Student Services Building or online at https://sas.dso.iastate.edu/about-sas. Contact SDR by e-mail at accessibility@iastate.edu or by phone at 515-294-7220 for additional information.

Harassment and Discrimination. Iowa State University strives to maintain our campus as a place of work and study for faculty, staff, and students that is free of all forms of prohibited discrimination and harassment based upon race, ethnicity, sex (including sexual assault), pregnancy, color, religion, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or status as a U.S. veteran. Any student who has concerns about such behavior should contact his/her instructor, Student Assistance at 515-294-1020 or email dso-sas@iastate.edu, or the Office of Equal Opportunity and Compliance at 515-294-7612.

Religious Accommodation. If an academic or work requirement conflicts with your religious practices and/or observances, you may request reasonable accommodations. Your request must be in writing, and your instructor or supervisor will review the request. You or your instructor may also seek assistance from the Dean of Students Office or the Office of Equal Opportunity and Compliance.

Freedom of Speech. Iowa State University supports and upholds the First Amendment protection of freedom of speech and the principle of academic freedom in order to foster a learning environment where open inquiry and the vigorous debate of a diversity of ideas are encouraged. Students will not be penalized for the content or viewpoints of their speech as long as student expression in a class context is germane to the subject matter of the class and conveyed in an appropriate manner.

Contact Information. If you are experiencing, or have experienced, a problem with any of the issues above, email academicissues@iastate.edu.