BIOL110 Field Biology

Department of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics: STEM Department Archive

  1. Course Number and Title

    BIOL110 Field Biology Course No Longer Offered

  2. Number of Credits

    3 credits

  3. Minimum Number of Instructional Minutes Per Semester

    2250

  4. Prerequisites

    None

    Corequisites

    None

  5. Other Pertinent Information

    1. Three lecture hours per week
    2. Field trips required
    3. Satisfies core requirement

  6. Catalog Course Description

    This course studies organisms and their interactions with their environments. Students examine organism habitat and niche with respect to biogeographical location. Methods of learning include: direct field observation and sampling, thorough analysis of data, classroom discussion. Climatic and seasonal conditions will determine what ecosystems will be studied. Field trips required.

  7. Required Course Content and Direction

    1. Learning Goals:

      Students will be able to:

      1. Derive hands-on experience working in a natural environment.
      2. Distinguish the major ecological characteristics (living and non-living) that identify a given ecosystem.
      3. Construct taxonomic schemes for identifying the flora and fauna of an ecosystem.
      4. Recognize the biogeochemistry of an ecosystem.
      5. Develop observational and sampling techniques for working in a natural environment.
      6. Apply basic statistical skills for analyzing quantitative and qualitative data collected and to formulate conclusions.
      7. Develop a greater appreciation for the health and aesthetic value of a natural environment.
      8. Integrate the science of ecology with the social sciences.

      Core Learning Goals:
        Category I - Mathematics or Science:
        1. The student will develop the ability to analyze, interpret, and apply quantitative information.
        2. The student will learn the scientific method of analysis and apply it in a variety of situations.

      Core Learning Objectives:
        Category I - Mathematics or Science:
        1. The student will be able to apply the scientific method by explaining and identifying its components in a variety of situations. (2)
        2. The student will be able to evaluate and graph data. (1)

        Category III:
          CRITICAL THINKING and PROBLEM SOLVING:
          Students will be able to:
          1. Use methods, concepts, and theories in new situations. (Application Skills)
          1. Integrate and/or combine knowledge from multiple sources to create new knowledge. (Synthesis)
          1. Reason from what they know to form new knowledge, draw conclusions, solve problems, explain, decide, and/or predict. (Inductive and/or Deductive Reasoning Skills)
          1. Demonstrate an understanding of solving problems by:
            1. Recognizing the problem
            2. Reviewing information about the problem
            3. Developing plausible solutions
            4. Evaluating the results

          RESPONSIBLE CITIZENSHIP:
          Students will be able to:
          1. Demonstrate an understanding of major ethical concerns.
          2. Demonstrate familiarity with contemporary environmental issues.
          3. Identify the effects of a person's actions on the community.

    2. Planned Sequence of Topics and/or Learning Activities:

      Topics are presented in the following order:

      1. Global Cycles, Patterns, and Distributions
      2. Terrestrial Biomes
      3. Aquatic Biomes
      4. Anthropogenic Effects upon Earth
      5. Observation, Monitoring, and Sampling Techniques
      6. Statistical Methodology
      7. *Applied Organismal Ecology
      8. *Applied Population Ecology
      9. *Applied Community Dynamics
      10. *Applied Ecosystem Ecology
      11. *Applied Behavioral Ecology

      *Especially as pertains to the particular ecosystem(s) for field study.

    3. Assessment Methods for Core Learning Goals:

      Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: Critical Thinking assignment related to one of the Planned Topics

      Math or Science: Evaluation and graphing of data as obtained during field and laboratory experiments.

      Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: Problem Solving exercises related to data obtained during field and laboratory experiments.

      Responsible Citizenship: Assignment related to ethical issues regarding the human impact upon the natural world.

    4. Reference, Resource, or Learning Materials to be used by Students:

      Students use the following educational resources:
      1. Field Guides, Laboratory Manual and Equipment, Internet Links, Library, Science Learning Center, Literature/brochures from Field Trips
      2. Please refer to course format for specific information

  8. Teaching Methods Employed

    Lectures, demonstrations, field trips, field sampling and experiments, computer activities, video clips.

Review/Approval Date - 11/06; Core Goals/Objectives added 4/06; archived 7/21/2010