Catalog Course Search Details

 Department:    BIOL

 Course #:    270

 Credits:    5

 Variable:     No

 IUs:    6.5

 CIP:    300101

 EPC:    n/a

 REV:    2024

 Course Description  

The course provides applied, multidisciplinary scientific exploration of the natural history of the western Pacific Northwest region. Field�studies, supplemented with class work, will include hands-on skills-building investigations of: (1) ecological systems (and the organisms that comprise them); (2) abiotic systems (geology, climatology, hydrology, glaciology, oceanography), and (3) human interactions with the environment (pre� and post�European settlement). Weekly meetings or half-day field trips will culminate in a 2 to 4 day (or multi�day during Summer) camping trip to areas of scientific interest.

 Prerequisite  

Prerequisite: Either placement into OR co-enrollment in OR completion of a college-level Math course with a grade of "C" or higher.

Contact Hours (based on 11 week quarter)

Lecture: 22

Lab: 66

Other: 0

Systems: 0

Clinical: 0

Intent: Distribution Requirement(s) Status:  

Academic Natural Sciences  

Equivalencies At Other Institutions

Learning Outcomes

After completing this course, the student will be able to:

1. Identify and taxonomically rank a range of organisms (plants, birds, mammals, fungi, insects, fish, reptiles, and amphibians) that inhabit the region.
2. Develop a vocabulary of terms enabling greater conversation about natural selection, evolution, and organismal form and function.
3. Demonstrate the scientific method by designing field studies investigating a variety of abiotic and biotic phenomena.
4. Construct and use equations, graphs, charts and tables to analyze and interpret natural phenomena.
5. Articulate scientific explanations based on analysis of field observations and data.
6. Utilize a vocabulary of biological terms during field discussions of� and reports on ecosystem function.
7. Demonstrate basic understanding of animal metabolism, structural development, niche, habitat and community roles during field discussions and in reports.
8. Identify geologic materials (rocks & minerals) and structures (strata, volcanos, land forms, etc.) characteristic of the region.
9. Recognize and describe characteristics of ecological, climatological, geologic, hydrologic, glacial and oceanic/marine systems of the region.
10. Recognize and describe interactions (matter and energy transfers) between abiotic and biotic systems.
11. Articulate diverse historic and current examples of how humans rely on and interact with the natural world with emphasis on those occurring in the western Pacific Northwest.

General Education Learning Values & Outcomes

Revised August 2008 and affects outlines for 2008 year 1 and later.

Course Contents

1. The Nature of Science & the Scientific Method
2. Methods, Techniques and Logistics of Field Studies
3. Landforms and geologic history of the Salish Sea
4. Marine Life of the Salish Sea
   • organism metabolism, structural development, niche, habitat, and community roles
   • identification and taxonomy of a range of marine organisms
5. Terrestrial Biota of the western Pacific Northwest
   • organism metabolism, structural development, niche, habitat, and community roles
   • identification and taxonomy of a range of terrestrial organisms
6. Geological materials, features and characteristics of the western Pacific Northwest
7. Meteorology and climate of the region
8. Ecosystems of the western Pacific Northwest
9. Interactions between biotic and abiotic systems
10. Historic and current examples of how humans rely on� and interact with the natural world