Skagit Valley College

Catalog Course Search Details

 Course Title:   Field Botany

 Title Abbreviation:   FIELD BOTANY

 Department:    BIOL

 Course #:    133

 Credits:    5

 Variable:     No

 IUs:    5.5

 CIP:    260307

 EPC:    n/a

 REV:    2018


 Course Description  

The identification, life histories, ethnobotany, ecological relationships, distributions of evolutionary trends of endemic ferns, conifers, and flowering plants. Field trips may be required. Labs included.

 Prerequisite  

Prerequisite: Appropriate placement or grade of 2.0 or higher in ENGL 099 and MATH 98.

Additional Course Details

Contact Hours (based on 11 week quarter)

Lecture: 44

Lab: 22

Other: 0

Systems: 0

Clinical: 0


Intent: Distribution Requirement(s) Status:  

Academic Natural Sciences  

Equivalencies At Other Institutions

Other Institution Equivalencies Table
Institution Course # Remarks
CWU BISC 333
U of W BISC 113
WSU BSci LXXL
WWU WWU1XX

Learning Outcomes

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

  1. Be familiar with basic reproductive structures and strategies of ferns, conifers, and flowering plants.
  2. Use keys in the identification of native plants.
  3. Become acquainted with the common native ferns, conifers, and flowering plants here in the Pacific Northwest.
  4. Apply understanding and application of concepts learned to research and present materials on ethnobotany.

General Education Learning Values & Outcomes

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

0. Application and Integration

Definition: Applying information from one or more disciplines and/or field experiences in new contexts (Outcome 0.1); developing integrated approaches or responses to personal, academic, professional, and social issues (Outcomes 0.2-0.5).

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
0.3 Identify and evaluate the relationships among different perspectives within a field of study and among different fields of study.

1. Information Literacy

Definition: Recognizing when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
1.1 Determine the extent of information needed.
1.2 Access the needed information effectively, efficiently, ethically, and legally.
1.3 Evaluate information and its sources critically.
1.5 Effectively integrate and use information ethically and legally to accomplish a specific purpose.

2. Critical Thinking

Definition: The ability to think critically about the nature of knowledge within a discipline and about the ways in which that knowledge is constructed and validated and to be sensitive to the ways these processes often vary among disciplines.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
2.1 Identify and express concepts, terms, and facts related to a specific discipline.
2.2 Analyze issues and develop questions within a discipline.
2.3 Identify, interpret, and evaluate pertinent data and previous experience to reach conclusions.
2.4 Evaluate decisions by analyzing outcomes and the impact of actions.
2.9 Apply and/or create problem-solving strategies to successfully adapt to unpredictable and/or changing environments.

3. Communication

Definition: Understanding and producing effective written, spoken, visual, and non-verbal communication.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
3.1 Recognize, read, and comprehend academic and/or professional writing.
3.2 Recognize, produce and demonstrate appropriate interpersonal, group, and public speaking skills.
3.3 Demonstrate effective listening skills.
3.4 Produce academic and/or professional writing and integrate it into written and spoken projects.

8. Mathematical Reasoning

Definition: Understanding and applying concepts of mathematics and logical reasoning in a variety of contexts, both academic and non-academic.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
8.2 Correctly apply logical reasoning and mathematical principles to solve problems.
8.3 Interpret information and reasoning expressed mathematically (for example in spreadsheets, diagrams, charts, formulas, etc.).
8.4 Communicate mathematical information effectively.

9. Scientific Literacy

Definition: Understanding scientific principles, and analyzing and applying scientific information in a variety of contexts.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
9.2 Demonstrate their understanding of the principles of scientific methods, analysis, and reasoning.
9.3 Analyze, apply, and communicate scientific concepts and principles in context (for example, in technological, personal, and/or professional situations).
9.4 Use scientific concepts and principles to understand the natural world, human behavior and culture, and relationships between humans and the rest of the natural world.

10. Technology

Definition: Understanding the role of technology in society and using technology appropriately and effectively.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
10.1 Demonstrate an understanding of the development and impact of technology in human experience (history, global, and local).
10.3 Use technology appropriate to the context and task to effectively retrieve and manage information, solve problems, and facilitate communication.
10.4 Demonstrate an understanding of the impact of technology in one’s personal and professional life.

Course Contents

  1. Ferns-reproduction, types, and ecology
  2. Conifers-reproduction, types, and ecology
  3. Flowering plants-reproduction, types, ecology, form, and function
  4. Seeds and fruits-form, structure, and adaptive strategies
  5. Pollination in flowering plants
  6. Ecology of Northwest native plants
  7. Field and laboratory interpretation of ferns, conifers, and flowering plants
  8. Recognition of features of selected plant families
  9. Field recognition of important local species of ferns, conifers, and flowering plants