11/21/2024 12:45:26 AM	BOTANY 64 Course Outline as of Fall 2016	Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION
Discipline and Nbr:  BOTANY 64	Title:  NORTHERN SIERRA PLANTS
Full Title:  Plants of the Northern Sierra
Last Reviewed:1/25/2021

Units		Course Hours per Week			Nbr of Weeks	Course Hours Total
Maximum	2.00	Lecture Scheduled	1.00		17.5 max.	Lecture Scheduled	17.50
Minimum	2.00	Lab Scheduled	0		2 min.	Lab Scheduled	0
		Contact DHR	3.00			Contact DHR	52.50
		Contact Total	4.00			Contact Total	70.00
		Non-contact DHR	0			Non-contact DHR Total	0

Total Out of Class Hours:  35.00

Total Student Learning Hours: 105.00

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade or P/NP
Repeatability:  00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As: 
Formerly:  BIO 81.15

Catalog Description:

Field course introducing the plant communities of the Sierra Nevada north of Lake Tahoe, emphasizing the taxonomy and ecology of the ferns, conifers and flowering plants.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:

Recommended Preparation:
Eligibility for ENGL 100 or ESL 100

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description:

Field course introducing the plant communities of the Sierra Nevada north of Lake Tahoe, emphasizing the taxonomy and ecology of the ferns, conifers and flowering plants.

(Grade or P/NP)
Prerequisites:
Recommended:Eligibility for ENGL 100 or ESL 100
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:CSU;
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:		Effective:		Inactive:
Area:
CSU GE:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
IGETC:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
CSU Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Summer 2014	Inactive:
UC Transfer:		Effective:		Inactive:
C-ID:

Certificate/Major Applicable: Not Certificate/Major Applicable

COURSE CONTENT

Student Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1.  Identify plants based on their taxonomic groupings, using vegetative and reproductive morphology.

2.  Apply knowledge of evolution, ecology, and natural history to flora and vegetation types in the northern Sierra Nevada.

3.  Make and record observations in a field journal.

 

Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1. Identify the major plant indicator species within the habitats studied.

2. Explain the basic plant characteristics useful in plant identification.

3. Use plant identification resources, including dichotomous keys.

4. Explain the major ecological factors affecting the distribution of plant species and their association into plant communities.

5. Differentiate the major vegetation characteristics of the principle plant communities of the Northern Sierra.

6. Maintain a field journal.

Topics and Scope

1. Overview of the geology, soils, climate, and physiography of the Sierra Nevada.

2. Survey of plants common to the northern Sierra Nevada.

3. Taxonomy of the major plant species characteristic of the Northern Sierran communities.

4. Association of ecological factors with major Northern Sierran vegetation types.

5. Biological characteristics of the indicator plant species.

6. Identification of vascular plant species using manuals and other resources.

7. Structure and organization of a field journal.

 

The following parts of the course are covered during the DHR hours:

1. Field experience:: Examination of plants common to the northern Sierra Nevada.

2. Field experience: Identifying the taxonomy of the plant species discovered during the field trip to Northern Sierran communities

3. Field experience: Learning about ecological factors of major Northern Sierran vegetation types.

4. Seeing the biological characteristics of the indicator plant species in their natural, Northern Sierra Nevada environment

5. Preparation of a field journal while examining plants in the Northern Sierra Nevada

Assignments:

1. Maintain field journal

2. Ecology or vegetation research paper (4-6 pages).

3. Plant identification using the dichotomous key and other resources.

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.

Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.		Writing 40 - 60%
Research paper (4- 6 pages), Field journal (4 - 6 pages).
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.		Problem Solving 0 - 0%
None
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.		Skill Demonstrations 10 - 30%
Use of dichotomous key & other plant ID resources.
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.		Exams 0 - 0%
None
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.		Other Category 10 - 30%
Participation.

Representative Textbooks and Materials:

"The Laws Field Guide to the Sierra Nevada", J.M. Laws, California Academy of Sciences, 2007 (Classic Text)

"A Sierra Nevada Flora", Weeden, Wilderness Press, 1996 (Classic Text)

"Plants of the Tahoe Basin", Graf, CNPS Press, 1999 (Classic Text)

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