SRJC Course Outlines

3/28/2024 10:52:24 PMBOTANY 60 Course Outline as of Spring 2022

Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION

Discipline and Nbr:  BOTANY 60Title:  FIELD BOTANY  
Full Title:  Field Botany
Last Reviewed:1/28/2019

UnitsCourse Hours per Week Nbr of WeeksCourse Hours Total
Maximum4.00Lecture Scheduled3.0017.5 max.Lecture Scheduled52.50
Minimum4.00Lab Scheduled3.008 min.Lab Scheduled52.50
 Contact DHR0 Contact DHR0
 Contact Total6.00 Contact Total105.00
 
 Non-contact DHR0 Non-contact DHR Total0

 Total Out of Class Hours:  105.00Total Student Learning Hours: 210.00 

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:  BOTANY 30A

Catalog Description:
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Survey of the vegetation and flora of Northern California. Includes the identification and ecology of species that are representative of local plant communities. Field trips required.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:


Recommended Preparation:

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description: Untitled document
Survey of the vegetation and flora of Northern California. Includes the identification and ecology of species that are representative of local plant communities. Field trips required.
(Grade or P/NP)

Prerequisites:
Recommended:
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:Fall 1981
Inactive: 
 Area:C
Natural Sciences
 
CSU GE:Transfer Area Effective:Inactive:
 B2Life ScienceFall 1981
 B3Laboratory Activity  
 
IGETC:Transfer Area Effective:Inactive:
 
CSU Transfer:TransferableEffective:Fall 1981Inactive:
 
UC Transfer:Effective:Inactive:
 
C-ID:

Certificate/Major Applicable: Both Certificate and Major Applicable



COURSE CONTENT

Student Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
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1.  Use vegetative and reproductive morphology to identify plants based on their taxonomic
    groupings.
2.  Synthesize knowledge of evolution, ecology, and natural history with distribution of local
    flora and vegetation types.
3.  Apply knowledge of flora and vegetation types towards an understanding of local and regional
    environmental issues.

Objectives: Untitled document
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
1. Use principles of plant classification.
2. Describe basic vegetative and reproductive morphology of seed plants using scientific
    vocabulary.
3. Evaluate the environmental factors influencing plant distribution.
4. Describe the physiography and climate of California.
5. Describe the geological history, evolution, and adaptation of the California flora and
    vegetation.
6. Examine the principles of ecological succession.
7. Identify the major plant communities of California, including the ecology and taxonomy of
    the dominant component species.
8. Recognize major plant families represented in the California flora.
9. Demonstrate methods of vegetation classification, plant identification, and vegetative survey
    assessment.

Topics and Scope
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I. Introduction
    A. Scientific inquiry and the scientific method
    B. Plant diversity and classification
II. Plant Biology
    A. Basic vegetative morphology of seed plants
    B. Reproductive biology and adaptations of seed plants
    C. Plant ecology: distribution and evolution
III. California Ecology
    A. California environment: physiography, climate, geology, disturbance
    B. Factors influencing plant distribution in California
         1. Environmental tolerances
         2. Evolutionary history
    C. Major evolutionary trends in California flora and vegetation
    D. Development of current vegetation patterns: role of ecological
         succession
    E. Major Northern California vegetation types
         1. Coastal grasslands and scrublands
         2. Coastal forests
         3. Woodlands
         4. Chaparral
         5. Riparian and wetland
          6. Montane
IV. California Flora
    A. Principal families of the California flora
    B. Identification of dominant species of perennials and wildflowers
         1. Sonoma County
         2. The North Bay
V. Major Methods of Floristic Study
    A. Floristic and vegetational analysis
    B. Plant identification
         1. Herbaria
         2. Dichotomous keys
VI. Laboratory Exercises
    A. Plant identification
    B. Plant collection
    C. Field survey
 
All topics are covered in the lecture and lab portions of the course.

Assignments:
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Lecture-Related Assignments:
1. Assigned reading, approximately 20 pages per week
2. Written papers (0-2), 3-4 pages each
 
Lecture- and Lab-Related Assignments:
1. Quizzes (1-5)
2. Exams (1-4)
 
Lab-Related Assignments:
1. Preparation of plant collection and/or completion of field journal
2. Lab practical exams, including plant identification (1-3)
3. Conduct field survey and analysis

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
0 - 30%
Written papers
This is a degree applicable course but assessment tools based on writing are not included because skill demonstrations are more appropriate for this course.
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
30 - 50%
Field work, plant collection, field journal, plant identification practical
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.Exams
40 - 60%
Quizzes and exams
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.Other Category
0 - 0%
None


Representative Textbooks and Materials:
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California Plants: A Guide to Our Iconic Flora. Ritter, Matt. Pacific Street Publishing. 2018
California's Botanical Landscapes. Barbour, Michael and Evens, Julie and Keller-Wolf, Todd. California Native Plant Society. 2016
Plants of the San Francisco Bay Region: Mendocino to Monterey. 3rd edition. Beidleman, Linda and Kozloff, Eugene. UC Press. 2014 (classic)
California Plant Families: West Of The Sierran Crest And Deserts. Keator, Glenn.  UC Press. 2009 (classic)

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