FIELD BIOLOGY BIO224January 16, 2006
Four Credit Hours Jenny Gunn
This course is one semester in length and taught every other spring of the year. It is designed to acquaint students with local fauna and some flora. The taxonomy and natural history of local forms is emphasized as well as general information on the major groups of animals and plants and their ecology.
I. Reference Materials:
No text is required for this course although students are required to buy field guides dealing with local fauna that are being studied in the laboratory and field. Reference material in the form of field guides is provided in the laboratory for student use. In addition students are encouraged to use the reference material in the LRC in place of a text.
II.Course Objectives:
A. To develop an awareness of the interrelationships among living organisms and the interrelationships between living organism and their environment.
B. To acquaint students with the local fauna and flora through local field trips and laboratory experiences.
C. To understand the taxonomy and natural history of local animals and plants.
D. To learn the proper techniques of population surveys and sampling procedures in actual field situations.
III. Learning Experiences:
The course is divided into two one hour lectures and two double laboratory periods per week. The lecture time is devoted mostly to lecturing with some time spent in class discussions of lecture material. The laboratory work is completed in a more informal atmosphere than the lecture. The lab work covers the identification of local fauna and flora both in the classroom using 2 X 2 slides and actual specimens as well as identification of organisms on local field trips. The local field trips consist of a minimum of two half day trips and two all day trips plus several two hour trips during regular laboratory class time. In addition each student is required to complete a bird survey as a field project on their own.
IV. Course Content:
A. Introduction - schedule, books, tests and projects
B. Ecosystem - structure function and energy flow
C. Biogeography of Missouri
D. Birds and their characteristics
E. Natural Selection and Speciation
F. Reptiles and their characteristics
G. Environmental influences in the Ecosystem
H. Amphibians and their characteristics
I. Mammals and their characteristics
J. Population Characteristics, Growth and Regulation
L. Fish and their characteristics
O.Relations among populations in the Ecosystem
P. Geological Time Scale
V. Student Evaluation:
Typically the evaluations consist of three or four one hour exams in lecture and four laboratory practicals. In addition, points are given for bird surveys turned in by the end of the semester. Lecture tests are primarily short answer, each worth one hundred points. Lab practicals involve students identifying slides or specimens of local flora or fauna. Bird surveys are worth a total possible one hundred points. If a student misses a scheduled lecture test that student has one week to contact the instructor and make up the missed exam provided that the student has a legitimate excuse for missing said exam. If the student fails to make up the missed exam within that week then the student will have to take the makeup test during finals week. None of the scheduled lab practicals can be made up due to the nature of the type of test they are. The top grade on any test or quiz will set the grade scale with 90% of the top grade representing an A, 80% a B, 70% a C, 60% a D, and 50% and below an F.
VI. Special Policies:
It is the belief of this instructor that attendance should not be required in any college level course. On the other hand attendance alone contributes so much to the success in this course. The instructor, therefore, takes responsibility for dropping students with five or more unexcused absences for the first half of the semester. After eight weeks it becomes the sole responsibility of each student to drop themselves. Students enrolled in this class must read and sign an attendance policy contract at the beginning of each semester stating that they understand the attendance policy of this course. Of special note, any field trip missed will require some form of a makeup assignment, regardless if the absence is excused or unexcused. That assignment will be determined by the instructor and other class members.
VII. Academic dishonesty:
Any form of cheating on tests or field surveys will be dealt with. Plagiarism is the intentional use of someone else's work. Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Students caught plagiarizing will receive an F in the course and may be subject to college disciplinary proceedings.
VIII. Honors Options:
This class may be taken with an honors option with instructor approval and student eligibility. Any interested student should speak with the instructor no later than the end of the second week of class. Topic of option contract will be determined by the student and the instructor.
IX. If you have special needs as addressed by the Americans with Disabilities Act and need any test or course materials provided in an alternative format, notify your instructor immediately. Reasonable efforts will be made to accommodate your special needs.