Garrett College
Natural Resources and Wildlife Technology
Program
and
Adventure Sports Institute
Natural History Syllabus
BIO 110
Blue
Vervain (Verbena hastata)
Course Description
A course in the
basic principles of natural history, including ecosystem structure and
function, plant and animal identification, geology, and soils. Field trips to local ecosystems exemplify
these principles.
Instructor
Peter Skylstad
Advanced
Technology Center - NRWT Office
Phone: 301-387-3332
(GCC)
301-387-9260 (home, emergencies only, no
calls after 10:00 P.M., please.)
E-mail:
pskylstad@garrettcollege.edu
or http://www.garrettcollege.edu/academics/signatures/nrwt/index.html
Texts
A
field guide to ecology of eastern forests - Kricher A field guide to the birds -
Peterson
A
field guide to wildflowers
- Peterson and McKenny A field guide to trees and shrubs (2nd
ed) - Petrides
A
guide to animal tracking and behavior
- Stokes and Stokes
A
field guide to the mammals
- Burt and Grossenheider (optional but recommended)
Assessment
50% - tests and field quizzes (TBA)
Field Notebook - 5% reduction of grade if
not maintained
25% - natural history activity (TBA)
25% - natural history guide - due 4 December
(* note - the student must complete all assignments to pass the class)
Assessment
Scale
93 - 100% = A 90 - 92% = A- 87
- 89% = B+ 83 - 86% = B
80
- 82% = B- 77 - 79% = C+ 73 - 76% = C 70 - 72% = C-
67
- 69% = D+ 63 - 66% = D 60 - 62% = D- < 60% = F
Academic
Dishonesty Policy
All students at Garrett College are
expected to adhere to a code of academic honesty and integrity. Violations of the code of academic honesty
include all forms of cheating (giving or taking answers), plagiarism, and
misuse of college documents or instruments.
Students found to be in violation of the code of academic honesty will
receive an F in the course in which
dishonesty occurred, and will be withdrawn from all other courses. The student will be academically suspended
from Garrett College for a minimum of one semester. Additional penalties may be incurred as each violation is
investigated and reviewed on an individual basis.
Schedule
The schedule will be tentative, depending
upon the weather and class needs. In
general, most class time will be spent in the field, regardless of weather
conditions. The class will visit a
variety of locations to familiarize students with the different species and
ecosystems found in the region.
Attendance
Because 50% of the grade is based upon
field tests and field quizzes, regular attendance is strongly encouraged. You
are responsible for knowing all species and concepts covered during each
class. The best way to learn the
species covered in this class is to attend class! This information is very difficult to pick up outside of class,
so it is in your best interest to come to all
classes. If class is missed, it is not the instructor=s responsibility to find you and fill you in on the species
and other information you missed, but rather
your responsibility to obtain the missed species and information, either
from the instructor or from fellow students.
Missed quizzes and tests cannot be excused for reasons other than
"documented" extreme illness or death in the family. If a quiz or test is missed, it is the
instructor=s privilege to determine whether or not the
missed quiz can be excused. Please do
not try to abuse this. If for any
reason a quiz is missed, please notify the instructor beforehand. ** Note:
Any student who does not attend all of the Natural History Guided
Activities at the end of the semester will be docked 5 points (from your
overall average) for each day missed ( unless the absence is excused, i.e.,
Doctor's note or note from funeral director).
Classroom
etiquette
The goal of any classroom activity is to
provide the greatest educational benefit to all students. It should go without saying that you should
expect and practice, in your words and actions, respect and consideration for
fellow students and the instructor. In
other words, your behavior should not interfere with the rights of others or
with the educational process. The instructor has the right to dismiss a
student from class for behavior he deems disruptive to the teaching and
learning process. Such behavior
includes, but is not limited to, tardiness, leaving in the middle of class
without permission, inappropriate conversation during class, and use of
inappropriate language. You are
expected to give the instructor your undivided attention, interest, and respect. In this
particular class, information will be
provided constantly, both while stopped and en route in the van. You need to pay attention and avoid
unnecessary conversation to prevent yourself and/or others from missing
important information.
Tobacco
use
In accordance with GCC=s tobacco use policy, students may not use tobacco (smoked or
smokeless) in or on college property, including college vehicles, or during any
outdoor class. You are reminded that
you agreed to this policy as part of signing the GCC "Policies and
Procedures" form during your initial registration. Please understand that the instructor must
enforce this policy and that you must refrain from the use of any tobacco
product during class.
Care
of College vehicles
An advantage of attending GCC is the
greater opportunity (compared to all other colleges) to travel and spend time
in the field. For much of the semester,
we will travel in 14 passenger vans owned by GCC or rented from a local vehicle
rental company. To ensure the continued
opportunity to spend time in the field, it is imperative that you take very
good care of these vehicles. You are
asked to keep the vehicles very clean (e.g., pick up all trash at the end of
class, refrain from spilling any drinks or food, clean muddy boots before
entering the vehicle, keep feet off of seats and the dashboard), to take care
of the seats (e.g., refrain from pulling on and climbing over seats, keep sharp
objects from cutting the upholstery), and to take care of the exterior (e.g.,
refrain from denting or scratching the van).
Abuse of the vans will result in loss of our travel privileges. You are also asked to keep the classroom
neat and clean, clean up any crumbs or spills, and refrain from abusing
furnishings.
Clothing
You must be prepared each week to work
outside in prevailing weather conditions, including rain, snow, and cold
temperatures. For health and comfort=s sake, proper attire is strongly suggested, including, when
appropriate, boots, raingear, warm clothing, and gloves. Remember, the weather can change dramatically,
so come prepared.
Field
Notebook
The majority of class time in this course
will be spent in the field, emphasizing two goals: learning to recognize plants
and animals commonly found in our region, and learning to use field guides to
identify unknown species. To facilitate
success in achieving these goals, you will record the following types of
entries in a field notebook:
1) Class
notes - You will record observations about the different species examined
during each class. You should list the
date, species discussed, and note the characteristics of each species that will
help you identify that species in the future.
2) Notes from the site of the natural history
activity - Towards the end of the semester, you will lead the rest of the class
in an activity teaching the natural history of some chosen location (see
below). To ensure familiarity with your
site, you will visit the site at least 10 times. During each visit, you will record the date
and natural history observations to help you plan your activity.
3) Notes from outside class time - You will
experience limited success achieving the above goals if you only work on
identification skills during class time.
To ensure recollection of species previously covered in class and
proficiency in field guide use, you will go out on your own at least 20
times during the semester, recording the date. any species you find and any
other natural history observations you make.
Notes may be recorded in whatever type of
notebook you prefer to use. Entries
from each of the three categories listed above should be recorded in separate
portions of the notebook. Each entry
should be numbered. Notes must be recorded while you are in the field,
rather than from memory at some later time.
To receive credit for the field notebook, the original notes must be turned in, even if you choose to
transcribe your notes into some other format at a later date.
Natural
History Guided Activity
Most of the students enrolled in this
course have declared Adventure Sports as their major. This course was designed to serve these students. It is believed that adventure sports guides
who are familiar with the natural history of an area and are able to
communicate that knowledge to customers can greatly enhance the experience of
those customers. The natural history
activity will help you gain experience in sharing the knowledge of natural
history you have gained through participation in this class. Early in the semester, you will choose a
local area (within reasonable driving distance) somewhere in Garrett County as
the site of your natural history activity.
You will then visit that site at least 10 times over the course
of the semester to gain familiarity with the natural history of that site (see
Field Notebook above). You will develop
an activity, to be conducted towards the end of the semester, where you will
share your knowledge of the natural history of that site with the rest of the
class.
Example of Evaluation of Natural History
Guided Activity
Student Name:
Doug Carty Location: Swallow Falls State Park Date: 11-30-00
|
Style |
Voice
Quality |
Q
- A |
Subject
Knowledge |
Time
Management |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13/15 |
13/15 |
14/15 |
39/40 |
14/15 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Very relaxed.
You seemed sure of the task.
Good hand motion and eye contact.
Good interpersonal skills. |
Speak with a little more volume and
conviction.... especially around the water.
Gather everyone around before and when speaking. |
You did surprisingly well...you could tell that
you did some background work....especially on Eastern Forest ecology. |
Very good!
You covered geology, ecology, hydrology, cultural aspects, AVS in some
detail. Mole tracks were cool and
your knowledge of other tracks shows promise. |
Very good.
You kept things moving at a reasonable pace. Time mgmt is very important because guided walks always have
time constraints. |
Possible Points:
100
Earned Points: 93
Natural History Guide Instructions and
Format
The natural history
guide you will develop this semester is an integral part of Adventure
Sports. It will allow you to become
very well informed about the area you choose to research. The area you choose can be located anywhere
on the planet, although I recommend that you do some preliminary research to
determine if enough information is available about your particular site. There are some places on Planet Earth that
are not well documented and would not be ideal when developing your first
natural history guide. The natural history
guide will enhance the development of important skills that are essential for
any successful Adventure Sports professional.
In addition, a well designed guide can serve as a part of your portfolio
and can enhance your chances of employment in this highly competitive field. The natural history guide consists of six
sections and multiple subdivisions within each section:
1. Geography / Geology (20%)
2. Flora / Fauna / Ecological Communities (40%)
3. Area Activities (15%)
4. Logistics
(15%)
5. Maps
(5%)
6. Citations
(5%)
Geography / Geology
landforms (map
required)
climate
/ weather
aquatic
systems (map required)
geological
history / geomorphology
rock
types (map required)
* minerals
* fossils
* soils
Flora / Fauna / Ecological Communities
unique
/ characteristic species (ex. rare,
threatened, endangered species)
unique
/ characteristic ecological communities / habitats (map required)
* ecological
relationships
* ecological calendar /
yearly cycles
* past / present human
impact
Area Activities
points
of interest (map required)
suggested
trips or hikes (map required)
recreational
opportunities
other
activities / events
Logistics
transportation
/ access (map required)
clothing
and other necessities
regulations (things you can and can't do)
land
ownership / land use regulations (map required)
health
considerations
lodging
/ camping (map required)
fees
/ permits
guide
services / vendors
area
contacts - for more information
Maps
you must have a
minimum of 10 maps (less than 10 will lower your grade significantly)
Citations
you must have a
minimum of 15 references of which 10 can be based on relevant field guides
sources can be
based on interviews, books, periodicals, field guides and the web (you may have
no more than five web-based citations).
You must cite within the body of the paper and maps must be referred to
within the context of the paper. If
this is not done, you will be considered to have plagiarized someone else's
work and you will receive an automatic "0".
Presentation Assessment
style
attractiveness
grammar
spelling
neatness
organization
accuracy
* It is a very
good idea to seek help from the "writing lab" in GCC's English
department before you submit your final draft!
* Remember, do not
plagiarize as it will result in automatic failure! Beware...new software has been developed by UNC that searches the
Internet looking for commonalities between research papers (or natural history
guides) and websites! Always give
credit where credit is due!
Henry David Thoreau