Catalog Description

Hours: 39 (21 lecture, 18 laboratory)
Description: Field study investigating the ecology of the foothills to mid-montane zones of the Sierra Nevada. Focus on major terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and ecological islands from 500 to 6000 feet elevation. This class may require ability to hike moderate distances on uneven ground. This class may involve camping in either developed campsites or in undeveloped wilderness areas. (CSU)

Course Student Learning Outcomes

  • CSLO #1: Describe and evaluate the impacts of humans on the environments of the Sierra Nevada foothills.
  • CSLO #2: Describe the ecological and geological principles that affect the natural ecosystems of the Sierra Nevada foothills.
  • CSLO #3: Explain the factors that have shaped the evolutionary adaptations of the organisms of the Sierra Nevada foothills.
  • CSLO #4: Accurately document and interpret ecological observations made on a field trip to the Sierra Nevada foothills.

Effective Term

Fall 2022

Course Type

Credit - Degree-applicable

Contact Hours

39

Outside of Class Hours

42

Total Student Learning Hours

81

Course Objectives

Course objectives are linked to items in the course content outline (parentheses)
Lecture Objectives:
1. Evaluate the factors that have affected the formation of the ecosystems of the Sierra Nevada foothills. (Lecture Outline #1, #2, #5)
2. Apply ecological terminology to the description of the ecosystems of the Sierra Nevada foothills. (Lecture Outline #1, #2, #4, #5)
3. Investigate the interactions that local organisms have with the biotic and abiotic factors of their ecosystems. (Lecture Outline #1, #2, #3, #4, #5)
4. Explain the role that geology plays in the formation and delineation of communities of the Sierra Nevada foothills. (Lecture Outline #3)
5. Analyze the past and present effects that humans have on ecosystems of the Sierra Nevada foothills. (Lecture Outline #6)
Laboratory Objectives:
1. Demonstrate the use of a taxonomic key or field guide to identify species. (Laboratory/Field Outline #1, #4)
2. Identify geological and hydrological features that impact the formation and function of communities in the Sierra Nevada foothills. (Laboratory/Field Outline #2, #3)
3. Investigate the interactions that local organisms have with the biotic and abiotic factors of their ecosystems. (Laboratory/Field Outline #1, #2, #3, #4)
4. Identify examples of human impacts on communities of the Sierra Nevada foothills. (Laboratory/Field Outline #4, #5)
5. Create a detailed field journal or summary report documenting the field experience. (Laboratory/Field Outline #6)

General Education Information

  • Approved College Associate Degree GE Applicability
    • CSU GE Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU approval)
      • Cal-GETC Applicability (Recommended - Requires External Approval)
        • IGETC Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU/UC approval)

          Articulation Information

          • CSU Transferable

          Methods of Evaluation

          • Classroom Discussions
            • Example: To address Course Lecture Objective #3, "Investigate the interactions that local organisms have with the biotic and abiotic factors of their ecosystems", students might take part in a classroom discussion about the major characteristics of representative species of plants and animals occurring in the Sierra Nevada foothills and their roles in the ecosystem. Students could be evaluated based on participation, accuracy of information, and completeness of information.
          • Projects
            • Example: To address Course Lecture Objective #3, "Investigate the interactions that local organisms have with the biotic and abiotic factors of their ecosystems", students might complete a project, either individually or in groups, that includes researching the major characteristics of a species of plant or animal occurring in the Sierra Nevada foothills and its role in the ecosystem, compiling this information in written or graphical form, and sharing this information in an oral classroom presentation. Students could be evaluated based on the completeness of the project, participation in all aspects of the project, accuracy of information presented, and overall quality of the project.
          • Reports
            • Example: To address Course Lab Objective #5, "Create a detailed field journal or summary report documenting the field experience", students might be asked to write a report summarizing the ecosystems visited, geological and hydrological features observed, and species encountered. Students could be evaluated based on accuracy of information, attention to detail, and completeness of summary.
          • Skill Demonstrations
            • Example: To address Course Lab Objective #1, "Demonstrate the use of a taxonomic key or field guide to identify species", students might be asked to use a taxonomic key to correctly identify an organism. Students could be evaluated on the correctness of the answer, technique, and understanding of terminology in the key.

          Repeatable

          No

          Methods of Instruction

          • Laboratory
          • Lecture/Discussion

          Lab:

          1. To address Course Lab Objective #1, "Demonstrate the use of a taxonomic key or field guide to identify species", the instructor might lead the class in a demonstration of the use of a dichotomous key for a known specimen, and then guide students as they attempt the identification of an unknown specimen.
          2. To address Course Lab Objective "2, "Identify geological and hydrological features that impact the formation and function of communities in the Sierra Nevada foothills", the instructor might point out such key features in the field, making comparisons to other such features observed in the field or described in the classroom. Students will then make and record their own observations and comparisons.

          Lecture:

          1. To satisfy Course Lecture Objective #4, "Explain the role that geology plays in the formation and delineation of communities of the Sierra Nevada foothills", the instructor might present a lecture (supplemented by images and/or video) that explains the geological history of the Sierra Nevada foothills (e.g. tectonic plate movements, geologic uplift, and glaciation) and how it has influenced the development of soils and species assemblages. Students will then make and record their own observations of geological features.
          2. To satisfy Course Lecture Objective #5, "Analyze the past and present effects that humans have on ecosystems of the Sierra Nevada foothills", the instructor might lead an in-class discussion about the historical impacts of humans on the Sierra Nevada foothills (e.g. logging, mining, fire suppression, etc.).

          Typical Out of Class Assignments

          Reading Assignments

          1. To address Course Lecture Objective #2, students might be asked to read a handout that describes basic ecological terminology or to read the Ecology unit from the OpenStax Biology online textbook and then apply this knowledge to descriptions of observations in the field. 2. To address Course Lecture Objective #3 and Course Lab Objective #3, students might be asked to review life history information for a Sierra Nevada foothills species that is available in a field guide, handout, or a natural resource agency website and be prepared to discuss this in class.

          Writing, Problem Solving or Performance

          1. To address Course Lecture Objective #4 and Course Lab Objective #2, students might be asked to write and/or prepare a short oral presentation about a geologic or hydrologic feature occurring in the Sierra Nevada foothills. 2. To address Course Lab Objective #5, students might be asked to document their observations in the field in a journal, using any combination of text, sketches, photos, and/or other media.

          Other (Term projects, research papers, portfolios, etc.)

          Required Materials

          • Sierra Nevada Natural History
            • Author: Storer, Usinger, Lukas
            • Publisher: UC Press
            • Publication Date: 2004
            • Text Edition: 1st
            • Classic Textbook?:
            • OER Link:
            • OER:
          • California Forests and Woodlands: A Natural History
            • Author: Verna Johnston
            • Publisher: UC Press
            • Publication Date: 1996
            • Text Edition: 1st
            • Classic Textbook?:
            • OER Link:
            • OER:
          • Pacific Coast Tree Finder
            • Author: Watts, Tom
            • Publisher: Nature Study Guild Publishers
            • Publication Date: 2004
            • Text Edition: 3rd
            • Classic Textbook?:
            • OER Link:
            • OER:
          • The Laws Guide to Nature Drawing and Journaling
            • Author: Laws, John Muir
            • Publisher: Heydey Books
            • Publication Date: 2016
            • Text Edition: 1st
            • Classic Textbook?:
            • OER Link:
            • OER:

          Other materials and-or supplies required of students that contribute to the cost of the course.