MCCCD Program Description

Field Biology: Ecological and Environmental Field Experience

Course: BIO149AN

First Term: 1990 Fall

Laboratory 4 Credit(s) 28 Period(s) 1 Load
Subject Type: Academic
Load Formula: H

Description: Field expeditions in which ecological and environmental principles and concepts are observed and studied

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Identify the major terrestrial animals observed in the field area and describe their habitat, natural history, and behavior. (I) 2. Identify the major aquatic animals observed in the field area and describe their habitat, natural history, and behavior. (I) 3. Identify the major plants in the field area and describe their habitat and natural history. (I) 4. Identify any exotics observed in the field area and analyze their impact on the ecosystems of the field area. (II) 5. Identify and interpret the basic relationships among the populations of organisms within the various biotic communities of the field area. (III) 6. Identify and interpret the intricacies of the ecosystems and the feedback mechanisms operating in the field area. (IV) 7. Identify and interpret the food chains and webs that exist in the field area. (V) 8. Identify and interpret the impact of the human population on energy flow in the ecosystems of the field area. (VI) 9. Identify air, water, and radiation pollution present in the field area and describe ways to reduce the pollution problems. (VII) 10. Determine how major policies and procedures to improve the ecological and environmental conditions of the field area might be adopted by the local governments. (VIII)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.

MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. Natural organisms in the field area A. Major terrestrial animals 1. Habitat 2. Natural history 3. Behavior B. Major aquatic animals 1. Habitat 2. Natural history 3. Behavior C. Major plants 1. Habitat 2. Natural history II. Exotics in the field area A. Source B. Impact on ecosystems III. Biotic communities A. Specific communities B. Relationships among populations of organisms IV. Ecosystems A. Interrelationships B. Feedback mechanisms V. Food in the field area A. Chains B. Webs VI. Human impact on ecosystems A. Human population affect on energy flow B. Reduction of human population impact VII. Pollution A. Air B. Water C. Radiation D. Reduction of pollution VIII. Local government`s role in ecosystems A. Ecological policies B. Procedures to enforce policies

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: 5/22/1990

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.