KERN COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT – CERRO COSO COLLEGE

BIOL C142 COURSE OUTLINE OF RECORD

1. DISCIPLINE AND COURSE NUMBER:

   BIOL C142

2. COURSE TITLE:

   Environmental Studies Laboratory

3. CATALOG COURSE DESCRIPTION:

   This course is a hands-on introduction to environmental science as a branch of the sciences including the scientific method and its relation to the field of science. It focuses on experimental design, sampling methods, data gathering and analysis in the context of the environmental sciences. Lab, field and computer tools will be used to study concepts such as natural selection, human population growth, climate change, and biodiversity. Critical evaluation of environmental issues, problems and policy is a focus of this course. Field trips required.

4. GRADING METHOD

   Default:

   S = Standard Letter Grade

   Optional:  

   P = Pass/No Pass;A = Audit

5. TOTAL UNITS:

   1

6. INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS / UNITS & HOURS:

   Lecture

   Lab

   54

   Activity

   Open Entry/Open Exit

   Volunteer Work Experience

   Paid Work Experience

   Non Standard

   Non-Standard Hours Justification:

7. REPEATABILITY

   Type: 

   Non-Repeatable Credit

   Limit:

8. MATERIALS FEE:

9. JUSTIFICATION:

10. CREDIT BY EXAM:

    No

11. CORE MISSION APPLICABILITY:

    Associate Degree Applicable (ADA);UC/CSU Transfer;UC/CSU Transfer

12. STAND-ALONE:

    No

13. PROGRAM APPLICABILITY

    Required: 

    Elective:

    Liberal Arts: Mathematics & Science AA (AA Degree Program)
    

14. GENERAL EDUCATION APPLICABILITY

    Local:

    CC GE Area I: Natural Science = Life Sciences;
    

    IGETC: 

    5B: Biological Science, Lab only;
    

    CSU:

    CSU GE Area B: Physical and its Life Forms(mark all that apply) = B2 - Life Science;
    CSU GE Area B: Physical and its Life Forms(mark all that apply) = B3 - Laboratory Sciences;
    

    UC Transfer Course: 

    CSU Transfer Course:

15. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES—Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to

    1. Implement the scientific method in lab and field contexts relevant to environmental studies. Assessed by lab report or assignment, scored by a rubric.
    2. Apply basic ecological and environmental concepts in lab or field contexts. Assessed by lab report, assignment, or practical exam, scored by a rubric.
    3. Describe and characterize both biotic and abiotic portions of ecosystems. Assessed by lab report or field notes, scored by a rubric.
    4. Use lab and/or field techniques to study concepts such as natural selection, demography, population growth, and resource utilization. Assessed with lab report, assignment or practical exam, scored by a rubric.
    5. Demonstrate an understanding of a broad range of environmental problems, their causes and their impact on ecosystems. Assessed with essay, group project or debate, socred by a rubric.
    6. Present potential solutions for environmental problems taking into account economic, social and political implications. Assessed with essay, group project or debate, scored by a rubric.

16. REQUISITES

    Corequisite:

    
    BIOL C141
    

17. DETAILED TOPICAL OUTLINE:

    1. Scientific Method
       1. Experimental Design
       2. Hypotheses
       3. Data Interpretation
       4. Data Presentation
    2. Field Methods
       1. Field Notes and Site Descriptions
       2. Survey Techniques, such as biodiversity quadrats, soil and water sampling
       3. Species Identification
    3. Ecologic Principles
       
       1. Natural Selection in Model Populations
       2. Demography, such as local demography measures, global human population growth
       3. Ecosystem Diagraming, such as food web, nutrient cycling, open/closed system
       4. Endangered Species
    4. Human Impact on Natural Resources
       1. Air Quality, such as current auto emissions
       2. Assessing Resource Use in the Home, such as energy or solid waste
       3. The Science of Resource Utilization, with Site Visits
    5. Environmental Planning
       1. Urban Development Debate or Research Paper
    
    

18. METHODS OF INSTRUCTION--Course instructional methods may include but are not limited to

    1. Discussion;
    2. Field trip;
    3. Group Work;
    4. Laboratory;
    5. Lecture;
    6. Other (Specify);
    7. Outside reading;
    8. Written work;

19. OUT OF CLASS ASSIGNMENTS:  Out of class assignments may include but are not limited to

    pre- or post- lab work on labs or group projects

20. METHODS OF EVALUATION: Assessment of student performance may include but is not limited to

    A. Assignments:  In class and independent exercises and computer assignments with the goal of applying the scientific method and other important concepts.

    
    

    C. Group Projects:  Projects to explore concepts of class, for example Group Debates to explore the relation of between policy and environmental problems. 

    
    

    D.  Practical Exams:  Hands-on exams covering the skills taught in class:  application of the Scientific Method and Presentation of Data.   The exam can be but is not limited to site ID, short answer and essay.

21. TEXTS, READINGS, AND MATERIALS: Instructional materials may include but are not limited to

    Textbooks

    Wagner, Travis and Sanford, Rober. (2010) Environmental Science: Active Learning Laboratories and Applied Problem Sets, 2nd, John Wiley and Sons
    

    Manuals

    Periodicals

    Software

    Excel or Comparable Web-based FreeWare. Graphing Software, any ed. -- For data presentation

    Other

22. METHOD OF DELIVERY:

    Online with some required face-to-face meetings (“Hybrid”);Online (purely online no face-to-face contact) ;Face to face;

23. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

    Biological Sciences (Masters Required);

24. APPROVALS:

    Origination Date

    08/18/2010

    State Approval Date

    Content Review

    2009-11-02 00:00:00.0

    APP Status Date

    CIC Approval Date

    Board of Trustees

    Last Outline Revision

    2009-11-06 00:00:00.0

    CC Approval

    2010-11-19 00:00:00.0

    CIPD Approval

    Board of Trustees

    State Approval

    Requisite Validation

    2010-11-19 00:00:00.0

    UC Approval

    50 = Summer 2000

    CSU Approval

    70 = Fall 2000

    IGETC Approval

    CSU GE Approval

    70 = Fall 2000

• Course ID (CB00)

  CCC000312879

• TOP Code (CB03)

  0302.00 - Environmental Studies;

• Course Credit Status (CB04)

  D - Credit - Degree Applicable;

• Course Transfer Status (CB05)

  1

• Course Units of Credit Maximum High (CB06):

  1

  Course Units of Credit Minimum Low (CB07):

  1

  Course Basic Skills (BS) Status (CB08):

  N = Course is not a basic skills course.

  SAM Code (CB09):

  Non-Occupational;

  Cooperative Education Course Status (CB10):

  Not part of Coop Work Exp;

  Course Classification Code (CB11):

  Liberal Arts and Sciences;

  Course Special Status (CB13):

  N - Not Special;

  CAN Code (CB14):

  CAN-Code Seq (CB15):

  YYYYYYYY = Not qualified for CAN code;

  Course Prior to College Level (CB21):

  Not Applicable;

  Course Non-Credit Category (CB22):

  Not Applicable, Credit Course;

  Funding Agency Category (CB23):

  Course Program Status (CB24):

  1 - Program Applicable;