BIOL 120E – Page 1
Date Approved:
11/3/89
Date Scanned:
4.29.05
College of the Redwoods
CREDIT COURSE OUTLINE
DEPARTMENT AND COURSE NUMBER: Biology 120E
DEGREE APPLICABLE
NON-DEGREE APPLICABLE
FORMER NUMBER (If previously offered) _____
COURSE TITLE
INTERTIDAL ECOLOGY
LECTURE HOURS: 6.75 total
LAB HOURS: 6.75 total
PREREQUISITE: NONE
UNITS: 0.5
Eligibility for: Engl 150
Math 105
Request for Exception Attached
CO-REQUISITE: NONE
GRADING STANDARD:
Letter Grade Only
TRANSFERABILITY:
CSUS
UC
Articulation with UC requested
Repeatable
yes
no
NONE
Max No. Units
CR/NC Only
Grade/CR/NC Option
Maximum Class Size 25
Max No. Enrollments
CATALOG DESCRIPTION:
This course covers the factors and principles involved in intertidal ecosystems. Local intertidal habitats
are explored and the ecological role and adaptive morphology of intertidal organisms are discussed.
NOTE: This course provides a Natural History Certificate Program elective.
COURSE OUTCOMES/OBJECTIVES: List the primary instructional objectives of the class. Formulate
some of them in terms of specific measurable student accomplishments, e.g., specific knowledge and/or
skills to be attained as a result of completing this course. For degree-applicable courses, include
objectives in the area of “critical thinking.” Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be
able to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Demonstrate an understanding of the complex interrelating factors affecting intertidal organisms.
Interpret tide prediction tables.
Demonstrate and understanding of ecological roles of numerous intertidal organisms.
Critically analyze information presented in the classroom and observations made in the field to
determine the identity of different marine invertebrates and intertidal algae and to formulate
solutions to questions regarding their natural history.
BIOL 120E – Page 2
Date Approved:
11/3/89
Date Scanned:
4.29.05
COURSE OUTLINE:
% of Classroom Hours Spent on Each Topic
Intertidal zonation, tides and tidal prediction, factors producing
intertidal zonation: physical factors, biological factors
50%
Laboratory and field work: observation and discussion of adaptive
morphology and ecological roles of intertidal organisms
50%
APPROPRIATE TEXTS AND MATERIALS: (Indicate textbooks that may be required or recommended,
including alternate texts that may be used.)
Text(s)
Title: Naturalists Guide to the Seashore
Required
Edition: 1st
Alternate
Author: Brusca and Brusca
Recommended
Publisher: Mad River Press
Date Published: 1978
(Additional required, alternate, or recommended texts should be listed on a separate sheet and attached.)
For degree applicable courses the adopted texts have been certified to be college-level:
Yes. Basis for determination:
is used by two or more four-year colleges or universities (certified by the Division Chair or
Branch Coordinator, or Center Dean)
OR
has been certified by the LAC as being of college level using the Coleman and Dale—Chall
Readability Index Scale.
No. Request for Exception Attached
If no text or a below college level text is used in a degree applicable course must have a minimum of one
response in category 1, 2, or 3. If category 1 is not checked, the department must explain why substantial
writing assignments are an inappropriate basis for at least part of the grade.
1. Substantial writing assignments, including:
essay exam(s)
term or other paper(s)
written homework
reading report(s)
laboratory report(s)
other (specify) _____
If the course is degree applicable, substantial writing assignments in this course are inappropriate
because:
The course is primarily computational in nature.
The course primarily involves skill demonstrations or problem solving.
Other rationale (explain) __________________________________________
2. Computational or Non-computational problem-solving demonstrations, including:
exam(s)
quizzes
homework problems
laboratory report(s)
field work
other (specify)_______
3. Skill demonstrations, including:
class performance(s)
other (specify)____
4. Objective examinations, including:
multiple choice
completion
field work
performance exam(s)
true/false
other (specify)
matching items
5. Other (specify) ____________________________________
NOTE: A course grade may not be based solely on attendance.
BIOL 120E – Page 3
Date Approved:
11/3/89
Date Scanned:
4.29.05
REQUIRED READING, WRITING, AND OTHER OUTSIDE OF CLASS ASSIGNMENTS:
Over an 18-week presentation of the course, 3 hours per week are required for each unit of credit. ALL
Degree Applicable Credit classes must treat subject matter with a scope and intensity which require the
student to study outside of class. Two hours of independent work done out of class are required for each
hour of lecture. Lab and activity classes must also require some outside of class work. Outside of the
regular class time the students in this class will be doing the following:
Study
Answer questions
Skill practice
Required reading
Problem solving activity or exercise
Written work (essays/compositions/report/analysis/research)
Journal (reaction and evaluation of class, done on a continuing basis throughout the
semester)
Observation of or participation in an activity related to course content (e.g., play, museum,
concert, debate, meeting, etc.)
Field trips
Other (specify) ____________________________
COLLEGE LEVEL CRITICAL THINKING TASKS/ASSIGNMENTS:
Degree applicable courses must include critical thinking tasks/assignments. This section need not be
completed for non-degree applicable courses. Describe how the course requires students to
independently analyze, synthesize, explain, assess, anticipate and/or define problems, formulate and
assess solutions, apply principles to new situations, etc.
Students will be required to apply principles learned in the classroom to new situations and interpret
and explain various aspects of the life history of the intertidal animals and algae being studied. Students
will be expected to critically analyze information and observations acquired in the field and formulate
solutions to questions regarding the natural history of intertidal organisms.
BIOL 120E – Page 4
Date Approved:
11/3/89
Date Scanned:
4.29.05
BIOLOGY 12OE - Intertidal Ecology
ADDITIONAL/ALTERNATE TEXTS:
Text: Seashore Life of the Northern Pacific Coast
Author: Kosloff
Edition: 2nd
Publisher: Univ. of Washington Press
Year: 1983
Required
Recommended
Alternate