BIOL 120H – Page 1
Date Approved:
11/15/89
Date Scanned:
4.29.05
College of the Redwoods
CREDIT COURSE OUTLINE
DEPARTMENT AND COURSE NUMBER: Biology 120H
DEGREE APPLICABLE
NON-DEGREE APPLICABLE
FORMER NUMBER (If previously offered)
COURSE TITLE
WILDFLOWERS OF THE CONIFEROUS FORESTS
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 short course introduces students to the common wildflowers and other dominant plants of the closed
cone pine and redwood forests. The biology and ecology of the species and the plant communities in
which they grow are discussed.
NOTE:
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. Identify the local forest wildflowers.
2. Demonstrate a broader understanding of the ecology of the North Coast coniferous forests.
3. Analyze the impact of development on local forest ecosystems.
COURSE OUTLINE:
% of Classroom Hours Spent on Each Topic
Plant structure and function
Classification and nomenclature
Common species of the closed cone pine forest
Ecology of the closed cone pine forest
Common species of the redwood forest
Redwood forest ecology
Field work in the forest, learning to identify the species and understanding forest ecology
Human impact on forest ecosystems 10%
12.5%
7.5%
7.5%
7.5%
7.5%
7.5%
40%
BIOL 120H – Page 2
Date Approved:
11/15/89
Date Scanned:
4.29.05
APPROPRIATE TEXTS AND MATERIALS: (Indicate textbooks that may be required or recommended,
including alternate texts that may be used.)
Text(s)
Title: Pocket Flora of the Redwood Region
Required
Edition: ____
Alternate
Author: Rudolph Becking
Recommended
Publisher: Island Press
Date Published: 1982
(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 120H – Page 3
Date Approved:
11/15/89
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 must be able to independently analyze unknown plant specimens, synthesize information from
lecture, laboratory and reading materials and identify plant specimens to species. Students must be
able to assess human impact on coniferous systems, explain causes and formulate possible solutions.