UCC/UGC/ECCC
Proposal for New Course
Please attach proposed Syllabus in approved university format.
1. Course subject and number: BSC 470
2. Units:
See upper and lower division undergraduate course definitions.
3. College:
Extended Campuses
4. Academic Unit:
3 (1 lecture, 2 lab)
Department of Arts &
Sciences
5. Student Learning Outcomes of the new course. (Resources & Examples for Developing Course Learning
Outcomes)
1. Explain the methodological principles that pertain to experimental design, data collection, data
management, and analyses in biological systems
2. Discuss the techniques that contribute to a successful field survey for plants and animals
3. Identify sampling techniques relevant to multiple habitats in the southwest
4. Create an experimental design for a field based research project for plants and animals using
various field survey techniques
5. Demonstrate the field techniques taught in this course by conducting a variety of field-based
surveys for plants and animals
6. Justification for new course, including how the course contributes to degree program outcomes,
or other university requirements / student learning outcomes. (Resources, Examples & Tools for Developing
Effective Program Student Learning Outcomes).
This course will contribute to the degree requirements of the Biological and Ecological Science
degree. Students will learn advanced methodologies and techniques used to survey plants and
animals in various habitats that are important to preparing students for careers in applied biology.
7. Effective BEGINNING of what term and year?
See effective dates calendar.
Fall 2015
8. Long course title: Field Methods and Techniques
(max 100 characters including spaces)
9. Short course title: Field Methods and Techniques
(max. 30 characters including spaces)
10. Catalog course description (max. 60 words, excluding requisites):
This field-based course introduces advanced methods and techniques for experimental design, data
collection and management, and analyses of plants and animals in a variety of habitats in the
Effective Fall 2015
southwest. 1 hour lecture, 6 hours lab (3 credits). Instructor’s signature required. Letter Grade only.
Course fee required.
11. Will this course be part of any plan (major, minor or certificate) or sub plan (emphasis)?
Yes
If yes, include the appropriate plan proposal.
No
12. Does this course duplicate content of existing courses?
Yes
No
If yes, list the courses with duplicate material. If the duplication is greater than 20%, explain why
NAU should establish this course.
13. Will this course impact any other academic unit’s enrollment or plan(s)?
Yes
No
If yes, describe the impact. If applicable, include evidence of notification to and/or response from
each impacted academic unit
14. Grading option:
Letter grade
Pass/Fail
Both
15. Co-convened with:
N/A
14a. UGC approval date*:
(For example: ESE 450 and ESE 550) See co-convening policy.
*Must be approved by UGC before UCC submission, and both course syllabi must be presented.
16. Cross-listed with:
N/A
(For example: ES 450 and DIS 450) See cross listing policy.
Please submit a single cross-listed syllabus that will be used for all cross-listed courses.
17. May course be repeated for additional units?
16a. If yes, maximum units allowed?
16b. If yes, may course be repeated for additional units in the same term?
Yes
No
Yes
No
18. Prerequisites:
Instructor’s permission
If prerequisites, include the rationale for the prerequisites.
Instructor’s signature required to ensure the safety of students in this advanced field-based course.
19. Co requisites:
If co requisites, include the rationale for the co requisites.
20. Does this course include combined lecture and lab components?
Yes
If yes, include the units specific to each component in the course description above.
21. Names of the current faculty qualified to teach this course:
Effective Fall 2015
Dr. Megan Lahti
No
Answer 22-23 for UCC/ECCC only:
22. Is this course being proposed for Liberal Studies designation?
If yes, include a Liberal Studies proposal and syllabus with this proposal.
Yes
23. Is this course being proposed for Diversity designation?
If yes, include a Diversity proposal and syllabus with this proposal.
Yes
FLAGSTAFF MOUNTAIN CAMPUS
Reviewed by Curriculum Process Associate
Date
Approvals:
Department Chair/Unit Head (if appropriate)
Date
Chair of college curriculum committee
Date
Dean of college
Date
For Committee use only:
UCC/UGC Approval
Date
Approved as submitted:
Yes
No
Approved as modified:
Yes
No
EXTENDED CAMPUSES
Effective Fall 2015
No
No
Jenny Scott
9.24.14
Reviewed by Curriculum Process Associate
Date
Approvals:
Academic Unit Head
Date
Division Curriculum Committee (Yuma, Yavapai, or Personalized Learning)
Date
Division Administrator in Extended Campuses (Yuma, Yavapai, or Personalized
Learning)
Date
Faculty Chair of Extended Campuses Curriculum Committee (Yuma, Yavapai, or
Personalized Learning)
Date
Chief Academic Officer; Extended Campuses (or Designee)
Date
Approved as submitted:
Yes
No
Approved as modified:
Yes
No
Effective Fall 2015
COURSE SYLLABUS – APPROVED FORMAT
General Information
 Northern Arizona University- Yuma; Department of Arts and Sciences
 BSC 470, Field Methods and Techniques
 Fall or Spring
 1 hr. Lecture & 6 hr. Lab, 3 credit hours
 Dr. Megan Lahti
 Science and Research building, Office 113
 Office hours: Monday/Wednesday 8:00am to 9:00am and 2:00pm to 3:00pm
Course prerequisites
Instructor’s Signature
Course description:
This field-based course introduces methods and techniques for experimental design, data collection and
management, and analyses of plants and animals in a variety of habitats in the southwest. 1 hour lecture, 6 hours
lab (3 credits). Letter grade only. Course fee and instructor’s signature required.
Student Learning Expectations/Outcomes for this Course
1. Explain the methodological principles that pertain to experimental design, data collection, data
management, and analyses in biological systems
2. Discuss the techniques that contribute to a successful field survey for plants and animals
3. Identify sampling techniques relevant to multiple habitats in the southwest
4. Create an experimental design for a field based research project for plants and animals using various
field survey techniques
5. Demonstrate the field techniques taught in this course by conducting a variety of field-based surveys for
plants and animals
Course structure/approach:
The course may involve one or more of the following approaches: lecture and discussion; application exercises;
scheduled activities; case analysis; team projects; field trips, speakers with relevant expertise, and/or other
activities as appropriate to achieve learning outcomes.
Textbook and required materials: Student learning is facilitated with textbooks, readings, audio-visual
content, software, and/or other materials
Recommended optional materials/references (attach reading list): None
Course outline:
Week 1: Introduction to field methods and techniques
Week 2: Survey methods and techniques for vegetation; Day labs: Vegetation
Week 3: Survey methods and techniques for reptiles and amphibians; Day labs: Insects
Week 4: Survey methods and techniques for birds and bats; Day labs: Birds and bats
Week 5: Survey methods and techniques for mammals; Day labs: Mammals
Week 6: Survey methods and techniques for mammals; Day labs: Reptiles and Amphibians
Effective Fall 2015
Week 7: Data entry, management, and analyses
Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes
 Methods of Assessment: In-class exams, research paper, field labs, presentations, and participation.
 Timeline for Assessment: Over the span of the course
Grading System:
Letter grades for the course will be determined based on the percentage of the total points as follows:
90-100%
A Excellent
80-89%
B Good
70-79%
C Average
60-69%
D Lowest passing
<60%
F Failure
Course policy:
Retests/makeup tests:
No make-up exams or re-tests except for what the instructor may deem as extenuating circumstances.
Attendance Policy:
Under NAU Policy, students are expected to attend every session of the class in which they are enrolled.
Statement on plagiarism and cheating:
DON’T CHEAT!
Please refer to the NAU Student Handbook policy statement on Academic Integrity. Academic honesty does not
allow "plagiarism — knowingly representing the words or ideas of another as one's own" (2005, Undergraduate
General Academic and Graduation Policies).
If your instructor determines that you are guilty of plagiarism he deserves the right to give you a zero on the
alleged assignment up to failing the course in question. All incidents regardless will be reported to the
university.
University policies
Attach the Safe Working and Learning Environment, Students with Disabilities, Institutional Review Board,
and Academic Integrity policies or reference them on the syllabus. See the following document for policy
statements: http://www4.nau.edu/avpaa/UCCPolicy/plcystmt.html.
Your instructor reserves the right to make any changes to the course policies, schedule, or any other aspect of
the class as he sees fit.
Effective Fall 2015