Department: Science
Discipline: Biology & Environmental
Subject Code: ENVS Course #: 282 B
Course Title: The Ecology of Barrier Islands
HARRISBURG AREA COMMUNITY COLLEGE
FORM 335
Course Form 335 must be updated at least every five years per AP 765 to include, at a minimum, the following elements. [§335.2]
1. Digital Description:
Credit hours: 3.0
Lecture hours: 2 .0
Lab hours: 3.0
BL: [__]⅓[__]½ [__]⅔[___] Other (Indicate fraction or percent)
2. Catalog Description:
This course provides a comprehensive study of Barrier Island ecosystems found along the East Coast of the United States. The specific area of study for the course is Assateague Island VA. The field studies and lectures will cover the topics of geography, geology. Topography, stratigraphy, climate, oceanography, marine biology, tidal zone dynamics, ecology and the interaction of man with this natural system. Field studies will be conducted on and around Assateague Island.
These will include several hikes, a kayaking tour and a workboat tour. These studies will explore the different habitats created in the near-shore, tidal, dune, salt marsh, fresh water marsh and forest communities.
Minimum Grade Required
3. Prerequisites: n/a
Corequisites: n/a
Other: n/a
4. Learning Outcomes
[These outcomes are necessary to enable students to attain the essential knowledge and skills embodied in the program’s educational objectives.]
Upon successful completion of the course the student will be able to:

Students will be able to explain the formation and dynamic nature of Barrier islands

Students will be able to identify the factors that define the ecological niches of this system

Students will be able to make and interpret topographic and stratographic maps

Students will be able to identify many species of plants and animals and explain the role they fill in the natural ecosystem
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Department: Science
Discipline: Biology & Environmental
Subject Code: ENVS Course #: 282 B
Course Title: The Ecology of Barrier Islands

Students will be able to explain the various roles that humans play in this ecosystem

Students will be able to explain the dynamics of sand movement and management
5. Planned Sequence of Learning Activities
[These must be designed to help students achieve the learning outcomes.] a.
Lectures/ labs will be in the sequence shown below: a.
Review syllabus, course requirements and expectations. b.
Introduction to the geography of the area. c.
Local orientation. d.
Video: Barrier Island e.
Tour the area; lecture on local history and society, present the historical view of the local ecosystem. f.
Salt-marsh wildlife study. (walking tour of the local trails) g.
Naturalist journal development h.
Forest system wildlife study. (woodland trail and light house trail) i.
Lecture on wildlife, adaptations and dynamics. j.
Beach erosion, sand dynamics and sand robbery in the natural system. k.
Mapping of dune area, gathering topographical information and construction of current map. l.
Lecture on local problems of beach erosion, history and current methods of sand preservation. m.
Bird identification tour, mapping ecological niches. n.
Dune morphology and niches. o.
Kayaking salt marsh area, ecological tour and lecture. p.
Platform boat tour of inter tidal area, salt marsh and near shore. q.
Macroinvertabrate study: comparative study of shore vs salt marsh. r.
Lecture on land use and the local ecosystem, stability and sustainability. s.
Tour of Ocean City Maryland dune project, erosion, sand management and replenishment projects. t.
Sediment study, stratigraphy and sedimentation of beach materials.
(See course syllabus for times and exact sequence)
6. Assessment of Student Learning
[Methods of assessment should be appropriate for Learning Outcomes listed above.]
Assessment of student learning outcomes for the course, as required by AP 765, is part of regular curriculum maintenance and/or improvement. The specific plan has been determined by the pertinent faculty involved and is maintained in the
College’s assessment management system.
The individual lab sheets, the pre-course question sheet and the post session test will be used to assess student achievement.
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Department: Science
Discipline: Biology & Environmental
Subject Code: ENVS Course #: 282 B
Course Title: The Ecology of Barrier Islands
7. List of Texts, References, Selected Library Resources or other Learning
Materials (code each item based on instructional use): C-Lecture/Laboratory,
A-Lecture, B-Laboratory, LC-Lecture/Clinical, CLN-Clinical, I-Online,
BL-Blended, V-Videocourse, D-Independent Study, P-Private Lessons,
E-Internship, F-Cooperative Work-Study, FE-Field Experience . [These resources must be easily accessible to students.]
Text: Between Ocean and Bay (Scott), current edition, Tidewater Publishing
8. Prepared by Faculty Member: Keith Morrow Date: 2/4/09
9. Approved by Department Chairperson: Kelly Matthews Date: 2/4/09
10. Approved by Academic Division Dean: C W Fowler Date: 03/17/09
This course meets all reimbursement requirements of Chapter 335, subchapters A / B.
This course was developed, approved, and offered in accordance with the policies, standards, guidelines, and practices established by the College. It is consistent with the college mission.
If the course described here is a transfer course, it is comparable to similar courses generally accepted for transfer to accredited four-year colleges and universities.
11. Director, Curriculum Compliance: Catherine A. Lencioni/
ERS
Date: 03/17/09
12. Provost & VP, Academic Affairs: R Young
Date: 03/18/09
13. Original Date of course approval by the college:
14. Date(s) of subsequent reviews [Indicate change: Learning Outcomes; textbook(s )]:
12/1/04
Review and updated: 10/26/07; 1/11/08; 1/16/09
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