Biology 3712 – Field Natural History
Course Syllabus – Fall 2008
Chad B. King – M.A.
Department of Biology and Earth Science
Office: WCM 214
Phone: 543-8684
Email: cking@ucmo.edu
Office Hours:
Course references:
Recommended : Nelson, Paul W. 2005. The Terrestrial Natural Communities of Missouri. Missouri
Natural Areas Committee, 550pp.
Smith, R.L. and T.M. Smith. 2001. Ecology and Field Biology. Benjamin Cummings, 720pp.
Pflieger, W.L. 1997. The Fishes of Missouri. MDC, 372pp.
Schwartz, C.W. and E.R. Schwartz. 2001. The Wild Mammals of Missouri. Univ. of Missouri Press,
368pp.
Kurz, D. 1997. Shrubs and Woody Vines of Missouri. Conservation Commission of the State of Missouri,
387pp.
Kurz, D. 2005. Trees of Missouri Field Guide. Missouri Department of Conservation
Denison, E. 2001. Missouri Wildflowers. Missouri Department of Conservation
Field Guide to the Birds of North America. 1999. National Geographic (or any bird field guide will be useful).
Course Description : Provides basic experience in field and laboratory identification of local plants and animals and an introduction to environmental awareness. This is a background course for all courses in field biology and is especially useful to teachers and pre-professional students. Prerequisites: BIOL 1110, 1111, 1112, 2020.
Belief Statement
The Central educator is a competent, caring, reflective practitioner committed to the premise that all can learn.
Mission
As a cornerstone of the institution for over 130 years, the University of Central Missouri's Teacher Education
Program develops teachers and other school professionals who are well grounded in theory, display competence in content knowledge and instructional strategies, and possess the dispositions to ensure success for all learners. The
Teacher Education Program prepares individuals as professional educators for an ever-changing, culturally diverse population. Faculty and candidates provide support and service to schools in meeting their present and future challenges by developing communities that learn through research and scholarly activities. Educator preparation is a campus-wide responsibility, a commitment that reflects the honor and worth of serving a vital profession.
Objectives :
1.
Proper taxonomic identification of local flora and fauna.
2.
Adequately utilize field and identification guides in identifying flora and fauna.
3.
Understanding of terminology used in identifying flora and fauna
4.
Introduction to basic field methodology and analysis of data.
5.
Introduction to current field based research to further the education of the student.
6.
Begin the development of a progressive study of a scientific discipline by analyzing current peerreviewed journals.
7.
Introduction to the natural history and identification of natural communities of Missouri.
Instructor Description: This course is designed to give the student an introduction to the flora and fauna of
Missouri in the context of Missouri’s Ecoregions. Therefore, the foundation of this course is community ecology structure and dynamics. To better facilitate this, it is expected that we will be spending a large proportion of the course outdoors. This will give the student a better understanding of the flora/fauna as well as the historical and current land use practices in Missouri. Students will also be exposed to several methods of analyzing community

characteristics and structure. In addition we will be spending time in the laboratory learning to identify flora and fauna as well as analyzing data that we collect in the field.
The lecture portion of the course will be used in presenting the student material concerning the types and characteristics of Missouri’s ecological communities and ecoregions. In addition, students will be presented current field based research that occurs in Missouri and how it pertains to the class. There will be multiple times in which the student will be expected to complete assignments outside of class time.
The foundation and understanding of Missouri’s rich ecological heritage is based in the flora of Missouri. Why plants, you ask? Well, there are several reasons:
1. Plants (particularly trees) are cool!
2. Plants are easy to find (I haven’t had to set a trap yet to catch a plant).
3. Plants don’t get up and move around (not very much anyway). So you can go back to the very same plant.
4. The global fauna (not just in Missouri) are dependent on certain plant communities.
5. Plants can tell you about the history of an area.
I will be using plants as the basis, but we will be looking at the overall species diversity of Missouri.
Grading: There are several components to the overall grade. More specific descriptions of the expectations for each component are found below. I consider this a writing intensive course. What does this mean? It means you will write a lot!
1.
Exams: 4 total exams.
Each exam will be worth 100 points
Total: 400 points
2.
Laboratory Quizzes: 5 total quizzes.
Each quiz will be worth 30-50 points
Total: 150-250 points
3. Field Research and Data Analysis: 4 exercises
3 lab report will be worth 50 points
1 lab report will be worth 25 points
Total: 175 points
3.
Plant Project:
Total: 50 point
4.
Natural History Project
Total: 100 points
5. Participation
Total: 20 points
Total Maximum Points : 995 points
Grade Descriptions:
1.
Exams: Exams are mostly short answer/essay. There may be fill in the blank or matching as well. In some cases, material from laboratories or reading assignments may be found on exams. The final exam is comprehensive.
2.
Quizzes: Quizzes will contain information only presented from the laboratory portion of the class.
These will mostly be identifying flora and fauna but may include characteristics of the flora and fauna that are presented in lab. This may also include calculations based on the field exercises we conduct.
In ALL cases, you will be expected to identify specimen by their taxonomic classification (Family,
Genus, specific epithet).
3.
Exercises: Exercises may be learning to identify flora and fauna based on basic characteristics or may be using field methodology to collect and analyze data. Exercises include laboratory activities that may occur outside or within the lab.

Pertle Springs Recreation Area : Located in the Osage Plains region of Missouri. This area is a second growth oak ( Quercus ) woodland (or is it a forest?) that is a tremendous research and education area for the University of Central Missouri. This area has historically had a large degree of anthropogenic disturbance.
Knob Noster State Park: Located in the Osage Plains region of Missouri. This area is managed by MoDNR and has several examples of community restoration (prairies, savannas) that will give us a good contrast to Pertle Springs of what natural communities should look like.
Missouri Natural Areas : If time permits we will visit some of the natural areas found locally.
Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge : Located in the Glaciated Prairie Region. This is a day trip (Saturday in November) that will give you an amazing perspective on an area that is very important to wintering waterfowl (two years ago we saw over 20,000 waterfowl, including trumpeter swans!)
4.
Woody Plants Project: Students will create a leaf identification key. Information on this project will be forthcoming.
5.
Participation: To adequately earn these points, students must take part in lecture discussions, answer questions, pose questions, and fully take part in all aspects of lab. This includes properly utilizing time in both class and lab. In other words, just attending class does not constitute receiving these points.
I do utilize Blackboard for this course. I don’t post my lecture notes, however I do use Blackboard to post graphs, tables, charts, maps that will be helpful as you prepare for exams.
In several situations, we do not have preserved specimens. Therefore, I will use photographs posted on Blackboard that will be used on laboratory quizzes. I do not necessarily use the same photographs that you see on Blackboard on the quizzes.
Anything that is discussed in lecture is fair game on the exams. So, don’t just count on the powerpoint slides, but
LISTEN as well.
Disclaimer:
It is important that you, as the student, are aware of the potential hazards of working in nature and its flora and fauna. In Missouri, I, the instructor, feel ALL organisms are a potential hazard. Therefore, I do not require any student to handle organisms that we may see or capture during the semester. It is your option to handle these organisms and do so at your own risk. I, nor the Department of Biology and Earth Science accept responsibility for injuries or illness sustained while handling wild organisms.
Possible illnesses that are carried by organisms in Missouri (but not limited to):
West Nile Virus
Hantavirus
Various bacteria from bites/skin (salmonella, E. coli)
Neurotoxins
Various parasites
Rabies
Accessibility Services: Students with documented disabilities who are seeking academic accommodations should contact the Office of Accessibility Services, Union 220, (V)(TTY) 660-543-4421.
Courtesy: In order to avoid distractions to both the instructor and students, the use of food, beverages, tobacco products, and cell phones is discouraged during the lecture and laboratory period. Continued disruption to the class will result in the student being excused from the class lecture.