BIOL 270 - Natural Science of Western Washington

Credits: 5
Variable Credit Course: No

Lecture Hours: 22
Lab Hours: 66
Worksite/Clinical Hours: 0
Other Hours (LIA/Internships): 0

Course Description: The course provides applied, multidisciplinary scientific exploration of the natural history of the western Pacific Northwest region. Field-studies, supplemented with class work, will include hands-on skills-building investigations of: (1) ecological systems (and the organisms that comprise them); (2) abiotic systems (geology, climatology, hydrology, glaciology, oceanography), and (3) human interactions with the environment (pre- and post-European settlement). Weekly meetings or half-day field trips will culminate in a 2 to 4 day (or multi-day during Summer) camping trip to areas of scientific interest.

Prerequisite: Either placement into OR co-enrollment in OR completion of a college-level Math course with a grade of C or higher.
Meets FQE Requirement: No
Integrative Experience Requirement: No

Student Learning Outcomes

Identify and taxonomically rank a range of organisms (plants, birds, mammals, fungi, insects, fish, reptiles, and amphibians) that inhabit the region.
Develop a vocabulary of terms enabling greater conversation about natural selection, evolution, and organismal form and function.
Demonstrate the scientific method by designing field studies investigating a variety of abiotic and biotic phenomena.
Construct and use equations, graphs, charts and tables to analyze and interpret natural phenomena.
Articulate scientific explanations based on analysis of field observations and data.
Utilize a vocabulary of biological terms during field discussions of - and reports on ecosystem function.
Demonstrate basic understanding of animal metabolism, structural development, niche, habitat and community roles during field discussions and in reports.
Identify geologic materials (rocks & minerals) and structures (strata, volcanos, land forms, etc.) characteristic of the region.
Recognize and describe characteristics of ecological, climatological, geologic, hydrologic, glacial and oceanic/marine systems of the region.
Recognize and describe interactions (matter and energy transfers) between abiotic and biotic systems.
Articulate diverse historic and current examples of how humans rely on and interact with the natural world with emphasis on those occurring in the western Pacific Northwest.

Course Contents

The Nature of Science & the Scientific Method.
Methods, Techniques and Logistics of Field Studies.
Landforms and geologic history of the Salish Sea.
Marine Life of the Salish Sea. Organism metabolism, structural development, niche, habitat, and community roles. Identification and taxonomy of a range of marine organisms.
Terrestrial Biota of the western Pacific Northwest. Organism metabolism, structural development, niche, habitat, and community roles. Identification and taxonomy of a range of terrestrial organisms.
Geological materials, features and characteristics of the western Pacific Northwest.
Meteorology and climate of the region.
Ecosystems of the western Pacific Northwest.
Interactions between biotic and abiotic systems.
Historic and current examples of how humans rely on - and interact with the natural world.

Instructional Units: 6.5