Seward County Community College/Area Technical School
Course Syllabus

1. TITLE OF COURSE: BI1103 - River Ecology
2. COURSE DESCRIPTION: 3 credit hours of laboratory per week.  A field course investigating the ecology and management of the Ozark river ways. Identified study sites will be sampled and data collected on invertebrate, vertebrate, plant, and fungi species and water quality as students canoe 60 miles from the headwaters of the Current River in south central Missouri.  Hatchery tours, cave exploration, and spring investigation will also be utilized as students explore the changes that occur in a river system and the management challenges associated with a National Park Service scenic river way.  For each unit of credit, a minimum of three hours per week with one of the hours for class and two hours for studying/preparation outside of class is expected.
   
3. PROGRAM AND DEPARTMENT MISSION STATEMENT: The Science Program at Seward County Community College/Area Technical School provides opportunities to improve and enhance each student’s understanding and comprehension of the natural world through a variety of courses and experience to develop a scientifically literate citizen.
4. TEXTBOOK AND MATERIALS:
   • Burt, William K/Grossenheider, Richard P.  Peterson Field Guides, Mammals, 3rd ed. Houghton Mifflin Co., 1980
   • Robbins, Bruun, Zim, Singer.  A Guide to Field Identification Birds of North America, Western Publishing Co., Racine, Wisconsin 1983
   • Collins, Joseph T. Amphibians & Reptiles in Kansas, 3rd. ed. University Press of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, 1993
   • Stephens, H.A. Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines in Kansas. The University Press of Kansas, Lawrence/London, 1969
   • Fassett, Norman Carter.  A Manual of Aquatic Plants, The University of Wisconsin Press, 1969
   • Pflieger, William L.  The Fishes of Missouri,  Missouri Department of Conservation, 1975
5. SCCC/ATS OUTCOMES:
   • Outcome #1 Read with comprehension, be critical of what they read, and apply knowledge gained to real life situations.
   • Outcome #5 Demonstrate the ability to think critically by gathering facts, generating insights, analyzing data, and evaluating information.
   • Outcome #6 Exhibit skills in information and technological literacy.
   • Outcome #7 Demonstrate knowledge and comprehension of the diverse cultures, creeds and life styles of America and the world community.
   • Outcome #8 Show the ability to contribute to political, civic and community responsibilities as an informed member of society.
6. COURSE OUTCOMES:
   • Broaden his/her educational background by integrating information and procedures from a variety of sources.
   • Appreciate the interrelatedness of ideas, concepts, physical data, and means of expression.
   • Gain an understanding of human’s impact on the aquatic ecosystem.   
   • Understand and appreciate scientific methods and information through application in field experience.  
   • Recognize the interdependence of all living things and the relationships between life forms and the physical environment.    
   • Be aware of the past human activity in a given environment and understand the future relationship between human activity and the aquatic and riparian systems.  
   • Achieve greater self-reliance by accomplishing physical  and intellectual objectives in a challenging environment.     
   • Interact acceptably with peers and leaders under demanding circumstances to achieve both individual and collective goals.
   • Use the language and concepts of science appropriately and effectively in written and oral communication.
     • Maintain a field notebook and personal journal.
     • Complete the written component of the course portfolio.
     • Participate in class discussion.
     • Lead group interpretation of data.
   • Use the methodologies and models of science to select, define, solve and evaluate problems independently and collaboratively.
     • Use a vee diagram and the scientific method to define and evaluate an ecological question.
     • Investigate the impact of human activity on the Current River.
   • Adequately design, conduct, communicate, and evaluate relatively basic but meaningful experiments.
     • Collaboratively design a field study to investigate an ecological question.
     • Conduct a field study as part of a team.
     • Communicate and evaluate the results of a field study.
   • Make scientifically based decisions and solve problems drawing on concepts and experiences from relevant areas.
     • Support answers to questions based on readings and relevant data.
     • Utilize National Park expertise when available.
   • Evaluate critically; evidence, interpretations, results and solutions related   to the course content within a real life context.
     • Demonstrate the connection of collected data to evaluating human impact on the river system.
   • Explain scientifically related knowledge claims as products of a scientific inquiry process that, while diverse in scope, conforms to the principles of logical reasoning.
     • Utilize oral and written discussion in a collaborative setting to demonstrate the reasoning used in accepting or rejecting claims.
   • Demonstrate research skills necessary to access needed data to support scientific inquiry.
     • Collect data using macro and micro observation and field equipment.
     • Use taxonomic keys to identify trees, birds, mammals, fish, and invertebrates.
   • Ask meaningful questions about real world scientific issues and conundrums.
     • Demonstrate through oral and written discussion an understanding of possible human impacts on the system.
     • Demonstrate through oral and written discussion the historical changes in the system and questions raised.
7. TOPICAL
   • Geologic History of the Current River
   • Map Reading and Sampling Techniques
   • Tree and Plant I.D.
   • Amphibian and Reptile I.D.
   • Mammal I.D.
   • Bird I.D.
   • Life Cycle of Ozark Caves
   • Hatchery Operations
   • Impact of Humans on River Systems 
   • River Ecology
   • Management of River Systems for Recreation, Wildlife and Fisheries.
8. INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS:
   • Informal lectures and guided field trips
   • Outside reading
   • Collaborative Investigations
   • Sampling and surveys of aquatic and terrestrial biota
9. INSTRUCTIONAL AND RESOURCE MATERIALS:
   • Canoes
   • Field and stream sampling apparatus
   • Microscope
   • Reference materials
10. METHODS OF ASSESSMENT:
    • SCCC/ATS Outcome #1 will be assessed and measured by 1) a written summary of the geologic history of the Current River system;  2) a page describing the life cycle of a cave; 3) a page describing the Shepherd of the Hills hatchery;  4) a page describing the impact of humans on both the river system and ecology of the area, using historical and current examples found in the required readings;  5) a written pre-trip summary for each day on the river;  6) daily journal entries;  7) and completion of the River Ecology Summary page.
    • SCCC/ATS Outcome #5 will be assessed and measured by 1) a list of the springs located from Montauk to Two Rivers with flow data and annual average rainfall for the area;  2) a page describing the impact of humans on both the river system and ecology of the area, using historical and current examples found in the required readings;  3) a field notebook containing data collected on river changes from Montauk to Two Rivers;  4) a map of the river system with sampling sites marked;  5) a leaf collection of 10 different tree species properly identified;  6) a list of amphibians and reptiles observed and heard and population estimates of amphibians;  7) a list of mammals identified with habitat descriptions for each species;  8) identification of 10 bird species including their location;  9) daily journal entries;  10)and completion of the River Ecology Summary page.
    • SCCC/ATS Outcome #6 will be assessed and measured by a field notebook containing data collected data collected on river changes from Montauk to Two Rivers.
    • SCCC/ATS Outcome #7 will be assessed and measured by 1) a page describing the impact of humans on both the river system and ecology of the area, using historical and current examples found in the required readings;  2) daily journal entries;  3) a paragraph describing what was liked about the class;  4) a paragraph describing what was not liked about the class and suggested changes to improve the class;  5) and completion of the River Ecology Summary page.
    • SCCC/ATS Outcome #8 will be assessed and measured by an essay question on the final.
11. ADA STATEMENT:  If you believe that you are entitled to special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Dean of Student Services at 620-417-1016 or visit the office located in the Hobble Academic Building.
                     

    Syllabus Reviewed: March 2014