BIO 109IN - Natural History of the Southwest

1. Utilize scientific methods to formulate and answer questions.
2. Apply biological principles to current issues.

1. Apply basic geological principles to interpret the physical setting of the Southwest.
2. Apply meteorological and biological principles to describe the formation of the major biotic communities in the Southwest.
3. Describe major desert adaptations and the process of natural selection.
4. Identify common plants and animals of the Southwest.
5. Integrate basic biological principles and specific natural history information and distinguish the common plants and animals of the Southwest.
6. Demonstrate skills necessary for life-long learning of natural history including conducting scientific research.

1. Science
2. Physical Geography of the Southwest
   1. Formation

1. Geological principles
2. Geological history of the southwest
   1. Climate
3. Biotic Communities of the Southwest
   1. The four deserts
   2. Other biotic communities
4. Desert Adaptations
   1. Natural selection as a mechanism
   2. Plants
   3. Animals
5. Common Plants and Animals
   1. Interrelationships
   2. Identification and natural history

1. Plants
2. Invertebrates
3. Fish, amphibians, reptiles
4. Birds
5. Mammals