Mar 28, 2024  
2022-2023 College Catalog 
    
2022-2023 College Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

BIO 109IN - Natural History of the Southwest

4 Credits, 6 Contact Hours
3 lecture periods 3 lab periods

Study of the common plants and animals of the Southwest. Includes their identification, adaptation, behavior and ecology. Also includes physical geography and geological principles of the region.

Gen-Ed: Meets AGEC - SCI; Meets CTE - M&S.




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

Performance Objectives:
  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.

Outline:
  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