NATURAL HISTORY OF CALIFORNIA (BISC 369L) SPRING 2010
Syllabus* Lecture Class No. 20101 (file: 369 - syllabus – 2010)
Laboratory Class No. 13025.
Instructor: Dr. Gerald J. Bakus, AHF B4A, 213-740-5790 cellphone 714-345-1360 (see
Emergency Contacts Sheet for other numbers). email:
Teaching Assistant: Lisa Handschumacher, Teaching Assistant, AHF 316. 213-740-
9698 cellphone 310-562-4392 email:
Textbook: Schoenherr A.A. 1992. A Natural History of California. University of California,
Berkeley.
Alden, P. (ed.) 1998. Regional Guide to California. National Audubon Society.
Office Hours: Bakus – Tu 1-2 Th 12-2 AHF B4A
Lisa - ?? AHF 316
Lecture: 2-3:30 TuTh ZHS 460
Laboratory: (3:30) 4-6:50 TuTh ZHS 460
Field Trips: See below (**) for overnight or full-day trips
Date Lecture Topics Reading
Jan. 12 Fieldtrip (Palos Verdes: -0.8 ft at 2:19 p.m. Depart USC at 2 p.m.)
14 Work on library report
19 Work on Palos Verdes collections
21 Work on library report
*It may be necessary to make some adjustments to the
syllabus during the semester.
26 Lec.- Natural regions, ecology geology, collecting techniques, Chaps. 1-3 research topics
,
Lab.- Classification of organisms, collection techniques.
28 Lec.- Cismontane Southern California Chap. 8
Lab – Pacific Northwest Mountains Chap. 6
Feb. 2 Lec.- Coast Ranges Chap. 7
Lab - continued
4 Lec.- Great Central Valley Chap 10
9 Lec.- none
Lab.- Field Trip (Santa Ana Mountains - terrestrial
Depart USC at 2 p.m.)
11 Lec.- none
Turn in a 1 page outline of your proposed
research project. Follow the format provided.
16 Geography Quiz
Lec.- California Deserts Chap. 9
Lab.- Work up Santa Ana Mts. collection
Prepare to discuss your research topic today - then start it!
18 Taxonomy Quiz
Lec.- Coastline Chap. 9
20 **Joshua Tree National Park (Saturday )
23 Lec – Inland Waters Chap. 5
Lab - Work up Joshua Tree region collection
25 Lec. – Sierra Nevada, Mountaintops Chap. 4, 11
Mar. 2 FIRST LECTURE EXAMINATION (100 pts)
(Chapters 1-3,6-8,10)
Lab - Report on Status of Research Project
Bring all information and data to class.
4 Lec. – none. Research Project.
9 Lec. –none
Lab – Visit Aquarium of the Pacific (Long Beach – Depart USC 2 p.m)
11 Lec. – Quantitative Techniques
15-20 Spring Recess (work on individual research projects)
23 Lec. – none
Lab. - Field Trip (Big Bear Lake & Mojave Desert – Terrestrial &
Freshwater - Depart USC at Noon)
25 Lec. – none. Research Project.
30 Lec. – none
Lab - Quantitative Techniques (hands-on)
Apr. 1 Lec. – none
4
Lab - Work up Big Bear Lake & Mojave Desert collection
Flower, insect and bird study projects due
6 ** Field Trip – full day to Santa Catalina Island. Early morning departure.
8 Lec. – Santa Catalina Island. Discuss the fieldtrip.
Present final semester notebook. Research Project.
13 Lec. – none
Lab - Field Trip (Mt. Pinos – Terrestrial – Depart USC at Noon)
15 Lec. – none. Work up Mt. Pinos collection.
20 SECOND LECTURE EXAMINATION (100 pts)
(Chapters 4-5,9,11-12 and Santa Catalina Island)
Lab.- Prepare for final lab exam
22 RESEARCH PROJECT REPORTS DUE (100 pts)
Prepare for final lab exam
27 Final Laboratory Examination (300 pts)
29 Prepare for final examination
FINAL EXAMINATION: THURSDAY MAY 6 2-4 p.m..
PowerPoint demonstration and oral report on research project – 10 min (50 pts)
Attendance by all students for the entire time is mandatory.
No make-up exams!
Other Items: The final laboratory examination will cover all
field trips and laboratory work-ups.
Point Breakdown (Summary)
First Lecture Examination 100 pts
Second Lecture Examination 100 pts
Final Lab Examination 300 pts
Research Project 100pts
PowerPoint Oral Presentation 50 pts
Misc. Tasks 350 pts (see Grading Policy for details)
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