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Crima Pogge 2008

• Instructor
• Learning Objectives
• Course Format
• Field Preparation
• Attendance
• Grading

Instructor:

Crima Pogge, cpogge@ccsf.edu,
Field trip cell phone (only used during the weekend) 415-913-0770

Learning Objectives

Through individual research, presentations, guided field observations and hypotheses forming students will increase your knowledge of and appreciation for the ecology of Golden Gate National Recreation Area, or as it might soon be called, Golden Gate National Park.

We will visit seven different areas of GGNRA and discuss factors that have led to the extraordinary biodiversity in these areas. We will first-hand experience some of the threats to this biodiversity and resulting management issues for a national park close to seven million people.

Course Format:

Evening Orientation: In the three-hour evening meeting on September 21, 2011 (6:00-9:00PM, room S 303), we will meet each other and review this syllabus and the plan for the weekend. There will be a lecture introducing the ecology of GGNRA, interrupted by some field observation skill building.

Field trips: We will explore GGNRA on Saturday, October 1 (8:30-3:30), and Sunday, October 2 (9:00 - 4:00). The days will be a mix of guided tours, peer presentations, and field investigations.

Note: TRANSPORTATION IS NOT PROVIDED, we will form car pools on October 6.

Course requirements/assignments

If you are satisfied with a C or are taking the class for credit only you must be present during the full 17 hours, participate in field activities and pass the open notes quiz at the end with a C or better.

If you are aiming for an A or B: In addition to the requirements for a C, you will have to do a research paper on a particular topic that will be assigned to you and present your findings to the class in a informal 5 minute presentation. Believe it or not, after initial reluctance, most students find that researching a topic on their own enhances their experience in the course!

Open notes quiz: There will be a open notes quiz covering information presented during the course. Please take clear and detailed notes.

Field Preparation:

This is a field ecology course that will take place regardless of weather. Be prepared for a variety of weather conditions (rain, wind, bright sun) and terrain (sturdy, comfortable shoes, long pants). Notebooks and pens or pencils are obvious necessities; clipboards and backpacks are suggested. Bring a lunch and whatever snacks you'll need, along with plenty of water. Several of the sites do not have bathrooms, so be prepared for that as well. Note that we will have a potluck on Sunday.

Attendance:

Because you will be receiving one full unit for only 18 hours of class/field time, full attendance and absolute promptness is required. Arriving late or leaving early will assure you of losing a full grade point (from an “A” to a “B”). You must come to ALL of the class meetings for the FULL time.

All students are required to attend the evening lecture and the two weekend field days. YOU MAY NOT PARTICIPATE IN THE COURSE IF YOU MISS THE ORIENTATION MEETING.

Grading:

Note: All of the information in this syllabus is subject to change if necessary.