Natural History, Department Award

Program Overview

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The Natural History Departmental Award is a customizable program that provides students with a strong foundation in natural sciences, critical thinking, and communication skills. It prepares students for careers in natural history interpretation, freshwater and marine fisheries, forestry, environmental monitoring, and wildlife management. The program offers a variety of courses and electives, allowing students to tailor their studies to their specific interests and career goals.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

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Overview:

The Natural History Departmental Award recognizes achievement by students interested in careers in natural history interpretation, freshwater and marine fisheries, forestry, environmental monitoring, and wildlife management. The curriculum is individually designed with the student's career goals, interests, and talents in mind.

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Objectives:

• To provide students with a strong foundation in the natural sciences, with a focus on biology, ecology, and environmental science.
• To develop students' critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• To prepare students for careers in natural history interpretation, freshwater and marine fisheries, forestry, environmental monitoring, and wildlife management.

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Program Description:

The curriculum for the Natural History Departmental Award is individually designed with the student's career goals, interests, and talents in mind. The courses are selected in consultation with the Faculty Adviser for Natural History. The Faculty Adviser will then submit this program of study to the Biological Sciences Department for review and approval.

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Outline:

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Content:

• Department Requirements:
• BIOL 110: Natural Science (3-4 units)
• BIOL 112: Evolution and Adaptation (3 units)
• BIOL 122: Ecology (3 units)
• BIOL 123: Ecology Laboratory (1 unit)
• BIOL 144: Biogeography (3 units)
• BOT 121: Plant Diversity (4 units)
• ZOOL 122: Animal Diversity (3 units)
• Natural History Electives: 9 units of electives chosen in consultation with the Natural History Faculty Advisor and approved by the Biological Sciences Department.

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Structure:

• The program consists of 29-30 units of coursework.
• Students must complete all department requirements with a "C" or better in each course.
• Students may choose courses from the areas of Anthropology, Biology, Bio-Medical Sciences, Botany, Chemistry, Geological Sciences, Mathematics, Physics, and Zoology.

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Course Schedule:

• The course schedule is individually designed with the student's career goals, interests, and talents in mind.
• Students should consult with the Faculty Adviser for Natural History to develop a course schedule.

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Individual Modules:

• BIOL 110: Natural Science: This course provides an overview of the natural sciences, with a focus on biology.
Topics covered include the scientific method, the diversity of life, and the interactions between organisms and their environment.
• BIOL 112: Evolution and Adaptation: This course examines the principles of evolution and adaptation.
Topics covered include natural selection, genetic variation, and the evolution of new species.
• BIOL 122: Ecology: This course introduces the fundamental principles of ecology.
Topics covered include population ecology, community ecology, and ecosystem ecology.
• BIOL 123: Ecology Laboratory: This laboratory course provides hands-on experience with ecological concepts.
Students will conduct field studies, collect data, and analyze results.
• BIOL 144: Biogeography: This course examines the distribution of life on Earth.
Topics covered include the factors that influence the distribution of species, the history of life on Earth, and the conservation of biodiversity.
• BOT 121: Plant Diversity: This course introduces the diversity of plants.
Topics covered include plant anatomy, plant physiology, and plant classification.
• ZOOL 122: Animal Diversity: This course introduces the diversity of animals.
Topics covered include animal anatomy, animal physiology, and animal classification.

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Assessment:

• Students are assessed through a variety of methods, including exams, quizzes, papers, and presentations.
• The specific assessment methods used in each course will vary depending on the instructor.
• Students must earn a "C" or better in each department requirement to complete the program.

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Teaching:

• The program is taught by a team of experienced faculty members who are experts in their fields.
• The faculty use a variety of teaching methods, including lectures, discussions, and hands-on activities.
• The program also offers opportunities for students to conduct research and work with professionals in the field.

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Careers:

• The Natural History Departmental Award prepares students for careers in natural history interpretation, freshwater and marine fisheries, forestry, environmental monitoring, and wildlife management.
• Graduates of the program may work as naturalists, park rangers, fisheries biologists, foresters, environmental scientists, and wildlife biologists.