BIOL 1110 - Field Biology

1. Analyze the ecological relationships between flora and fauna in native ecological settings of Minnesota.
2. Evaluate human influences from different cultures on the environment while acknowledging their ethical impacts.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of science as a process, with an emphasis on field biology studies.
4. Engage in service to the community related to field biology.

1. Identification of native plants and animals including:
   • Nonvascular plants
   • Vascular plants
   • Invertebrates
   • Vertebrates
2. General principles of taxonomy including:
   • The contemporary classification system
   • Use of field keys or other tools to identify organisms
3. Interactions between organisms at the community and ecosystem levels including:
   • Food chain and food web interactions
   • Biogeochemical cycling
   • Symbiotic relationships
   • The process of biological succession
4. Analysis of forest, grassland and aquatic ecosystems including:
   • Investigation of abiotic factors
   • Identification of biotic components
5. Basic principles of natural ecosystem management including:
   • Historical use of ecosystems
   • Effect of human modification of ecosystems
   • Principles of ecosystem restoration
   • Contemporary management of ecosystems
   • Ethical dimensions and views regarding human effects on ecosystems and management
6. Science as a process including:
   • Use of field equipment
   • Recording field observations
   • Design of field experiments
   • Interpretation of field data
   • Presentation of experimental results
   • Ethics and integrity of scientific process
7. Service-Learning
   • Collaboration with community partner(s)
   • Application of course content in service-learning opportunity