|
|
Number of Course: Biol 313
Name of Course: Riparian Biology
Catalog/Course Description: This course provides a guided investigation of the important biological parameters affecting riparian systems, including streamside vegetation, water quality, and macroinvertebrate populations.
Prerequisites: Biol 211, 212, 213 or consent of instructor.
Credit Hours: two
Instructor Information:
Dr. Karen Antell, Professor of Biology
Eastern Oregon University, La Grande, OR 97850
541-962-3610
kantell@eou.edu
Time and place of the course:
Riparian Biology will meet for one Friday evening and two Saturday field trips, Oct. 3 and Oct. 10. Both field trips will be within the Grande Ronde Valley within 15 miles of La Grande.
Class will meet Friday evening, Oct. 2, from 6:00-8:00 PM, Badgley Hall, Room 324. The following two Saturdays, from 9:00-4:00 PM.
Learning Outcomes:
Students who successfully complete Riparian Biology will have the following knowledge and skills:
Students should develop proficiency with application of standardized riparian assessment techniques, including assessment of shade and vegetation cover, substrate composition, aquatic macroinvertebrates, and water chemistry.
Students should learn to recognize common riparian plant species.
Students should begin to develop expertise with recognition of major aquatic invertebrtate groups.
Students should develop intermediate-level skills in field data acquisition and analysis.
Students will learn to prepare a final report summarizing water quality in a riparian area.
Required Text:
J. Reese Voshell, Jr.; A Guide to Common Freshwater Invertebrates of North America, 2002; The MacDonald and Woodward Publishing Company; Blacksburg, Virginia; ISBN: 0-939923-87-4.
Other course materials include several manuals that can be downloaded from the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) website, including:
Water Quality Monitoring Technical Guidebook
Oregon Riparian Assessment Framework
Riparian and Wetland Vegetation of Central and Eastern Oregon
Environmental Indicators for the Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds
Course Requirements and Assessment:
To successfully complete the course, students must attend all class sessions, complete a written report of their field experience, including data analysis and other written assignments. The final grade will be based on assessment of the final written report submitted by the student.
Field Trips:
Both field trips are required for completion of the course. Students must be physically able to spend two days outdoors in possibly challenging weather conditions. Students must be able to walk at lease three miles on flat terrain.
Statement on Academic Misconduct:
Eastern Oregon University places a high value upon the integrity of its student scholars. Any student found guilty of an act of academic misconduct (including, but not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, or theft of an examination or supplies, may be subject to having his or her grade reduced in the course in question, being placed on probation or suspended from the University, or being expelled from the University - or a combination of these. Please see Section II of the 2002-2003 Student Handbook and Planning Calendar: Campus Citizenship (Academic), p. 32ff; Campus Citizenship (Behavior), p. 41ff.)
Americans with Disabilities:
Students who have a documented disability or suspect that they may have a learning problem should contact the Disability Services Program in Loso Hall 234, telephone 541-962-3081. Students with disabilities should make their need for reasonable accomodation known to the instructor within the first two weeks of the term.
Syllabus prepared by Karen Antell, 3 August 2009