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BIOL 323/392E Plants and Animals of Southern california

Instructors

Professor: Paul Wilson

Assistant: Lena Coleman

Tests

There will be 3 tests (the final is just a third test).  Each test will include a practical part in which you recognize species (or other taxa) and tell about their peculiar biology. There will also be short answers based on the lectures and discussions.  The tests will be cumulative, albeit with some important exceptions (e.g. questions on readings will only occur on the test immediately after the reading). At any rate, I will tell you what to study on study lists that will be emailed before the tests.

Assignments

Each paper will be 900 words.  In Paper 1, you will describe your own observations from nature of an animal or plant, look up information on it, and you will reflect upon it distinguishing observations from interpretations.  In Paper 2, you will articulate a series of hypotheses developed during lecture, present data testing those hypotheses, and compare our findings with those in the scientific literature.  In Paper 3, you will explain how (mechanistically) a natural processes can give rise to an emergent phenomenon, which will be based in part on modeling and will be discussed with reference to the literature.  The assignments will be explained in much greater detail in class.

Attendance

Being in class on time is crucial. For much of the experience of the course, there is no make up possible. If you're not there on time, you'll probably get left behind and will miss a whole week of instruction. Cheerful and thoughtful participation is expected. Punctual attendance and participation are a large part of your grade.

Grading

The grade for the lecture and field studies will be the same.  Possible grades are A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, D‑, and F.  Attendance and participation on field trips is worth 1/3rd of your grade. The papers collectively are worth 1/3rd of your grade. The tests collectively are worth 1/3rd of your grade. (Each paper or test is worth 1/9th of your grade.)

Student Learning Objectives

(a) to teach you factual information about organisms that can commonly be seen in our natural environment

(b) to give you examples of how scientists apply the scientific method in ecology, behavior, evolution, and systematics

(c) to learn in particular about recent and on-going research on local plants and animals

(d) to gain practical skills in observing them

(e) to practice writing with realism about the natural world

Academic Dishonesty

Plagiarism is the taking of someone else’s writing and presenting it as your own, for instance copying material from the www or from a published article into your paper (even a single sentence).  I require that you express everything in your papers in your own words, except (rarely) for short quotations in quotations marks with a reference cited.  Examples of cheating would be looking at someone else’s paper during a test, at your own notes, at a field guide, or letting someone else look at your paper.  All forms of plagiarism and cheating are expressly forbidden by University rules and will not be tolerated.  Anyone one who plagiarizes or cheats will receive a zero grade for that assignment or test.  In addition, a report will be filed that could be put on your permanent University record available to other universities and employers (see “Academic Dishonesty” in University catalog).

Accessibility

Safety This is a moderately strenuous class, with a lot of hiking.  It is not recommended if you have trouble getting around.  If you have any medical condition that might cause a problem in the field—allergies to bees, diabetes, whatever—please tell me about it in writing and tell me what precautions may be taken.  I will push the class to keep up with me when we are walking.  This is because people tend to lolly-gag, chat, and smell the roses rather more than we have time for.  You are responsible for using your own judgment as to what you are physically able to do, and if you don't think it is wise to do something, don't do it.  Please tell me promptly if there is any problem.  Then we can consult as to what to do.

Students with disabilities must register with the Center on Disabilities and complete a service agreement each semester. Staff within the Center will verify the existence of a disability based on the documentation provided and approved accommodations. Students who are approved for test taking accommodations must provide an Alternative Testing Form to their faculty member signed by a counselor in the Center on Disabilities prior to making testing arrangements. The Center on Disabilities is located in Bayramian Hall, room 110. Staff can be reached at 818-677-2684.

Alert: really nothing to freak out about ... next Friday to Cheeseboro (why isn't it "Chesburough"?). Bring lunch, water, protection from the rays of the sun.

Read Ch. 5 (Chaparral and Fire) and Ch. 7 (Grasslands). There's also interesting stuff on pp. 31-49 and 264-268.

For Fall 2009, F 9:30 to 4:00

Class room: Live Oak 1322, but typically on field trips

Test dates: 2 October; 30 October; 11 December 8:00-10:00

Paper due dates: 25 September; 23 October; 4 December

Catalog Entry

BIOL 323/392E. PLANTS AND ANIMALS OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Prerequisite: completion of lower-division writing requirement. For non-science majors to acquaint them with the classification, behavior, ecology and distribution of the more important plants and animals of Southern California. Counts for General Education Natural Sciences. Lecture 3 hours, 3 field studies hours.

Stuff to buy

Manditory items: (1) P. W. Rundel & J. R. Gustafson, Introduction to the Plant Life of Southern California. (2) P. Alden, National Audubon Society Regional Guide to California. (3) Water bottle.

Optional items: (4) A bird book. I prefer D. A. Sibley, The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of western North America. If you prefer a different bird book, you may use that, but it will be harder for you to keep up with us. If you have an iPhone, you might want to buy iBird Pro. (5) You may check out binoculars owned by the department, but we strongly encourage you to buy your own (7X to 10X). (6) Sunscreen. (7) I would suggest a hat and sunglasses, but suite yourself. (8) A camera can make the class much more memorable.

Field trips

You must sign a waiver to go on field trips. Typically I will drive a university van, and some students can ride in the van. If you prefer, for most trips, you may drive your own cars and meet us at the site, but please car pool when feasible. Unless otherwise noted, the van will leave campus at 9:30 from the driveway just north of Eucalyptus Hall. Unless otherwise noted, class will be released at the site by 4:00 pm; however, we will often be an hour away from home, so don't plan on being back until 5ish.

In case of rain:  We will still have class, though we might not go out. Nevertheless, be prepared to get muddy.

Tentative Schedule - subject to weather, etc.

28 August - Sepulvida Basin Wildlife Reserve
Take Nordhoff east to Woodley, turn south and go about 4 miles (go past where you cross the Orange Line). Turn left where it says “Sepulvida Basin Wildlife Reserve” and “Japanese Garden” (there are a few false entrances just to the north – if you get to Burbank Blvd, you’ve gone too far). Snake through the park bearing to the right. We will meet at the toilets on the hill.

4 September  - Escondido Canyon Park
Take 101 north to Las Virgenes Rd/Malibu Canyon Rd. Go to CA-1 (Pacific Coast Highway). Turn left (west or “north” according to the highway markers). Go 4.7 miles to Winding Way. Turn Right, then immediately left. Park. We walk in the rest of the way.

11 September - no trip. Come to classroom.

18 September leaving at 8:00 am, returning near dusk - Mount Pinos
From I-405 go north, merge with I-5, go 46 miles (avoiding the turn off to hwy 14), take exit 205 for Fraizier Mtn Park Rd and turn left, go 7 miles and continue another 5.1 miles on Cuddy Valley Rd, turn slightly left at USFS 9N04/Mount Pinos Road, go for 6.0 miles up then another 2.5 miles on Cuddy Valley Rd and slightly to the left 1.6 miles on Mount Pinos Rd.

25 Sept leaving at 6:15 am, returning at noon – Early morning at Stunt Ranch
From US-101, take Valley Circle (Exit 29), turn left and cross over the freeway. Go 0.8 miles to a light and turn right (this intersection might be called something like Mulholland Dr and Valmar Rd or Old Topanga Canyon Rd). Go about 1.0 miles and it merges into Mulholland Hwy. Go 3.8 miles and turn left onto Stunt Rd. Go about 1.0 mile and park next to port-a-potty.

2 Oct - Test 1 - No trip. Come to classroom.

9 Oct – Vasquez Rocks
Take I-5 north to US-14, go north about 10 miles past Placerita Rd, to Agua Dulce, turn left under the freeway and follow the signs about 4 miles.

16 Oct - No class. I'm furloughed. Work on your paper. Read plant book Ch's 2 and 10.

23 Oct - Malibu Lagoon State Beach
Take Topanga Canyon Blvd (CA-27) over the mountains to the Pacific Coast Highway (CA-1).  Turn right (northwest), and go 6.3 miles.  Go over the bridge and turn left at the stop light.  Parking is $12, or you may park in town and walk in.
Point Dume State Beach
Heading northwest on the Pacific Coast Highway (CA-1), you are up on the bluffs and can't see the ocean after you pass Kanan Dume Road.  Then you come down a hill and see the beach.  Right at the bottom of the hill, before you cross the creek, turn left into Point Dume State Beach.  We will meet at the parking lot at end of the road.  Parking is $6 (a different fee than at the Lagoon).

30 Oct – Come to class first; after test Rocky Peak
Take CA-118 (the Ronald Reagan freeway, nee Simi Valley Freeway) west to just past the Ventura County Line to the Rocky Point Road exit.  Turn left and cross over the freeway parking away from the trail head (otherwise you have to pay for parking). Then walk back to the north size of the freeway to the trailhead.

6 Nov leaving at 10:30 am, returning midnight, get to dock around 11:30, well before noon - Boat trip
Bring shoes that cover you toes – no sandals. Bring sun protection, dinner, the usual. If you are at all prone to motion sickness, take Dramamine or something similar. Take the 405 to 110 (HARBOR FREEWAY). Take the 110 Harbor freeway south towards San Pedro. Exit at Rt. 47, the Vincent Thomas Bridge. Cross the bridge and exit at Ferry Street (the first exit coming down off the bridge), and turn left (onto Ferry) at the signal. Turn right onto Terminal Way (second signal). After one signal and two stop signs, the road curves left and becomes Seaside Avenue. After the curve, you’ll see water on the left, after which SCMI is the first building, a tan two-story with a reddish fence along the street. Public parking is on the street (east side only).

13 Nov – Tousley Canyon/Ed Davis Park
This park is in the Santa Susana mountains, north of San Fernando, near the fork in I-5 and US-14.  Take I-5 north to Cal Grove exit, go west (left, under the freeway), turn south on the old road, and  3/4 mile afterwards turn west (right).  Meet at the park entrance.  It is also possible to get there by taking Balboa north (watch out for crazy jog, stay left, don't get on Sierra), to the old San Fernando Road turn left, go 4+ miles, and turn left into the park.

20 Nov – Cheeseboro Canyon
From US-101 going “north” (west), take exit 35 and turn right (north) onto Palo Comado Canyon Road, turn right (north) onto Chesebro road, follow the signs to the Park Service parking lot. From US-101 going “south” (east), take exit 35, turn slightly on to Chesebro road and then left onto Palo Comando Canyon Rd, turn right (north) onto Chesebro Road, follow the signs to the Park Service parking lot.

27 Nov - No class. Post-thanksgiving digestion.

4 Dec – Topanga State Park (assuming it is still operated by the state of California)
Take the Topanga Canyon Blvd. (CA 27) to Entrada Road (it is a sharp up-hill turn on the east side of the highway).  Go up the hill about a mile following the signs.  Parking is (or was) $5.00 in an envelope, and exact change is needed.

11 Dec - Test 3 - 8:00-10:00