Course
Syllabus
SCI
112-Seashore Life
Instructor: Brian Saunders
Email Addresses: bsaunder@sccd.ctc.edu
|
Required Text: |
Whelks
to Whales;
Rick Harbo; Harbour
Publishing; |
Course Description: This one
credit course is an exploration of the Rocky Intertidal ecosystem of the
Course Schedule:
Wednesday,
July 22 (6:00-8:00 pm in AS 1627): In this orientation session, we will
meet to discuss the course, and hear lectures on the background information
important to gain an understanding of the tides, the rocky intertidal
ecosystem, and the animals which live there.
Friday,
July 24 (11:00 am-3:00 pm) at Marina Beach, Edmonds: For our field trip, we
will take advantage of a negative tide (approximately -1.6 feet at about 11:50 pm)
and explore the rocky and sandy beaches of Marina Beach. Here we should see animals representing all
phyla discussed on Wednesday evening.
Students are encouraged to bring appropriate clothing (rain or shine),
their field book, and their curiosity.
Wednesday,
July 29 (6:00-8:00 pm in AS 1627): In this
wrap-up session, we will review the field trip experiences, collect the
assignments, and discuss future opportunities for intertidal exploration.
Evaluation: At the last meeting, each student will be
expected to turn in a species list from the field trip and a 1 page
"research report" on a species of your choice. I will explain these assignments at the
Orientation (1st) meeting. Your grade
will also be based on participation in the three class meetings. Attendance and participation to each of these
meetings is obviously critical for your success in this course.
Directions to Field Trip Site (Marina
Beach, Edmonds):
By
Car: From NSCC
§ Take I-5 North to
EDMONDS/KINGSTON FERRY via EXIT 177, merge onto WA-104
W heading back underneath I-5.
§ Follow this road for 4.2
miles passing underneath I-90 and heading down into the bowl of Edmonds.
§ As the two lanes merge
into one, look for the signs to the KINGSTON FERRY. You will veer right on EDMONDS WAY/WA-104 W
which will become SUNSET AVE/WA-104.
§ At the bottom of the
hill you will come to a stop light. Turn
LEFT onto W DAYTON ST.
§ Go over the railroad
tracks where W DAYTON ST becomes ADMIRAL WAY.
§ Follow Admiral Way to
the stop sign. Turn left and drive into
Marina Park.
By
Bus: You can
plan a bus trip to Marina Beach using the following website: http://www.commtrans.org/BusService/Schedules.cfm
Preparing
for the Field Trip: Dress appropriately as it may be hot
and sunny (requiring a hat and sun screen) or raining (requiring a rain coat or
the like). The intertidal zone is
slippery and wet so you should wear appropriate shoes (that you don’t mind
getting wet, are relatively non-slick, and will stay on your feet). Although we cannot take animals or other
items from the beach, you may want to pick up animals for a closer look. A plastic bowl or container (or a Frisbee) is
valuable for holding animals temporarily.
If you do place animals in a container make sure that you replace the
water consistently so the animals don’t get overheated. You will also need to bring your field guide,
paper, and a pencil for helping with your field notes.