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Native Plants Syllabus |
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PALM BEACH COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Course Outline
Course Number and Title
ORH 2511: Native Plants (Plants of South Florida Ecosystems)
Instructor
George Rogers, Ph.D. 206 SCA 561-207-5052 Office hours by appointment
Catalog Description
This course focuses on the identification of plants growing outside of cultivation in Palm Beach County in natural habitats. The course is field-oriented, and will be of use to persons with interests in biology, environmental science, horticulture, landscaping, nature, art, photography, hiking, and park management..
Credit and Contact Hours
3 credit hours
Transferability
No
Prerequisite
None. BOT1010 is useful.
Co-requisite
None
Textbook and/or Bibliography
None
Course Core Objectives
Upon completing this course, students will be able to:
1. Identify the commonly observed wild plants in and near P.B. County
2. Discuss native plants with reference to their growth characteristics, and (in many cases) horticultural attributes.
3. Select native species for landscaping
4. Access resources concerned with native plants.
5. Describe different habitat types and characterize their vegetation
6. Have first-hand familiarity with numerous natural areas
Course Core Outline
I. Review of morphological characteristics in plant identification A. Angiosperms B. Gymnosperms C. Ferns
II. Review of plant nomenclature
III. Review of methods of plant identification and classification
IV. Identify principal habitat types and selected wild areas in P.B. County
IV. Identification of species with critical reference to habitat preferences and ecological associations. English plant names will be featured, and botanical names as well as family classifications will be provided, and will be presented verbally upon student request.
We will visit several natural areas within a 30-minute driving radius of the PBCC North Campus (students meet at the sites), and will learn to recognize wild plants as they are encountered.
Directions to each site will be provided during the prior session. In light rain or cold weather, the scheduled field trip takes place. If the weather is too poor for the trip, we meet in our assigned classroom.
Special Requirements
Students must provide their own transportation to numerous field sites within a 30-minute radius of PBCC North Campus. Students must be able to walk comfortably on trails for up to 1.5 miles. Normal Florida outdoor conditions prevail, including work in light rain, walking in places where feet may become wet, insects, climbing over occasional fallen logs, sticktights in clothing, sunburn, and other minor discomforts. Bring your own drinking water, insect repellent, cell phone, hat, notebook, and real shoes. No flip-flops or open-toed shoes. Some destinations do not have restroom facilities.
Attendance Policy
Attendance is important. Students with more than two absences will automatically fail to pass the course.
When you miss class, you are responsible for finding out the site for the next field trip, and for obtaining any missed materials. If an absence can be anticipated, contact the instructor before the absence.
Any tests or quizzes will be diagnostic only. The course grade is based on participation (with no more than two absences).
Class Schedule
Thursday afternoons 3-5:45
Jan. 10 Meet in classroom. Introductions, Course Overview, Directions to Next Week's Trip, Basic Botany
Jan. 17 Field Trips on this and subsequent dates as announced in prior session
Jan. 24
Jan. 31
Feb. 7
Feb. 14
Feb. 21
Feb. 28
March 6 No Class
March 13
March 20
March 27
April 3
April 10
April 17
April 24
May 1 Final Exam
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