BIOL 127 - Natural Science of Australia and New Zealand

Credits: 5
Focuses on the ecology of Australia and New Zealand, including ecosystems and human impact on ecosystems. Investigates the biodiversity, characteristics, and interactions of Australian flora and fauna within various habitats and ecosystems. Involves field observations and experiences. Does not meet the lab requirement.

Prerequisite: Enrollment in Australia Study Abroad Program and eligible for ENGL& 101.

Satisfies Requirement: Natural Science

Course Outcomes:
Students who successfully complete this class will be able to:

Define ecological terms and describe ecological principles.
Describe the flow of energy and the cycling of matter within an ecosystem.
Describe abiotic and biotic components, including human impacts, of an ecosystem and relate how they interact.
Describe the methods and tools used in the study of ecology.
Make observations and logically link those observations to information from the course.
Develop skills to work effectively with peers in finding solutions to problems.

Program Outcomes
Recognize how scientists use the Scientific Method to guide their inquiry, generate hypotheses, experimental design, reasoning, and draw conclusions based on empirical data.

College-wide Outcomes

Critical Thinking - Critical thinking finds expression in all disciplines and everyday life. It is characterized by an ability to reflect upon thinking patterns, including the role of emotions on thoughts, and to rigorously assess the quality of thought through its work products. Critical thinkers routinely evaluate thinking processes and alter them, as necessary, to facilitate an improvement in their thinking and potentially foster certain dispositions or intellectual traits over time.