NATRS 183 - Tree and Shrub Identification

Credits: 4
Collect specimens and identify tree and shrub species found in Washington forests. Teaches the use of taxonomic keys and their ecological characteristics and growth habits.

Enrollment Requirement: Concurrent enrollment in NATRS 100 and 172; and instructor consent.

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

Demonstrate the ability to identify regionally important species by leaves, twigs, bark and fruit characteristics.
Discuss how to use of taxonomic keys to identify and verify tree and shrub genera and species.
Examine dendrology terminology comprehension and utilization.
Identify plant morphology and apply knowledge through the correct identification of required plants.
Identify scientific names and acronyms of selected species including native species of the Pacific Northwest.
Apply their knowledge through sampling vegetation utilizing circular nested plots and canopy cover measure.

Program Outcomes

Attain a job in the Natural Resources field.
Manage Forestland or Resources to attain positive outcomes.
Demonstrate effective written and verbal communications between industry partners and cooperators.

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.
Responsibility - Responsibility encompasses those behaviors and dispositions necessary for students to be effective members of a community. This outcome is designed to help students recognize the value of a commitment to those responsibilities which will enable them to work successfully individually and with others.
Quantitative and Symbolic Reasoning - Quantitative Reasoning encompasses abilities necessary for a student to become literate in today’s technological world. Quantitative reasoning begins with basic skills and extends to problem solving.
Written Communication - Written Communication encompasses all the abilities necessary for effective expression of thoughts, feelings, and ideas in written form.