Presentation and Paper

            Everyone is required to research a topic of their choosing, and complete a short paper (approximately 1000 words—four pages) on that topic.  The paper is used to do a short presentation (approximately 10 minutes long), a “fireside chat” if you will, during the ten days we are in the national parks.  The topic of the presentation should be “biological” in scope, and relate to the Yellowstone Ecosystem and the course in which you enrolled.  Topics typically range from the life history of area animals and plants, to balanced discussions of more controversial topics (grizzly management, bison management, fire management, wolf reintroduction, etc.).  Decide on a few potential topics and contact Dan Sourbeer for approval.   Topics are approved on a “first come, first served” basis.

Naturalist’s Journal

            Everyone will keep a journal of his or her activities, observations, etc. during the course.  The journal will be turned in at a “reunion” meeting sometime after our return.  The journal is explained below.

            As a naturalist, you will be studying organisms in their natural habitats focusing on characteristics of identification, life histories, behaviors, adaptations to their environment, geographical distribution, and economic importance.  It is important to be as precise as possible in recording this observational data.  When going into the field each day you should carry a small field notebook.  The field notebook may receive considerable abuse, and should be small enough to carry conveniently wherever you go.  Field notes should be taken in pencil or waterproof ink.  Inside the front cover write your name, address, phone number, and the dates you begin and end the notebook.  Date each page, and note the time and location of each entry.  Notes should be brief and accurate.  Make drawings as needed.  If possible, transfer the information from the field notebook to the Naturalist’s Journal (discussed below) the same day.  During this information transfer you may want to consult references and classmates to verify identifications, information, and improve your understanding of concepts.

            The naturalist’s journal should not be carried into the field.  It is a large notebook or binder that should be maintained in relatively good condition.  Entries should be made with waterproof ink.  It is both a personal and scientific record of your experiences.  Use the following guidelines for your journal.

¨      On the front cover print the title of the journal:

Naturalist’s Journal

 Greater Yellowstone Field Course

Department of Life Sciences, Palomar College

Inclusive Dates

by

Your Name

¨      On the back of the front cover write your name, address, phone number, and inclusive dates of the journal.

¨      Number all pages consecutively in the upper right corner.

¨      The journal should be organized by days.  Each day’s entries begin with the day of the week and the date placed on the left side of the page (e.g. Monday, August 12).  Locations should be described from most specific to most general (e.g. Pelican Valley Trailhead, Yellowstone Park, WY).  At the end of the journal you will list a summary of the organisms encountered (see below).

¨      The journal should include the following information: species encountered that day, the time observed, and notations about particular traits important in their identification; behaviors observed; habitat identification and characteristics; geological formations observed and comments about how they relate to the ecosystem; weather conditions and how they affect the organisms/ecosystem; names of people and information from lectures and conversations; your personal reactions to what you hear, see, and experience; and photographic information, e.g. location, film type, film speed, shutter speed, F stop, etc. to improve your pictures.

¨      Other comments: specify location and numbers of organisms described; try to identify all species observed indicated by its common name followed by its scientific name whenever possible; discuss what animals and plants are related and what features suggest relatedness; leave space in your journal for later insertion of pictures or additional information; and write in complete sentences, do not use abbreviations or shorthand.

¨      The last section of the journal should be labeled “Organisms Observed.”  In this section you will list all animals observed, followed by plants (include fungi and lichens).  Organisms should be listed by common name followed by the scientific name in parentheses.  Try to organize them by relatedness (orders/families), i.e. put all the carnivores together, all the rodents together, pines together, etc.  You should also list the page number in your journal where each species is described or mentioned.

¨      The journal should be a neat, accurate, scientific document of which you can be proud.  It can be of value to you and others studying the same area in the future, and your instructors will read it with great interest.

Grading

 In determining your course grade assignments will be weighted as follows:

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