Natural History & Resources

Natural History is the study of nature, including all of the animals, plants, fungi, and microorganisms of the planet and the geology of the environments they inhabit.Every one of the 8 million species on Earth today is a triumphant success story of evolution, an organism inextricably linked to all others. Observation is the key skill students will develop in this field of study as they deepen their understanding of the natural world.

The Natural History and Resources Certificate of Achievements designed to train students for careers and further education pertaining to Bay Area natural history and resources. The program is part of Merritt College's Career Education offerings and provides the theoretical and practical experience needed for positions within the public sector (government agencies),non-profit organizations, and the private sector (namely environmental consulting),such as environmental educator,environmental consultant, naturalist, nature interpreter, habitat restoration technician, parks maintenance technician, park ranger, curatorial assistant, and collections manager. Students take a core curriculum in biology, geology, and environmental science and then have the opportunity to specialize in groups of organisms through an extensive set of electives.

Students completing the Certificate will be prepared for entry-levelemployment and/or transfer to four-year university.

This program is part of an interdisciplinary umbrellaprogram called Natural History & Sustainability, which includes two othernew and related Certificates of Achievement (Conservation and ResourceManagement and Urban Agroecology). As these three Certificates are part of abigger program, we have built-in collaboration among them via a breadthrequirement (see details below). Broadly speaking, the mission of all three ofthese Certificates is as follows: Toeducate students about the biodiversity and natural resources of the Bay Areaand beyond in order to create an enlightened community of residents andnaturalists. We pledge to do this in an inclusive and equitable way, and wecommit to ensuring nature’s long-term future.

In the Natural History & Resources Certificate,students will…

• Discover the vast diversity of animals, plants, fungi, and microscopic organisms through courses in botany, ornithology, entomology, herpetology, and more.
• Learn the principles of biogeography and the interplay between biology and geology.
• Participate in field trips and field courses around the Bay Area and beyond.
• Prepare for the following careers: Environmental educator, environmental consultant, habitat restoration technician, parks maintenance technician, ranger, biologist, curatorial assistant, collections manager.

Completer Projections: We plan to implement cohort model, having a set of students begin the program together in the fall semester and progress together over a two-year cycle. We are working with Oakland Unified School District to develop a pipeline of interested students for future cohorts. Assuming the Certificate is approved and active by Spring 2020,we anticipate the first cohort starting in Fall 2020 and completing by Spring 2022, and hope to have cohorts of 20 students.

Students who receive a Certificate will be able to:

1. Provide an overview of the form and functionof local biodiversity (flora and fauna) and understand the ecological roles ofthese organisms.

2. Demonstrate an understanding of the variousecosystems and natural resources in the Bay Area and their importance.

3. Demonstrate practical skills, such as species identification, field documentation, and environmental impact report preparation, used by professionals in the field.

Model Curriculum: The following table provides a suggested sequence of courses through which a student could earn the Certificate within 2 years:

 Semester 1 (Fall Year 1)

Course	Units
BIOL 29	4
GEOG 1	3
Total Semester Units	7
Total Units Completed To Date	7

 

Semester 2 (Spring Year 1)

 

Course	Units
ENVMT 2	4
Elective	2
Elective	2
Total Semester Units	8
Total Units Completed To Date	15

 

Semester 3 (Fall Year 2)

Course	Units
ENVMT 1	1
ENVMT 12	3
Breadth	2
Elective	2
Total Semester Units	8
Total Units Completed To Date	23

 

Semester 4 (Spring Year 2)

Course	Units
Elective	2
Elective	1
Total Semester Units	3
Total Units Completed To Date	26

In order to be awarded the Certificate of Achievement in Conservation  Resource Management the student will complete all the coursework with a grade of C or better. 

There is a huge undersupply of student completions in this employment area.

Ohlone College, James Baxter, Jeff Watanabe West Valley College, Chris Cruz De Anza College, Alicia De Toro Santa Rosa JC, Kelsey Wade Napa Valley College, Paul DaSilva The above colleges were contacted and all of them supported the program. According to the COE report there is a huge undersupply of students in employment area.