Secret of the Great Outdoors Release

Photo: Gaetan Pautler


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


The Incredible Secret of the Great Accessible Outdoors at CCSF


Some of the best classes leave the chalkboard behind. City College of San Francisco’s Field Courses, one of the best kept secrets of the Bay Area, do just that.

A series of outdoor classes offered by CCSF’s Geology and Biology Departments trade the lecture hall for stunning Bay Area landscapes to delve into our region’s unique ecology, geology, and natural history, hands-on.

From trekking the rugged coast to exploring the winding delta, Field Courses uncover the Bay Area by leaving the roar of the City far behind.

Streamlined for adults and busy students who want to understand more about our region’s natural bounty but whose schedule can’t accommodate weekly classes, CCSF’s rotating series of Field Courses consist of a single preparatory lecture, followed by one or two weekend trips designed to fit education into a busy week.

And although previous experience and interest in science is a benefit, in-the-field curriculum crafted by expert professors with decades of experience brings a wealth of knowledge for everyone, from the uninitiated to a seasoned outdoors person.

To top it off, the Field Courses offered at City College of San Francisco are one of the most accessible and affordable educational opportunities of its type, at a mere $46 for a single unit class. The unique combination has proved extraordinarily successful for years, with the CCSF Field Courses consistently ranking among the college’s most popular and inspiring classes.

The courses represent a rare offering at the community college level. Field-based curriculum is famously difficult to organize, even at well-funded institutions like the University of California. “It has been a struggle at UC Berkeley to maintain access to field courses,” says Dr. John Battles, Professor of Forest Ecology at UC Berkeley. “The fact that CCSF can provide these opportunities every semester to their students is fantastic.”

With CCSF’s spring semester enrollment right around the corner, opening November XX, there is ample time to enroll for the upcoming semester’s classes. But be sure act fast: as one of CCSF’s cult favorites, the Field Series tends to fill up quickly.


Biology
ECOL 80A. Ecology of San Francisco Bay – Fall 2015

An investigation of the ecological significance of San Francisco Bay and historical and current abiotic and biotic factors shaping it. Identification of habitats and the adaptations of their key microbial, plant and animal components.

ECOL 80D. Ecology of Point Reyes National Seashore – Offered Spring 2016

An investigation of the ecological significance of the Point Reyes National Seashore (PRNS) and the role of historic and current biotic and abiotic factors that shape it. Observation of the diversity of habitats within PRNS and description of their associated fauna and flora.

ECOL 80E. Ecology of Coastal Mendocino County – Offered Spring 2016

An investigation of the ecological significance of coastal Mendocino County and historical and current abiotic and biotic factors shaping it. Identification of habitats and the adaptations of their key microbial, plant and animal components.

BIO 26. Habitat Restoration Field Studies

An introductory course examining the principles of habitat restoration and rehabilitation. An analysis of habitat reconstruction techniques. The concepts will be developed at specific restoration sites in the San Francisco Bay Area.

BIO 80C: Agroecology – Offered Spring 2016 – Offered Spring 2016

An examination of ecological issues surrounding agriculture. Analysis of ecosystem services provided by sustainable agriculture. Evaluation of different farming methods practiced on local urban farm and of personal food choices.

BIO 81. Ecology of San Francisco

An examination of abiotic and biotic factors shaping nature in San Francisco. An analysis of plant, animal, and human interactions within the diverse habitat types over time.

ECOL 80F. Ecology of the San Francisco Bay Delta

An investigation of the ecological significance of the San Francisco Bay Delta and historical and current abiotic and biotic factors shaping it. Identification of habitats and the adaptations of their key microbial, plant and animal components.

BIOL 28. Ecology of Golden Gate National Recreation Area- Offered Spring 2016

An investigation of the ecological significance of Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) and the role of historical and current biotic and abiotic factors in shaping it. Observe and describe the diverse habitats and their associated fauna and flora. Highlight management issues that affect the conservation and restoration of these biological and cultural resources.

ent issues that affect the conservation and restoration of these biological and cultural resources.

Geology
GEOL 21A. San Francisco Coastal Geology – Fall 2015

Introduction to geological processes at work along the San Francisco Pacific coastline, emphasizing scientific field work, coastal erosion, human interactions with the coastline, sand formation and migration, and geologic history of the coastline.

GEOL 21B. San Francisco Geology

Geological processes at work in the City of San Francisco, emphasizing scientific field work, surface and rock types, topographic features and their formation, geologic hazards, and geologic history.

GEOL 21C. The San Andreas Fault System – Offered Spring 2016

Geological processes related to earthquakes within the San Andreas fault system, emphasizing scientific field work, the physical, biological, and historical impacts of earthquakes, fault formation and evolution, and geologic history of local faults.