Field Experiences

You can participate in field experiences to enhance learning and deepen your understanding of course topics. Many biology courses at Chemeketa include one or more field trips including -

BI 101 General Biology: Ecology and Diversity

• Local County park - identify plants and local land use
• Cascade Mountains - traverse and study ecoregions in Oregon

BI 103 General Biology: Plant and Animal Structure and Function

• Boiler Bay or Seal Rock - examine tidepool life and sand dunes

BI 131 Environmental Science I

• Bonesteele County Park - study the effects of fragmentation and edges on forests

BI 132 Environmental Science II

• Local forest - Contribute to a long term study of forest regeneration

BI 133  Environmental Science III

• Little Nestucca River - Examine the relationship between land use and water quality in the watershed from canoes
• H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest - Re-visit concepts from throughout the BI 131-133 series using streams and old growth forests

BI 143 Marine Biology

• Seal Rock, Hatfield Marine Science Center - explore tidepool life, examine estuary,  study animal behavior
• South Beach - explore sand dunes and examine impacts of plastics in the ocean

BI 211  Principles of Biology I

• Old Growth Rainforest - examine plant and fungal diversity in its natural surrounding

BI 213  Principles of Biology III

• Boiler Bay - study invertebrate diversity in tidepools

GS 151  Marine Environmental Systems

• Hatfield Marine Science Center - find invasive species, survey garbage on nearby jetties, collect microplastics for later lab study;
• Oregon Hatchery Research Center - learn about overfishing using Salmon as case study

Note:  Changes in field trips may occur due to changes in weather or destination access.

Cadaver Lab

Chemeketa’s cadaver lab contains four cadavers that have been dissected to show different structures and systems of the human body. You will study our cadavers when you enroll in the BI231-233 Anatomy and Physiology course sequence.

Summer Cadaver Dissection

Once you have completed BI231 and BI232, you can apply to complete our summer Human Dissection (BI235) class where you help to dissect and prepare new cadavers for the next academic year. For information about this course or to apply, please contact Joe Bean.

Science Study Lab

You can take advantage of the Science Study Lab to study anatomy and physiology models, view prepared slides under a microscope, or review lab materials as provided by your instructor. You can use the lab free, but you must register using the CRN each term. You can find the CRN and lab schedule by including non-credit classes in your class search.

Aquatic Ecology Lab

The Aquatic Ecology Lab on the Salem Campus provides opportunity to study simulated wetlands and how water quality is impacted, along with freshwater aquatic life.

Active Learning Center

You can use the Active Learning Center in Building 8 as a place to meet with a study group or study independently. Some resources are provided as well as close proximity to faculty offices.