Coastal Plain Plant Identification Graduate Badge

Many tasks in ecological and environmental science careers involve the need for plant identification including ecological restoration, habitat management, invasive species removal, wetland delineation, threatened & endangered species assessments, and wildlife management.  This badge builds plant identification competencies necessary for these careers.

Skillsets

• field identification of plants
• use of plant identification keys
• herbarium specimen processing
• identification of invasive plant species
• use of relevant literature and tools for finding up-to-date nomenclature

Required Hours: 8

Campus: Hattiesburg

Requirements: 

Students must take two course and lab offerings (8 hours) and complete the Competency Assessment: 

• BSC 530 - Aquatic and Marsh Plants   2 hrs.
• BSC 530L - Aquatic and Marsh Plants Laboratory   2 hrs.
   
• BSC 533 - Plant Systematics  2 hrs.
• BSC 533L - Plant Systematics Laboratory  2 hrs.
   
• BSC 534 - Dendrology  2 hrs.
• BSC 534L - Dendrology Laboratory  2 hrs.
   
• BSC 535 - Plant Ecology  2 hrs.
• BSC 535L - Plant Ecology Laboratory  2 hrs.

Competency Assessment:

• BSC XXX

Upon completion of the badge requirements, students will enroll in BSC XXX and be administered a plant identification exam.  This exam will consist of identification of both field and herbarium plant specimens.  Students must score 90% or higher to receive badge.  This exam can be administered each semester.  Students can have up to three attempts to pass the exam.

This course will be graded on a Satisfactory (S) or Unsatisfactory (U) basis, and students must get an S to be awarded the badge.