Course Description:

SC Natural History Primer is an introduction to nature with references to South Carolina. Start with a look at natural history to understand what it is and why it matters, and the contribution of science to our knowledge of it. Then, investigate how adaptations form in nature, uncover the Plant and Animal Kingdom characteristics, study the geological formation of South Carolina and the five ecological regions, as well as review of the rock cycle and theory of plate tectonics.

Course Topics:

• Introduction to the Course
• What is Natural History and Science?
• What is Biodiversity and Why Does it Matter?
• Overview of Early Naturalists
• Nature's Foundation
• Ecoregions of SC
• Carolina Bays
• Evolution and Adaptation
• Naming Nature
• Bacteria
• Protists
• Fungi
• Flora
• Fauna

Course Requirements:

This is a fully online, asynchronous course. The course is a series of 35 lectures, approximately 30 minutes each, for a total video time of 20.5 hours. Each video is released upon completion of the previous video. To receive a certificate of completion, participants must complete at least ninety percent of the course videos.  

Technical Requirements:

To Participate fully in this course, you will need:

• An active email address for the individual participating in the course.
• A desktop computer or laptop (recommended): Canvas is available on mobile devices, but some content may appear differently
• Access to a high-speed internet connection.
• A web browser compatible with Canvas: Chrome and Firefox are recommended.
• Headphones or speakers (closed captioning also available)
• Computer skills including Internet browsing, using email, typing, downloading files, and basic troubleshooting.

Need Help?

• If you need help accessing or registering for a course, please contact Clemson Online at onlineplus@clemson.edu/
• Our support email is monitored Monday-Friday from 8:00-4:30. If you contact us in the evening or on the weekend, we will help you during the next business day.
• Please do not contact CCIT regarding CPE courses. Please reach out to Clemson Online so that we can assist you.