Ornithology BIO 426 (W/O2) (Spring 2013; CRN 33963) (tentative, version 26th January 2013)

Transcription

1 Ornithology BIO 426 (W/O2) (Spring 2013; CRN 33963) (tentative, version 26th January 2013) Instructor: Falk Huettmann Office: 419 IAB (Irving I) Phone: (voice mail) Office hours: Mondays 2:00 3:00 p.m. or by appointment TA1: Rebecca Young Office: Irving 102 Phone: (voice mail) Office hours: Thursdays 1:00 2:30 p.m. or by appointment Lecture: Tuesday 11:30 1:00 p.m., 103 Irving 1 Thursday 11:30 1:00 p.m., 103 Irving 1 Lab: Friday 14:150 17:15 p.m., 103 Irving 1 Course Web Page (Blackboard) Course Description: Ornithology makes for a professional environmental discipline, and it also relates to the sustainable management of natural resources. Following Gill (2007) and latest research publications, this course provides an overview of modern ornithology, and how it can be used in the best long-term interest of birds, humans and habitats alike. The class follows an inquiry-based learning and critical thinking approach based on best available science, and balanced scientific debate and discussions. Oral presentations are required, and written assignments and digital online data skills are also taught. Course Goals: Students will understand the core questions of a modern ornithology, and its quantitative and conservation management facets in the digital age. Pre-requisites: BIOL 105, 106, COMM 131, ENGL 211 or 213, or permission from the instructor. BIOL 271 (Ecology) is suggested. Students should be in good standing. Credits: 3 Grading Policy: Letter grades will be determined from the performance in a) lectures (40%), b) labs (40%) and c) oral presentations (20%). These three class components break out the following way: Lecture performance (a) will be determined from two written exams (mid-term 20 % and final 30%), participation (10%), quizzes (15%), reading assignments (10%) and student-led discussions (15%). Labs (b) require 3 written lab assignments and one outdoors Ornithology field project assignment (20 % each, usually oral and data presentation). This class makes use of, and teaches, digital online sources. Labs cover mostly species identifications, some anatomy and morphology, and digital data webportals such as ORNIS, GBIF, Alaska GAP and ebird. I use some quizzes to confirm whether students know and understood the lecture and lab topics. Missing classes and deadlines result into lost percentages and potentially, class failure.

2 For marking, I follow a quantitative scale and with the eventual thresholds A = %, B = 90-81%, C = 80-71%, D = 70-61%, F < 61%. I do offer extra credit opportunities, and follow the latest UAF grading scheme. Student-led Discussions and Reading Assignment: Each student will lead one app. 10 minute long summary presentation on a research topic relevant to Ornithology, and a 5 minute long facilitated class discussion. The material is to be made available on reserve, blackboard or by the student for the rest of the class to review one week prior to the discussion. The suggested material must be provided to the teacher two weeks prior to the course for assessment and approval. The student in charge will lead the discussion by compiling a set of questions relevant to the topic and a list of questions (also distributed one week before class). Students will be expected to synthesize material from the readings in a biological science and conservation management context, in addition to summarizing them. Unless stated otherwise by the lecturer, for the 'Reading Assignment', all students are required to provide via to the instructor a written half-page review of the discussed paper annotated with scientific references following the journals of The Auk or Open Ornithology. Laboratory Assignments and Projects: Weekly 3 hour lab-projects are associated with this class in the UAF wildlife and computer labs. Most of the labs deal with species identification in various forms and digital online information. A project will usually cover two weekly labs. The lab-time will also be used, in part, for feedback sessions of the writing and oral assignments. Lab assignments are usually to be handed in every second week and deal with specific topics covered in the lecture, e.g. identification, morphometrics, taxonomy, conservation management and internet/www applications to retrieve and store ornithological information and sightings. The outdoors Ornithology and Habitat data project assignment deals with a topic of choice defined by the student in agreement with the instructor; it is to be presented orally and handed in as a written data publication (draft required for review by the instructor and TA). Exams: A Mid-term and a Final Exam will be required. They consist of multiple choice and written questions, covering the content of the textbook as well as scientific concepts and lab details covered during this course. Readings: The course will closely follow the standard Ornithology textbook: Gill F. B. (2007) Ornithology, Third Edition, W. H. Freeman & Co., New York. Additional readings and publications will be provided throughout the class on specific subjects. The labs will need professional identification field guides such as the National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America, Sibley s Guide to Birds, and Birds of North America (BNA) accounts. Other details relevant for this class: STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: Students with learning or other disabilities who may need classroom accommodations are encouraged to make an appointment with the Office of Disability Services ( ). Please meet with me during office hours so that we can collaborate with the Office of Disability Services to provide the appropriate accommodations and supports to assist you in meeting the goals of the course.

3 PARTICIPATION: I expect students to participate and contribute actively in this class in order to improve the individual as well as the overall group performance. I allow NO cell phones during the entire course, nor non-course activities. ETHICS: I believe in team work, high ethical standards and fair judging. I will follow the Code of Honor outlined in the UAF documents. Plagiarism and any other unethical approaches will not be tolerated in this course and will result in failure of the class. SUPPLIES REQUIRED: I expect students to have the text book. Field and outdoors gear, notebook, pen, binocular, computer (word processing, Open Office, printer) and internet access are also needed. A laptop is an asset (the UAF computing system is mainly used as a computational reference set-up). SUPPORT FOR WRITTEN TASKS: Since many assignments are in a written format, students may want to make use of the Writing Center (8 th floor, Gruening Bldg). Digital assignments and deliveries are an important part of this class. (I keep the right to modify the class schedules, teaching topics etc., whenever required by the course and circumstances)

4 Lecture Schedule BIOL/WLF 426 (version 17 th January 2013; tentative) Date General Topic * Specific Topic January 17 Introduction Course Info and Ornithology Definition 1 22 Introduction Brief History of Ornithology 2 24 Definitions and Terms Classification, Systematics 3 29 Foundations Species-differentiation 4 31 Foundations Origin & Evolution of Birds 5 February 5 Guest Lecture Guest Lecture 6 7 Global Context Birds of the World 7 12 Oral Discussion Session 20 min Student Presentations (A) and Review with Lecturer 14 Bird Biology Feathers, Molts & Plumages 8 19 Bird Biology Flight 9 21 Bird Biology Physiology, Feeding Mid-term Mid-term 28 Populations Populations, Ecology 11 March 5 Quantitative Tools Statistical Issues in Ornithology 12 7 Management Conservation and Distribution SPRING BREAK NO CLASS 14 SPRING BREAK NO CLASS 19 Advanced Topics Behavior & Communication Breeding Biology Demographics, Territory & Home Range Breeding Biology Reproduction, Nests, Eggs, Incubation Breeding Biology Courtship, Mating 17 April 2 Conference NO CLASS 4 Oral Discussion Session Students 9 Breeding Biology Condition, Care &Development of Young Migration Postbreeding Behavior, Fall Migration International Issues General Migration, Navigation & Flyways Avian Ecology Communities Special Topics Seabirds Special Topics Tropics, Russian Far East, China 23 May 2 Exam and Project prep. Student & Project Presentation (B) and Discussion, Final Exam review 9 Final Exam Final Exam (held 10:15) * weekly student-led discussions are integrated app. February onwards Lab Assignments (tentative) Submission Date Topic February 8 Online information sources and Life bird and Specimen ID waterbirds March 1 Life bird and Specimen ID passerines March 22 Visual ID from photos, books & online sources April 5 Vocalization ID May 5 Outdoor Field Project Important Deadlines (tentative) Date Deliverable 3 weeks before Discussion of topic with instructor 2 weeks before Papers for discussion provided to instructor 1 week before Questions for discussion provided to instructor Bi-weekly Written assignments February 22 Oral presentation (A) February 26 Mid-Term (regular lecture time) April 15 Start of Outdoors Lab Assignment

5 May 5 Submission of final data assignment May 9 Final Exam (held 10:15 AM)