NTRES 2100 - Introductory Field Biology

(OPHLS-AG)

Fall. 4 credits.

Prerequisite: two introductory biology courses. Course fee: $25 to cover food for weekend trips. Enrollment limited to: sophomores in Environmental & Sustainability Sciences (ESS) major. Students will participate in two required weekend field trips.

M. Goebel, P. G. Rodewald.

Introduction to field identification, natural history, and study of plants, animals, and natural systems. Emphasizes the interaction of students with nature, the recording of ecological phenomena, and advancing student awareness and understanding of the natural environment, including ecological concepts (e.g., ecosystem, community, habitat, and niche). Students work cooperatively in hands-on field lab exercises to build skills in the identification and classification of native biota and their natural history. Students conduct an independent field research project in which they formulate research questions from field observations, develop a sampling plan, collect field data, and interpret those data for a research report/presentation. Students maintain a detailed field notebook of natural history observations from field labs and independent observations.

Outcome 1: Students will be able to identify and characterize ecosystem types, ecological communities, and habitats in the northeastern region based on key structural features, associated taxa, and the physical environment.

Outcome 2: Students will be able to identify approximately 200 common taxa of plants and animals in the northeastern region, and will understand the natural history of those species and their relationship to the environment.

Outcome 3: Students will be able to apply field research methods and approaches in a variety of ecological disciplines.

Outcome 4: Students will be able to formulate research questions from field observations, develop a sampling plan, collect field data, interpret and discuss results in relation to research questions.