Field Biology Courses

Itasca courses are open to domestic or international graduate and undergraduate students of any accredited college or university, as well as to others with continuing education objectives.
Course credits are transferable to most colleges and universities. We welcome students from around the United States and the world. Instruction is in English, so competency in the English language is required.

The 2008 Field Biology Session runs Thursday, May 29 through Tuesday, July 1. Orientation Night is Wednesday, May 28.
Courses meet for 3-, 4- or 5-weeks. See the class schedule for details.

Enrolled students and faculty are required to attend orientation at 7:00 p.m. on May 28. This short session provides general information about the IBSL, and summarizes health and safety issues surrounding the facility as well as student behavior.

Biol 3807: Ecology;  M/Th plus 2 additional days TBA; 4 cr; limited to 20 students; prereq. course in calculus, course in plant biology, and/or animal biology; A/F only; Leif Hembre.
We will explore principles of population growth, species interactions, and ecosystem functioning through a combination of field laboratories, lectures, and discussion of primary literature. Field laboratories will investigate aspects of terrestrial (prairie & forests) and aquatic (lakes, streams, wetlands) ecology. Meets from May 29 to June 30.

Biol 3811: Introduction to Animal Behavior; T/F plus 2 additional days TBA; 4 cr; limited to 20 students; prereq. course in beginning biology; A/F only; Brian Wisenden.
This course is a survey of animal behavior with emphasis on field-based behavioral ecology, evolutionary function of behavior, and an experimental approach to the study of animal behavior. Each class begins with a short lecture followed by a field experiment in which we test an aspect of animal behavior taken from the lecture topic of the day. As part of the course, each student conducts their own independent research project on animal behavior. Meets from May 30 to July 1.

Biol 4862 Biological Photography and Digital Imaging Techniques; T/F plus 1 additional day TBA; 3 cr; limited to 20 students; prereq. course in beginning biology; A/F only; Don Rubbekle.
Field photography techniques for documentation of insects, vertebrates, aquatic organisms, and habitats of the Itasca area. Emphasis on general photographic principles and some applied techniques using digital still cameras and video. Additional components of the class can involve flash, reversed lenses, and infra-red photoelectric tripping devices. No previous photographic experience is necessary but this can be helpful. Meets from May 30 to June 24.

NEW COURSE FOR 2008! view flyer [JPEG]
ENT 4861 Aquatic Entomology; T/F plus 2 additional days TBA; 3 cr; limited to 20 students; A/F only; prereq. college-level course in general biology or equiv; Mendez, Patina.
Taxonomy and natural history of aquatic insects including their importance in aquatic ecology, water resource management, recreation, and conservation. Emphasis on family-level identification of immatures and adults. Field trips scheduled to local aquatic habitats. A collection is required. Meets from May 30 to June 24.

EEB 4825 Telemetry/Animal Behavior; M/Th; 2 cr; limited to 20 students; A/F only; Larry Kuechle/ Jon Ross.
Use of radio-telemetry to study animal behavior, especially movements and the use of space. Basic features of radio transmission, transmitters, and receivers relevant to bio-telemetry, safe and humane methods for capture and immobilization of animals for radio-tagging; techniques for attachment of transmitters, locating radio-tagged animals; use of maps, GIS and positioning systems, processing data from radio-fixes; telemetry of further behavioral and physiological information. Meets from May 29 to June 16.

EEB 4839: Mammalogy; T/F plus 2 additional days TBA; 4 cr; limited to 20 students; prereq. course in beginning biology; A/F only; Joseph Whittaker.
An introduction to the study of mammals. Class research projects will teach some of the standard techniques for studying mammals in the field while giving students experience in designing research projects, performing field work, analyzing data, and writing scientific papers. Laboratory work will include classification, anatomy, and natural history of mammals, with an emphasis on the mammals of Minnesota. Lecture topics emphasize mammalian diversity, evolution, ecology, and behavior. Meets from May 30 to July 1.

EEB 4844: Field Ornithology; M/Th plus 2 additional days TBA; 4 cr; limited to 20 students; prereq. course in general biology including study of zoology; A/F only; Muir Eaton.
Emphasis on field methods used by ornithologists including censusing, mist-netting, experiments on nest depredation, techniques for identification, song analysis, and behavioral anlaysis of birds in the Itasca Park region. Meets from May 29 to June 30.