Winter Mammalian Ecology
EFB 484 / 684
Course Objectives & Assignments
- Sunday March 9, 8:30 -8:45 AM—Depart from Moon Parking Lot in College vans
- Friday March 14, 4:00 - 6:00 PM—Return to campus
Course Schedule
What to Bring:
- Good boots - Come prepared to be out in the snow and to be inside with your boots off.
- Layers of clothing - Come prepared to be out in the snow, and indoors every day without the chance to go back to your cabin. Be prepared for deep snow, wind and cold temperatures, and also warm, sunny days.
- Notebook approximately 9 inches by 6 inches, hardbound - You will be asked to keep a journal following a format that we will provide. You'll also use the notebooks to make notes from lecture and keep track of ecological conditions and data in the field. The notebooks will be turned in at the end of the week and evaluated. They will be returned to you after the grading in complete.
- Sleeping bag or blankets and pillow - There will be good bunks in warm, dry cabins.
- Towel, shower kit, etc.
Daypack size backpack
- We will be in and out of the classroom, and
vans every day. You'll want to keep some layers with you. - Snow pants, wind pants, long underwear - We will be out in the field every day. In past years, some days were -20 degrees F and windchill was probably -40.
- Snowshoes - Bring them if you have them. We can supply you with them if you don't.
- Flashlight - The sleeping quarters and restrooms are
in separate buildings. On moonless nights, the
- Water bottle & travel mug - Optional, but strongly recommended
- Sunglasses or ski goggles - Optional, but strongly recommended
- Camera and Binoculars - Optional, but encouraged
- $335 – Check, credit or
debit card. Payable to
Assignments:
Life in the Cold:
- Chapters 1, 2, 4, 5 ,7, 8
Oral Presentation
- *Synopsis of research article from primary literature
- Topic related to morphological, physiological or behavioral adaptations of mammals to life in the cold
- 10 minutes – rationale, objectives, methods, findings, relation to mammalian adaptation to winter
- PowerPoint - including scanned photos, and figures; program must be submitted on CD upon arrival. No editing will be possible after submission.
- *Graduate students must develop synopsis and synthesis of at least 3 articles
Grading:
- 25% Participation
- 25% Journal
- 25% Oral Presentation
- 25% Final Exam
Instructional Objectives:
- Students will be able to describe at least 5 different kinds, each, of morphological, physiological and behavioral adaptations to living in the cold.
- Students will be able to make a coherent PowerPoint presentation on winter adaptations of mammals.
- Students will be able to describe the importance of attributes of snow, vegetation and landform to survival of mammals in winter.
- Student will be able to identify mammals and describe natural history as it relates to winter ecology of various groups of mammals.