BIO 466 - Ornithology

Semester Hours: 4

A primary goal of this course is for students to emerge with a lasting knowledge of and appreciation for birds and birding. Through lecture and laboratory, students will develop understanding and appreciation for the systematics, anatomy, physiology, distribution, abundance, life histories, morphological traits, ecological relationships, behaviors, and conservation of birds. Field experience will help students gain skills in field identification and sampling techniques. Literature-based assignments and field or lab research projects will help students learn how to find and read primary literature, analyze original data, and communicate results. For some students, these activities will provide the foundation for a lifetime of serious scholarly pursuit of all things avian. For others, these activities can facilitate contribution to the body of knowledge in ornithology derived from citizen scientists. Students who excel in this course should be prepared to train to conduct aural and visual surveys for birds anywhere in North America.

Lab Included: LB