Biology 321 - Special Topics in Field Biology, Tropical Biology
May Interim 2006

Administration

Professor Rich Legg
Lewis Hall 210
Phone: 333-6369; Office Hours: TBA
http://web.sau.edu/LeggRichardG/TropicalBiology/tropical_biology.htm
Class Meeting Time: Monday 5-6, Lewis 002, beginning 13 March
Field Trip Dates: 16 May departure – 6 June return

Course Goals and Objectives

This course has several distinct goals. First, it serves as an introduction to the tropics, and as such, can serve as a model for your own later explorations of other biological realms of the world. Second, it provides you with an opportunity to perform field research and introduces you to this methodology of investigative biology. Third, it is designed to have you begin thinking about true wilderness and its roles and values. Fourth, it's designed to help you develop experience working in a team.  Lastly, it serves to provide you with an international experience that will broaden your thinking about global conservation issues as well as make you a more integrated world citizen.

Course Materials

Each student should have his/her own copy of the following texts and materials:

Kircher, John. 1999. A Neotropical Companion, An introduction to the Animals, Plants, and Ecosystems of the new World Tropics, second edition.  Princeton University Press.
Blank notebook for field notes, journal, and two pens that use indelible ink.
Current U.S. Passport
Binoculars (the Department of Biology can supply a few students with binoculars)
Camera (film or digital)

The following two texts are highly recommended but not required.

Forsyth, Adrian, and Ken Miyata. 1995. Tropical Nature: Life and Death in the Rain Forests of Central and South America.  Touchstone.
Jackson, M.H.  1993.  Galapagos, A Natural History Guide, second edition.  Michigan State University Press.
Pearson, David L., and Les Beletsky.  2005. Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, Traveler’s Wildlife Guides.  Interlink Books.

During the on-campus portion of the course, you may be provided additional reading materials either in hard copy or placed on ereserve in the library. I also will provide you with a list of other recommended books as starting points and optional purchases should you wish to explore the topic of tropical biology further, or have particular interests that are only partially addressed by the above titles.

There will be other materials and preparation required for this course. I will be furnishing a full list of required gear to all students who complete the deposit process.  The majority of personal equipment needs is comprised of items that you already own.

Peculiar Course Requirements and Regulations

I consider the field to be our classroom and as such will require standards of behavior appropriate to the classroom at all times. Smoking and the drinking of alcoholic beverages are prohibited during the trip when we are engaged in course-related activities.  You are expected to obey all local laws, and should make yourself aware of restrictions associated with any of our accommodations, transports, or other circumstances.

Your safety is a prime concern.  While I expect that you will not encounter any significant personal dangers, the tropics are home to a wide variety of dangers, ranging from infectious diseases to venomous animals.   Simple medical precautions, care in food and drink, and proper behavior while in the field should make your travels uneventful in this regard.  Before we leave campus, you will be instructed as to basic dangers that you might encounter and means for coping with those dangers.  The safety appendix in Kircher’s text is an excellent starting point for you to begin thinking about personal safety issues.

In conjunction with safety considerations, each person must be physically prepared to handle the physical challenges associated with this course. At times, you will be subjected to strenuous periods of exercise under difficult climatic conditions. To be certain that you will be able to succeed in this course (please read that as learn, participate fully, enjoy and survive), you should be certain that you are physically up to the task before leaving. To test yourself, I recommend the following - attempt to walk/run 3 miles in less than 42 minutes; if it's impossible, or makes you extremely uncomfortable, you should begin a serious walking program immediately.

Fees and Registration

Registration in this course requires my signature and that of the Director of International Studies, Dr. Jon Stauff.   Space is limited and will be filled by referring to a priority system involving factors such as class seniority, career goal, extent of field experience and other factors.  Students of all academic classes, fresher through senior, are eligible for the course, with the only prerequisite being successful completion of one semester of college-level Biology.  An application for the course may be obtained by contacting Dr. Richard Legg.  Upon receipt and review of your application, you will be notified of acceptance into the course and allowed to place a deposit towards your participation.  Actual registration for the course will take place in the spring semester.

The course is offered as part of the Biology Department's May interim course offerings and may not be taken as part of a student's normal academic load (i.e., counted towards the 18 hours allowed under a semester’s zone tuition cap).   Course fees for the course, including airfare, all travel within Ecuador, most meals, and fees associated with course activities while traveling, are covered by the course fee of $5650.  This fee does not cover personal incidental costs such as snacks, souvenirs, additional book purchases, etc., and you should plan to bring additional "pocket" money to offset such expenses.  A non-refundable deposit of $500 is due when you are accepted into the course in order to confirm your place. 

Class Schedule (Tentative)

We will begin meeting this course once per week commencing with our return from spring break on 13 march.  At that time, you will receive a detailed outline and reading assignments for what we will be doing in each of our weeks on campus.

Tentative Outline of Field Component (as of 13 March 2006)

Grading

Four separate graded activities will contribute to your grade in this course.

50% Field Notebook: Instructions for the completion of a field notebook and journal will be given during the on-campus portion of the course. You are expected to make daily entries while in the field. The notebook is due immediately upon our return to the United States.

25% Final Examination: A final examination covering all of the course's readings as well as experiences in the field will be given following our return from the field.  You will have two weeks from our return to complete and return this exercise.  You may submit it electronically.

25% Field Research Studies Report: All students will participate in all field activities. In addition, each student will be a member of a small team with primary responsibility for conducting two simple field studies. Responsibilities for each research team include: 1) statement of formal research hypothesis and identification of relevant investigation variables; 2) development of an experimental protocol to be followed in the field; 3) design of data collection 4) supervision of field work; 5) analysis of experimental results; 6) suggestion of at least one follow-up study based upon the conclusions of the conducted study; and 7) filing of formal research reports within two weeks of our return to campus.  Each student will submit a report as a member of a team for one of the studies in which they participated.  Evaluation of your participation in the remaining studies will be based upon evaluation of the relevant sections of your field notes and journal. Final papers may be filed electronically.

Final Grading

        A = 90%+, consistent work of the highest quality
        B+ = 83-89%,
        B = 77-82%
        C+ = 72-76%
        C = 65-71%
        D = 55-64%
        F < 55%

Attendance Policy

You are expected to attend all lecture periods while we prepare for the field component of the course. No excused absences are allowed for any but the most extenuating circumstances (e.g., long-term illness of the student, serious illness or death of a close family member, or other extraordinary event about which you consult with me). In the field, it is imperative that you be an active member of our group at all times.  We will be living in close quarters with one another while traveling allowing me to stay appraised of your condition so that allowances can be made if necessary.

Students with Disabilities

If you require any accommodations to meet the requirements for this class, please inform me and I will work with you and the Office for Students with Disabilities to ensure that you will be able to perform as well as you can.