Field Ornithology: BIOL-28400 Fall 2010
Kit Muma Office: 158CNS Phone: (607) 274-3610 Email: muma@ithaca.edu Course web site: use Blackboard	Office Hours: 11:00 am Monday 4:00 pmWednsday or by appointment	Where are the Birds at IC?  (PDF)
Lecture:  TR 10:50-12:05 Friends 306
Lab: T 1-3:50 CNS 202

Laboratory Books: A Field Guide to the Birds of North America (or Eastern Region).  Acceptable books include: National Geographic, Sibley, Audubon, or Peterson.

Additional requirements: Field notebook and binoculars (some of these will be made available)

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

This course counts as a Biology elective for Biology, Biochemistry and Environmental Studies  / Sciences majors.  It also meets the general education science requirement (2a) of the School of Humanities and Sciences.  In the course we will:

• List the basic characteristics of birds.
• Understand the fundamentals of evolution and systematics.
• Relate the anatomy and physiology of birds to their natural history and behavior.
• Observe and be able to identify common birds of the Cayuga Lake Basin.
• Evaluate scientific literature; develop and carry out an independent research project
• Learn about the impact of humans on bird populations.

TESTS AND ASSIGNMENTS:

A midterm test will be given during the scheduled lecture period and will be based on previous lectures and assigned readings.  A final lecture exam will be given during the final exam period.  The tests will have short-answer and essay questions.  Identification quizzes will be given at the beginning of the lab period during the labs indicated.  During some labs you will hand in a one-two page summary of results.

The class will address an issue concerning birds on campus (I.C. Birds).  In this project we will look at the interaction between humans and birds.         

We will learn about current ornithological literature and how to communicate science to an non-scientist.  Each student will review one peer-reviewed scientific paper by writing a popular science article aimed at the general public.

In a project we will be using on-line data to formulate and test hypotheses relating to some aspect of bird morphology, ecology or behavior.  Sample projects would use digital resources through the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology and the Birds of North America on-line to explore databases.

Specific Biology Departmental Goals and Assessment:

Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental concepts and principles in biology (organismal biology, population and evolutionary biology, ecology). This will be assessed by selected questions on the midterm  and final exam.

6.  Effectively communicate scientific works in both oral and written form. This will be assessed by the “Science writing” and “Database” projects.

CALCULATING YOUR GRADE:

 

Final grade =	Midterm	20%
	Lecture final	25%
	Lab I.D quizzes and reports	15%
	I.C Birds	5%
	Science writing	15%
	Database Project	20% (rough draft is worth 5%)
	Total	100 %
There are NO “extra credit” assignments.

Grade Scale:

A = 93-100,  A- = 90-92, B+ = 87-89, B = 83-86,  B- = 80-82, C+  = 77-79,  C = 73-76,  C- = 70-72, D+ = 67-69,  D = 63-66,  D- = 60-62, F < 60

COURSE POLICIES:

Attendance:

Standards of Academic Conduct:

These are outlined clearly in the student handbook.  “Academic honesty is a cornerstone of the mission of the College.  Unless it is otherwise stipulated, students may submit for evaluation only that work which is their own and that is submitted originally for a specific course”.  Please familiarize yourself with the definition of plagiarism.  Academic dishonesty can lead to a zero grade on that assignment, a failing grade in the course, academic code probation, suspension or expulsion from the College depending on the gravity of the violation and the decision of the judicial board.

Students with Disabilities: 

“In compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act, reasonable accommodation will be provided to students with documented disabilities on a case by case basis.  Students must register with the Office of Academic Support Services (607-274-1005 TDD 607-274-7319, acssd@ithaca.edu) and provide appropriate documentation to the college before any academic adjustment will be provided.”   Students should schedule an appointment with the course instructors as soon as possible to discuss their individual needs.

Missed Tests: 

A test (lecture or lab) missed during an un-excused absence will result in a zero grade for that test.  For an unexpected absence (illness, death in the immediate family, accident), you must inform me before the test if at all possible.  You can phone me (607-274-3610) or the Biology Department (607-274‑3161) to leave a message.  Such notification does not guarantee my accepting your reason for absence, but failing to notify us guarantees you will not be excused.  Oversleeping or "not being prepared" do not constitute valid excuses.  Tests cannot be written earlier than scheduled on the syllabus.  

I.C. Birds:

The class will work together on a project to examine the interaction between birds and humans on the I.C. campus.  The topic will be chosen by the class after discussion based on what you feel is most important or where you think we can make a difference.  Possible topics include:  Window-kills – How can we minimize/prevent them?  Wind tower construction: will it harm migrating birds?  Coffee choices: what’s best for neotropical migrants?  Discussion will be held on August 31^st during lecture.  The class will then divide into teams to do background research, collect data, contact college officials and come up with proposals.  Final results will be presented during the last class.

Science Writing:

Database Project:

Sample questions include:

Morphology: How does body mass or wing length vary with habitat or lifestyle?

Breeding: Why do different species have different breeding strategies and clutch sizes?

Feeding/distributions: How have species numbers changed over the years based on bird counts?

Song: How does the structure of a song relate to the environment?

Plumage: What are common color patterns and how do they relate to behavior or habitats?  Why are some species more elaborate than others?

Birds in human landscapes: Have changes in land use altered bird species abundance in NY State?

The format of the project will follow that of a scientific paper that will be handed in by Thursday, Dec. 2^nd . 
The presentation to the class will be a 10-minute Powerpoint slide show given during either lecture or lab on Tuesday, November 30^th. 

The presentation and paper must include:

• Title / Hypothesis
• Introduction / Background Information
• Materials / Methods
• Results (graphs, tables, figures with captions and proper statistical tests)
• Discussion / Conclusions
• Literature Cited (including at least 5 peer-reviewed scientific papers in addition to referencing the databases and any web pages you used)

Sample Databases include:

• Macaulay Library: Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, http://macaulaylibrary.org/index.do
• Raven Interactive Sound Analysis Software, http://www.birds.cornell.edu/brp/raven/RavenOverview.html
• Birds of North America, http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna
• Project Feederwatch, http://www.birds.cornell.edu/pfw/
• Science Pipes: Biodiversity Data, http://sciencepipes.org/beta/home
• USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/bbs/
• Great Backyard Bird Count, http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/
• Christmas Bird Count, http://birds.audubon.org/christmas-bird-count
• NY State Dept. of Environmental Conservation, http://www.dec.ny.gov/

Saturday Field Trip:

Tentative Lecture Schedule

Tentative Laboratory Schedule