This class is taught in English.

- Students will become familiar with 6 methods for avian field research and will practice skills in 2-3 of these methods.
- Students will gain skills in identifying birds using shape, size, color pattern, sounds, habitat, behavior, and range. 
- Students will participate in all steps on the scientific method including question formation, research design, conducting research, data analysis, conclusions, and project write-up.  
- Students will understand the ways that citizen science has influenced avian field research and will be able to name ways to become involved.
- Students will become familiar with scientific writing using college-level writing expectations and guidelines.  

Heather is a published ecologist who has conducted field ecology research for more than a decade.  She has done research in Costa Rica, Teton Mountain National Park, the Southern Appalachian Mountains, and in the Midwest. Her main research interests are birds and landscape ecology. Heather is also an environmental educator and naturalist with over 20 years of experience teaching students of all ages through nature centers, schools, and Girl Scouts.

Homework Offered
Homework for the first 3 weeks will be a "boots in the field, binoculars in hand" lab in which students will try out bird census techniques (point counts and transects) and practice recording bird observations using a Grinnell Field Journal and eBird. For weeks 4-11 homework will revolve around designing, conducting, and then writing up an independent (or small group) avian field research project in the format of a scientific manuscript. Writing guidelines and expectations are modeled after college introductory-level biology course expectations for final project write-ups.  These expectations are also similar to weekly lab write-up expectations for many upper-level college biology courses.  Heather will provide extensive individual feedback as students are guided through this writing process.   

Please set aside about 1-1.5 hours for completing interactive PearDeck Lessons and participating in discussion boards each week.  You will need an additional 2-3 hours each week for labs or for working on conducting and writing up your independent avian field research project.  
4+ hours per week outside of class
Assessments Offered
All assignments submitted on time will receive individual feedback from Heather within 5 days after the assignment due date. Grades are optional in this course and the grading scale and grading methods are specified in the course syllabus. Students who wish to receive a grade (percentage and letter grade) should notify Heather by the start of the 2nd class. The full course syllabus will be provided on the first day of class and is available early upon request. Just message Heather if you would like to view the full course syllabus prior to registering.
Grades Offered
Students who wish to receive a grade in this course should notify Heather by the start of week 2.  
Grades for this course are based on: 
-30% = Independent Research Project Section Check-ins (completion/effort)
-35% = Independent Research Project Final Score (scientific writing rubric provided week 5)
-20% = Labs (completion/effort)
-15% = Participation in Discussion Board and Completion of Interactive Pear Deck Lessons (full participation includes sharing your comments and perspective as well as commenting on, expanding on, or asking questions about what others share in a way that contributes productively to the class discussion)

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: Below 60%