Field biology courses

“This was the best learning experience of my life. You can’t put a price on this kind of hands on experience.” - Itasca field biology student

Itasca courses are open to domestic or international graduate and undergraduate students of any accredited college or university, as well as to others with continuing education objectives.Course credits are transferable to most colleges and universities. We welcome students from around the United States and the world. Instruction is in English, so competency in the English language is required.

2012 field biology session

The 2012 field biology runs Sunday, May 20 through Tuesday, June 26. See below for exact dates of each course. Enrolled students and faculty are required to attend Orientation Night. This short session provides general information about the IBSL, and summarizes health and safety issues surrounding the facility as well as student behavior.

2012 Orientation Nights are Sunday, May 20 at 6:00 p.m. (Metagenomics only) and Wednesday, May 23 at 7:00 p.m. (all other courses). If you are taking Metagenomics + another course, you must attend both orientations. All registered students will receive a detailed information packet by email in April.

Biol 3807: Ecology

M/Th plus 2 additional days TBA; 4 cr; limited to 20 students; prereq. course in plant biology and/or animal biology; A/F only; Leif Hembre

We will explore principles of population growth, species interactions, and ecosystem functioning through a combination of field laboratories, lectures, and discussion of primary literature. Field laboratories will investigate aspects of terrestrial (prairie & forests) and aquatic (lakes, streams, wetlands) ecology. (May 24-June 25, 2012)

Biol 3811: Introduction to Animal Behavior

T/F plus 2 additional days TBA; 4 cr; limited to 20 students; prereq. course in beginning biology; A/F only; Brian Wisenden

This course is a survey of animal behavior with emphasis on field-based behavioral ecology, evolutionary function of behavior, and an experimental approach to the study of animal behavior. Each class begins with a short lecture followed by a field experiment in which we test an aspect of animal behavior taken from the lecture topic of the day. As part of the course, each student conducts their own independent research project on animal behavior. (May 25-June 26, 2012)

Biol 4850: Introduction to Mississippi Metagenomics - CANCELED FOR 2012

M/T/W/Sa/Su; 1 cr; limited to 15 students; prereq. course in beginning biology; A/F only. Bruce Jarvis, Jeff Gralnick, Michael Sadowsky. Program flyer (PDF). Syllabus (DOC).

This course combines laboratory, field, and computer studies to analyze the Mississippi River metagenome. Students will learn how to obtain samples from the river, extract the DNA from microbial cells, PCR-amplify 16S ribosomal RNA genes and analyze differences among identified genes, both in the laboratory and by using bioinformatic software. Students will also carry out high throughput screening of fosmid libraries containing large pieces of microbial genes isolated from river microbes for unique enzyme activities. Part of the routine laboratory work will be done with the aid of a robotic system. Students will better understand how DNA sequence data are derived from environmental samples, how to analyze large scale genomic sequence data, and what are the advantages and limitations of many of the techniques used to define the Mississippi metagenome. (Special Session short course: May 20, 21, 22, 23, 26 & 27, 2012)

Biol 4862 Biological Photography and Digital Imaging Techniques

- CANCELED FOR 2012

T/F plus 1 additional day TBA; 3 cr; limited to 20 students; prereq. course in beginning biology or instructor consent; A/F only; Don Rubbelke

Field photography techniques for documentation of insects, vertebrates, aquatic organisms, and habitats of the Itasca area. Emphasis on general photographic principles and some applied techniques using digital still cameras and video. Additional components of the class can involve flash, reversed lenses, and infra-red photoelectric tripping devices. No previous photographic experience is necessary. (May 25-June 26, 2012)

EEB 4839: Mammalogy

T/F plus 2 additional days TBA; 4 cr; limited to 20 students; prereq. course in beginning biology; A/F only; Joseph Whittaker

An introduction to the study of mammals. Class research projects will teach some of the standard techniques for studying mammals in the field while giving students experience in designing research projects, performing field work, analyzing data, and writing scientific papers. Laboratory work will include classification, anatomy, and natural history of mammals, with an emphasis on the mammals of Minnesota. Lecture topics emphasize mammalian diversity, evolution, ecology, and behavior. (May 25-June 26, 2012)

EEB 4844: Field Ornithology

M/Th plus 2 additional days TBA; 4 cr; limited to 20 students; prereq. course in general biology or instructor consent; A/F only; Muir Eaton

Emphasis on field methods used by ornithologists including censusing, mist-netting, experiments on nest depredation, techniques for identification, song analysis, and behavioral anlaysis of birds in the Itasca Park region. (May 24-June 25, 2012)