Field Techniques in Zoology, ESU

Syllabus
Field Techniques in Zoology
Summer 2001

instructors:	Lynnette Sievert, Ph.D. office - Science Hall 163 phone - 341-5606 e-mail - sievertl@emporia.edu Dwight Moore, Ph.D. office - Science Hall 144 phone - 341-5611 email - mooredwi@emporia.edu

section:	ZO 459 A for undergraduate credit Z0 859 A for graduate credit The class will meet 24 hours a day from 18 May 2001 through 27 May 2001

text:	in general students should buy at least one field guide to a taxon of organisms; such as birds, mammals, fishes, herptiles, insects, or mussels.

I. course description

The purpose of this course is to provide an introduction to the basic field methods that are involved in the study of animals and their populations. The class will also provide insight into how to organize and conduct a field expedition. The class will be conducted in the field and will require participation in a 10-day field trip during which we will camp out each night.

II. course organization

In the field, various techniques will be explained and then practiced as a class. You will be required to participate in all of the activities of the class and you will also be expected to contribute to the daily chores of running a field trip, which include cleaning and cooking.

During this course, students will travel to eight different field locations in southern and western Kansas. The class will sample and observe animal populations using a variety of techniques, such as live-trapping and seining. Students will also record their observations and calculate basic statistics to describe the populations under study. During the class, we will travel from field site to field site and camp almost every night. Students are expected to bring their own camping gear, except that food preparation will be a joint project.

III. grading:

You must keep a journal of field notes in which you record observations about the habitat and activity expereinced during the class. This field notebook is worth 200 points. Your grade will be determined by the completeness of your observations and the neatness/organization of your field notes.

There will also be 100 points for participation in the field activities and discussion in class. This will give a total of 300 points for the course. Your final grade in the course will be assigned based upon the percentage of the points that you earn.

A = 92.0% to 100%

A- = 89.0% to 91.9%

B+ = 86.0% to 88.9%

B = 83.0% to 85.9%

B- = 79.0% to 82.9%

C+ = 76.0% to 78.9%

C = 70.0% to 75.9%

D = 60.0% to 69.9%

F < 60.0%

VI. equipment needed:

We are going to be camping out for most of our trip. Thus you will need basic camping equipment, however space in the vehicle will be limited so you need to conserve space as much as possible. We will provide cooking equipment, campstoves, and lanterns for the trip. Keep in mind that we will be spending most of our time away from any large stores, so for anything that you forget there is an excellent chance that you will have to do without it.

Sleeping bag or blanket, sheet, pillow, mattress: In general the weather will be warm so a heavy sleeping bag will be too warm; the sheet will be all the cover that you need on most nights.
Tent: Each person will not need their own tent, you should arrange to share a tent with one or more persons. Be sure that your tent has a rainfly and is insect proof. For the most part, we will be camping at primitive campsites.
Flashlight and extra batteries: A headlight would work best, if you have a waterproof light that would also be good.
Binoculars
Pocketknife
Camera, film, and batteries for the camera
Notebook and pencils
Snorkel and mask: This will be used at several springs and rivers, however, the current is non-existent and thus you will not need fins or other diving equipment.
Insect repellant, sunscreen, soap, shampoo, etc.: Insect repellant and sunscreen are very important.
Clothes: You will need a couple of changes of clothes, but, please, do not bring a change of clothes for every day that we will be gone. A couple of pairs of long pants, a couple of pairs of shorts, some t- shirts (one long-sleeved), a jacket/sweatshirt, bathing suit, socks and underwear should about cover it. You should also have a hat and a rain jacket or poncho. A pair of hiking boots will be helpful, tennis shoes for around camp, and a pair of shoes that you can get wet (dive boots work excellent for these). A towel will be useful. There are shower facilities at most sites. There are no facilities for plugging in such things as hair dryers, etc.
Money: The expenses of the trip will be covered in the additional fee of $200.00 for the course. However, we may eat some meals at fast food restaraunts while traveling and you will need money for these meals. You will also need money for the myriad of beverages and snacks that people always seem to need while traveling. Finally, there will be several opportunities to buy souvenirs during the trip. In this regard, you could spend anywhere from a few dollars to hundreds of dollars. A minimum might be an additional $100.00.

If you have questions contact either Lynnette Sievert or Dwight Moore.

Itinerary
18 May	Leave ESU (1) at 08:00, arrive at Lovewell State Park (9)at 13:00
19 May	spend a second night at Lovewell State Park
20 May	leave Lovewell arond 9:00 and drive to Hays, KS and tour the Sternberg Museum (8), leave around 17:00 and drive to Cedar Bluff State Park (7), spend the night
21 May	Leave Cedar Bluff State Park around 10:00, drive to Cimmarron National Grassland (6), spend the night
22 May	Spend a second night at Cimmarron National Grassland (6)
23 May	Leave Cimmarron National Grassland around 10:00, drive to Barber County State Fishing Lake (5), spend the night at the lake
24 May	Leave Barber County State Fishing Lake around 10:00, arrive at Quivira National Wildlife (2) Refuge, spend the night at the nature center
25 May	Leave QNWR and tour through Cheyenne Bottoms (3), leave by 12:00 and drive to Field Station for Wichita State University (4), spend the night at the field station
26 May	Spend a second night at WSU field station
27 May	Leave WSU field station by 12:00, arrive at ESU in afternoon

Last updated on 3 March 2001.
Provide comments to Dwight Moore at mooredwi@emporia.edu.
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Syllabus Field Techniques in Zoology Summer 2001

Syllabus
Field Techniques in Zoology
Summer 2001