Instructor(s):

Dr. Ben Rubin ph. 519-661-2111 ext 87475
Dep’t of Biology fax. 519-661-3935
The University of Western Ontario email. brubin2@uwo.ca
London, ON N6A 5B7
Teaching Assistant Mr. Philip Wilson

Dates:

Tuesday 8 May – Tuesday 22 May, 2012

Location:

Adirondack Ecological Center, Newcomb, NY, USA

Cost:

Cost: $750
Includes transportation (from and returning to London, ON or Hamilton,ON), lodging, and meals starting with dinner on May 8 and ending with lunch on May 22.
To reserve a place in the course, payment is due in full on March 15, 2012.

Prerequisites :

Pre-requisites: 2 courses in Biology
Requirements: Valid travel documents for entering the US and returning to Canada (This definitely includes a passport and may include a Visa depending on your Country of citizenship).
Proof of supplementary medical insurance for travel to the US
Content: At more than 24,000 km2, the Adirondack Park is one of the largest protected areas in eastern North America. It is 3.5 times the size of Algonquin Provincial Park with similar forests and more mountainous topography. This course will explore the natural history of environments within the Adirondack Park, including alpine, boreal, northern hardwood, upland, lowland and aquatic communities. We will observe the Adirondacks during leaf ‐ out in early spring – one of the most dynamic times of year. In order to take full advantage of being in the field, the course will focus on three themes:

• Identification of flora and fauna
• Field measurement techniques
• Natural and human history of the Adirondacks

Students will be required to:

• Teach themselves about the basic ecology of one common bird species and one common trees species before leaving on the trip and introduce the class to these species when we arrive in the Adirondacks.
• Keep a field journal.
• Conduct an independent project including data collection during second week of the course with a final report to be completed 2 weeks after the course.

NOTE: This course requires hiking up to 3 or 4 km per day in rough and mountainous terrain . Weather in the Adirondacks in May can be mild or severe, including the possibility of biting insects, cold temperatures, rain or even snow. If you wish to avoid these conditions please do not sign up for this course.

Enrolment:

9 students

Description:

Assignments: Field Journal (due 22 May 2012) and Final Report (due 7 June 2012).

Evaluation:

Grades: Participation during course 25%
Introducing the class to assigned species 5%
Mid-course exam 20%
Field journal 20%
Final report 30%