COURSE ANNOUNCEMENT: BIOLOGY OF BIRDS, UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN BIOLOGICAL STATION

[Melanie Colón]

The University of Michigan Biological Station, located near the Mackinac Bridge in northern lower Michigan, offers a wide array of terrestrial and aquatic field courses during both a four-week spring term (May 22 - June 18) and eight-week summer term (June 25 - August 20). A field course in the natural history of birds (EEB 330, Biology of Birds, 5 credits) is offered during the spring term. This field-oriented course introduces undergraduates to the identification, natural history, ecology, and behavior of birds through field trips to the Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula of Michigan. Field experience is supplemented by independent field projects, lectures, and identification of birds with study skins.

The course is designed for undergraduate students with an interest in the identification, natural history, ecology, and conservation of birds. The class meets daily Monday through Friday. Most mornings are reserved for field trips in northern Lower Michigan and the Upper Peninsula that focus on identification and observations of birds in many different habitats. Afternoons are devoted to lectures, review of study skins, and independent student field projects. One day a week is scheduled to design, implement, and write results from an independent field project. The class experience is enriched by visiting scholar lectures, UMBS researchers, and interactions with students in other courses. UMBS is on the shores of Douglas Lake and near Lakes Superior, Michigan, and Huron. The course has been taught for over 100 years.

Application material and other details can be found at the UMBS web site (http://www.lsa.umich.edu/umbs/ ). Scholarships and financial assistance are available. For more information contact the UMBS office (EM: umbs@umich.edu) or by phone (PH: 734-763-4461) or contact DAVID EWERT (EM: dewert@tnc.org ).