Course Syllabus

Course: NR 2610

Division: Natural Science and Math
Department: Natural Resources
Title: Wildland Animal Ecology and Identification

Semester Approved: Fall 2021
Five-Year Review Semester: Summer 2026
End Semester: Summer 2027

Catalog Description: Autecology and identification of important mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians of the Intermountain West. An emphasis will be placed on native species distribution and habitat requirements.

Semesters Offered: Fall
Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 4; Lecture: 3; Lab: 3

Justification: This course will primarily serve students within the natural resources program. Students in the natural resources should be able to identify animals in the Intermountain West by site as well as be able to use dichotomous keys to identify them. In addition students should be able to understand why specific animal species live where they do and probable distributions.


Student Learning Outcomes:
Students will learn and become familiar with characteristics, scientific names, common names, ecology and distribution of 97 Mammalian species. Students will identify as many mammal species as we can as a class, or they can find in the field and record sex and location in their field note book. In addition students will be quizzed each week as well as on a midterm to determine if they have learned how to identify mammalian species, distribution and ecology.

Students will learn and become familiar with characteristics, scientific names, common names, ecology and distribution of 100 Avian species. Students will identify as many avian species as we can as a class, or they can find in the field and record sex and location in their field note book. In addition students will be quizzed each week as well as on a midterm to determine if they have learned how to identify avian species, distribution and ecology.

Students will learn and become familiar with characteristics, scientific names, common names, ecology and distribution of 16 Reptilian species. Students will identify as many reptilian species as we can as a class, or they can find in the field and record sex and location in their field note book. In addition students will be quizzed each week as well as on a midterm to determine if they have learned how to identify reptile species, distribution and ecology.

Students will learn how to keep a professional field note book. This will be done so they can learn when specific animal species are active and their ecology. Student field note books will be graded on a bi-weekly schedule.

Students will learn how to photo trap animals in different ecological situations with a group of students from the class. Students will present with their group on the animals they have photo trapped over the semester and on what they have learned about photo trapping.


Content:
Students will be able to identify 97 mammalian, 100 avian and 16 reptilian species. Students will learn the differences between males and females of each species studied in class. Students will learn why there are sexual dimorphisms in many species and not in other species. Students will learn the historical and current distribution of animals and why they may change over time. Students will learn what issues may threaten species in specific ecosystems. Students will work together and with the professor to help answer complex questions about animal identification and ecology. Discussions will be held discussing how diversity in animal populations relates to diversity in human populations.



Key Performance Indicators:
Quizzes, Midterm, Final, Professional Note Book, Photo Trapping

Quizzes 40 to 50%

Midterm/Final 10 to 20%

Professional Note Book 25 to 35%

Photo Trapping 5 to 15%


Representative Text and/or Supplies:
Peterson Field Guides – Mammals of North America By Fiona A Reid

iBird Pro Guide to Birds - (Identification App)


Pedagogy Statement:
During class time students will be taught how to identify both male and female of a number of different animals. They will also be taught the ecology and distribution of the animals. This is done by looking at pictures and distribution maps as students interact with the professor. During the lab time we take field trips each week where the students will learn about the ecology and identify as many animals as the class is able to see during the lab time. Students are encouraged to give input and help other students see and identify as many animals as possible. All students will be involved in discussions in class and in presentations regardless of their background. Being in the field each week gives the professor the opportunity to get to know each student and the professor will be able to change teaching styles to help each individual student.

Instructional Mediums:
Lecture/Lab

Maximum Class Size: 48
Optimum Class Size: 24