Ecology and Conservation in Practice
Intensive Field Course - Spring Quarter 2017
Course to be conducted in California Natural Reserves and Baja California Sur, Mexico
Why California and Baja California?
California, including the Baja California Peninsula, is a global biodiversity hotspot and known for its diversity of ecosystems including islands, coastal scrub and sage, lagoons, sub-alpine and alpine forests, tundra, and desert islands, subtropical scrublands, and deserts. Unfortunately, human development and it’s impacts have profoundly impacted many parts of this ecological landscape – from direct development to contamination to introduced species. This course utilizes University of California Natural Reserve system and islands of Baja California Sur as natural laboratories to teach advanced ecological principles and innovative approaches to conservation.
What is the course content?
Dr. Don Croll of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, and Dr. Gage Dayton of the UC Natural Reserve System will jointly teach this 19-unit supercourse. It will focus on field methods, ecology, and conservation. The course will be equivalent to the content of four on-campus courses. A large component of the course will consist of written and oral presentations. Through class lecture, discussion, student projects, and field research projects, you will gain an understanding of: 1) fundamental concepts in ecology; 2) principles of conservation biology; 3) geomorphology and climate, 4)) field research techniques; and 6) field techniques for conservation. Please note: this course will require a course fee of approximately $1,597, as well as additional costs for airfare and foreign travel. Financial aid will be available for qualified students.
What is the approach?
The course will begin with lectures and field research based at the UCSC Reserves (Año Nuevo, Younger Lagoon, Campus, and Big Creek). Using this background, we will embark on an extended field trip (2weeks) to the islands of Baja California Sur where we will further hone on conservation research skills and address more specific questions. We then return to UCSC campus for 2 weeks of field research project write-up and presentation. For Environmental Studies majors who qualify for ENVSsenior exit courses (see ENVS web site, or contact ENVS advising), the course sequence (ENVS 109ABCD) satisfies the senior exit requirement, two upper-division electives, and one GE course. For those ENVS majors who do not qualify for senior exit courses,the course sequence (ENVS 109ABCD) satisfies three upper-division electives, and one GE course. ForEEB majors (Ecology & Evolution, Marine Biology, Plant Sciences BS, & Biology BA) the course sequence(BIOE 109ABCD)satisfies the equivalent of three upper division electives, either topical or general electives depending on major, as well as fulfillment of the senior exit requirement.
How do I apply?
We are inviting highly motivated students interested in getting hands-on, rigorous experience in conducting field research in ecology and conservation to submit an application for the course. Applications are due October 30, 2016. Please send electronic version to BOTH Gage Dayton () AND Don Croll (). Students will be notified about their application status approximately November 4th.
Application for prospective students
Biology 151/ ENVS 109
Name:
Email address (current):
Phone (current):
1) When will you graduate?
2) What is your major?
3) What environmental studies, biology, or ecology courses will you have taken by the end of Winter quarter 2015?
4) What kind of organisms are you most interested in: plants, birds, mammals, insects, marine organisms?
5) Have you ever taken a field course? If yes describe.
6) Have you any experience with remote field conditions? If yes, describe.
7) How do you feel about tent camping for several weeks in remote conditions without access to running water, amenities, and limited selection of food?
8) Do you have any medical conditions (e.g. allergies, diabetes) that we should know about?
Do you have any dietary restrictions? Note that this information will not be used
to exclude you from the class and will remain confidential.
9) Do you have any of the following qualifications: CPR, EMT, First Aid, Lifeguard
Training, etc.?
10) Why do you want to take this course? What do you expect out of this course? (write 1-2 paragraphs)
11) What other ENVS Senior Seminars, if any, are you applying for?
12) Will you be using this course to satisfy your Senior Exit requirement?
13) Do you have the name of an EEB or ENVS (or other) faculty member or teaching assistant that could serve as a reference for you? Name and email please.
14) Can you tell us about any talents, certifications, hobbies, experiences, musical abilities, etc. etc. that will help us understand more about you?
15) We may have limited scholarship funds available to students for whom the course fee presents an obstacle. If would like to be considered for scholarship assistance, please tell us about your circumstances (no more than a page).
16) Do you speak Spanish?