BIOLOGY 436: WATERFOWL BIOLOGY AND WETLAND MANAGEMENT Fall 2015 Jay Bogiatto, M.S., Faculty Office: Holt Hall 211 Hours: M 2-5P and by Appt. Lecture: TR 10-11A (Holt 235) Email: rbogiatto@csuchico.edu Lab/Field: F 8 (7) -11A (Holt 235) COURSE SYLLABUS REQUIRED MATERIALS Baldassarre, G. A. 2014. Ducks, Geese, and Swans of North America (Amazon) National Geographic Field Guide to Birds of North America, 6th edition Dissection Kit Field notebook with waterproof cover / paper (e.g., Elan) ASSIGNMENTS Midterm Exam Lab Practical Exams (2) Final Exam (Written plus Slides) Literature Review Paper TOTAL: 70 Points 120 Points 100 Points 100 Points 390 POINTS GRADING* A 90-100% C+ 78 A- 89 C 70-77 B+ 88 C- 69 B 80-87 D 60-68 B- 79 D- 59 F 58 and below POLICIES 1.) There will be no make-ups of exams in this course 2.) Tardiness, Absenteeism, and in general, a bad attitude is/are unacceptable. Those abusing any of the above will be asked to come down to my office for an appropriate consultation.
3.) Missing 2 or more labs/field trips without serious and / or compelling reasons (see CSUC Catalog) will result in the loss of 1 full letter grade (or even more, depending.). The weekend field trip in November is considered mandatory, so missing it for anything other than a serious and compelling reason will result in the loss of one full letter grade for the course. 4.) There will be absolutely NO SMOKING during ANY component of this course including field trips. 5.) Other than for emergency purposes (class emergencies that is), the use of Smart Phones, etc., will not be tolerated during the lecture, lab, or field components of this course. Those observed using such devices will be asked to leave. 6.) The use of laptops for the purpose of taking notes is encouraged. However, the use of computers for any other reason will result in the complete ban of laptops for the class. Also, those observed using a laptop for unacceptable purposes will be asked to leave. LECTURE CALENDAR DATE TOPIC August 25 Course Orientation 27 Waterfowl / Wetland Conservation: Waterfowl and Wetlands September 1 DAY OFF 3 Conservation: An Historic Overview 8 North American Waterfowl Management Plan and NAWCA 10 Evolutionary Concepts: Evolution and Natural Selection: the Process vs the Mechanisms
October 15 The Darwinian Model 17 Populaton-Level Change 22 Avian Speciation 24 Avian Speciation 29 Avian Speciation 1 Anseriform Evolution 6 Anseriform Evolution 8 Anseriform Evolution 13 Reproduction: Annual Energy Cycle 15 Annual Energy Cycle 20 Midterm Exam 22 Animal Mating Systems 27 Waterfowl Mating Systems 29 Waterfowl Mating Systems November 3 Courtship-Pair Formation 5 Mate Choice 10 Nest Site Selecton through Hatch 12 Nest Site Selection through Hatch Distribution: 17 Predation and Brood Parasitism 19 Important North American Wintering Areas THANKSGIVING BREAK December 1 Important North American Wintering Areas
3 Important North American Nesting areas 8 Important North American Nesting Areas 10 Other Waterfowl Parasites and Diseases Final Exam on
LAB/FIELD CALENDAR DATE August 28: September 4: September 11: September 18: September 25: October 2 (7A): TOPIC Avian External Morphology, Plumages and Molts / Taxonomy and Systematics / Anatid Classification through the North American whistling-ducks, geese, and swans / Lab An Introduction to the Subfamily Anatinae (ducks); Taxonomy of the North American dabblers / Lab Taxonomy of the North American pochards, sea ducks and stiff-tails / Lab LAB PRACTICAL EXAM I FIELD TRIP: An Introduction to Sacramento Valley Refuges and Wildlife Areas Museum Skin Preparation October 9 (7A): October 16 (7A): October 23: October 30: Museum Skin Preparation FIELD TRIP: Upper Butte Basin Wildlife Area; CDFW Tour Internal Anatomy and Osteology Lab Wing Lab: Aging, and Sexing; Techniques will be emphasized
November 6: Wing Lab II: Continued November 13: FIELD TRIP: Selected Valley Wetlands November 14-15: WEEKEND FIELD TRIP: Gray Lodge Wildlife Area, Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge, etc. Saturday 8A Sunday 4P November 20: FIELD TRIP: Howard Slough Unit 210 THANKSGIVING BREAK December 4 (7A): FIELD TRIP: Feather River December 11: LAB PRACTICAL EXAM 2 FINAL EXAM Friday 18 December from 10-11:50A