Difference between revisions of "Ornithology Lecture"

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(New page: {|align=right |__TOC__ |} left ''Carmine Bee eaters; Photo copyright Frank Gallo'' == <font color= "#FF0000">NOTE:THE FINAL EXAM FOR THIS CLA...)
 
(Class Schedule)
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''Carmine Bee eaters; Photo copyright Frank Gallo''
 
''Carmine Bee eaters; Photo copyright Frank Gallo''
==  <font color= "#FF0000">NOTE:THE FINAL EXAM FOR THIS CLASS HAS BEEN '''MOVED TO BIOLOGY/PHYSICS RM. 131'''</font> ==
 
  
 
== Basic Course Information ==  
 
== Basic Course Information ==  
  
'''Spring 2008'''  
+
'''Spring 2015'''  
  
'''Meets:''' Monday & Wednesdays, 11:00 - 11:50, <font color= "#FF0000">NOTE:THIS CLASS HAS BEEN '''MOVED TO BUSINESS RM 106'''</font>
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'''Meets:''' Monday & Wednesdays, 11:15 - 12:05, BPB 130
  
 
'''Instructor:''' Dr. Margaret Rubega        '''Office:'''  PharmBio 500
 
'''Instructor:''' Dr. Margaret Rubega        '''Office:'''  PharmBio 500
  
'''Office Phone:''' 486-4502      '''Office Hours:''' By appointment
+
'''Office Phone:''' 486-4502      '''Office Hours:''' Weds, 10-11 am,in the BioPhysics Cafe, and by appointment
  
 
'''Email: margaret.rubega@uconn.edu'''  
 
'''Email: margaret.rubega@uconn.edu'''  
<font color= "#FF0000">Your emails to me '''MUST contain the phrase "EEB 281” in the subject line;''' email received without that phrase, and especially those with a blank subject line, will be DELETED without being read.</font>
 
  
 +
'''Twitter name:''' @profrubega
  
'''Teaching Assistant:''' Susan Meiman      '''Office:''' PharmBio 310
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'''TA:''' Kevin Burgio        '''Office:''' PharmBio 402
  
'''Office Phone:''' 486-3005      '''Office Hours:''' MW 12:00 - 1:00 pm
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'''Office Phone:'''' 486-3839      '''Office Hours:''' Weds 12:05 -1:05 pm, and by appointment
  
'''email: susan.meiman@huskymail.uconn.edu'''
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'''Email: kevin.burgio@uconn.edu'''
  
== Required text ==
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'''Twitter name:''' @KRBurgio
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<font color= "#FF0000">Your emails to me '''MUST contain the phrase "EEB 4260” in the subject line;''' email received without that phrase, and especially those with a blank subject line, will be DELETED without being read.</font>
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== Text ==
  
 
ORNITHOLOGY, 3rd Edition (Freeman) by Frank B. Gill
 
ORNITHOLOGY, 3rd Edition (Freeman) by Frank B. Gill
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See also online materials at: http://www.whfreeman.com/gill3e
 
See also online materials at: http://www.whfreeman.com/gill3e
  
== Optional texts ==
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== Optional supplemental texts ==
  
 
MANUAL OF ORNITHOLOGY (Yale Univ.), by N.S. Proctor and P.J. Lynch
 
MANUAL OF ORNITHOLOGY (Yale Univ.), by N.S. Proctor and P.J. Lynch
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SIBLEY GUIDE TO BIRD LIFE AND BEHAVIOR (Knopf), ed. by C. Elphick, J.B. Dunning and D.A. Sibley.
 
SIBLEY GUIDE TO BIRD LIFE AND BEHAVIOR (Knopf), ed. by C. Elphick, J.B. Dunning and D.A. Sibley.
 
  
 
== Class Schedule ==
 
== Class Schedule ==
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!width="75"|Date
 
!width="75"|Date
 
!width="300"|Subject (click for lecture notes)  
 
!width="300"|Subject (click for lecture notes)  
!width="300"|Required Reading in Gill
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!width="300"|Required Reading in Gill; ''Required assignments''
!width="300"|Optional reading from Proctor & Lynch [in brackets], and other resources  
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!width="300"|Optional reading [in brackets]from Proctor & Lynch (unless otherwise stated) , and other resources  
 
|-  
 
|-  
| 1 || Jan 23 ||[http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/5/58/Microsoft_Word_-_EEB_281_-_Lecture_notes_01_2008_Why_study_birds_.pdf What are birds and why would we study them?] || Pgs. xxi- xxvi and Chapter 1 || [1–6]
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| || Jan 21 ||[ Course Introduction]  || READ COURSE GUIDELINES (below); sign and turn in [http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/0/06/EEB_4260_Course_Guidelines_Form.pdf form]. ALSO: Pgs. xxi- xxvi and Chapter 1 in Gill || [1–6]
 +
Evidence that [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zuDXzVYZ68 multitasking makes you less capable]; see also [http://chronicle.com/article/Scholars-Turn-Their-Attention/63746 this article] for a more thorough description of the problem. And, see [http://chronicle.com/article/Youre-Distracted-This/138079/ this article] to consider meditation as a way to counteract the problem.
 
|-  
 
|-  
| 2 || Jan 28 || [http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/6/6b/EEB_281_-_Lecture_notes_02_2008_Birds_of_the_World_.pdf Birds of the World] ||Chapter 1 & online at: [http://www.whfreeman.com/gill3e www.whfreeman.com/gill3e] ||    
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| 1 || Jan 26 || [http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/e/ee/Eeb_4260_Lecture_01.pdf What are birds and why would we study them?] || Pgs. xxi- xxvi and Chapter 1 in Gill; [http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/0/06/EEB_4260_Course_Guidelines_Form.pdf ''Course Guidelines Form] Due.'' || [1–6]
 +
|-
 +
| 2 || Jan 28 ||How Hard Can It Be? The Challenge of Avian Classification ||Chapter 1 & online at: [http://www.whfreeman.com/gill3e www.whfreeman.com/gill3e] ; ''Fill out, bring to class and hand in [http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/4/41/EEB_4260_Twitter_Worksheet.pdf Twitter Handle Sheet] [http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2014/12/11/science/ap-sci-bird-family-tree-highlights.html News article on recently published genome study on bird phylogeny] || [http://ezproxy.lib.uconn.edu/login?url=http://www.sciencemag.org/content/346/6215/1320.full?sid=f84eddc9-6275-4661-9400-7937f8f159da Science genome study research paper referenced in the article]   
 
|-  
 
|-  
| 3 ||Jan 30 || Climate Change & Birds || Pgs. 269 - 271 || [http://www.nrs.fs.fed.us/atlas/ US Forest Service Climate Change Bird (& Tree) Atlas] showing how bird distributions will change with changes in climate.
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| 3 || Feb 2 || [http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/a/a9/EEB-4260-Avian-Evolution.pdf Avian evolution]  || Chapter 2  ||[13 – 21] 
 
+
|-
The [http://www.ipcc.ch/ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's] web page.
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| 4 || Feb 4 || [http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/d/d2/EEB-4260-Feathers.pdf Feathers] || Chapter 4  || [81–115] Also: [http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100204144422.htm Dinosaur feather colors revealed!]
 
+
|-
The [http://www.arborday.org/media/map_change.cfm Arbor Day Foundation's] maps showing changes in hardiness zones since 1990.
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| 5 || Feb || [http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/9/9a/Lecture_Notes_Flight.pdf Flight] || Chapter 5 || [117,136–139, 148–151, 156–163] [http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/sci;299/5605/329  Article and videos of wing-assisted incline-running!]
 
+
|-
[http://www.gfdl.noaa.gov/~kd/KDwebpages/NHice.html NOAA Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory's] sea ice projections.
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| 6 || Feb 11  ||  [http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/5/57/Lecture_Notes_Endothermy.pdf Physiology: Endothermy and Thermoregulation] || Chapter 6 (pgs. 150-164) ||  
|-  
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| 4 || Feb 4 || [http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/6/6b/EEB_281_-_Lecture_notes_02_2008_Birds_of_the_World_.pdf Birds of the World, continued] ||Chapter 1 & online at: [http://www.whfreeman.com/gill3e www.whfreeman.com/gill3e] ||
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|-  
 
|-  
| 5 || Feb 6 || [http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/6/6b/EEB_281_-_Lecture_notes_02_2008_Birds_of_the_World_.pdf Birds of the World, completed] ||Chapter 1 & online at: [http://www.whfreeman.com/gill3e www.whfreeman.com/gill3e] ||
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| 7 || Feb 16 || [http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/6/66/Lecture_Notes_Feeding.pdf Feeding, feeding structures and feeding behavior]|| Chapter 1 (pgs. 13-15)||[122–130, 152-154], [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtmLVP0HvDg Tool making in New Caledonian Crows!]
 
|-
 
|-
| 6 || Feb 11 || [http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/2/2c/EEB_281_-_Lecture_notes_04_2008_Avian_evolution_.pdf Avian evolution] || Chapter 2 || [13 – 21]
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| 8 || Feb 18  || [http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/2/2f/Lecture_Notes_Digestion_and_Excretion.pdf Physiology: Digestion and Excretion; Water Balance] || Chapter 6 (pp. 164-179) || [175-187, 219-239]
 
|-  
 
|-  
| 7 || Feb 13 || [http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/e/e9/EEB_281_-_Lecture_05_Feathers_.pdf Feathers] || Chapter || [81–115]
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| || Feb 23 || [http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/9/96/Lecture_notes_Respiration_and_Circulation.pdf  Physiology: Respiration and Circulation] || Chapter 6 (141-150) || [189-217]
 
|-  
 
|-  
| 8 || Feb 18 || [http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/7/75/EEB_281_-_Lecture_06_Flight_.pdf Flight] || Chapter 5 || [117,136–139, 148–151, 156–163] [http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/sci;299/5605/329  Article and videos of wing-assisted incline-running!]
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| 10 || Feb 25 || [http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/a/aa/Lecture_Notes_Sensory_Biology.pdf Sensory Biology and Intelligence] || Chapter 7 || [241-262] See [http://www.yourdailymedia.com/media/1157804897/Clever_Birds Evidence that birds are smarter than you!]
 
|-  
 
|-  
| 9 || Feb 20 ||[http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/8/8d/Endothermy_and_Thermoregulation.pdf Physiology: Endothermy and Thermoregulation] || Chapter 6 (pgs. 150-164) || <font color= "#FF0000">CLASS MEETS IN BUS 106 STARTING TODAY!</font>
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| 11 &12 || Mar 2 & 4 || [http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/d/dd/Lecture_Notes_Communication.pdf Communication: Visual AND Vocal] ||Pgs. 344-359 and Chapter 8 AND watch [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hq1DsB3ssqE&list=SL Communication in Birds Video]|| [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2Bsu4z9Y3k Manakins show off -- Michael Jackson rolls over!]
 
|-  
 
|-  
| 10 || Feb 25 || TEST 1 || Lectures 1-9; all associated readings ||  [http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/5/57/EEB_281_Sample_test.pdf Click here to view a Sample Test]
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| 13 || Mar 9|| [http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/d/d8/Lecture_Notes_Annual_Cycle.pdf Annual Cycles] || Chapter 9 ||   
 
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|-
 +
| || Mar 11 || '''Mid-term''' || Ordinal Summaries Due! In class peer reviews ||   
 +
|-
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|  ||March 16 -18  ||'''SPRING BREAK''' || NO CLASS  ||
 +
|-
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| 14 || Mar 23 ||[http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/e/e8/LectureNotesMigration.pdf Migration] || Chapter 10 (pgs. 273-295) ||  || 
 +
|-
 +
| 15 || Mar 25 || Navigation ||  ||
 +
|-
 +
| 16 || Mar 30 || [http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/0/07/Lecture_Notes_Social_and_Breeding_Behavior.pdf Social and Mating Behavior] || Chapter 11 AND pg. 359 through Chapter 13 ||
 
|-  
 
|-  
| 11 || Feb 27 || Endothermy and Thermoregulation,continued ||       ||
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|17 || Apr 1|| Mating Behavior  ||  ||
 +
|-
 +
| 18 || Apr 6 ||[http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/8/8c/Lecture_Notes_Reproductive_Physiology.pdf Reproduction: Physiology] ||Chapter 14 || [219-239]
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|- 
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| 19 || Apr 8|| [http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/5/5c/Lecture_Notes_Nests.pdf Reproduction: Nests and Nesting] || Chapter 15 ||
 +
|-
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| 20 || Apr 13 || [http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/6/6c/Lecture_Notes_Chick_Growth.pdf  Growth and Development of Young] || Chapter 16 (pgs. 467-502) ||  
 
|-  
 
|-  
| 12    || Mar 3        ||[http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/8/8c/EEB_281_-_Resp%26Circ.pdf  Physiology: Respiration and Circulation] || Chapter 6 (141-150) || [189-217] If time allows: [http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/3/34/EEB_281_-_Feeding_.pdf Feeding, feeding structures and feeding behavior] ||  
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| 21 || April 15 || Reproduction: Parental Care || ||
 +
|-
 +
| 22 || April 20 ||  [http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/9/91/Lecture_Notes_Conservation.pdf Avian Conservation] || Chapter 21, ||  
 
|-  
 
|-  
| 13 || Mar 5 || [http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/6/68/EEB_281_-Digestion.pdf Physiology: Digestion and Excretion; Water Balance] || Chapter 6 (pp. 164-179) || [175-187, 219-239]
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| 23 || April 22 || [http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/9/91/Lecture_Notes_Conservation.pdf Avian Conservation II] || pgs. 558 - 569 ||  
 
|-  
 
|-  
|   ||March 10 - 14  ||'''SPRING BREAK''' || NO CLASS ||
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| 24 || April 27 || Climate Change & Birds; Ordinal Summary Revisions DUE || Pgs. 269 - 271 || [http://www.nrs.fs.fed.us/atlas/ US Forest Service Climate Change Bird (& Tree) Atlas] showing how bird distributions will change with changes in climate.
 +
The [http://www.ipcc.ch/ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's] web page.The [http://www.arborday.org/media/map_change.cfm Arbor Day Foundation's] maps showing changes in hardiness zones since 1990.[http://www.gfdl.noaa.gov/~kd/KDwebpages/NHice.html NOAA Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory's] sea ice projections.
 +
|-
 +
| 25 || April 29 ||  Over-runs, clean-up, hand out of Ordinal Summaries ||  ||  
 
|-   
 
|-   
| 14 || Mar 17    ||Digestion, carry over ||  ||
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| TENTATIVE    || May 6 || '''FINAL EXAM''' in our regular classroom || FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS, with Ordinal Summaries || 10:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m.
|-
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| 15 || Mar 19 || [http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/b/ba/EEB_281_-_Sensory_Biology.pdf Sensory Biology and Intelligence] || Chapter 7 || [241-262] See [http://www.yourdailymedia.com/media/1157804897/Clever_Birds evidence that birds are smarter than you!]
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|-
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| 16 || Mar 24 || [http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/c/c1/EEB_281_-_Communication.pdf Communication: Visual] ||Pgs. 344-359 || 
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|-
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| 17 || Mar 26 || [http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/7/7f/EEB_281_-_Vocalizations.pdf Communication: Vocal] || Chapter 8 || 
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|-
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| 18 || Mar 31 || [http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/2/24/EEB_281_-_Annual_Cycle.pdf Annual Cycles] || Chapter 9 || 
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|-
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| 19 || Apr 2 || TEST 2 [http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/3/3c/TEST_2-8_key.pdf Key!] || Lectures 10-18, all associated reading || 
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|-
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| 20 || April 7 ||  [http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/0/06/EEB_281_-_Migration.pdf Migration] || Chapter 10 (pgs. 273-295) || 
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|-
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|  || || NOTE: I HAVE ELIMINATED THE LECTURE ON NAVIGATION !!!!!||
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|-
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| 21 || Apr 9 || [http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/4/4a/EEB_281_Social_Behavior_.pdf Social Behavior] || Chapter 11  ||
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|-
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| 22 ||Apr 14 || [http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/b/ba/EEB_281_-_Breeding_Systems.pdf Reproduction: Mating Behavior] || Pg. 359 through Chapter 13 ||
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|-
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| 23 || Apr 16 || [http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/b/b3/EEB_281_-_Reproductive_physiology.pdf  Reproduction: Physiology] ||Chapter 14 || [219-239]
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|-
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| 24 || Apr 21 || [http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/e/ee/EEB_281_Nests.pdf Reproduction: Nests and Nesting] || Chapter 15 || 
+
|-
+
 
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| 25 || Apr 23 ||[http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/3/3a/EEB_281_Chick_Growth.pdf  Reproduction: Growth and Development of Young] || Chapter 16 (pgs. 467-482) ||
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|-
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| 26 || Apr 28 || [http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/5/59/EEB_281_Parental_Care.pdf Reproduction: Parental Care] || Chapter 16 (pgs. 482-502) || 
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|-
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| 27 || Additional content CANCELLED due to overuns. ||
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|-
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|| May 7 || '''FINAL EXAM''' || ALL MATERIAL TO DATE || 10:30 am to 12:30 pm, '''IN BIOLOGY/PHYSICS BUILDING''' Room 131.
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|}
 
|}
  
== Grading ==
+
== Course Guidelines and Grading Policies ==
  
Grading in this course is done on a straight percentage-of-points basis, i.e., to obtain an A, you need to earn 90% or more of the available points on tests and minute papers. <font color= "#FF0000">The grades will '''not''' be "curved", and there will be '''no''' opportunities for "make-up" or "extra-credit" points.</font> If you miss a test or minute paper, you will receive a score of zero. If you have a legitimate reason (click here for a sample of legitimate vs. lame excuses) to miss a test or minute paper, you may be excused (at the discretion of the instructors) IF AND ONLY IF you provide written documentation (for example, a doctor's note documenting illness; an obituary documenting a death in your family). In cases where the instructors determine you have a legitimate excuse, there still will be no make-ups administered: you will be graded only on the basis of the points contained in the tests and minute papers you did complete. NOTE that this method reduces the number of points you can afford to lose and still do well in the course.  
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'''Use of electronics''' in the classroom? In a word, NO. Your phone should be OFF (not set to vibrate), your music should be off, your earphones should be in your backpack, and your laptop should be used ONLY for taking notes. All other uses (surfing the web, watching videos, email, IM, texting, whatever) are distracting, disruptive of the work we are doing in the classroom, and disrespectful of your classmates and the instructor. I will call you out publicly for the first offense; at the second offense you will be banned from using even a laptop in class; on the third offense I will ask you to leave. If you lack the self-restraint to stay on task in class, then take notes on paper. '''Recording lectures with any device is prohibited unless you ask for and receive permission from me in writing.'''
  
Attendance is not taken, and is not required; however, if you miss class you may miss in-class minute papers (see below). As noted above, there are no opportunities for making-up missed minute papers.  
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'''Entering or Leaving the classroom''' during a lecture is distracting and disruptive; do not do it unless absolutely necessary. If you know you will be late, or will have to leave early, come and go by the BACK door of the lecture hall, and sit in the nearest available seat to the door, whether you know the person sitting in the next seat or not. I will assume that, as adults, we are all capable of anticipating, and managing, the need to use the bathroom without leaving the classroom during a lecture. Assume that if you must leave the lecture hall, you may not come back. If you have a disability that would keep you from meeting these expectations, or expect an emergency communication during class, speak to me about it BEFORE lecture begins.  
  
These policies have been developed over years of teaching this and other courses, and are designed to ensure fair treatment of everyone by eliminating discrepancies in testing and evaluation, and by eliminating differences in the amount of study time available to students. I am very willing to discuss my reasoning for these policies, but if you try to talk me into making an exception to them for you, you will fail, and probably make me grumpy to boot.   
+
'''Grading''' in this course is done on a straight percentage-of-points basis, i.e., to obtain an A, you need to earn 90% or more of the available points on all assessments, assignments and activities (e.g., Twitter). <font color= "#FF0000">The grades will '''not''' be "curved", and there will be '''no''' opportunities for "make-up" or "extra-credit" points.</font> Opportunities to miss/drop your lowest grades are built into the recurring assignments (see below), but these are to account for, e.g., sick days, so do not skip assignments frivolously. If you have a legitimate reason (e.g., a death in the family) to miss tests or other assignments, you may be excused (at the discretion of the instructor) IF AND ONLY IF you provide written documentation (for example,an obituary documenting a death in your family). In cases where you have a legitimate excuse, there still will be no make-ups administered: your grade will be pro-rated on the basis of the points contained in the tests and assignments you did complete. NOTE that this method reduces the number of points you can afford to lose and still do well in the courseIf you have a legitimate excuse to miss the final exam YOU MUST INFORM [http://www.ossa.uconn.edu/ THE OFFICE OF STUDENT SERVICES & ADVOCACY] in order to be allowed to take a make-up after final exam week is over. '''The final exam is the only point-bearing exercise for which a make-up is possible.'''
  
  
== Tests/Minute Papers==
+
'''Attendance''' is not taken, and is not required; however, if you miss class you may miss in-class minute papers, quizzes or assignments (see below). SICK? Believe me when I say that we don't want to see you in class! Please be responsible, and don't spread germs by coming to class with a fever, or hacking and coughing. As noted above, there are no opportunities for making-up missed in-class tests or activities; as noted below, you can miss up to two tests and still achieve full credit. However, bear in mind that you may also miss information I give, discussions that arise over questions asked, examples given on the spur of the moment. You are responsible, on quizzes and tests, for what is said in class, as well as the materials in the reading. If you miss class, '''you are responsible''' for using the lecture materials provided above, and for getting any additional notes from lecture from a classmate: ''I will not re-lecture to you, one-on-one, at a later appointment''. Arrive early to the next lecture, or stay a little late, and find out whether you missed an in-class minute paper, quiz or activity; do not ask me to meet with you outside of class to "tell you what you missed".
  
'''COURSE POINT TOTAL  310 POINTS'''
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 +
These policies have been developed over years of teaching this and other courses, and are designed to ensure fair treatment of everyone by maximizing everyone's opportunity to learn, eliminating discrepancies in testing and evaluation, and by eliminating differences in the amount of study time available to students. I am very willing to discuss my reasoning for these policies, but if you try to talk me into making an exception to them for you, you will fail, and probably make me grumpy to boot.
  
Test 1:    75 points,    Feb. 25    (Covers material from Lectures 1-9)
+
== Tests/ In-class Assessments & Assignments ==
  
Test 2:    75 points,    April 2    (Covers material from Lectures 10-18): [http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/f/fc/Test_2-8_key.pdf  Click here to view key for Test 2]
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'''COURSE POINT TOTAL  300 POINTS'''
  
Final:     150 points,    May 7    (75 points are dedicated to material from Lectures 19-27,                                75 points are dedicated to material from the WHOLE COURSE)
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'''Tests:         100 points (twelve at 10 points each; lowest 2 dropped)'''
  
[http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/5/57/EEB_281_Sample_test.pdf Click here to view a Sample Test]
+
Ordinal Summary:     100 points (60 points by March 11; 40 points after)
  
'''TEST TOTAL        300 points'''
+
Final exam:    60 points,    May 6    (Covers material from Lectures 14-25)
  
Minute papers:  are short (it takes a minute!), UNGRADED (if you write something relevant, you're good -- there are no "right" answers) responses to questions we will pose in class. They are worth 1 point each, and there will be 10 of them over the whole semester. Ten points may seem trivial, but it's worth remembering that it's the equivalent of 3 percentage points, enough in borderline cases to make the difference between a B+ and an A. The questions on the minute papers are designed to provide us with feedback on your background preparation for certain material, to assess whether you understood what we just tried to teach you, and to prompt you to assess your own understanding of the material.
 
  
'''MINUTE PAPER TOTAL  10 Points'''
+
These activities are designed to provide us with an assessment of your background preparation for class, to assess whether you understood what we just tried to teach you, and to enhance your understanding of the material. They will take multiple forms: MINUTE PAPERS:  are short (it takes a minute!), UNGRADED (if you write something relevant, you're good -- there are no "right" answers) responses to questions we will pose in class. TESTS are GRADED, provide practice for the exams, assess your knowledge and understanding, and provide incentive to stay on top of the material. We recommend checking every Friday to see what's in store for the following week. Snow days and other unforseen circumstances can change our plans; a class cancellation should prompt you to check the web page.
  
 +
== Other Required Class Activities ==
 +
 +
'''Biological Collections tour    5 points'''
 +
 +
Every student is expected to visit the [http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/department/collections/index.html EEB Biological Collections] for a tour that will introduce you to the resources and opportunities in the collection. We will offer 4 different opportunities, on different days and times. You will need to sign in at the collection; at the end of the semester, everyone who has signed in, will have 5 points added to their grade. '''Tours will take about 45 minutes, they meet at the south end of the Biology/Physics building lobby on the hour'''. You are responsible for finding a day and time to attend from the options listed below; if your class schedule prohibits you from attending any of these, you are responsible for letting me know that you will need an alternate opportunity BEFORE THE LAST WEEK OF CLASS. If you have already toured the collections (e.g., in a previous class with me or another instructor), provide me with documentation to that effect, and I will just add the 5 points to your grade without you needing to tour the collections again.
 +
 +
 +
'''Twitter  30 points'''
 +
 +
'''Twitter''' is a social networking resource that allows users to communicate in short, frequent posts. Posts ("tweets") are limited to 140 characters. I expect you to go to [http://twitter.com Twitter], sign up (a matter of giving an email address and picking a password and username), and, over the course of the semester, post observations of birds outside of class. Your posts should consist of any observation of birds you make that somehow relates to the content of the course. Each post should say: where you are; what you are seeing in the birdlife around you; and make the connection to the course content. For example: "Two sparrows are beating each other up outside the student union. Territoriality or dominance fight?" '''You are expected to post at least once per week.''' Posts are worth a maximum of three points each, you can earn up to 6 points from posts per week, and you can earn a total of 30 points in the course from Tweets.  '''We must know your username in order to give you credit''' for Twitter posts: once your account is in place, then use "Find People" on Twitter to locate us (type in "Margaret Rubega" or "@ProfRubega" and "Kevin Burgio" or "@KRBurgio") and then click on "Follow" to follow us. We will receive autumated messages informing us that you are following us, and will have a record of your user name. MAKE SURE THAT YOUR PRIVACY SETTINGS ALLOW ANYONE TO SEE YOU. (If you do not wish your personal account to be visible, establish a second account/username with "open" privacy settings for our class.) In addition, the "Twitter Handle" assignment sheet is due by our Wednesday class in the second week of classes. '''You MUST end every tweet with the string "#birdclass"'''; that is how we will be tracking tweets, and '''any post without the hashtag will NOT count toward your credit'''! We will all be able to see every tweet generated by the class by searching on #birdclass. We will be keeping track of posting and points during the semester by tracking the posts themselves. The beauty of Twitter is that it can be posted to virtually at any time, anywhere --- it's possible to post using many types of cell phones. However, '''anyone with an internet connection can post from a computer, and you should be mindful (as you are responsible for) of any texting charges that posting from your phone may incur.'''
  
 
== Academic Rules/Conduct ==
 
== Academic Rules/Conduct ==
  
All students should be aware of the guidelines on academic integrity contained in the Student Conduct Code. The Conduct Code is available at http://www.dosa.uconn.edu/student_conduct.html.
+
All students should be aware of the guidelines on academic integrity contained in the Student Conduct Code. Click here to see the [http://www.dos.uconn.edu/student_code.html Conduct Code].
  
 +
== Course Guidelines Form ==
  
== Questions ==
+
After you have read ALL of the above, print out and sign the [http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/0/06/EEB_4260_Course_Guidelines_Form.pdf Course Guidelines Form.] Hand it in to Dr. Rubega no later than the end of the last lecture of the 2nd week of classes. ''' Students who have not signed and handed in the form in will not accumulate points on ANY quiz, assignment or activity until we have the signed form.'''
  
If you have questions, by all means collar me or email me and ask. I will post both the questions (questioners will be anonymous) and answers here.
+
== Questions ==
  
'''Can I reschedule my final in this class because: a)I have more than one other exam on the same day as the final for this course; b)I am leaving town before the exam; c) I got sick the night before the exam; d) I overslept and missed the exam?''' Believe it or not, this is not up to me. There is a university-wide policy on rescheduling exams  [http://www.dos.uconn.edu/docs/finals_list.pdf here]. READ IT CAREFULLY NOW, and save yourself some trouble later. If you have an allowable reason to reschedule, see the registrar first, b/c I cannot help you without the registrar's permission slip. ALSO: '''I will be out of town from May 8th to the 11th''', so if you require rescheduling '''make sure you contact me no later than the end of the day on May 7th'''.
+
If you have questions, by all means stop me in class or email me and ask. I will post both the ''questions'' (questioners will be anonymous) and answers here.
  
 +
== Bird News ==
  
'''I am/have been/might be sick, and it's difficult/inconvenient/impossible for me to get a doctor's note. Are you really going to refuse to excuse me if I don't show up for a minute paper/test/other credit-bearing exercise?''' The short answer to this is yes, I AM going to refuse to excuse you. The policy laid out above (in Grading) is simple --- some form of documentation is required before I will even consider excusing you. The policy exists to ensure fair treatment of everyone, to reduce the temptation to use feigned illness as a way to, for example, gain time before taking a test, and to avoid the need for me to have the discernment of Solomon in determining whether to excuse someone or not. It is simple because simple is unambiguous. You get documentation, or you cannot be excused. I am NOT encouraging you to come to class when you are sick. On the contrary, I urge you to eat right, get enough sleep, protect your health, and keep your germs to yourself. However, if you do get sick, and while sick find that getting some documentation is more burden than you can face, you are then faced with a choice --- is it worth a point? 10 points? 75 points? of your grade to do what has to be done to get some documentation of your condition? The choice is really yours --- I don't take your absences personally -- and the outcome of the choice is really your responsibility.
+
A [http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/index.php/Ornithology_in_the_news link] to a page set up and maintained by Dr. Elphick.
  
 
== Useful and Amusing Links ==
 
== Useful and Amusing Links ==
  
[http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0326/p16s01-sten.html Think of the birds the next time you make a phone call....]
 
  
[http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/03/080311-amber-feathers.html Ancient feathers in Amber!]
+
[http://www.huyckpreserve.org/research/odum_intern.htm '''Field Ecology Internships''']
  
[http://library.trincoll.edu/research/watk/exhibitions/index.cfm Another Bird Exhibit!]
+
[http://beardsleyzoo.org/volunteer-gi1'''CT Beardsley Zoo Summer Internships''']
  
[http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/2/20/CRC_internship_info.pdf  Bird Rehabilitation Internship Opportunity!]
+
[http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2011/02/feathers/zimmer-text Awesome National Geographic article on feather evolution in dinosaurs]
  
[http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/5/57/EEB_281_Sample_test.pdf Click here to view a Sample of an EEB 281 Test]
+
[http://www.osnabirds.org/jobs.aspx Jobs in Ornithology], the job board for the Ornithological Societies of North America. THE central clearing house for field research internships and jobs.
  
[http://www.osnabirds.org/on/ornjobs.htm Jobs in Ornithology], the job board for the Ornithological Societies of North America. THE central clearing house for field research internships and jobs.  
+
[http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/index.php/Ornithology_Collections:_Specimen_Donation_and_Tracking UConn Ornithology Collections Donation Page] -- where to go if you find a dead bird!
 +
'''
 +
[http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/department/collections/index.html University of Connecticut Biological Collections], including the Bird Collection.
  
[http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4721675 NPR piece and song by Sufjan Stevens] about the Ivory-billed Woodpecker "rediscovery", and the effect on Brinkley, AK. See also this [http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/23/us/23woodpecker.html?_r=1&sq=ivory-billed%20woodpecker&st=nyt&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&scp=3&adxnnlx=1201806152-N6IIgTiowayZI2rwhCUzZA recent NY Times article] on the effect in Brinkley as hope has faded that the bird is actually there. (Thanks to Kevin Burgio for the link.)
+
[http://www.lab.fws.gov/featheratlas/ Feather Identification Resource Online!] The Feather Atlas of North American Birds provided high-resolution scans of flight feathers of the major groups of birds; useful for comparison with found feathers whose origin you aren't sure of.  
  
[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7227696.stm NEW BIRD DISCOVERED] in Nepal! Unfortunately, it's already endangered.
+
[http://digitalcollections.pugetsound.edu/cdm/landingpage/collection/slaterwing Images of Bird Wings Online.] The Slater Museum, at the University of Puget Sound, provides high-resolution images of their entire collection of spread (open) bird wings. Useful for studying flight style as a function of wing morphology.
  
  

Revision as of 18:14, 30 January 2015

Carmine Bee tree2-F.Gallo.jpg

Carmine Bee eaters; Photo copyright Frank Gallo

Basic Course Information

Spring 2015

Meets: Monday & Wednesdays, 11:15 - 12:05, BPB 130

Instructor: Dr. Margaret Rubega Office: PharmBio 500

Office Phone: 486-4502 Office Hours: Weds, 10-11 am,in the BioPhysics Cafe, and by appointment

Email: margaret.rubega@uconn.edu

Twitter name: @profrubega

TA: Kevin Burgio Office: PharmBio 402

Office Phone:' 486-3839 Office Hours: Weds 12:05 -1:05 pm, and by appointment

Email: kevin.burgio@uconn.edu

Twitter name: @KRBurgio

Your emails to me MUST contain the phrase "EEB 4260” in the subject line; email received without that phrase, and especially those with a blank subject line, will be DELETED without being read.

Text

ORNITHOLOGY, 3rd Edition (Freeman) by Frank B. Gill

See also online materials at: http://www.whfreeman.com/gill3e

Optional supplemental texts

MANUAL OF ORNITHOLOGY (Yale Univ.), by N.S. Proctor and P.J. Lynch

BIRDS OF STORRS (Natchaug Ornithological Society) by G.A. Clark, Jr.

SIBLEY GUIDE TO BIRD LIFE AND BEHAVIOR (Knopf), ed. by C. Elphick, J.B. Dunning and D.A. Sibley.

Class Schedule

Lecture # Date Subject (click for lecture notes) Required Reading in Gill; Required assignments Optional reading [in brackets]from Proctor & Lynch (unless otherwise stated) , and other resources
Jan 21 [ Course Introduction] READ COURSE GUIDELINES (below); sign and turn in form. ALSO: Pgs. xxi- xxvi and Chapter 1 in Gill [1–6]

Evidence that multitasking makes you less capable; see also this article for a more thorough description of the problem. And, see this article to consider meditation as a way to counteract the problem.

1 Jan 26 What are birds and why would we study them? Pgs. xxi- xxvi and Chapter 1 in Gill; Course Guidelines Form Due. [1–6]
2 Jan 28 How Hard Can It Be? The Challenge of Avian Classification Chapter 1 & online at: www.whfreeman.com/gill3e ; Fill out, bring to class and hand in Twitter Handle Sheet News article on recently published genome study on bird phylogeny Science genome study research paper referenced in the article
3 Feb 2 Avian evolution Chapter 2 [13 – 21]
4 Feb 4 Feathers Chapter 4 [81–115] Also: Dinosaur feather colors revealed!
5 Feb 9 Flight Chapter 5 [117,136–139, 148–151, 156–163] Article and videos of wing-assisted incline-running!
6 Feb 11 Physiology: Endothermy and Thermoregulation Chapter 6 (pgs. 150-164)
7 Feb 16 Feeding, feeding structures and feeding behavior Chapter 1 (pgs. 13-15) [122–130, 152-154], Tool making in New Caledonian Crows!
8 Feb 18 Physiology: Digestion and Excretion; Water Balance Chapter 6 (pp. 164-179) [175-187, 219-239]
9 Feb 23 Physiology: Respiration and Circulation Chapter 6 (141-150) [189-217]
10 Feb 25 Sensory Biology and Intelligence Chapter 7 [241-262] See Evidence that birds are smarter than you!
11 &12 Mar 2 & 4 Communication: Visual AND Vocal Pgs. 344-359 and Chapter 8 AND watch Communication in Birds Video Manakins show off -- Michael Jackson rolls over!
13 Mar 9 Annual Cycles Chapter 9
Mar 11 Mid-term Ordinal Summaries Due! In class peer reviews
March 16 -18 SPRING BREAK NO CLASS
14 Mar 23 Migration Chapter 10 (pgs. 273-295)
15 Mar 25 Navigation
16 Mar 30 Social and Mating Behavior Chapter 11 AND pg. 359 through Chapter 13
17 Apr 1 Mating Behavior
18 Apr 6 Reproduction: Physiology Chapter 14 [219-239]
19 Apr 8 Reproduction: Nests and Nesting Chapter 15
20 Apr 13 Growth and Development of Young Chapter 16 (pgs. 467-502)
21 April 15 Reproduction: Parental Care
22 April 20 Avian Conservation Chapter 21,
23 April 22 Avian Conservation II pgs. 558 - 569
24 April 27 Climate Change & Birds; Ordinal Summary Revisions DUE Pgs. 269 - 271 US Forest Service Climate Change Bird (& Tree) Atlas showing how bird distributions will change with changes in climate.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's web page.The Arbor Day Foundation's maps showing changes in hardiness zones since 1990.NOAA Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory's sea ice projections.

25 April 29 Over-runs, clean-up, hand out of Ordinal Summaries
TENTATIVE May 6 FINAL EXAM in our regular classroom FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS, with Ordinal Summaries 10:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m.

Course Guidelines and Grading Policies

Use of electronics in the classroom? In a word, NO. Your phone should be OFF (not set to vibrate), your music should be off, your earphones should be in your backpack, and your laptop should be used ONLY for taking notes. All other uses (surfing the web, watching videos, email, IM, texting, whatever) are distracting, disruptive of the work we are doing in the classroom, and disrespectful of your classmates and the instructor. I will call you out publicly for the first offense; at the second offense you will be banned from using even a laptop in class; on the third offense I will ask you to leave. If you lack the self-restraint to stay on task in class, then take notes on paper. Recording lectures with any device is prohibited unless you ask for and receive permission from me in writing.

Entering or Leaving the classroom during a lecture is distracting and disruptive; do not do it unless absolutely necessary. If you know you will be late, or will have to leave early, come and go by the BACK door of the lecture hall, and sit in the nearest available seat to the door, whether you know the person sitting in the next seat or not. I will assume that, as adults, we are all capable of anticipating, and managing, the need to use the bathroom without leaving the classroom during a lecture. Assume that if you must leave the lecture hall, you may not come back. If you have a disability that would keep you from meeting these expectations, or expect an emergency communication during class, speak to me about it BEFORE lecture begins.

Grading in this course is done on a straight percentage-of-points basis, i.e., to obtain an A, you need to earn 90% or more of the available points on all assessments, assignments and activities (e.g., Twitter). The grades will not be "curved", and there will be no opportunities for "make-up" or "extra-credit" points. Opportunities to miss/drop your lowest grades are built into the recurring assignments (see below), but these are to account for, e.g., sick days, so do not skip assignments frivolously. If you have a legitimate reason (e.g., a death in the family) to miss tests or other assignments, you may be excused (at the discretion of the instructor) IF AND ONLY IF you provide written documentation (for example,an obituary documenting a death in your family). In cases where you have a legitimate excuse, there still will be no make-ups administered: your grade will be pro-rated on the basis of the points contained in the tests and assignments you did complete. NOTE that this method reduces the number of points you can afford to lose and still do well in the course. If you have a legitimate excuse to miss the final exam YOU MUST INFORM THE OFFICE OF STUDENT SERVICES & ADVOCACY in order to be allowed to take a make-up after final exam week is over. The final exam is the only point-bearing exercise for which a make-up is possible.


Attendance is not taken, and is not required; however, if you miss class you may miss in-class minute papers, quizzes or assignments (see below). SICK? Believe me when I say that we don't want to see you in class! Please be responsible, and don't spread germs by coming to class with a fever, or hacking and coughing. As noted above, there are no opportunities for making-up missed in-class tests or activities; as noted below, you can miss up to two tests and still achieve full credit. However, bear in mind that you may also miss information I give, discussions that arise over questions asked, examples given on the spur of the moment. You are responsible, on quizzes and tests, for what is said in class, as well as the materials in the reading. If you miss class, you are responsible for using the lecture materials provided above, and for getting any additional notes from lecture from a classmate: I will not re-lecture to you, one-on-one, at a later appointment. Arrive early to the next lecture, or stay a little late, and find out whether you missed an in-class minute paper, quiz or activity; do not ask me to meet with you outside of class to "tell you what you missed".


These policies have been developed over years of teaching this and other courses, and are designed to ensure fair treatment of everyone by maximizing everyone's opportunity to learn, eliminating discrepancies in testing and evaluation, and by eliminating differences in the amount of study time available to students. I am very willing to discuss my reasoning for these policies, but if you try to talk me into making an exception to them for you, you will fail, and probably make me grumpy to boot.

Tests/ In-class Assessments & Assignments

COURSE POINT TOTAL 300 POINTS

Tests: 100 points (twelve at 10 points each; lowest 2 dropped)

Ordinal Summary: 100 points (60 points by March 11; 40 points after)

Final exam: 60 points, May 6 (Covers material from Lectures 14-25)


These activities are designed to provide us with an assessment of your background preparation for class, to assess whether you understood what we just tried to teach you, and to enhance your understanding of the material. They will take multiple forms: MINUTE PAPERS: are short (it takes a minute!), UNGRADED (if you write something relevant, you're good -- there are no "right" answers) responses to questions we will pose in class. TESTS are GRADED, provide practice for the exams, assess your knowledge and understanding, and provide incentive to stay on top of the material. We recommend checking every Friday to see what's in store for the following week. Snow days and other unforseen circumstances can change our plans; a class cancellation should prompt you to check the web page.

Other Required Class Activities

Biological Collections tour 5 points

Every student is expected to visit the EEB Biological Collections for a tour that will introduce you to the resources and opportunities in the collection. We will offer 4 different opportunities, on different days and times. You will need to sign in at the collection; at the end of the semester, everyone who has signed in, will have 5 points added to their grade. Tours will take about 45 minutes, they meet at the south end of the Biology/Physics building lobby on the hour. You are responsible for finding a day and time to attend from the options listed below; if your class schedule prohibits you from attending any of these, you are responsible for letting me know that you will need an alternate opportunity BEFORE THE LAST WEEK OF CLASS. If you have already toured the collections (e.g., in a previous class with me or another instructor), provide me with documentation to that effect, and I will just add the 5 points to your grade without you needing to tour the collections again.


Twitter 30 points

Twitter is a social networking resource that allows users to communicate in short, frequent posts. Posts ("tweets") are limited to 140 characters. I expect you to go to Twitter, sign up (a matter of giving an email address and picking a password and username), and, over the course of the semester, post observations of birds outside of class. Your posts should consist of any observation of birds you make that somehow relates to the content of the course. Each post should say: where you are; what you are seeing in the birdlife around you; and make the connection to the course content. For example: "Two sparrows are beating each other up outside the student union. Territoriality or dominance fight?" You are expected to post at least once per week. Posts are worth a maximum of three points each, you can earn up to 6 points from posts per week, and you can earn a total of 30 points in the course from Tweets. We must know your username in order to give you credit for Twitter posts: once your account is in place, then use "Find People" on Twitter to locate us (type in "Margaret Rubega" or "@ProfRubega" and "Kevin Burgio" or "@KRBurgio") and then click on "Follow" to follow us. We will receive autumated messages informing us that you are following us, and will have a record of your user name. MAKE SURE THAT YOUR PRIVACY SETTINGS ALLOW ANYONE TO SEE YOU. (If you do not wish your personal account to be visible, establish a second account/username with "open" privacy settings for our class.) In addition, the "Twitter Handle" assignment sheet is due by our Wednesday class in the second week of classes. You MUST end every tweet with the string "#birdclass"; that is how we will be tracking tweets, and any post without the hashtag will NOT count toward your credit! We will all be able to see every tweet generated by the class by searching on #birdclass. We will be keeping track of posting and points during the semester by tracking the posts themselves. The beauty of Twitter is that it can be posted to virtually at any time, anywhere --- it's possible to post using many types of cell phones. However, anyone with an internet connection can post from a computer, and you should be mindful (as you are responsible for) of any texting charges that posting from your phone may incur.

Academic Rules/Conduct

All students should be aware of the guidelines on academic integrity contained in the Student Conduct Code. Click here to see the Conduct Code.

Course Guidelines Form

After you have read ALL of the above, print out and sign the Course Guidelines Form. Hand it in to Dr. Rubega no later than the end of the last lecture of the 2nd week of classes. Students who have not signed and handed in the form in will not accumulate points on ANY quiz, assignment or activity until we have the signed form.

Questions

If you have questions, by all means stop me in class or email me and ask. I will post both the questions (questioners will be anonymous) and answers here.

Bird News

A link to a page set up and maintained by Dr. Elphick.

Useful and Amusing Links

Field Ecology Internships

CT Beardsley Zoo Summer Internships

Awesome National Geographic article on feather evolution in dinosaurs

Jobs in Ornithology, the job board for the Ornithological Societies of North America. THE central clearing house for field research internships and jobs.

UConn Ornithology Collections Donation Page -- where to go if you find a dead bird! University of Connecticut Biological Collections, including the Bird Collection.

Feather Identification Resource Online! The Feather Atlas of North American Birds provided high-resolution scans of flight feathers of the major groups of birds; useful for comparison with found feathers whose origin you aren't sure of.

Images of Bird Wings Online. The Slater Museum, at the University of Puget Sound, provides high-resolution images of their entire collection of spread (open) bird wings. Useful for studying flight style as a function of wing morphology.