Difference between revisions of "Ornithology Lecture"

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== Basic Course Information ==  
 
== Basic Course Information ==  
  
'''Spring 2012'''  
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'''Spring 2015'''  
  
'''Meets:''' Monday & Wednesdays, 11:00 - 11:50, BPB 130  
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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:''' Weds, 10-11 am, and by appointment
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'''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'''  
  
'''Twitter name:''' profrubega
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'''Twitter name:''' @profrubega
  
'''TA:''' Chris Field       '''Office:''' PharmBio 310A
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'''TA:''' Kevin Burgio       '''Office:''' PharmBio 402
  
'''Office Phone:'''' 486-3005       '''Office Hours:''' Weds, 12-2 pm, and by appointment
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'''Office Phone:'''' 486-3839       '''Office Hours:''' Weds 12:05 -1:05 pm, and by appointment
  
'''Email: christopher.field@huskymail.uconn.edu'''
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'''Email: kevin.burgio@uconn.edu'''
  
'''Twitter name:''' cfieldnotes
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'''Twitter name:''' @KRBurgio
  
 
<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>
 
<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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!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 (unless otherwise stated)
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!width="300"|Required Reading in Gill; ''Required assignments''
 
!width="300"|Optional reading [in brackets]from Proctor & Lynch (unless otherwise stated) , and other resources  
 
!width="300"|Optional reading [in brackets]from Proctor & Lynch (unless otherwise stated) , and other resources  
 
|-  
 
|-  
| || Jan 18 ||Course Introduction  || READ COURSE GUIDELINES; 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]
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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.
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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.  
 
|-  
 
|-  
| 1 || Jan 23 || [http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/d/dc/EEB_4260_Lecture_notes_Course_Intro_%26_Why_study_birds.pdf What are birds and why would we study them?] ''Course Guidelines Form Due.''|| Pgs. xxi- xxvi and Chapter 1 in Gill || [1–6]
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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]
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|-
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| 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]    
 
|-  
 
|-  
| 2 || Jan 25 ||[http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/4/44/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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| 3 || Feb 2 || SNOW DAY || ||  
|-
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| 3 || Jan 30 ||[http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/2/2f/Lecture_notes_Avian_evolution.pdf Avian evolution]  || Chapter 2  ||[13 – 21] ||
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|-
 
|-
| 4 || Feb 1 ||[http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/3/3d/Lecture_notes_Feathers.pdf Feathers] || Chapter 4  || [81–115] Also: [http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100204144422.htm Dinosaur feather colors revealed!]||
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| 4 || Feb 4 || TEST & [http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/8/86/Avian_Taxonomy_Lecture_Notes.pdf Avian Taxonomy]; [http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/d/dd/Ordinal_Summary_Assignment.pdf Ordinal Survey assignment] description|| ||
 
|-
 
|-
| 5 || Feb || [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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| 5     || Feb 9 || [http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/a/a9/EEB-4260-Avian-Evolution.pdf Avian evolution]   || Chapter 2; '''''DEADLINE to sign up for an Order to summarize''''' ||[13 – 21]||
 
|-
 
|-
| 6 || Feb 8 || [http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/5/55/Lecture_notes_Endothermy_and_thermoregulation.pdf Physiology: Endothermy and Thermoregulation] || Chapter 6 (pgs. 150-164) ||  
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| 6 || Feb 11 || TEST & [http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/d/d2/EEB-4260-Feathers.pdf Feathers] || Chapter || [81–115] Also: [http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100204144422.htm Dinosaur feather colors revealed!] [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUIdarVPpsQ Mastery of Flight] video containing awesome feather structure animation.
 
|-  
 
|-  
| 7 || Feb 13 || [http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/d/d0/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!]
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| 7 || Feb 16 || Feathers, continued, and [http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/archive/9/9a/20150213211654!Lecture_Notes_Flight.pdf Flight] || Chapter 5; '''''Starting Drafts of Ordinal Summaries DUE''''' || [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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| 8 || Feb 18 || TEST & Flight, continued || || 
| 8 || Feb 15 ||[http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/archive/3/38/20110314140416!Lecture_note_Digestion_and_Excretion.pdf Physiology: Digestion and Excretion; Water Balance] || Chapter 6 (pp. 164-179) || [175-187, 219-239]
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|-
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| 9  || Feb 23 || [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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|-
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| 10 || Feb 25  ||TEST & [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!]
 
|-  
 
|-  
| || Feb 20  || [http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/archive/e/e7/20110314141007!Lecture_notes_Resp%26Circ.pdf Physiology: Respiration and Circulation] || Chapter 6 (141-150) || [189-217]
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|11    || March 2|| [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); '''''Skeleton Draft of Ordinal Summary DUE'''''  || [175-187, 219-239]
 
|-  
 
|-  
| 10 || Feb 22  || [http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/6/60/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!]
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|12    || March 4|| TEST & [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]
 
|-  
 
|-  
| 11 &12 || Feb 27 -29 ||[http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/2/2a/Lecture_notes_Communication.pdf Communication: Visual] AND [http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/4/47/Lecture_notes_Vocalizations.pdf  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!]
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| 13 || Mar 9|| [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!]
|-
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| 13 || Mar 5|| [http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/c/cd/Lecture_notes_Annual_Cycle.pdf Annual Cycles] || Chapter 9 || 
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|- 
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| || Mar 7 || '''Mid-term exam''' || Lectures through FEEDING; 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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|-
 
|-
|   ||March 12-16  ||'''SPRING BREAK''' || NO CLASS  ||
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| || Mar 11 || '''Mid-term''' || '''''Ordinal Summaries DUE! In class peer reviews''''' || [http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/e/e7/EEB4260_Midterm_Eval.pdf Midterm Ordinal Survey Student Evaluation Form]
 
|-
 
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| 14 || Mar 19|| [http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/0/02/Lecture_Notes_Migration.pdf Migration] || Chapter 10 (pgs. 273-295) ||   
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|   ||March 16 -18 ||'''SPRING BREAK''' || NO CLASS ||
 
|-
 
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| 16 || Mar 26||[http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/5/5e/Lecture_notes_Social_Behavior.pdf Social Behavior] || Chapter 11  ||
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| 14 || Mar 23 ||[http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/d/dd/Lecture_Notes_Communication.pdf Communication] ||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!]
 
|-
 
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| 17 || Mar 28||[http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/3/37/Lecture_notes_Breeding_Systems.pdf Reproduction: Mating Behavior] || Pg. 359 through Chapter 13 ||  
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| 15 || Mar 25 || TEST & [http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/d/d8/Lecture_Notes_Annual_Cycle.pdf Annual Cycles] || Chapter 9 ||
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|-
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| 16 || Mar 30 ||  [http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/e/e8/LectureNotesMigration.pdf  Migration] || Chapter 10 (pgs. 273-295) ||  ||
 
|-  
 
|-  
| 18 ||April 2 ||  [http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/d/dd/Lecture_Notes_Reproductive_physiology.pdf Reproduction: Physiology] ||Chapter 14 || [219-239]
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|17 || Apr 1|| TEST & [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 ||
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|-
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| 18 || Apr 6 ||Social Behavior, continued  ||  ||
 
|-   
 
|-   
| 19 || Apr 4|| [http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/a/af/Lecture_notes_Nests.pdf Reproduction: Nests and Nesting] || Chapter 15 ||
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| 19 || Apr 8||TEST & Mating Behavior ||  ||
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|-
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|  20 || Apr 13 || Why Choose Polygyny? "Active Quiz ||  ||
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|-
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| 21 || April 15 || [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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| 22 || April 20 || [http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/5/5c/Lecture_Notes_Nests.pdf Reproduction: Nests and Nesting] & T.A. Evaluation || Chapter 15 ||
 
|-  
 
|-  
|20 || Apr 9||[http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/6/6c/Lecture_Notes_Chick_Growth.pdf Reproduction: Growth and Development of Young] || Chapter 16 (pgs. 467-482) ||
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| 23 || April 22 ||TEST & [http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/6/6c/Lecture_Notes_Chick_Growth.pdf   Growth and Development of Young] || Chapter 16 (pgs. 467-502) ||  
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|-
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Reproduction: Parental Care || ||
 
|-  
 
|-  
| 21 || Apr 11 || [http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/9/9f/Parental_Care.pdf Reproduction: Parental Care] || Chapter 16 (pgs. 482-502) || 
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| 24 || April 27 || [http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/9/91/Lecture_Notes_Conservation.pdf Avian Conservation] Habitat Loss and Climate Change || Chapter 21,  || [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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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.
| 22 & 23 || Apr 16 -18 ||  [http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/7/7a/Conservation.pdf Avian Conservation] || Chapter 21, pgs.558-569 ||
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|-  
|-
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| 25 || April 29 ||TEST & Threats to Birds; Extinction || Pgs. 269 - 271; '''''Ordinal Summary Revisions DUE, via email, by 5 p.m.'''''    ||    || 
| 24 || April 23 || 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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|
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.  
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|    || May 6 || '''FINAL EXAM''' in our regular classroom || [http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/d/d5/EEB_4260_Final_Exam_Questions.pdf FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS], with hand outs of Ordinal Summaries || 10:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m.
|-  
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|-  
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|       || May 4 || '''FINAL EXAM''' || ALL MATERIAL TO DATE || 10:30-12:30 am
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|}
 
|}
  
 
== Course Guidelines and Grading Policies ==
 
== 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.  
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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.'''
  
'''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 expect an emergency communication during class, speak to me about it before lecture begins.  
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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.  
  
'''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, minute papers, and other assigned 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> If you miss a test or minute paper, you will receive a score of zero. If you have a legitimate reason (e.g., a death in the family) to miss a test or minute paper, 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: 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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'''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 course. If you have a legitimate excuse to reschedule the final exam YOU MUST INFORM [http://http://dos.uconn.edu/finals-rescheduling/ the Dean of Students Office] BY APRIL 24TH in order to be allowed to take the exam at a time different than the rest of class. ''' Emergencies that could not be foreseen that cause you to miss the final exam likewise need to be taken to the Dean of Students Office --- only they can authorize a make-up exam. 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 or quizzes(see below). As noted above, there are no opportunities for making-up missed minute papers. 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 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 a minute paper; do not ask me to meet with you outside of class to "tell you what you missed".
 
  
SICK? First, do your level best to let me know before you miss a class exercise/test. Second, if you are 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. For illnesses, I pro-rate your grade on the basis of the point-bearing exercises you didn't miss. If you are sick for the final 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.'''  
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'''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.
 
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/Minute Papers==
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== Tests/ In-class Assessments & Assignments ==
  
'''COURSE POINT TOTAL  285 POINTS'''  
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'''COURSE POINT TOTAL  300 POINTS'''  
  
Test 1:     100 points,    March 7    (Covers material from Lecture 1 through Feb 28)
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'''Tests:         100 points (twelve at 10 points each; lowest 2 dropped)'''
  
 +
Ordinal Summary:    100 points (60 points by March 11; 40 points after)
  
Final:    120 points,    May 2     (100 points are dedicated to material after 2nd Test,                                20 points are dedicated to material from the WHOLE COURSE)
+
Final exam:    60 points,    May 6     (Covers material from Lectures 14-25)
  
[http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/5/57/EEB_281_Sample_test.pdf Click here to view a Sample Test]
 
  
'''Tests, total points        220 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.
  
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 3 points each, and there will be 10 of them over the whole semester. Three points apiece may seem trivial, but it's worth remembering that, taken together, the minute papers are worth 10% of your grade, conceivably 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. Occasionally, instead of a minute paper, I may administer a GRADED, 3 point quiz. These will be used as practice for larger tests, to assess your knowledge and understanding, and to keep you engaged. If I see evidence that the work of the class is not being taken seriously, I will shift from ungraded minute papers to graded quizzes.
+
== Other Required Class Activities ==
  
'''Minute papers/Quizzes, total points   30 Points'''
+
'''Biological Collections tour    5 points'''
 
+
== Other Required Class Activities ==
+
  
 
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.  
 
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.  
  
'''Available tour days/times:  
+
Collection Tour Schedule:
February 2 @ 2pm;
+
February 9 @ 9am;
+
February 15 @ 12pm;
+
March 6 @ 10am;
+
March 19 @ 8am.'''
+
  
 +
March 24 (Tuesday): 2:00 - 2:45pm <br>
 +
March 30th (Monday): 12:30 - 1:15pm <br>
 +
April 10th (Friday): 12:00 - 12:45pm <br>
  
  
'''Biological Collections tour total points   5 points'''
+
'''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.'''
  
 +
== Ordinal Summary Signup ==
  
 +
{| border="1" cellpadding="2"
 +
!width="150"|Order
 +
!width="75"|Student
  
'''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 at least 10 times; '''5 of your posts must be up by 5 pm on March 2.''' 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?" I must know your username in order to give you credit for Twitter post: use your first initial/last name, thus Matthew McHenry would have a user name of mmchenry. If you find your particular username is already taken, pick something logical. Once your account is in place, then use "Find People" on Twitter to locate me (type in "Margaret Rubega" or "ProfRubega")and then click on "Follow" to follow me. I will receive an autumated message informing me that you are following me, and will have a record of your user name. You MUST end every tweet with the string "#BirdClass"; that is how I will be tracking tweets, and any post without it 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.'''
+
|-
 
+
| Tinamiformes ||
 
+
|-
'''Twitter posting total points  30 points'''
+
| Rheiformes || Zachary
 +
|-
 +
| Struthioniformes || Julia
 +
|-
 +
| Casuariiformes || Megan L.
 +
|-
 +
| Dinornithiformes || Olivia
 +
|-
 +
| Galliformes || Andrew
 +
|-
 +
| Anseriformes || Damon
 +
|-
 +
| Sphenisciformes || Samantha
 +
|-
 +
| Gaviiformes || Sara
 +
|-
 +
| Procellariiformes || Marc-Andre
 +
|-
 +
| Podicipediformes || Shafaq
 +
|-
 +
| Phoenicopteriformes || Corey
 +
|-
 +
| Ciconiiformes ||
 +
|-
 +
| Pelecaniformes || Jessica C.
 +
|-
 +
| Falconiformes || Darren
 +
|-
 +
| Gruiformes || Mary
 +
|-
 +
| Charadriiformes || Megan T.
 +
|-  
 +
| Columbiformes || Jeremy
 +
|-  
 +
| Psittaciformes || Kali
 +
|-  
 +
| Musophagiformes  || Ben
 +
|-
 +
| Cuculiformes || Doug
 +
|-
 +
| Strigiformes || Lena
 +
|-
 +
| Caprimuligiformes || Jennifer
 +
|-
 +
| Apodiformes || Dawn S.  
 +
|-
 +
| Coliiformes  ||
 +
|-
 +
| Trogoniformes || Darcy
 +
|-
 +
| Coraciiformes || Andrea
 +
|-
 +
| Piciformes || Howard
 +
|-
 +
| Passeriformes (Oscine) || Seth
 +
|-
 +
| Passeriformes (Suboscine) ||
 +
|}
  
 
== Academic Rules/Conduct ==
 
== 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 [http://www.dos.uconn.edu/student_code.html Conduct Code].
+
All students should be aware of the guidelines on academic integrity contained in the Student Conduct Code. Click here to see the [http://community.uconn.edu/the-student-code-preamble/ Conduct Code].
  
 
== Course Guidelines Form ==
 
== Course Guidelines Form ==
  
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.
+
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.'''
  
 
== Questions ==
 
== Questions ==
  
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.
+
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 ==
 
== Bird News ==
Line 179: Line 245:
  
 
== Useful and Amusing Links ==
 
== Useful and Amusing Links ==
 +
 +
[http://dailydigest.uconn.edu/publicEmailSingleStoryView.php?id=33570&cid=24&iid=1239 '''McNair Summer Research Fellowships at UConn''']
  
 
[http://www.huyckpreserve.org/research/odum_intern.htm '''Field Ecology Internships''']
 
[http://www.huyckpreserve.org/research/odum_intern.htm '''Field Ecology Internships''']
  
[http://www.ourearth.org/students/OurEarth_Flyer.pdf '''Summer Environmental Internships''']
+
[http://beardsleyzoo.org/volunteer-gi1'''CT Beardsley Zoo Summer Internships''']
  
[http://www.beardsleyzoo.org/get-involved/summer-intern.asp'''CT Beardsley Zoo Summer Internships''']
+
[http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2011/02/feathers/zimmer-text Awesome National Geographic article on feather evolution in dinosaurs]
  
[http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/microraptor/program.html Wicked Nova Series on Four-winged Dinosaurs!] Watch it here. 
+
[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/eebedia/index.php/Ornithology_Collections:_Specimen_Donation_and_Tracking UConn Ornithology Collections Donation Page] -- where to go if you find a dead bird!
Line 197: Line 262:
 
[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://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://www.ups.edu/x5662.xml 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.
+
[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.
  
  

Latest revision as of 01:11, 27 April 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

Reproduction: Parental Care || ||
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 SNOW DAY
4 Feb 4 TEST & Avian Taxonomy; Ordinal Survey assignment description
5 Feb 9 Avian evolution Chapter 2; DEADLINE to sign up for an Order to summarize [13 – 21]
6 Feb 11 TEST & Feathers Chapter 4 [81–115] Also: Dinosaur feather colors revealed! Mastery of Flight video containing awesome feather structure animation.
7 Feb 16 Feathers, continued, and Flight Chapter 5; Starting Drafts of Ordinal Summaries DUE [117,136–139, 148–151, 156–163] Article and videos of wing-assisted incline-running!
8 Feb 18 TEST & Flight, continued
9 Feb 23 Physiology: Endothermy and Thermoregulation Chapter 6 (pgs. 150-164)
10 Feb 25 TEST & Feeding, feeding structures and feeding behavior Chapter 1 (pgs. 13-15) [122–130, 152-154], Tool making in New Caledonian Crows!
11 March 2 Physiology: Digestion and Excretion; Water Balance Chapter 6 (pp. 164-179); Skeleton Draft of Ordinal Summary DUE [175-187, 219-239]
12 March 4 TEST & Physiology: Respiration and Circulation Chapter 6 (141-150); [189-217]
13 Mar 9 Sensory Biology and Intelligence Chapter 7 [241-262] See Evidence that birds are smarter than you!
Mar 11 Mid-term Ordinal Summaries DUE! In class peer reviews Midterm Ordinal Survey Student Evaluation Form
March 16 -18 SPRING BREAK NO CLASS
14 Mar 23 Communication Pgs. 344-359 and Chapter 8 AND watch Communication in Birds Video Manakins show off -- Michael Jackson rolls over!
15 Mar 25 TEST & Annual Cycles Chapter 9
16 Mar 30 Migration Chapter 10 (pgs. 273-295)
17 Apr 1 TEST & Social and Mating Behavior Chapter 11 AND pg. 359 through Chapter 13
18 Apr 6 Social Behavior, continued
19 Apr 8 TEST & Mating Behavior
20 Apr 13 Why Choose Polygyny? "Active Quiz
21 April 15 Reproduction: Physiology Chapter 14 [219-239]
22 April 20 Reproduction: Nests and Nesting & T.A. Evaluation Chapter 15
23 April 22 TEST & Growth and Development of Young Chapter 16 (pgs. 467-502)
24 April 27 Avian Conservation Habitat Loss and Climate Change Chapter 21, 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 TEST & Threats to Birds; Extinction Pgs. 269 - 271; Ordinal Summary Revisions DUE, via email, by 5 p.m.
May 6 FINAL EXAM in our regular classroom FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS, with hand outs of 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 reschedule the final exam YOU MUST INFORM the Dean of Students Office BY APRIL 24TH in order to be allowed to take the exam at a time different than the rest of class. Emergencies that could not be foreseen that cause you to miss the final exam likewise need to be taken to the Dean of Students Office --- only they can authorize a make-up exam. 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.

Collection Tour Schedule:

March 24 (Tuesday): 2:00 - 2:45pm
March 30th (Monday): 12:30 - 1:15pm
April 10th (Friday): 12:00 - 12:45pm


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.

Ordinal Summary Signup

Order Student
Tinamiformes
Rheiformes Zachary
Struthioniformes Julia
Casuariiformes Megan L.
Dinornithiformes Olivia
Galliformes Andrew
Anseriformes Damon
Sphenisciformes Samantha
Gaviiformes Sara
Procellariiformes Marc-Andre
Podicipediformes Shafaq
Phoenicopteriformes Corey
Ciconiiformes
Pelecaniformes Jessica C.
Falconiformes Darren
Gruiformes Mary
Charadriiformes Megan T.
Columbiformes Jeremy
Psittaciformes Kali
Musophagiformes Ben
Cuculiformes Doug
Strigiformes Lena
Caprimuligiformes Jennifer
Apodiformes Dawn S.
Coliiformes
Trogoniformes Darcy
Coraciiformes Andrea
Piciformes Howard
Passeriformes (Oscine) Seth
Passeriformes (Suboscine)

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

McNair Summer Research Fellowships at UConn

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.