Module 20

Wilfrid Laurier University
Ontario Universities Program in Field Biology

Course Title : Field Ecology of Southern Ontario: Human Disturbance in a Protected Environment
Instructor(s) : Dr. Scott Ramsay [contact person]   Phone:  519-884-0710 x 2406
Department of Biology                      
Wilfrid Laurier University        
Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 3C5              FAX:  519-746-0677
Date(s) : Sunday 1 August to Saturday 14 August 2010.  2 weeks; WLU 0.5 credit
Location : Wildlife Research Station (WRS), Algonquin Park, Ontario
Cost : $825. [$250 deposit to home university; $575 balance due to Wilfrid Laurier University by 30 June 2010]  This includes accommodation and meals at WRS.  You must supply your own bedding and you must arrange your own transportation to and from WRS.  You must pay tuition fees to your home institution.
Prerequisites : Students entering 3rd or 4th year of a Biology (or related) program. A university course in introductory ecology. A course in introductory statistics (t-test, correlation, regression, ANOVA) will be very useful.
Description : Algonquin Park provides an excellent environment in which to study the long-lasting effects of human disturbance on biological diversity. This course will focus on the abundance and diversity of plants and animals in terrestrial habitats within Algonquin Park.  We will compare the effects of disturbance with reference to undisturbed sites.  The first week of the course will be devoted to learning to identify organisms, building a toolkit of sampling techniques, and visiting a variety of sites of known age.  During the second week you will work with two or three others on a group project of your choosing. You should be in adequate physical condition for long hikes over moderate terrain.
Enrollment : 14 students
Evaluation : Seminar 15%, Participation 25%, Field Notebook 10%, Project Report 50%.
Assignment(s) :
  1. A seminar (20 min. + 10 min. for discussion) based on an article that will be assigned to you prior to the start of the course.
  2. A field notebook where you have recorded your observations and data.
  3. A group project designed in consultation with the instructor.  All data collection must be completed by the end of the course.  You will have four weeks following the completion of the course to prepare a written report (10 – 15 pp) based on your project (due 10 Sept. 2010).
Additional Information: