Au Sable Institute of Environmental Studies Serving and Protecting Creation Through Education, Restoration, Leadership, and Witness
Registration is open at http://www.ausable.org/ Contact: [email protected] Discover your Passion for Stewarding the Earth at Au Sable Institute Au Sable offers field-based, university-level courses in environmental studies and environmental science at campuses in the Great Lakes region (Mancelona, MI), Pacific Northwest (Whidbey Island, WA), and India with transferable credits to more than 50 colleges and universities. ASI also provides a framework and services for sustainable community-building and environmental education and restoration programs for children and adults in the northwest lower Michigan region. MAY SESSION: May 16 (Monday) - June 3 (Friday), 2011 Biol 305 Ornithology: Eastern Birds 4 cr; 100 contact hrs.Biology, behavior, ecology and identification of birds. Work is primarily conducted in the field and covers the major habitats of northern lower Michigan, including wetlands, lakes, rivers, forests, dunes, and open field communities. Emphasis will be placed on identification of the spring bird fauna of northern lower Michigan by sight and by call. Prerequisite: one course in introductory biology or zoology. Biol 361 Field Natural History 4 cr; 100 contact hrs.Springtime plants and animals, their field identification, field biology, behavior and landscape context, with a focus on spring flora, amphibia and birds. Offered between the spring college semester and the end of the spring high school semester to provide prospective teachers and naturalists with an opportunity to investigate the natural history of this very active time of year. (Costa Rica) Biol/Agric/Geog 343 Tropical Agriculture and Missions 4 cr; 100 contact hrs. An introduction to tropical agriculture for working with resource-poor farmers. Topics include the scientific basis behind successful low cost techniques, a survey of major tropical crops and their requirements, and on-site practical work. Selected issues in Christian missions and in community development, and some urban gardening and small animal techniques are also covered. Taught in a rural, mountainous village in Costa Rica in collaboration with a Christian organization aiding redevelopment after an earthquake, with several trips to different ecosystem regions of Costa Rica. SUMMER SESSION I June 6 (Monday) - July 8 (Friday), 2011 Biol/Geol/Geog 301 Land Resources 4 cr; 100 contact hrs. Systems level perspective on land forms and ecosystems. Includes analysis and interpretation of field data, remotesensing data derived from satellites and aircraft and geographic information systems (GIS). Field trips to and analysis of forests, wetlands, lakeshores, and rivers. Includes application to policy and land use planning. Prerequisite: one year of introductory science. Biol 311 Field Botany 4 cr; 100 contact hrs. Field and lab identification, systematics, natural history, and ecology of vascular plants as components of natural communities. Ecological features, including stratification, history, plant zonation, adaptation, and animal interactions are examined. Relationships of plant families and higher groups are covered. Project and/or plant collection required. Prerequisite: one year of general biology or one semester of botany. Biol 321 Animal Ecology 4 cr; 100 contact hrs. Interrelationships between animals and their biotic and physical environments, emphasizing animal population dynamics in old growth pine forests and bogs. A field course that centers on the ecology of northern Michigan fauna from a stewardship perspective. Included are individual student projects. Prerequisite: one year of introductory science. Biol 322 Aquatic Biology 4 cr; 100 contact hrs. Ecology, identification, systematics, culture, and care of aquatic plants and animals, and adaptations to freshwater environments. Aquatic life is studied in lakes, ponds, bogs, marshes, streams, and in the laboratory. The course assesses human impacts on aquatic species and ecosystems, presents procedures for the stewardship of aquatic habitats, and introduces aquatic restoration ecology Biol 360 Molecular Tools for the Field Biologist. 4 cr; 100 contact hrs. A field class introducing recent advances in molecular biology techniques, computation, and storage for applied ecological work. The ability to utilize these techniques is becoming more and more important to scientists for addressing fundamental questions in biology. This course will expose you to a broad range of techniques and concepts in molecular biology and phylogenetics. Emphasis is placed on the strengths and limitations of each method and its application to a wide range of organisms, including plants, animals an microorganisms. It will provide a foundation for molecular applications to issues of environmental stewardship. Biol/Chem/Geog 390 Directed Individual Study 1-4 cr; 15 - 60 contact hrs. Field or laboratory study of a problem selected by the student in consultation with a professor, and presented as a written proposal in advance of the session in which the study is to be conducted. Normally, problems are outgrowths of previous coursework with a given professor at Au Sable. Biol/Geog 471 Conservation Biology 4 cr; 100 contact hrs. Principles of conservation biology with applications to sustainable human society and biospheric integrity. An integrative approach to biology and society that interrelates population biology, ecological principles, biogeochemical cycles, ecosystem functions, and human society in the context of biospheric degradation. The course develops a stewardship perspective rooted in biological principles and directed at conservation of plant and animal species, biotic communities, ecosystems, and human society. Included are topics of human development, poverty, and economic growth. Prerequisite: one year in biology and one course in ecology, or permission of professor. Biol/Chem/Env.St/Geog. 490 Research Methods I. 1cr, 20 contact hrs. This course is designed to prepare natural science majors to conduct scientific field research. It introduces students to experimental design and statistics relevant to scientific research. Students then select a research topic feasible for investigation; pose a relevant, scientifically testable question or a hypothesis. Students, in conjunction with a research mentor, prepare a research proposal and initiate an investigation. Prerequisite: Third year status, previous AuSable course, and research interest. Biol/Chem/Geog 499 Research 1-6 cr; 15-90 contact hrs. Participation in an ongoing research project of the Institute. Prerequisite: A research proposal including goals and objectives, methods, protocols for evaluation; to be signed by the professor and program director. Staff. Biol/EnvSt/Geog 990 Post-Baccalaureate Directed Study 1- 6 cr; 15-90 contact hrs. Research and/or preparation of an observational and reflective field journal that meets or exceeds requirements for such journals in two Institute courses. This journal is prepared according to the standards that parallel standards for writing a graduate masters thesis. This course can be extended across academic sessions and sites by prior arrangement. SUMMER SESSION II July 11 (Monday) - August 12 (Friday), 2011 Biol 302 Limnology (Water Resources) 4 cr; 100 contact hrs. Field study of lakes and other freshwater systems with applications to planning and management. Includes an introduction to limnology and investigation of representative lakes, streams, and wetlands of the region and compares the North American Great Lakes with the other great lakes of the world and their stewardship. Prerequisite: one year of general biology and one year of general chemistry. Biol 312 Insect Biology and Ecology 4 cr; 100 contact hrs. A study of insect taxonomy, ecology, life histories, and economic importance. Special attention is given to environmental stewardship issues including use of insecticides, biological control, integrated pest management, and impact of cultivation on formation of pest faunas. Field methods are stressed. Chem 332 Environmental Chemistry 4 cr; 100 contact hrs. Principles analysis and impact of chemical movement and distribution -both natural and human-induced - in natural environments focusing primarily on the hydrosphere and atmosphere. Sampling and analytical methods are included for water, soil, and air. Work is conducted both on site in natural habitats and the laboratory. Prerequisite: one year of general chemistry and one semester of either biochemistry or organic chemistry. Biol 345 Wildlife Ecology 4 cr; 100 contact hrs. Ecology, conservation, and stewardship of wildlife species and their habitats. Includes growth and structure of natural and managed populations, environmental and human social factors affecting wildlife communities, and wildlife conservation. The course is set in the context of the historical development of the field from management, to ecology, and to the land ethic of Leopold. Includes management and stewardship of non-game and endangered species, and long-term prospects of wildlife in changing environmental, climatic, and social contexts. Biol/Geog 355 Watershed Stewardship 4 cr; 100 conta ct hrs. Principles of watershed ecology. Includes principles and practice of community-based water monitoring and watershed management for developing and developed countries and data access and analysis using an online relational database and data-to-action strategies. Designed for students in science and public policy, including students interested in missions and development and agencies involved in environmental assessment and community development. Biol/Chem/Geog 390 Directed Individual Study 1-4 cr; 15-60 contact hrs. Field or laboratory study of a problem selected by the student in consultation with a professor, and presented as a written proposal in advance of the session in which the study is to be conducted. Normally, problems are outgrowths of previous coursework with a given professor at Au Sable. Prerequisite: A study proposal including goals and objectives, methods, protocols for evaluation; to be signed by the professor and program director. Biol 482 Restoration Ecology 4 cr; 100 contact hrs. Ecological and theoretical foundations for ecosystem and biotic community restoration. This course develops ecological principles for ecosystem restoration and applies them to redeeming and restoring degraded and damaged ecosystems and endangered species. Field studies include analysis of restoration and rehabilitation work with the Kirtland Warbler, an officially designated wild river, coastal dunes, kettle-hole bogs, deforested lands, degraded residential and farming sites, and abandoned oil wells. A practical field laboratory is included in which techniques are applied to a specific site. Prerequisite: one year of biology and one course in ecology or field biology, or permission of professor. Biol/Chem/Env.St/Geog. 491 Research Methods II 1cr, 20 contact hrs. This course follows Research Methods I with an exploration of data analysis, report writing, and presentation and poster preparation. Prerequisite: Research Methods I. Biol/Chem/Geog 499 Research 1-6 cr; 15-90 contact hrs. Participation in an ongoing research project of the Institute. Prerequisite: A research proposal including goals and objectives, methods, protocols for evaluation; to be signed by the professor and program director. Biol/EnvSt/Geog 990 Post-Baccalaureate Directed Study. 1-6 cr; 15-90 contact hrs. Research and/or preparation of an observational and reflective field journal that meets or exceeds requirements for such journals in two Institute courses. This journal is prepared according to the standards that parallel standards for writing a graduate masters thesis. This course can be extended across academic sessions and sites by prior arrangement. . AU SABLE - PACIFIC RIM Biol 359 Marine Mammals 4 cr; 100 contact hrs. Biology, behavior, ecology, identification, and conservation of the marine mammals of the Pacific Rim. This study area covers some major habitats in Puget Sound and the Salish Sea, with attention to the diving physiology, social behavior, and communications of whales and seals. The course aims to develop a stewardship perspective rooted in biological principles and directed at the global conservation of marine mammals and their ecosystems. Special attention is given to their use by cultures of the region in order to understand current issues. Biol 478 Alpine Ecology: Life in Context of Snow and Ice 4 cr; 100 contact hrs. Ecology of the mountains of the Pacific Northwest, with particular attention to adaptation of plant and animal life to montane climates and altitudes, and analysis and interpretation of altitudinal zonation of biotic communities with applications to latitudinal biogeography. Also included are topics of physiological responses of organisms to reduced oxygen levels, low temperatures and high altitude radiation regimes. Field work includes on-site studies in the Olympic Mountains of the Olympic Peninsula. Biol/Chem/Geog 499 Research 1-6 cr; 15-90 contact hrs. Participation in an ongoing research project of the Institute. Prerequisite: A research proposal including goals and objectives, methods, protocols for evaluation; to be signed by the professor and program director. Biol/EnvSt/Geog 990 Post-Baccalaureate Directed Study 1-6 cr; 15-90 contact hrs. Research and/or preparation of an observational and reflective field journal that meets or exceeds requirements for such journals in two Institute courses. This journal is prepared according to the standards that parallel standards for writing a graduate masters thesis. This course can be extended across academic sessions and sites by prior arrangement. Biol/Geog 304 Global Development and Ecological Sustainability 4 cr, 100 contact hrs. Environmental analysis and natural resources in relation to society and development issues. Ecological sustainability and sustainable society in the context of various factors that are bringing environmental degradation and impoverishment to people and cultures. It deals with topics of tropical agriculture, hunger, poverty, international debt, appropriate technology, relief programs, missionary earthkeeping, conservation of wild nature, land tenure, and land stewardship. It employs a discussion format both in classroom and field settings. Its emphasis is on grappling with difficult practical and ethical problems and issues that require deep and persistent thought. Biol 452 Environmental Health: An Ecological Perspective 4 cr; 100 contact hrs. Introduction to the fundamentals of environmental health, with an introduction to environmental epidemiology and environmental medicine. Environmental pollutants and their sources, effects of environmental pollution on the environment and public health, environmental control agencies, methods of pollution control, environmental law and policy, environmental and public health research agencies, environmental epidemiology, environmental medicine, and environmental stewardship are included. Field trips and lab assignments complement the materials covered in lectures. Open to all students with preference given to pre-medical students and students exploring a career in environmental health and public health.
