COURSE DESCRIPTION & OBJECTIVES: Students will learn traditional and state-of-the-art techniques used in the study and management of fish and wildlife,and other animal populations. Topics will include assessment of population characteristics, habitat, behavioral ecology and genetic structure. The field portion of the course will focus on techniques for sampling behavior, populations and habitat. 3 Credits. Prerequisites: Zoology 476

SCHEDULE: Last 7 weeks of spring semester, 2007 (March 17 - May 2);
LECTURE: M, W, F: 10:00-11:50; Stevens Hall 230
LAB: SECTION A - TH: 12:30 - 3:00 OR SECTION B - TH: 3:30 - 6:00
FIELD TRIP: TBA (mid-April)

LABORATORY
Laboratory will meet during two sections on Thursday afternoons from 12:30-6:20 pm. Students must attend their respective section. One 4-day field trip will occur in mid April. Therefore be prepared to be flexible in terms of scheduling; be prepared for occasional late arrivals (this is often the nature of field work). For the field trip come prepared for extreme weather conditions. You should dress warmly, wear water-repellent footwear and gloves (leather preferred). For the indoor laboratories, we will meet on campus.

RESEARCH PROPOSAL AND PAPER
Each group (2 students) will identify a research problem, prepare and present a written proposal (3-5 pages) and write a paper in scientific format (5-10 pages). Each group will prepare a project contract that specifies the research goals for the group and how project will be conducted.
Both individuals will work on both the proposal and the paper. One student will present the proposal to the class and the other group member will present the final paper. Both presentations will be made with power point. Data will be collected during the class field trip. The final paper will be due the final week of class.

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS
Three assignments will be provided all of which support the primary research project. Assignments will be docked 10% for each day late (25% over the weekend).
Assignment #1: Group Contract Due 3/26 (5pts)
Assignment #2: Library Research Due 3/28 (5pts)
Assignment #3: Paper critique / discussion Due 4/2 (10pts)
Assignment #4: Presentation (proposal or final) (10pts)

JOURNAL
You will keep a formal research journal. The research journal will include the following sections: date & time, study site locality and route, weather and climate, habitat and vegetation, species list, techniques and procedures used, equipment and materials used, observations and hypotheses. Provide comments on the techniques considered including strengths or limitations.

GRADUATE CREDIT: Graduate students will be expected to take a leadership role in discussion groups. Further, graduate students will conduct their research project independently; however, the class can be involved in data collection. Finally, graduate students will be expected to present both the proposal and the final paper.

REQUIRED STUDENT RESOURCES:
You are encouraged to purchase a copy of either the Wildlife or Fisheries Techniques manual, or the AFS "Methods for Fish Biology", but these resources will be on reserve in the library. For papers the password is "Wildlife".

GRADES: ALL assignments must be completed to pass this course.

Grades will be assigned as follows:
90-100 = A
80-89 = B
70-79 = C
60-69 = D
below 60 = F

SPECIAL NEEDS: Any students with disabilities or other special needs, who need special accommodations in this course are invited to share these concerns or requests with the instructor as soon as possible.

ACADEMIC RESPONSIBILITY: All work in this course must be completed in a manner consistent with NDSU University Senate Policy, section 335, Code of Academic Responsibility and Conduct (http://www.ndsu.nodak.edu/policy/335.htm).