Ornithology BI 347 Policies
Grading Policy
There will be three multiple choice exams on the lecture materials. The lab exam will be a field identification exam at the end of the semester. It will be scheduled TBA because of weather considerations.
Lecture Exercises | Points |
Exam 1 | 50 |
Exam 2 | 50 |
Final Exam | 80 |
Total - lecture | 180 |
Term paper | 20 |
Lab Exercises | |
Lab Reports 1-10 (5 points each), see samples in Sakai - Resources - LB 347 Labs - Lab Report Samples |
50 |
Final Lab Exam - Field Identification | 80 |
Total - lab | 130 |
Grand Total | 330 |
Term paper
For this assignment, students will choose a country and summarize how it implements conservation policies and management of it’s wildlife resources with an emphasis on birds. Below is a brief outline of topics covered in the research paper. The paper should be 4-6 pages long.
Form of government (e.g., Democracy, Autocracy, Oligarchy, Theocracy)
Are birds symbols of the natural heritage of these countries (e.g., political, religious, other)
Government agency responsible for protecting, managing wildlife
Forms of wildlife protections
Laws
Wildlife management, Exporting wildlife
Participate in international treaties (CITES)
Parks, reserves, refuge systems
Problems unique to this country
List and description of endangered birds
Species
Ecological requirements (habitat)
Problems in this country
NGOs, others working in these countries to protect wildlife
Internal organizations
External organizations
BI 347 is a writing intensive course and I will have students turning in writing assignment updates throughout the semester. I will provide feedback on each update so that the students can use these constructive comments to improve their research paper. Here is a breakdown of the process.
Mid-late January students submit paper topic (i.e., country)
Early February – students submit formal outline of their paper
Mid-February – students submit 25% of their completed paper for feedback
Early March - students submit 50% of their completed paper for feedback
Mid-April - students submit 75% of their completed paper for feedback
Late April - students submit final draft of completed paper for grading
Writing Intensive Exercises - Lab Reports
The 10 lab reports are short summaries of each lab, containing locality information, a species list of observed birds for that day, a summary of the day’s weather conditions and several short paragraphs on notes about behavior and habitat selection by these birds. These exercises are intended to simulate a field journal, based on a model originally developed by Joseph Grinnel, at the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California at Berkeley (http://instruct.uwo.ca/biology/320y/fj.html).
A general outline of a typical lab report is given below.
Heading | Content |
Title | State: County, Locality |
Date | month/day/year |
Observers | BI 347 Class |
Weather Summary | See NOAA web site for Newburyport |
Species List | List of bird species observed in taxonomic order |
Habitat relationships | General summary of birds observed in each different habitat visited by the class |
Final Lab Exam - Field Identification
The final lab exam will be conducted in the field. Students will be required to identify birds at the species level (Common Name), know the sex of the bird, Order and Family (Latin Names) that the species belongs to.
Attendance Policy
Attendance in lecture and laboratory is mandatory. I will take attendance often in lecture. Consult the Student Handbook for College policy on attendance. Students missing 3 or more lectures without a College approved excuse will be dismissed from the course. If a student misses an exam for which they have a College approved excuse, they will have to make it up on the last day of classes at 5:00 pm. Students must have a note from the Assistant Dean's office if they have missed an assignment due to illness! If there is a death in the family I must have a copy of the obituary or a note from the Assistant Dean's office (Dr. D. Bruce) to confirm the event. Failure to obtain a College approved excuse for missing an exam will result in a grade of zero for the missed exam grade. Refer to the Dean's policy here clarification.
Athletics and Attendance
Student athletes will occasionally encounter conflicts between games and their labs and lectures in this course. It is your responsibility to see Dr. Pitocchelli before the scheduling conflict between your game and lab or lecture and make the appropriate arrangements. Make sure that you check the possible labs you can make up so that you can attend your event. Every athlete must show this web page to their coaches so they are aware of this policy as well as the student. Remember that academic obligations always take precedence over athletics at Saint Anselm College.
Phone Mail and E-mail Communication
I do not return phone mail messages! If you need to see me about schedule changes or anything else important pertaining to the course you must see me in person to convey these messages. I will always accept e-mail messages. Mail to jpitocchATanselm.edu.
Cell Phone Policy
Cell phones, beepers, pagers or other similar electronic devices must be in vibrate mode in the lecture or laboratory. They are a distraction to you, your fellow classmates and the instructor.
Contact Information
Dr. Jay Pitocchelli; Office 2316; ext. - 7397, e-mail - jpitocchATanselm.edu,
Home Page - http://www.anselm.edu/homepage/jpitocch/welcome.html
Office Hours: Monday, Wednesday 12:00 - 4 pm, or by appointment .