Ornithology

Zoology 4670

Lecture

Spring 2009

 Dr. John F. Cavitt

Office: ET 135, LI 58

Avian Ecology Lab: ET 133

Phone:

    Avian Ecology Lab - 626-8634

    Office - 626-8541, 626-6172

Email:  jcavitt@weber.edu

Office Hours:  Tues 11:30 - 12:30

Course Content and Objectives:

This course is designed to introduce students to the field of Ornithology.  Unlike most of the courses in our department, this course will look at biology from the viewpoint of a particular class of organism - birds.  Ornithology is integrative in nature and as such, we will be touching upon almost all aspects of avian biology. 

Upon completion of this course students should be able to:

·        Explain the basic classification and phylogeny of birds and understand their evolution 

·        Understand the basic life processes, characteristics and behaviors unique to birds

·         Identify common species found within the intermountain west

Attendance: 

Attendance is required for you to succeed in the course for a number of reasons: 1) I will be presenting material in class that is not found in your text, 2) I utilize an “Active Learning “ style of teaching that requires student participation, and 3) Quizzes will be given periodically during lecture which cannot be made-up.  If you have to miss a lecture due to an illness, for example, be sure to get good notes from someone in the class right away.  I will not be able to provide students with lecture notes.  I also expect students to arrive on time and to stay for the entire class.  My lectures continue until 11:15. The class will be dismissed as soon as my thought is completed.  Although I expect you to attend class I will not record attendance.  I also expect students to show proper classroom etiquette by- 1) not talking while I am talking, 2) not sleeping or reading during class, 3) turning off all cell phones and pagers before class.

Student Expectations: 

As a Zoology major, you are expected to spend 2-3 hours per credit hour, every week outside of class studying and preparing assignments.  Thus for a 4 credit hour course like Ornithology, you should be spending 8-9 hours studying outside of class.  If you are involved in other activities that prevent you from devoting the necessary time to study/assignments, you need to make choices and adjust your schedule as necessary.  I will demonstrate respect for each student and in turn you will demonstrate a respectful attitude toward me as well as other students in the class.  

Exams, Quizzes and Assignments:

You are expected to take all exams as scheduled.  If you have to miss an exam, you must let me know BEFORE THE EXAM, or as soon as physically possible.  It is your responsibility to contact me if for some valid reason you miss an exam and must arrange a make-up (exam make-ups are essay exams).  Quizzes cannot be made-up if missed.  Students will not be penalized for missed quizzes if the absence is excused (illness, death) by me.  Excused absences will be granted only if I am notified as soon as possible.  Late assignments will be penalized 5% / day, up to five days late; after five days, unexcused late assignments will not be accepted.  Late assignments will be accepted without penalty only if a valid excuse (e.g. documented illness) is presented as close to the due-date as is practical.  

Each student is expected to do his or her own work. Cheating, plagiarism and all other forms of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Students are expected to abide by the Student Code as printed in the WSU Student Handbook. Proof of academic dishonesty will result in a final grade of E for the course and the circumstances will be reported to appropriate University authorities.

Any student requiring accommodations or services due to a disability must contact Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) in room 181 of the Student Service Center.  SSD can also arrange to provide course materials (including this syllabus) in alternative formats if necessary.

Study Groups:

“None of us is as smart as all of us”, Roy Disney.  Students who study with (a) classmates) learn more and get better grades.  Do yourself a favor: take the initiative and find a study partner or two and do some studying together.  Remember to quiz each other thoroughly.  You want to find out BEFORE an exam what you don’t know and then learn it.  Many of the assignments can be completed together so establishing study groups can greatly assist you in completing the material.

Assigned Readings from:

  (1)   Textbook: 2007. Frank B. Gill. Ornithology. Freeman 3^rd edition.  

  (2) Recommended Field Guide: Sibley, David Allen. 2003. The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of North America.  Alfred A. Knopf Publishers, New York.  Students can receive a student discount on this field guide at the Wild Bird Center, 1860 North 1000 West, Layton, UT, (phone -(801) 525-8400)

(3) Other sources as assigned in lecture; these will be posted as pdf files on this website.