May Term (May 14-June 1)

Field Ecology of Birds (Biol 305)

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. (4 credits; 100 contact hours)

Field course
Faculty: Ken Petersen

Field Biology in Spring (Biol 361)

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. (4 credits; 100 contact hours)

Field, Interdisciplinary
Faculty: Dave Dornbos

Tropical Agriculture and Missions (Biol/Agric/Geog 343)

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. (4 credits; 100 contact hours)

Field, Applied, Interdisciplinary
Faculty: David Unander