2010-11 Undergraduate Index A-Z
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| Title | Offering | Standing | Credits | Credits | When | F | W | S | Su | Description | Preparatory | Faculty | Days of Week | Multiple Standings | Start Quarters |
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Biodiversity Studies in Argentina
Erik Thuesen biology botany ecology field studies language studies marine science natural history study abroad Signature Required: Fall |
Program | JR - SRJunior - Senior | 16 | 16 | Day | FFall | WWinter | In the 19th century, well-known European scientists such as Darwin, d'Orbigny and Bonpland traveled in Argentina and brought their knowledge of the flora and fauna back to Europe. The marine, desert and alpine environments of the Southern Cone harbor flora and fauna very different from similar environments in North America. In this two-quarter program, we carry out intensive natural history studies of the unique organisms and ecosystems of Argentina, focusing on those of Patagonia. After an introductory week in Olympia at the start of fall quarter, the study abroad portion of the program will commence with a 4-week intensive study of Spanish language in Buenos Aires to prepare us for our travels and studies in Argentina during fall and winter quarters. We will begin to study the flora and fauna of the Southern Cone through preliminary readings, lectures and class work in Buenos Aires. We will take a short trip to the sub-tropical province of Misiones during October, then move to the coastal and mountain regions of Patagonia in November. We will study the natural history of Patagonia, beginning with field studies on the Atlantic coast and then moving to the Andean Lakes District, taking advantage of the progressively warmer weather of the austral spring. Students will conduct formal field exercises and keep field notebooks detailing their work and observations. We will read primary literature articles related to the biodiversity of Argentina and augment our field studies with seminars. During winter quarter (summer in the southern hemisphere), students will reinforce their language skills with two weeks of intensive Spanish studies in Patagonia, examine montane habitats, then work in small groups on focused projects examining biodiversity topics. It will be possible to conduct more focused studies on specific ecosystems or organisms, including those in more southern parts of Patagonia, at this time of the year. Clear project goals, reading lists, timelines, etc., will be developed during fall quarter in order to insure successful projects in winter quarter. Examples of individual/small group projects include: comparisons of plant/animal biodiversity between coastal, desert and alpine zones; comparative studies on the impacts of ecotourism activities on biodiversity; or examining community composition of intertidal habitats along a gradient from north to south, among others. The total estimated cost for this program (including expenses incurred over Thanksgiving and winter breaks) for food, lodging, transportation, Spanish language instruction and fieldwork activities (whale watching, national park fees, museum fees, etc.) is $7,575. The college’s current total estimated cost for food, lodging, etc. per quarter in Olympia is $4,005. With the low cost of living and traveling in Latin America, participating in this two quarter program will actually be less expensive than living in Olympia. | biodiversity, conservation, field biology, Latin American studies, natural history and Spanish language. | Erik Thuesen | Junior JR Senior SR | Fall | |||
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Marine Biology of the Pacific Northwest
Gerardo Chin-Leo |
Program | FR - SRFreshmen - Senior | 8 | 08 | Day | SuSummer | This program introduces principles of marine biology focusing on the marine life and marine habitats of the Pacific Northwest coast. We will study the environment, taxonomy, adaptations, and ecology of marine organisms as well as the major oceanographic features of the northwest coast. There will be various field trips including a camping trip to the Olympic Peninsula and possibly a sailboat trip. | Gerardo Chin-Leo | Tue Wed Thu | Freshmen FR Sophomore SO Junior JR Senior SR | Summer | ||||
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Marine Life: Marine Organisms and Their Environments
Jennifer Nielsen and Seabird McKeon Signature Required: Spring |
Program | SO - SRSophomore - Senior | 16 | 16 | Day | WWinter | SSpring | This program focuses on marine organisms, the sea as a habitat, relationships between the organisms and the physical/chemical properties of their environments. Marine biodiversity, evolution, fisheries biology and conservation ecology will be emphasized. Students will also learn field-sampling methods, laboratory techniques and quantitative methods for data analysis. Concepts and techniques will be applied via faculty-designed experiments and student-designed research projects. Seminars will discuss literature, including scientific primary literature, relevant to the lecture topics and to student research projects. An important component of the program is to learn how to conduct scientific research. The faculty will facilitate identification of student research projects that are consistent with the available resources and time. Teams of students will design their research projects during winter quarter and write a research proposal that will undergo peer and faculty review. The research projects will then be carried out during spring quarter. Because the research project continues across two quarters, students are strongly recommended to commit to both quarters of the program. | marine ecology and biology, field and laboratory methods in marine science, and research in marine science. | Jennifer Nielsen Seabird McKeon | Sophomore SO Junior JR Senior SR | Winter | |||
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Seven Oceans
Erik Thuesen |
Program | FR ONLYFreshmen Only | 16 | 16 | Day | SSpring | This program will examine environmental characteristics of Earth's oceans with particular focus on marine organisms and their ecological interactions. We will examine topics in marine biology from various coastal and oceanic ecosystems around the planet. Seminars will explore topics related to diversity across a wide variety of marine ecosystems. Laboratory work will introduce students to basic skills needed to carry out studies in marine biology. We will conduct various field studies in Puget Sound, including a weeklong field trip to the coast of the Olympic Peninsula to observe marine organisms in their natural habitat. Through weekly workshops, students will hone their abilities to analyze data and improve their knowledge of the material covered in readings and lectures. Students will be evaluated through exams, quizzes, laboratory exercises, notebooks and their participation in seminars and workshops. | biology, marine science and environmental studies. | Erik Thuesen | Freshmen FR | Spring | ||||
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Undergraduate Research in Environmental Studies with E. Thuesen
Erik Thuesen Signature Required: Fall Winter Spring |
Research | JR - SRJunior - Senior | V | V | Day | FFall | WWinter | SSpring | Erik Thuesen | Junior JR Senior SR | Fall | ||||
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Undergraduate Research in Environmental Studies with G. Chin-Leo
Gerardo Chin-Leo environmental studies marine science Signature Required: Fall Winter Spring |
Research | JR - SRJunior - Senior | V | V | Day | FFall | WWinter | SSpring | Gerardo Chin-Leo | Junior JR Senior SR | Fall |