Overview

Students will be introduced to the flora and fauna of Algonquin Provincial Park in Ontario, Canada. By participating in fieldwork, students will gain an understanding of the park’s natural history and how a variety of unique strategies are employed by different species to survive in the harsh conditions of a variety of habitats. Students will create natural history notebooks to record their observations, develop their own research projects, and collect data to answer their chosen research question. Topics of study may include ecology, behavioural ecology, ornithology, herpetology, entomology, experimental design, community ecology, natural history of wildlife, wildlife observation, and field ecology.

You will be introduced to the flora and fauna of Algonquin Provincial Park in Ontario, Canada. By participating in fieldwork, you will gain an understanding of the park’s natural history and how a variety of unique strategies are employed by different species to survive in the harsh conditions of a variety of habitats. You will create natural history notebooks to record their observations, develop their own research projects, and collect data to answer their chosen research question. Topics of study may include ecology, behavioural ecology, ornithology, herpetology, entomology, experimental design, community ecology, natural history of wildlife, wildlife observation, and field ecology.

Assessment Strategy

-threshold -A threshold student should have a basic knowledge of the essential facts and key concepts presented in the module. Written work should demonstrate a basic ability to synthesise and interpret data from lectures and readings in a structured and logical manner, and all assessments should demonstrate the general capacity to organise acquired knowledge. (Grade D; mark range 40-49%)    -good -A good student should have thorough factual knowledge across all aspects of the module, and be able to cite examples and case studies where appropriate. Written work should demonstrate an ability to think about the subject and to synthesise lecture material and some information from background reading into coherent arguments. (Grade B; mark range 60-69%)    -excellent -An excellent student should have a high level of detailed factual knowledge across all aspects of the module, and be able to detail examples and case studies where appropriate. Written work should demonstrate an ability to think critically about the subject and to synthesise lecture material and information from extensive background reading in support of detailed, developed arguments. (Grade A; mark range 70-100%) 

Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate identification skills of the flora and fauna of habitats visited while in the field 

• Design and implement a field research project.

• Explain how diverse abiotic and biotic conditions impose unique challenges and the strategies wildlife use to survive in harsh conditions