Overview

This 10 day field course in Arizona and New Mexico or equivalent areas, focuses on herpetology and entomology in desert environments. The field course normally takes place in September before the start of Semester 1.

The course will be primarily be taught through field excursions to habitats, including both daytime and night-time fieldwork and lab work. Students will learn about the habitats and fauna by a variety of means, including personal observations, and talks by Bangor University and local staff. Students will observe and record animal behaviour and habitat by various means that may include photography, video recording and/or sketching.

Under staff supervision, students will practice capturing and handling of fauna, particularly reptiles, amphibians and arthropods, while observing ethical and safety protocols. This module will also include species identification using field guides and keys. At the end of the fieldwork, an assignment will be set which will include numerical analysis of data, observations or material collected in the field.

Assessment Strategy

-threshold Grade D (40-49%): Can record observations in a reasonably clear and systematic fashion and has some grasp of the practical issues relating to collection and presentation of data/observations. Considerable inconsistencies in note-taking remain. Exhibits some knowledge of habitats and biota visited and the relevant conservation/ management issues, although this may be very incomplete and contain significant errors. Presents findings largely accurately and clearly. Able to identify most organisms at least to the level of major group.

-good Grade B (60-69%): Can record observations clearly and systematically, with a grasp of the practical issues relating to collection and presentation of data/observations, and few major omissions. Exhibits strong knowledge of habitats and biota visited. Shows awareness their ecological, biogeographical and environmental context. Able to identify a majority of organisms to the appropriate level (usually species). Presents findings accurately and with flair, clarity and originality.

-excellent Grade A- or higher (70-100%) : Can record observations thoroughly, systematically and clearly, without significant omissions, taking trouble to find out details of identification to fine taxonomic level or to uncover theories of the function and evolution of the behaviour observed. Clear evidence of original, unguided observations. Exhibits clear awareness of the ecological, biogeographical or environmental context of observations. Presents findings accurately and succinctly with clarity, imagination, originality and strongly-developed aesthetic sense. Able to identify most organisms to species level, with evidence of thoroughness and awareness of potential pitfalls.

Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate the ability to analyse and interpret field data and present them in writing.

• Explain the factors governing distribution and habitat use and niche partitioning in animals.

• Identify fauna of visited regions.

• Make detailed, thorough and original field observations and record and present them systematically.