Courses

FW 8452—Conservation Biology

This course is one of a two-semester required sequence for the Conservation Biology Graduate Program. This first part of the sequence examines population to system-level biological issues (genetics; demographic processes; community, ecosystem, and landscape-scale interactions; restoration ecology; ex-situ strategies for restoration and recovery) and societal issues (social, economic, cultural perspectives; sustainable development strategies; roles of institutions; international and U.S. policies) of conservation biology.

Note: Starting Fall 2008, the required text for this course will be: Conservation Biology: Foundations, Concepts, Applications (2008 edition) by Fred Van Dyke.

FW 4108—Field Methods in Research and Conservation of Vertebrate Populations

This 3-1/2 week field course introduces participants to the skills needed to successfully planning and implement vertebrate research and management projects. Specific techniques introduced include animal capture, telemetry, use of camera traps, bird mist-netting, and electro-shock fish survey techniques.

Working in groups and often in cooperation with representatives of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and other agencies, students collect, analyze, and present data in both oral and written reports.

FW 5625—Wildlife Handling and Immobilization for Research and Management

This hands-on course provides participants with an introduction to both the theoretical and practical aspects of wildlife handling and immobilization. The course takes place a captive animal facility in Minnesota and much of the instruction revolves around live immobilization operations with animals at the site.

CFAN 3500—Wildlife Monitoring Methods for Tropical Forests

This course provide participants with an overview of Thailand's culture and conservation challenges and then focuses on applying a set of well-developed field and analysis techniques  for the survey and monitoring of fauna in tropical forests.

Many activities revolve around and contribute to a long-term tiger conservation project of which UMN has been a principle partner. Specific activities include camera trapping, prey assessment methods and radio-telemetry approaches.