This course begins with an on-campus meeting on Thursday, September 25, 2008 from 6:00 - 6:50 PM in the Library (LB 3234). At that meeting you will learn to use the web site, listserv, and discussion web. If you will be unable to attend the on-campus meeting, then handouts will be emailed to you in response to your email request.

The required course materials can be purchased from the college bookstore. If you are unable to visit the campus to purchase your materials, contact the NSCC bookstore

The required texts are:

Handbook of Bird Biology by Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Princeton University Press. 2004

The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Eastern North America by David Sibley. Alfred A. Knopf. New York. 2003
or
The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Western North America by David Sibley. Alfred A. Knopf. New York. 2003

The recommended texts are:

Sibley's Birding Basics by David Allen Sibley. Alfred A. Knopf. New York. 2002

Manual of Ornithology by Noble S. Proctor & Patrick J. Lynch. Yale University Press. New Haven, Connecticut. 1993

The Sibley Guide to Bird Life & Behavior by David Allen Sibley, et al. Alfred A. Knopf. New York. 2001

This course is structured in weekly modules. Each module begins with online readings written by the instructors, readings from other online sources, and readings in the class texts.

Weekly field experiences provide an opportunity to observe the birds in your area. To encourage you to communicate with other students who are participating in the class, you must post your field observations on the class discussion web each week.

The final grade in the course will be based on the following items:

Field Trip Reports	40%
Concept-check Quizzes	40%
Practica	10%
Discussion Contributions	10%

Grades will be assigned as indicated:

4.0 - 3.5	A/A-	90 - 100%
3.4 - 2.9	B+/B	80 - 89%
2.8 - 2.2	B-/C+	70 - 79%
2.1 - 1.5	C/C-	60 - 69%
1.4 - 0.9	D+/D	50 - 59%
0.8 - 0.0	D-/E	below 50%

If you have addition questions about this course, you can use WebCT to email the instructors.