ZO 105 - Introductory Wildlife

3 Credits

1. Identify big game, sport fish, and species at risk listed under the Species at Risk Act occurring in Alberta and Saskatchewan.
2. Describe the life history, ranges, habitat preferences, and key behaviours of big game, sport fish, and species at risk occurring in Alberta and Saskatchewan.
3. Demonstrate use of equipment and applications to identify wildlife and input data.
4. Describe common wildlife survey techniques including wildlife sweep protocols.
5. Practice wildlife safety techniques in a safe environment.

Required and/or Recommended: To be discussed.

Apps:

· Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Lab.

· iNaturalist.

· iTrackWildlife by Nature Tracking.

Websites:

· Alberta Conservation Association. 2024. Amphibians of Alberta.

· Alberta Conservation Association. 2024. Reptiles of Alberta.

Print:

Naughton, D. Canadian Museum of Nature. (2012). The natural history of Canadian mammals.

Canadian Museum of Nature.

Optional Resource Materials:
Additional digital and print resources will be provided and assigned throughout the course.  

Conduct of Course:
Classroom lectures include formalized lectures, possible discussions, and quizzes. Note taking is required and may be supplemented by information on D2L. Readings may be required. Outdoor field activities provide opportunity (students are required to bring appropriate clothing for the weather) to practice field skills, while other labs may be used for developing technical skills and guest speakers as time permits. Labs are mandatory and missed labs may require the time to be made up in another lab or result in a makeup assignment being assigned. Pre-lab assignments are due prior to each lab and include a reading and assignment on D2L. A zero is assigned for work not completed due to an absence. Please communicate with the instructor in the event of an absence. Labs typically run in the allotted time period but may start or end outside of the stated time due to travel or other factors.

Quizzes will evaluate student knowledge as the semester progresses, so self-study is required to stay current with the material.  Participation marks will be awarded during lecture activities to be determined by the instructor. The final exam is inclusive of all material covered in the class; therefore, it is important that students stay current throughout the semester. Pre-lab assignments, quizzes, midterm exam, and final exam will be delivered via D2L; students will be required to use a device such as a laptop to complete these assessments.

All lab reports, assignments, and projects must be completed and handed in, and all labs must be attended. Assignments and lab reports are due at the start of class or as requested. Late assignments are assigned a penalty of -50% for each consecutive day late.

Classroom and laboratory attendance is considered vital to the learning process and as significant to the students’ evaluation as examinations and reports, therefore absenteeism is recorded.

Students having a combination of excused and/or unexcused absence of 20 percent or higher for the scheduled course hours can be required to withdraw and would then automatically receive a “RW” (required withdrawal) for the course, regardless of any other evaluation results. (RW is a failing grade).

An excused absence is one that is verified with your instructor. Verification should be prior to the absence or the next class day following the absence. Verification of the absence may take the form of a note from your doctor/College nurse regarding illness, or a note from another instructor regarding a field trip or other activity, or authorization by your instructor following an in-person meeting. Be sure to contact your instructor and ask what they will require from you as verification of each absence. An unexcused absence is anything NOT verified by the instructor prior to the absence or the next class day following the absence.

NOTE: Any exceptions to the above attendance policy (e.g. timetable conflicts, work-related issues) must be approved in writing by the Department Chair prior to the beginning of the course. 

It is the students’ responsibility to know their own absentee record.

Normal hours are 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., with potential for evening courses, exams, or extended field trips. Students are expected to be available for classes during these times.

Content of Course:
Lecture Units

The following is a list of the major topics. Topics and the order of delivery may vary due to student field trips and timing of these field trips, field site accessibility and weather. In addition, some of the lecture content that relates to field activities may be given as handouts or presented in the laboratory time period.

1. Evolution and taxonomy
2. Big game and species at risk of the prairie provinces

Lab Units

This list may be modified or adjusted to accommodate new learning opportunities and/or because of time or other constraints such as weather.

1. Wildlife Observation
2. Wildlife Safety
3. Trailering  
4. Wildlife Signs
5. Specimen Lab 1
6. Specimen Lab 2

 

Course Pass Requirements:
A minimum grade of D (50%) (1.00) is required to pass this course.

Students must maintain a cumulative grade of C (GPA - Grade Point Average of 2.00) in order to qualify to graduate.

Official final grades will be available on My Lakeland. Grades posted in D2L should be considered interim grades.  

Lakeland College is committed to the highest academic standards. Students are expected to be familiar with Lakeland College policies and to abide by these policies. Violations of these policies are considered to be serious and may result in suspension or expulsion from the College.

Every effort has been made to ensure that information in this course outline is accurate at the time of publication. Lakeland College reserves the right to change courses if it becomes necessary so that course content remains relevant. In such cases, the instructor will give students clear and timely notice of changes.

No part of this course outline may be reproduced in any form or resold without written permission from Lakeland College.

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