List the major orders and families of birds both in the U.S. and worldwide.
Describe the current theories on the evolution and diversification of birds.
Detail the adaptation and evolution of birds.
Research and describe factors impacting bird species and populations.
Critically review literature on avian reproduction, behavior, evolution, and conservation.
Analyze scientific data on bird populations, relate its significance, and make recommendations on its real world application.
The student will be responsible for participating in eight Forum discussions in which each student will respond to questions posed by the instructor, offer his/her feedback to the questions posed, and respond to at least two of his/her classmates' posts.
Specific instructions for each of the seven Forum assignments can be found inside the APUS electronic classroom under the "Forum" link.
Each of the eight quizzes will cover the reading material from the Gill textbook and lessons. Each quiz will be multiple-choice in format, CLOSED-NOTES, and non-proctored. You will have 60 MINUTES to take each quiz which will contain 20 questions each. Therefore, they are TIMED QUIZZES. Do not click on the quiz until you are ready to take the quiz! You may only access the quiz ONE TIME. If you attempt to access the quiz before you are ready to take it and then try to go back and access it again later, you will be locked out of the quiz and will receive a ZERO on the quiz. Once you begin the quiz, the timer will begin running continuously for the 60 minutes; therefore, you have 60 minutes from when the timer begins to complete your exam. The quiz will auto-submit if you go over this limit and record a zero. Be sure not to exceed this limit.
The two cumulative assessments will cover the reading material assigned during the first four weeks of the course and second four weeks of the course, respectively. Each will consist of 5 essay questions covering your understanding of the reading and lesson material from weeks 1-4 and weeks 5-8. THIS IS NOT A TIMED EXAM.
The Weeks 1-4 Assessment will be open at the beginning of week 4 and close at the end of that week. You may access the assessment multiple times during week 4. You can only "submit" it once. Therefore, you will not be able to type your answers on the assessment and "save" them to come back to later. Once you do submit the assessment, it will be graded and you will not be able to access it again. Even though this assessment is open-book, it is to be of an INDIVIDUAL EFFORT. You have until 11:55 PM EST on Sunday night of week 4 to complete this assessment.
The Weeks 5-8 Assessment will be open at the beginning of week 8 and close at the end of that week. You may access the assessment multiple times during week 8. You can only "submit" it once. Therefore, you will not be able to type your answers on the assessment and "save" them to come back to later. Once you do submit the assessment, it will be graded and you will not be able to access it again. Even though this assessment is open-book, it is to be of an INDIVIDUAL EFFORT. You have until 11:55 PM EST on Sunday night of week 8 to complete this assessment. Late submissions for both assessments will result in a ZERO. So, please be sure to use this time wisely and best of luck!
The six labs will consist of field activities geared towards learning to identify birds in the field as well as observe behavior and habitat use. You will perform each of the assigned labs utilizing instructions provided to you inside the APUS classroom and answer the questions listed on the corresponding weekly Lab Assignment.
If you are unable to complete the Field Lab Assignments due to extreme circumstances, e.g. Military deployment/safety issues or physical disability, please contact the instructor and alternative, virtual lab assignments will be provided. Uncomfortable weather conditions are not an acceptable reason for requesting a virtual lab. Gaining experience in actual field identification is an important skill to learn (and very rewarding!), so please conduct actual field trips if at all possible.
You will submit a Research Paper Proposal and Summary Outline to help you prepare for writing and submitting the full Research Paper in Week 7. The topic for your paper is open to your interest. However, it must be avian-related in nature.
Use your Research Paper Proposal Summary and Outline to help you write the full Research Paper.
If you are living in another region in the world, please contact me or conduct a Google search for bird guides (and reviews) for your region.