Cognitive Science 0279 - Biodiversity: Hampshire Woods

The goal of this class is to build a long-term database of animal diversity on Hampshire property. The rationale for this goal is that our environment, both local and global, is dramatically changing, and it is of utmost importance to document biodiversity now before we lose species we may not have realized were here. Students in this exploratory class will work together to learn to identify and document our local fauna. We will spend a good deal of time exploring our woods to learn together about what is there. We will also examine how long-term databases are used by other research groups, explore citizen science research projects, and add our data to our own citizen science database project. Students with experience or interest in natural history, animal identification, and computer databases are particularly encouraged to join the class.

Quantitative Skills Independent Work In this course, students are expected to spend at least six to eight hours a week of preparation and work outside of class time. This time includes reading, writing, research, and conducting observations in the woods with other students from class. Students must be willing to do regular fieldwork (occasionally in inclement weather), and it is preferable that you have patience and can pay close attention to detail. There will be one field trip to the Harvard Forest, which will cost $20 per student.