I. General Information

1. Course Title:
Ornithology

2. Course Prefix & Number:
NATR 1135

3. Course Credits and Contact Hours:

Credits: 3

Lecture Hours: 2

Lab Hours: 2

4. Course Description:

This course covers the identification and biology of birds. Students will learn basic anatomy, family and species characteristics, and songs. Labs emphasize identification of Minnesota birds.

5. Placement Tests Required:

6. Prerequisite Courses:

There are no prerequisites for this course.

9. Co-requisite Courses:

There are no corequisites for this course.

II. Transfer and Articulation

2. Transfer - regional institutions with which this course has a written articulation agreement:

Name of Institution	Date of Acceptance	Discipline/Area/Program of Transfer
University of Minnesota Crookston	March 2010	Natural Resources Management
University of Wisconsin Steven’s Point	2007-2009	Natural Resources Management

III. Course Purpose

1. Program-Applicable Courses – This course fulfills a requirement for the following program(s):

Natural Resources Technology, AAS Degree

IV. Learning Outcomes

1. College-Wide Outcomes

College-Wide Outcomes/Competencies	Students will be able to:
Demonstrate reading and listening skills	Apply learned information on lecture essay exams.
Analyze and follow a sequence of operations	Actively participate in indoor and outdoor lab.
Discuss/compare characteristics of diverse cultures and environments	Compare species in natural environments and analyze effects on ecosystems.

2. Course Specific Outcomes - Students will be able to achieve the following measurable goals upon completion of the course:

• Identify and classify the birds of Minnesota.
• Analyze the biology and ecology of each of these birds.
• Understand the challenges and demands of flight.
• Understand the form and function of feeding behavior in birds.
• Understand the classification of mammals in the birds’ world.
• Understand the form and function of the digestive system in birds.
• Understand the skeletal system in birds.
• Understand the form and function of respiration and circulation in birds.
• Understand the form and function of reproductive behavior in birds.

V. Topical Outline

Listed below are major areas of content typically covered in this course.

1. Lecture Sessions

1. Introduction
• Origin of Birds
• Life History
2.  Classification
• Taxonomy
3. Avian Anatomy
• Physiology
4. Feathers and Feather Tracts
5. Plumage and Coloration
6. Egg laying
• Incubation
• Young and Development
• Parental Care
7. Mating and Nesting
• Distribution
• Ecology
8. Migration
• Song and Voice
• Review for Final

2. Laboratory/Studio Sessions

Identify and classify approximately half of the birds of MN - correct nomenclature and taxonomy.

1. Anseriformes
• Galliformes
2. Gaviiformes
• Suliformes
• Passeriformes
3. Apodiformes
• Accipitriformes
• Falconiformes
4. Pelecaniformes
• Cuculiformes