2008 Summer Course Schedule:

Biology of Plethodontid Salamanders    

May 19 –  May 31

Stephen G. Tilley (Smith College)

 The southern Appalachians are renowned for the diversity of their salamander fauna.  This course acquaints students with plethodontid salamanders and shows how studies of these animals have enhanced our understanding of such major evolutionary and ecological topics as the reconstruction of evolutionary histories, species concepts, life history evolution, and community structure.  Each topic will include lectures, field and laboratory exercises, and discussions of original research papers.  Field trips to significant salamander locations in different southern Appalachian mountain ranges highlight the course.

Prerequisites: introductory biology, ecology, or permission of instructor.  Click here for course syllabus.

Mammals of the Southern Appalachian Mountains     

June 2 –  June 14

R. Wayne Van Devender (Appalachian State University)

 The southern Appalachian mountains support the richest mammalian fauna in eastern North America, from tiny shrews and bats to large carnivores and ungulates.  This advanced zoology course combines lectures with field and laboratory exercises designed to expose students to the remarkable diversity and importance of mammals in the southern mountain region, focusing on aspects of mammalian habitat requirements, reproductive and foraging behaviors, evolutionary relationships, and roles in regional ecosystems. 

Prerequisites: introductory biology, ecology, or permission of instructor. Click here for course syllabus.

Biodiversity and Conservation of Birds    

June 16 – June 28

Rob Bierregaard (UNC-Charlotte)

 Bird diversity is extremely high in the southern Appalachian mountains and Blue Ridge Escarpment region, an area that includes a wide range of plant community types over a nearly 4000-foot range in elevation.  This basic course in ornithology covers morphology, systematics, ecology, conservation, and behavior of birds.  Numerous field trips in the local area will acquaint students with the rich bird fauna of the region.

Prerequisites: introductory biology, ecology, or permission of instructor.

Microbial Ecology    

June 30 – July 12

Seán O’Connell (Western Carolina University)

 Some of the most important, yet least visible, members of every ecosystem are the prokaryotes, organisms from the domains Bacteria and Archaea.  This course explores methodologies and philosophies involved in identifying significant microbial community members and the services they provide.  Topics related to nutrient cycling, plant and animal health, and human concerns are discussed and investigated in the field and lab.  Field trips take place locally as well as in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  Lectures are supplemented with discussion of primary literature and projects incorporating structural and functional aspects of microbial communities. 

 Prerequisites: introductory ecology or microbiology, or permission of instructor.  Click here for course syllabus.

Fleshy Fungi of the Highlands Plateau    

July 14 – July 26

Andrew S. Methven  (Eastern Illinois University)

This course introduces students to the fleshy ascomycetes and basidiomycetes that occur in the southern Appalachian Mountains.  Emphasis will be placed on the analysis of macro- and micro-morphological features to aid in species identification.  The daily routine will consist of a morning lecture on identification, ecology, and phylogeny of fleshy fungi followed by a field trip until early afternoon.  Specimens will be examined and identified after returning from the field, providing an opportunity to assemble an impressive collection showcasing the rich diversity of fleshy fungi found in the Highlands region.

Prerequisites: introductory biology, ecology, or permission of instructor.  Click here for course syllabus.

Spiders of the Southern Appalachians     

July 28 – August 9

Kefyn M. Catley (Western Carolina University)

 This seminar will present a comprehensive introduction to spider systematics, morphology, behavior, physiology, and ecology in daily morning and/or evening lectures and discussions.  Afternoons are devoted to fieldwork, with the objective of assembling a significant collection of the extraordinarily rich local spider fauna while studying spider ecology and behavior.  Most evenings will be available for students to work on identification. Working in small groups students will be required to undertake a short, supervised self-selected research project investigating some aspect of spider biology, the results of which will be shared at the end of the course.  

Prerequisites: introductory biology, ecology, or permission of instructor.  Click here for course syllabus.

Costs:

Comprehensive course fee: $400 per 2-week course.

Course credit: all summer courses can be taken for 4 semester hours credit

Registration fee: if a student wishes to receive credit through either UNC-Chapel Hill or Western Carolina University, a charge of $80 per course will apply.

Housing: $50-$100 per week depending on accommodations.

2008 Summer Course Application

2008 Summer Workshops:

Graminoids (Grasses, Sedges, and Rushes) of the Southern Appalachians  

CURRENTLY FULL 

May 12 – 17

Dwayne Estes (Austin Peay University)

Grasses, sedges and rushes account for a large proportion of the species diversity in the southern Appalachians. Owing to the difficulty of identifying these plants, they are often poorly covered in field botany courses. This workshop is intended for naturalists and professionals who have had some botanical training but little experience working with graminoids. The main focus will be on species identification, but other important topics will include ecology, distribution, and conservation concerns for regional species. Trips to sites in the southern Appalachians and piedmont will emphasize field recognition, whereas lab work will involve examination of live and preserved specimens, drawing technical features, and the use of taxonomic keys. Participants will also build a personal herbarium of reference specimens.

Prerequisites: Field botany, plant taxonomy, or permission of the instructor.

Cost: $350 (housing included). If taking this workshop for credit (2 semester hours), an additional $80 fee will apply.

Scientific Illustration    

July 7 – 12

Nancy Lowe (Atlanta Botanical Garden and Atlanta College of Art Continuing Education)

Learning to render nature's details with accuracy is a valuable skill for students of natural history at every level. versity in the southern Appalachians. Using a wealth of material from the Station and its environs, participants in this workshop will be introduced to conventions of illustrating plants, fungi, insects and other invertebrates, and some vertebrates. Working in the field as well as the lab, participants will explore techniques in graphite pencil, carbon dust, color pencil and watercolor. Special problems will include changes of scale, including drawing from a microscope; complex geometries such as spirals and branching patterns; and challenging surface textures such as iridescence, translucence, velvet, gloss, and waxy bloom.  Trips to sites in the southern Appalachians and piedmont will emphasize field recognition, whereas lab work will involve examination of live and preserved specimens, drawing technical features, and the use of taxonomic keys. Participants will also build a personal herbarium of reference specimens.

Prerequisites: No previous drawing experience required; materials provided.

Cost: $350 (housing included). This workshop cannot be taken for credit.

2008 Summer Workshop Registration Form

Teacher Education Workshop:

Mountain Biodiversity at Highlands Biological Station

16 – 20 June

Karen Kandl (Western Carolina University)

The Center for Mathematics and Science Education at Western Carolina University and the Highlands Biological Station invite you to enroll in an engaging study of the biogeography and biodiversity of the southern Appalachian mountains. This course focuses on the theory and practice of conservation biology as it relates to this unique regional environment. Topics include southern Appalachian historical geology,  regional biogeography, principles of ecology and evolution, biodiversity assessment, and conservation biology. Mountain Biodiversity can be taken for 2 graduate credits or 3 CEUs.  The registration fee is $30, with an additional $80 fee if taken for credit.  Accommodations are available for those students who wish to be in residence for the week rather than commute.    For more information on this course and for course registration, click here.

2008 Teacher Education Workshop Registration Form