2010 Summer Schedule

Taxonomy and Natural History of Southern Appalachian

Mayflies, Stoneflies, and Caddisflies

May 3 – May 15

Four semester hours

John C. Morse, Clemson University

Natural history and taxonomy of mayflies (Ephemeroptera), stoneflies (Plecoptera), and caddisflies (Trichoptera), including systematics, ecology, and behavior of larvae and adults, with emphasis on those aspects important in ecological studies, biological monitoring of water quality, and sport fishing.  Insects will be collected from mountain stream habitats, and identifications will be done in the laboratory.

Prerequisites: general biology, entomology, or permission of instructor.

  Biology of Plethodontid Salamanders  

   May 17 –  May 29

     Four semester hours

     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.

   Mammals of the Southern Appalachian Mountains

   May 31 – June 12

     Four semester hours 

     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.

Biodiversity and Conservation of Birds
June 14 – June 26
Four semester hours

Rob Bierregaard, UNC-Charlotte
 
Bird diversity is extremely high in the southern Appalachian mountain 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.
 

  Insect Behavioral Ecology  
  June 28  – July 10
   Four semester hours

   James T. Costa, Highlands Biological Station & Western Carolina University
 

The rich entomofauna of the southern Appalachian region presents exceptional opportunities to explore diverse forms of insect behavior and ecology.  In this course we will seek out especially interesting examples of insect mating systems, defense, social behavior, foraging strategy, plant-insect interactions, pollination biology, and more – including several unusual endemics of special interest.  Daily field excursions will be complemented by lectures on principles and concepts, and laboratory studies illustrating empirical and analytical approaches to the study of insect behavior.   
 
Prerequisites: general entomology, zoology, behavior, or permission of instructor.
 

Spiders of the Southern Appalachians
July 12 – July 24
Four semester hours

Kefyn M. Catley, Western Carolina University
 
This course will present a comprehensive introduction to spider systematics, morphology, behavior, physiology, and ecology. 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.
 
 

 Fleshy Fungi of the Highlands Plateau
 July 26 – August 7
  Four semester hours

  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.  Course activities will consist of a morning lecture on identification, ecology, and phylogeny of fleshy fungi, followed by field work in morning and laboratory identification in the afternoon.  Students will assemble an impressive field collection showcasing the rich diversity of fleshy fungi found in the Highlands region.
 
Prerequisites: Introductory biology, ecology, or permission of instructor.
 

Course Cost and Credit Information

Course fee: $525 per 2-week course

**$425 for students from HBS member institutions in good standing**

Course credit fee: Summer courses can be taken for 4 semester hours credit.  If a student wishes to receive credit through either UNC-Chapel Hill or Western Carolina University, an additional registration charge of $85 per course will apply

Housing fee: $150-$250 per course depending on accommodations

2010 Summer Course Application

2010 Summer Workshops

  Land Snail Identification
  May 10–14
  Amy and Wayne Van Devender, Appalachian State University
 
 

This workshop serves an introduction to the land snails, with an emphasis on the snails and slugs of the southern Appalachians.  The course would include extensive field work and time in the laboratory to give participants an opportunity to learn what characters help identify these taxa to the genus and species level.  Participants will learn the specialized vocabulary involved and attain some facility with the taxonomic keys available.  Field work will introduce field techniques and identification of the variety of habitats gastropods use. Laboratory time will also include some dissection and methods of documenting and preserving specimens. Students are encouraged to bring specimens with them from their home areas to help the group to get a feel for these animals in varying locales.
 

Identification of Sedges
 May 24–29
  Dwayne Estes, Austin Peay University
  
 [Workshop description to come]

 

Fern Identification
August 9–14
Dwayne Estes, Austin Peay University

[Workshop description to come]

Workshop Cost and Credit Information

Workshop fee: $275 per 1-week workshop

**$225 for students from HBS member institutions in good standing**

Workshop credit fee: Summer workshops can be taken for 2 semester hours credit.  If a student wishes to receive credit through either UNC-Chapel Hill or Western Carolina University, an additional registration charge of $85 per workshop will apply.

Housing fee: $75-$125 per workshop depending on accommodations

2010 Summer Workshop Application

2010 Teacher Education Courses

Mountain Biodiversity

June 21-25

Karen Kandl, Western Carolina University

We invite teachers of all levels to enroll in this engaging study of the biogeography and biodiversity of the southern Appalachian mountains. Mountain Biodiversity 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. 

Co-sponsored by the Center for Mathematics and Science Education at Western Carolina University and HBS, Mountain Biodiversity can be taken for 2 graduate credits or 3 CEUs.  The registration fee is $30, with an additional $85 fee if taken for credit.  Accommodations (at additional charge) are available for those students who wish to be in residence for the week rather than commute.  

Questions about course registration and fees may be directed to Ms. Sandy Ballinger or Dr. Elaine Franklin at the WCU Center for Mathematics and Science Education (828-227-3318; sballinger@email.wcu.edu or efranklin@email.wcu.edu), or to HBS at hbs@email.wcu.edu.