890 Iowa Lakeside Laboratory

Iowa Lakeside Laboratory is a field station located in the Iowa Great Lakes region of northwest Iowa. It is run cooperatively by the three Regents' Universities. Each summer Iowa Lakeside Laboratory offers a variety of hands-on courses in many disciplines (archaeology, art, biology, ecology, environmental science, evolution, geology, and plant and animal taxonomy). Both undergraduate and graduate courses are offered. For information about courses being offered this summer and registration/housing forms, see the current Iowa Lakeside Laboratory Bulletin. This bulletin can be obtained from the UNI Department of Biology after mid-January or from Iowa Lakeside Laboratory (131 Bessey Hall, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011-1020 Phone: (515) 294-2488. E-mail: Lakeside@iastate.edu). The complete bulletin is also available on the World Wide Web. The URL is www.lakesidelab.org. Early registration is advisable because enrollment is limited to only 8-10 students in most courses.

890:015. Introduction to the Life Sciences — 1 hr.
Overview of the various disciplines (developmental biology, ecology, evolution, molecular biology, etc.) that collectively are the life sciences. Each section provides an opportunity to get hands-on experience with one or more of these disciplines. This course is for high school students who have completed a course in biology. (Offered Summer)

A. Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
B. Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology

890:031. Ecology -- 4 hrs.
Introduction to the principles of ecology at the population, community, and ecosystem level. Field studies of local lakes, wetlands, and prairies are used to examine factors controlling distributions, interactions, and roles of plants and animals in native ecosystems. (Offered Summer)

890:035. Physical Geology -- 4 hrs. Landscape development as a product of geologic materials and processes. Emphasis on field studies of composition of the earth, glaciation, weathering, erosion, and sedimentation. (Variable)

890:040. Archaeology -- 4 hrs. Nature of cultural and environmental evidence in archaeology and how they are used to model past human behavior and land use; emphasis on Iowa prehistory; basic reconnaissance surveying and excavation techniques. (Offered Summer)

890:043. Illustrating Nature - Sketching -- 2 hrs. Sketching plants, animals, and terrain. Visual communication, development of a personal style, and integration of typographic and visual elements on a page will be emphasized. (Offered Summer)

890:044. Illustrating Nature - Photography -- 2 hrs. Beginning to intermediate technical and compositional aspects of color photography of natural areas and their plants and animals. (Offered Summer)

890:050. Undergraduate Internships -- 1-5 hrs. Placement with county conservation boards, camps, parks, etc., for experience as interpreters, rangers, and technicians. Prerequisite: sophomore standing; consent of instructor. (Offered Summer)

890:064. Biology of Aquatic Plants -- 3 hrs. Field-oriented introduction to the taxonomy and ecology of aquatic plants in lakes, wetlands, and rivers. Individual or group projects. (Offered Summer)

890:100(g). Techniques for Biology Teaching -- 1-2 hrs. Development and implementation of laboratory exercises suitable for inclusion in elementary, middle, high school, and community college biology and environmental courses. Exercises will be built around common organisms and ecosystems in Iowa. Field trips. Prerequisite: junior standing. (Offered Summer)

A. Animal Biology
B. Plant Biology
C. Fungi and Lichens
D. Aquatic Ecology
E. Prairie Ecology
F. Wetland Ecology
G. Limnology
H. Animal Behavior
I. Insect Ecology
J. Biology of Invertebrates
K. Non-invasive Use of Living Organisms
L. Leopold Education Project
M. Project WET

890:101. Iowa Natural History -- 4 hrs. Biological diversity and its causes examined through lectures and field trips to native lake, marsh, forest, and prairie habitats; topics include measuring the environment, sampling and identifying organisms, experimenting with the ecosystem, understanding species interactions, and appreciating influences of past and present climates and geological events on natural ecosystems of the region. Prerequisite: one course in the biological sciences. (Variable)

890:102(g). Plant-Animal Interactions -- 3 hrs. Introduction to ecology and co-evolution of plants and animals; emphasis on dispersal, pollination, and plant-herbivore interactions; field and laboratory work, reading, and discussion. Prerequisite: one course in the biological sciences; junior standing. (Variable)

890:103(g). Aquatic Ecology -- 4 hrs. Analysis of aquatic ecosystems; emphasis on basic ecological principles; ecological theories tested in the field; identification of common plants and animals. Prerequisite: courses in ecology, chemistry, and physics; junior standing. (Offered Summer)

890:105(g). Plant Taxonomy -- 4 hrs. Principles of classification and evolution of vascular plants; taxonomic tools and collection techniques; use of keys. Field and laboratory studies emphasizing identification of local flowering plants and recognition of major plant families. Prerequisite: junior standing. (Offered Summer)

890:107(g). Field Parasitology -- 3 hrs. Ecology and life history of parasites, protozoans, helminths, arthropods; field and laboratory investigations including preparation, identification, and morphology of representative types and stages; general and comparative concepts of parasitology. Prerequisite: junior standing. (Variable)

890:109(g). Freshwater Algae -- 4 hrs. Structure and taxonomy of freshwater algae based on field-collected material; emphasis on genus-level identifications, habitats; visited include lakes, fens, streams, and rivers; algal ecology. Prerequisite: junior standing. (Offered Summer)

890:119(g). Evolution -- 4 hrs. Mechanisms and patterns in microevolution and macroevolution. Field exercises will emphasize studies of natural selection, adaptation, genetic variation, and population genetics of local plant and animal populations. Prerequisite: junior standing. (Variable)

890:121(g). Plant Ecology -- 4 hrs. Principles of plant population, community, and ecosystem ecology illustrated through studies of native vegetation in local prairies, wetlands, and forests. Group or individual projects. Prerequisite: junior standing. (Offered Summer)

890:122(g). Prairie Ecology -- 4 hrs. Basic patterns and underlying physical and biotic causes of both regional and local distributions of plants and animals of North American prairies; field and laboratory analyses and projects. Prerequisite: familiarity with basic principles in biological sciences and ecology; junior standing. (Offered Summer)

890:124(g). Wetland Ecology -- 4 hrs. Ecology, classification, creation, restoration, and management of wetlands. Field studies will examine the composition, structure, and functions of local natural wetlands and restored prairie pothole wetlands. Individual or group projects. Prerequisite: junior standing. (Offered Summer)

890:126(g). Ornithology -- 4 hrs. The biology, ecology, and behavior of birds with emphasis on field studies of local avifauna. Group projects stress techniques of population analysis and methodology for population studies. Prerequisite: junior standing. (Offered Summer)

890:127(g). Introduction to Insect Ecology -- 4 hrs. Field and laboratory study of insects, their diversity, and life history; emphasis on ecology and behavior. Prerequisite: junior standing. (Variable)

890:128(g). Fish Ecology -- 4 hrs. Basic principles of fish interaction with the biotic and abiotic environment. Field methods, taxonomy, and biology of fish with emphasis on the fish fauna of northwestern Iowa. Prerequisite: junior standing. (Offered Summer)

890:129(g). Vertebrate Ecology and Evolution -- 4 hrs. Field and laboratory study of representative vertebrates of northwestern Iowa. Observations and experimentation emphasize ecological histories by integrating concepts of functional morphology, behavioral ecology, and evolutionary biology. Prerequisite: junior standing. (Variable)

890:130(g). Natural History Workshop -- 1-2 hrs. Offered as demand warrants. Five day-long, non-technical introductions to a specific aspect of the natural history of the upper Midwest or techniques for studying natural history. Prerequisite: junior standing. (Variable)

A. Amphibians and Reptiles
B. Birds and Birding
C. Nature Photography
D. Mushrooms and Other Fungi
E. Iowa's Trees and Forests
F. Fish Biology
G. Prairies and Prairie Restoration
H. Common Algae
I. Common Insects
J. Aquatic Plants
K. Life in Rivers
L. Life in Lakes
M. Mosses and Liverworts
N. Natural History of Iowa Great Lakes Region
O. Field Archaeology
P. SCUBA Diving
Q. Sketching Nature

890:131. Flora of the Iowa Great Lakes Region -- 2 hrs.
(Variable)

890:142(g). Watershed Hydrology and Surficial Processes -- 4 hrs.
Effects of geomorphology, soils, and land use on transport of water and materials (nutrients and contaminants) in watersheds. Fieldwork will emphasize investigations of the Iowa Great Lakes watershed. Prerequisites: four courses in the physical or biological sciences or engineering; junior standing. (Offered Summer)

890:144(g). Ecosystems of North America — 2-4 hrs.
Extended field trip to study a particular type of ecosystem (prairie, coastal wetland, forest, alpine, coral reefs, etc.) or the ecosystems of a specific region (Rocky Mountains, Gulf Coast, Appalachian Mountains, Deserts of the Southwest, Central America, etc.). Prior to the field trip, there will be an orientation period and after each field trip a review and synthesis period. A field trip fee will be assessed to cover travel expenses. Prerequisite: general ecology course and consent of instructor; junior standing. (Offered Summer)

890:145(g). Introduction to Environmental Planning -- 4 hrs.
Introduction to environmental planning theories and methods, emphasis on environmental planning using GIS modeling approaches and public participation in the planning process. Students should have basic familiarity with ArcView and database programs. Individual or group environmental planning projects. Prerequisite: junior standing. (Offered Summer)

890:150(g). Watershed Modeling and GIS -- 4 hrs.
GIS techniques for watershed hydrologic and water quality modeling and water resource management, including various approaches to watershed analysis, modeling and management; analytical tools for modeling watershed hydrology and water quality; and case studies in modeling and managing rural and urban watersheds. Prerequisite: junior standing. (Offered Summer)

890:155(g). Freshwater Invertebrates -- 3 hrs.
Field-oriented introduction to the identification, life-history, and ecology of common, free-living freshwater invertebrates of north-temperate lakes, rivers, and wetlands. Emphasis on the role of invertebrates in aquatic food chains and litter processing. Prerequisite: one or more ecology courses; junior standing. (Variable)

890:156(g). Advanced Field Ornithology -- 2 hrs.
Field study of birds of the upper Midwest; extended field trip to Minnesota and Wisconsin; individual or group project. Field trip fee. Prerequisite: junior standing. (Variable)

890:160(g). Restoration Ecology -- 4 hrs.
Ecological principles for the restoration of native ecosystems; establishment (site preparation, selection of seed mixes, and planting techniques) and management (fire, mowing, and weed control) of native vegetation; evaluation of restorations. Emphasis on the restoration of prairie and wetland vegetation. Prerequisite: a course in ecology; junior standing. (Offered Summer)

890:161(g). Introduction to GIS Landscape Modeling -- 4 hrs.
Descriptive and predictive GIS modeling techniques, spatial statistics, and map algebra. Application of GIS modeling techniques to environmental planning and resource management. Prerequisite: junior standing. (Offered Summer)

890:165(g). Behavioral Ecology -- 4 hrs.
Animal coloniality, courtship, territoriality, predator defense, habitat selection, foraging, mating systems, and parental care will be examined in the field in order to evaluate various ecological and evolutionary theories of animal behavior. Prerequisite: two courses in the biological sciences; junior standing. (Offered Summer)

890:166(g). Amphibians and Reptiles -- 4 hrs.
Ecology, behavior, and conservation biology of amphibians and reptiles with emphasis on their anatomy and morphology; temperature and water regulation; locomotion; life history; reproduction; population and community ecology; and conservation. Prerequisite: two courses in the biological sciences; junior standing. (Offered Summer)

890:170(g). Vegetation Restoration and Management — 4 hrs.
Theoretical and practical considerations for the development and implementation of vegetation management plans. Hands-on experience with a variety of techniques for restoring and managing natural vegetation, including mowing, burning, grazing, thinning, mechanical and chemical weeding, and planting techniques. Prerequisite: general ecology course; junior standing. (Offered Summer)

890:175(g). Soil Genesis and Landscape Relationships -- 4 hrs.
Relationships between soil formation, geomorphology, and environment. Soil description, classification, geography, mapping, and interpretation for land use. Prerequisite: junior standing. (Offered Summer)

890:193. Undergraduate Research -- 1-4 hrs.
Prerequisite: junior or senior standing; consent of instructor. (Variable)

890:198. Undergraduate Independent Study -- 1-4 hrs.
Prerequisite: junior or senior standing; consent of instructor. (Variable)

890:215. Field Mycology -- 4 hrs.
Identification and classification of the common fungi; techniques for identification, preservation, and culture practiced with members of the various fungi groups. (Offered Summer)

890:217. Ecology and Systematics of Diatoms -- 4 hrs.
Field and laboratory study of freshwater diatoms; techniques in collection, preparation, and identification of diatom samples; study of environmental factors affecting growth, distribution, and taxonomy; characters; project design and execution, including construction of reference and voucher collections and data organization and analysis. (Offered Summer)

890:240. Natural History Workshop -- 1-3 hrs.
Offered as demand warrants. Graduate workshop on some aspect of the natural history of the Upper Midwest or on techniques for studying natural history. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. (Variable)

890:241. Statistical Methods for Field Biologists -- 4 hrs.
Introduction to the design and implementation of ecological and environmental field studies and statistical analyses, interpretation, and presentation of field data. Fundamentals of experimental design, hypotheses testing with continuous and discrete data; simple and multilinear regression and correlation; introduction of analysis of variance; and data presentation. Individual and/or group projects will be used to collect field data. (Offered Summer)

890:263. Conservation Biology -- 4 hrs.
Population- and community-level examination of factors influencing the viability of plant and animal populations from both demographic and genetic perspectives; assessment of biodiversity; and design and management of preserves. (Offered Summer)

890:286. Studies in _________-- 1-4 hrs.
Prerequisite: consent of instructor. (Variable)

890:291. Graduate Internships -- 1-5 hrs.
Placement with county conservation boards, camps, parks, schools, etc., for experience as interpreters, rangers, technicians, and teachers. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. (Variable)

890:299. Research -- 1-4 hrs.
Prerequisite: consent of instructor. (Variable)