Bird Project

Biological Research – BIO 4060

Summer Term 2021 Selected Topics in Avian Ecology

1 to 4 semester hours

Desiderium Sciendi – “Longing to Know”

Professor: Dr. Thomas J. Rauch

Phone 318-6119

E-mail: trauch@wmcarey.edu

 

Nature of Course Content: This course will allow the student

conduct or continue a research project on the feeding ecology of

seed-eating birds here in Mississippi. Students will set up

bird feeders with different types of sunflower seeds and collect

data on the feeding preferences of birds. A research paper will

analyze data collected and compare results with other published

literature on the subject.

 

Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of this course, the student

will be able to:

1. Identify seed-eating birds found in Mississippi;

2. Collect and analyze behavioral data;

3. Analyze the effect of predators and food quality

on bird feeding behavior.

4. Write a paper comparing their results to other

published results.

 

Course Requirements:

1. Field data collection (about 40 to 50 hours).

2. Research paper (8-20 pages) and bibliography.

3. Weekly conference with instructor: approximately

30 minutes a week.

4. You must email me at: trauch@wmcarey.edu stating

you have talked to me about the project before June

16, 2021 or you will be dropped from the course.

 

 

Evaluation: A grade will be assigned based on a subjective

evaluation of the quality of data collected and the academic

merit of the research paper. Grading criteria for the research

paper will include correct grammar and spelling, proper citation

of sources, data presentation, and extent of effort and original

thought. All reports are due by August 1, 20210. Reports turned

in after this date will not count towards your final grade. I

highly recommend that reports be turned in on or before July 26,

2021 so that they can be evaluated and revised before final

submission.

 

 

 

Disaster Plan Statement

In the event of closure or cancellations due to natural disaster

or other emergency causes, general information will be forwarded

to local media, posted on the WCU website http://wmcarey.edu,

and sent via automated process to your WCU student e-mail

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message service. Sign up instructions can be found under

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Academic Integrity

William Carey College seeks to create an environment that

encourages continued growth of moral and ethical values, which

include personal honesty and mutual trust. The college places

the highest value on academic integrity and regards any act of

academic dishonesty as a serious offense. Academic dishonesty

is considered unethical and in violation of William Carey

College’s academic standards and Christian commitment. If such

an incident occurs, students, faculty, and/or staff are

obligated to initiate appropriate action. Depending on the

seriousness of the offense sanctions could include failure of

the assignment, failure of the course, and could lead to

suspension or dismissal from the college. A full explanation of

the procedures for responding to instances of academic

dishonesty are contained in the college’s Polices and Procedures

manual and in the student handbook, The Lance.

 

Students With Disabilities

Students with disabilities who are protected by the Americans

with Disabilities Act of 1990 and require special

accommodations, should contact Ms. Valerie Bridgeforth 601-318-

6188. Ms. Bridgeforth is located in the Student Services Office

in Lawrence Hall.

Incompletes

All of the following criteria must be met in order for a student

to receive an incomplete:

-class (and university) attendance requirements must have been

met;

-80% of the required work for the class must have been done;

-the student must be passing the class at the time the

 

 

incomplete is granted;

-the student must request the incomplete on the WCU incomplete

request form prior to the time at which faculty must submit

grades;

-the student must have provided appropriate documentation

regarding the reason for requesting the incomplete (e. g.,

accident reports, medical records, etc.)

-the Dean of Natural and Behavioral Sciences must have

determined that unavoidable circumstances have prevented the

student from completing the course on schedule.

 

If any one of the above conditions is not met, a student cannot

receive an incomplete for the course.

 

Sexual Misconduct Statement

It is the policy of William Carey University to comply with all

federal and state laws governing sexual misconduct. Further, William

Carey University reaffirms its principle, as well as Title IX of the

Education Amendments Act of 1972, that all students have a right to be

free from sexual discrimination in the form of sexual harassment and

sexual violence. Students are referred to the Student Handbook, The

Translation (The Red Book), for policy statements regarding sexual

harassment and sexual assault and for procedures for reporting and

responding to sexual offenses. The policies and procedures may also be

found on the university’s website under Campus Life – Security.

http://wmcarey.edu/sexual-misconduct

 

Children Policy

Children are NOT PERMITTED to attend class with their parents.

Children are NOT PERMITTED to remain outside the classroom

either supervised or unsupervised while the parent attends

class. Parents are responsible for making child care

arrangements for their children. The Translation Student

Handbook.

 

Tobacco Policy

William Carey University is a tobacco-free campus. All WCU

students are asked to respect this policy by refraining from

smoking or other tobacco use while on campus.