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I. Introduction: OE 584/384 is a 5-credit course (7-credits for 384) offered in
conjunction with internships at Glen Helen Ecology Institute - Antioch College. OE 580 and 584 are taken concurrently. Receiving any credit is predicated on being on the trails with students for the entire term.

II. Course Objectives: Interns will demonstrate their understanding of:

bullet The ecological relationships within the natural communities of Glen Helen Nature Preserve, including the meadow, thicket, deciduous & coniferous forest, pond, and stream
bullet The major flora and fauna in each of the communities
bullet Raptor ecology through the study and care of birds of prey at our Raptor Center
bullet Principal ecological concepts, such as succession, adaptation, interdependence, biogeochemical cycles, food webs and the transfer of energy through living systems
bullet Physical geology, including rock formation and the rock cycle, mechanical and chemical weathering, glaciation, and paleontology
bullet Weather data collection and prediction
bullet Basic astronomy, including identification of major stars, planets, and constellations

III. Course Requirements:

bullet Participate in each Monday class session
bullet Complete a project(s) with a time investment of 25 to 30 hours in the area of natural history or environmental education
bullet Care and feeding of a bird of prey at our Raptor Center (this requirement must be filled if naturalists are to handle birds of prey)
bullet On a rotating basis, fill bird feeders at the bird blind, oversee the greenhouse, maintain the compost bin, assist in kitchen recycling efforts
bullet Keep a daily journal with at least one entry a week on a natural history observation.
bullet Read A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold and at least one other book from the Natural History list
bullet Write at least a one page summary of your thoughts for each book

III. Evaluation:

bullet Administrative staff will evaluate level of active participation during Monday sessions
bullet Written evaluation ofcourse project
bullet Oral and written evaluation of natural history observations in journal.

The grade for the course is credit / nocredit