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I. Reading and Web Assignments II. Lectures and Programs III. Journal Assignments IV. Species Assignments I. Reading and Web Assignments: - to be completed before departure, questions will be sent to you Alaska - General Information Alaska Climate Research Center Alaska - Division of Tourism - Official Student Information Guide Alaska Internet Travel Guide Alaska's Many Cultures Alaska National Heritage Program Alaska Native Peoples Alaska's State Ferry Crossroads of Continents Eskimo Culture FAQAlaska A Guide to Alaska Geologic and Mineral Information State of Alaska Online University of Alaska Fairbanks - Geophysical Institute Alaskan National Parks Great Outdoor Recreation Pages - National Parks - Alaska GORP - Denali National Park and Preserve GORP - Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve GORP - Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve National Park Service - Alaska Park Links NPS - Denali National Park and Preserve NPS - Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve NPS - Sitka National Historic Park NPS - Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve Sheldon Jackson Museum Alaskan Wildlife Alaska Department of Fish and Game ADF&G - Wildlife Notebook Series Alaska National Heritage Program - Zoological Biodiversity Alaska Science Forum - Wildlife Index Great Outdoor Recreation Page - Alaskan National Wildlife Refuges Marine Biological Laboratory - Arctic Long Term Ecological Research Site Wild-Eyed Alaska Alaskan Plant Life Alaska National Heritage Program - Botanical Biodiversity Alaska National Heritage Program - Rare Plant Field Guide Alaska Science Forum - Plants Index Alaskan Temperate Rainforests Alaska Rainforest Campaign Classroom of the Future - Temperate Rainforest: Alaska Great Outdoor Recreation Pages - Tongass USDA Forest Services - Tongass National Forest Alaskan Biodiversity and Threats Alaska Biodiversity Laws - Biodiversity Center - Defenders of Wildlife Alaska National Heritage Program - Biodiversity Alaska Rainforest Campaign National Resources Defense Council - National Forest Protection Plan Project WILD Sierra Club - Alaska Rainforest Ecoregion Southeast Alaska Conservation Council Teaming With Wildlife II. *Lectures and Programs: - to be attended throughout your travels, reading handouts will be given to you Mechanisms of Evolution Biodiversity and Speciation Biogeography of Alaska Temperate Rainforests Alaskan Biodiversity Protection of Alaskan Biodiversity * Students in Biology 497 will select a topic of interest and lead a 30-45 minute discussion. III. Journal Assignments - to be completed throughout your travels and upon your return to the mainland You will be given a trip notebook to keep notes on your trip. For example, you should keep a daily journal of things you did, things you saw and things you learned. You might also want to keep track of the people you met. Anything you wish to remember, such as your first impressions, your surprises, etc. After your trip you will be asked to write a short summary for each day of your trip. Your summaries will be incorporated into student learning activities for students in Drs. McLaughlin's and Zervano's first year seminar course entitled Biodiversity on Line. You will also be asked to answer the following questions: What impressed you most about Alaska? What were your best and worst experiences? Any surprises or disappointments? What did you learn about biodiversity? What problems did you uncover? Are there solutions? IV. Species Assignments - to be completed throughout your travels and upon your return to the mainland Students taking the Biology 297 credits are required to identify one Alaskan plant or animal species that they heard about before or during their trip. Students taking the Biology 497 credits are required to identify two Alaskan plant or animal species. In order to eliminate replication, you need to tell Dr. McLaughlin which species you have chosen as soon as possible during the trip. Then, try to find out as much as possible about your selected species by asking questions, using available field guides, etc. Upon your return you may wish to do more research. The following questions should be answered: What is the range and habitat of the species? What is its evolutionary history? (Origin, relatives etc.) What role does it play in its environment (niche)? Any unique adaptations? What are the threats to its survival? If at all possible, you will need a photo of your selected organisms. This page was last updated on December 11, 1999.