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Course Syllabus

NR 2610 Animal Identification

  • Division: Natural Science and Math
  • Department: Natural Resources
  • Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 3; Lecture: 2; Lab: 3
  • Semesters Offered: Fall
  • Semester Approved: Summer 2024
  • Five-Year Review Semester: Summer 2030
  • End Semester: Spring 2030
  • Optimum Class Size: 24
  • Maximum Class Size: 24

Course Description

Autecology and identification of important mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians of the Intermountain West. An emphasis will be placed on native species distribution and habitat requirements.

Justification

This course will primarily serve students within the natural resources program. Students in the natural resources should be able to identify animals in the Intermountain West by site as well as be able to use dichotomous keys to identify them. In addition students should be able to understand why specific animal species live where they do and probable distributions.

Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Students will learn and become familiar with characteristics, scientific names, common names, ecology and distribution of 97 Mammalian species.
  2. Students will learn and become familiar with characteristics, scientific names, common names, ecology and distribution of 100 Avian species.
  3. Students will learn and become familiar with characteristics, scientific names, common names, ecology and distribution of 16 Reptilian species.
  4. Students will learn how to keep a professional field note book. This will be done so they can learn when specific animal species are active and their ecology.
  5. Students will learn how to photo trap animals in different ecological situations with a group of students from the class.

Course Content

Students will be able to identify 97 mammalian, 100 avian and 16 reptilian species. Students will learn the differences between males and females of each species studied in class. Students will learn why there are sexual dimorphisms in many species and not in other species. Students will learn the historical and current distribution of animals and why they may change over time. Students will learn what issues may threaten species in specific ecosystems. Students will work together and with the professor to help answer complex questions about animal identification and ecology. Discussions will be held discussing how differences in animal populations relates to differences in human populations. Students should be able to learn how to identify animals in a variety of ways such as sight, sound, tracks and scat.