Biology Service Learning

 

What is it?

Natural and human-induced disturbances profoundly affect biological systems. This course will involve readings, discussions, and service work focused on examining and ameliorating effects of disturbance on biological systems. During Spring 2006, our first goal is to start building collaborative relationships with health care providers, natural resource managers, zoo and aquarium curatorial staff, and other biologically relevant players in the greater NOLA community. Our second goal is to invest the bulk of our time and energy into helping these collaborators repair damage caused by Hurricane Katrina.

Service work accomplished so far

  • Clean and organize arthropod containment room at Audubon Zoo
  • Clean aquaria at Audubon Zoo
  • Clean and set up teaching terrarium at Audubon Zoo
  • Clean up storm debris at Audubon Zoo
  • Erect bamboo privacy fence for Swamp exhibit at Audubon Zoo
  • Mold remediation study at local church and home
  • Reinforce cage for fisher cats at Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species
  • Clean debris away from Coquille Trail at Jean Lafitte National Park
  • Sample mosquitoes in abandoned swimming pools in Lake View

Instructor

 who?      Frank Jordan (Associate Professor and Slayer of Fishes)
 where?  MO 357 (office), MO 316 (lab), or just lurking about campus
 when?   Office hours: by appointment
 if not?   Phone: 865.3829 (office) or jordan@loyno.edu (email)

Meeting time and place

See current Schedule of Classes. We will meet once a week to discuss assigned readings. However, the focus of the course will be service projects every other Saturday.

Blackboard and email

All course materials and communications will be facilitated via Blackboard. You are responsible for all materials placed on Blackboard and you should check the Blackboard site regularly for new additions. You should also check your email regularly for last minute updates, modifications, jokes, etc. You will be added to the Animal Behavior site on Blackboard during the first week of classes.

Required textbooks

Download and print assigned readings from Blackboard.

Grading and other nastiness

80% of your grade in this course is based on attendance and level of participation in readings, discussions, and service work. The other 20% is based on a final reflective paper. Please meet at the designated time and place so that we can get to work ASAP.

As usual, your grade will be determined using a complex system involving live sacrifice, casting of chicken bones, reading of entrails, and divine piscine revelation from the Holy Shad. Actually, your attendance and reflective paper add up to 100 points. Receiving 60% of these points earns you a D, 70% of these points earns you a C, 80% of these points earns you a B, and 90% of these points earns you an A!

Advice and stuff

"A student with a disability that qualifies for accommodations should contact Disability Services at 865-2990 (Academic Resource Center, Room 405, Monroe Hall). A student wishing to receive test accommodations (e.g., extended test time) should provide the instructor with an official Accommodation Form from Disability Services in advance of the scheduled test date."

Of course, you should feel free to contact me whenever you need help with this course, life, the universe, or anything.  I would be happy to hear your abbreviated life stories and your projected life-history trajectories.  I don't have any money, so don't ask.

Finally, please feel free to offer suggestions and constructive criticism as the semester progresses. I strive to continually improve this course.