ENVSCI 321L - Spiders of Nantucket

3 Credit(s) | Laboratory | Graded (included P/F option)
Not repeatable for credit

Description:
This course will introduce students to important field and laboratory-based methods for assessing biodiversity and estimating species richness, with applications for natural resource management and conservation. The spiders of Nantucket will serve as a model for diving into biodiversity field and laboratory methods due to their rich diversity over the island and distinct species-specific characteristics that allow for training in taxonomy. In this course, students will learn about spider biology, anatomy, life history, classification and taxonomy, and ecology through classroom lectures and discussions, field sampling, and laboratory processing and identification activities. Students will become familiar with the primary literature and scientific writing through two writing assignments.

This course is cross-listed as ENVSTY 321L

Enrollment Requirements:
Prerequisite: Admission to Nantucket Summer Program and Permission of Instructor. The instructor will evaluate prior academic history to evaluate preparedness for this course.

Instructor consent required for enrollment

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