Were you out in the field collecting data this morning, and plan to get your evening samples after things cool down a bit? Are you like Chris, wishing you were at the "data-collection" stage in your research, but still stuck in the office reading articles and writing your proposal? I was studying for prelims when I took this course, so it was a good opportunity for me to brush up on keyword concepts and key authors. It helped pull things together that I had learned elsewhere.

Wherever you are coming from, if you want to learn more about how we do science, I am here to help you sail through this course! It is designed not only for wildlife biologists and ecologists, but also for those of us who are grounded in basic biology. If you have taken beginning behavior and ecology courses, much of the first part will be a refresher. To dig deeper into evolutionary theory, follow the tips in lecture outlines. The textbook is a classic European perspective.

If this is your first course as a graduate student, no need to panic! I will be here as your ally and guide, to help you verbalize and achieve your learning goals for the semester. Join me on BLOG to kick around your ideas and receive supportive assistance from those who are further along. The link to my BLOG is at the right.