100-200 | 300 | 400 | Graduate Courses

Iowa Lakeside Laboratory
www.lakesidelab.org
(Interinstitutional Program)
Director: Arnold van der Valk
Participating Faculty: Dennis E. Anderson (Biology Emeritus, Humboldt State University), Neil P. Bernstein (Biology, Mount Mercy College), C. Lee Burras (Agronomy, Iowa State University), C. Arthur Croyle (Art and Design, Iowa State University), Paul J. Currier, (Director, Platte River Whooping Crane Maintenance Trust), James J. Dinsmore (Animal Ecology, Iowa State University), John F. Doershuk (Anthropology, University of Iowa, and State Archaeologist), Charles Drewes (Zoology and Genetics, Iowa State University), Steven M. Herrnstadt (Art and Design, Iowa State University), Laura L. Jackson (Biology, University of Northern Iowa), Kenneth L. Lang (Biological Sciences, Humboldt State University), Michael J. Lannoo (Muncie Center for Medical Education, Ball State University), David R. Mercer (Biology, University of Northern Iowa), Clay L. Pierce (Animal Ecology, Iowa State University), Thomas R. Rosburg (Biology, Drake University), Michael J. Shott (Sociology, Anthropology,and Criminology, University of Northern Iowa), Daryl D. Smith (Biology, University of Northern Iowa), Sarah A. Spaulding (Inst. of Arttic & Alpine Research, University of Colorado), Eugene F. Stoermer (Center for Great Lakes, University of Michigan), Lois H. Tiffany (Botany, Iowa State University), U. Sunday Tim (Ag/Biosystems Engineering, Iowa State University), James L. Wee (Biological Sciences, Loyola University).

Iowa Lakeside Laboratory is a field station run cooperatively by Iowa State University, the University of Northern Iowa, and the University of Iowa through the State Board of Regents.

The Laboratory was established in 1909 for the conservation and study of the rich flora and fauna of northwest Iowa, especially those of the Iowa Great Lakes region with its numerous lakes, wetlands, and prairies. Its campus is located on approximately 140 acres of restored prairie, wetland, and gallery forest along the west shore of West Okoboji Lake. Lakeside's mission is to provide undergraduate and graduate students an opportunity to get hands-on experience working with a variety of natural and human environments through its field-oriented summer courses and to provide research facilities and support for graduate students and faculty working on research projects in northwestern Iowa.

Each summer, Iowa Lakeside Laboratory offers students a unique educational experience: small, full-immersion, field-oriented courses in the natural sciences (archaeology, ecology, environmental science, hydrology, evolution, geology, soils, taxonomy). All courses meet all day from Monday through Friday. The majority of courses run for either 3 or 4 weeks. Enrollments in most courses are limited to 8 to 10 students. Courses are taught at the undergraduate (sophomore and junior) and the senior/graduate level. Students obtain one credit for each week (40 hours) in class. One and two week courses are also available, including courses designed especially for teachers. Weather permitting, students normally spend at least part of each day doing field work, either as part of their class work or working on individual or group projects. Because there are courses offered only alternate summers, the current Iowa Lakeside Laboratory Bulletin or Iowa State University Summer Session Bulletin (www.lakesidelab.org) should be consulted for the list of courses being offered in a given summer session. The Iowa Lakeside Bulletin also contains additional information about the Laboratory and about each course being offered.

Research projects by undergraduates, graduate students and faculty can be done either on the campus or at many nearby natural areas. Undergraduate and graduate students are strongly encouraged to do independent projects at Lakeside and graduate students are welcome to use it as a base for their thesis and dissertation research. Laboratory space and other facilities are available for long-term or short-term research projects.

Teaching and research facilities include eight laboratory buildings, a library, and a lecture hall. Living accommodations include cottages, motel-style units, and a large mess hall. All students are encouraged to stay at Lakeside while they are taking courses to take full advantage of its educational, professional, and social life.

Financial Aid
Iowa Lakeside Laboratory Scholarships are available to both undergraduates and graduate students. All scholarships cover room and board. Information about how to apply for Iowa Lakeside Laboratory Scholarships is included in the Iowa Lakeside Bulletin (www.lakesidelab.org). Students should also consult the Student Financial Aid Office for other scholarship, work study, and loan programs for which they are eligible.

Registration
Students can only enroll in Iowa Lakeside courses by submitting an Iowa Lakeside Registration and Scholarship Form and Housing Form to the Iowa Lakeside Laboratory Administrative Office. These forms are found on the Iowa Lakeside Laboratory Website (www.lakesidelab.org) where they can be downloaded, and in the Iowa State University Summer Session Bulletin, and the Iowa Lakeside Laboratory Bulletin which can be obtained from:

Iowa Lakeside Laboratory
131 Bessey Hall
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011-1020
Phone: (515) 294-2488
FAX: (515) 294-9777

E-Mail:lakeside@iastate.edu
Early registration is advisable. Because enrollment in Lakeside courses is limited, students should register before May 1 for the following summer session. Housing is also limited and students must apply for housing or indicate that they plan to live off campus at the time of registration.

Courses open for nonmajor graduate credit: 402I, 403I, 415I, 419I, 422I, 427I, 461I, 473I, 480I, 484I, 494, 536.

Courses Primarily for Undergraduate Students
Ia LL 115. Introduction to the Life Sciences. Cr. 1. SS. An overview of the various disciplines (developmental biology, ecology, evolution, molecular biology, etc.) that collectively are the life sciences. Each section provides an opportunity to get hands-on experience with one or more of these disciplines. This course is for high school students who have completed a course in biology.
A. Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
B. Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology

Ia LL 205I. Flora of the Iowa Lakes Region. Cr. 2. SS.

Ia LL 301I. Iowa Natural History. (Same as A Ecl 301I, Bot 301I, Zool 301I.) Cr. 4. Alt. SS., offered 2005. Prereq: One course in the biological sciences. Biological diversity and its causes examined through lectures and field trips to native lake, marsh, forest, and prairie habitats; topics include measuring the environment, sampling and identifying organisms, experimenting with the ecosystem, understanding species interactions, and appreciating influences of past and present climates and geological events on natural ecosystems of the region.

Ia LL 302I. Plant-Animal Interactions. (Same as Bot 302I.) Cr. 4. Alt. SS., offered 2004. Prereq: One course in the biological sciences. Introduction to ecology and co-evolution of plants and animals; emphasis on dispersal, pollination, and plant-herbivore interactions; field and laboratory work, reading, discussion.

Ia LL 303I. Undergraduate Internships. (Same as A Ecl 303I.) Cr. 1 to 5. SS. Prereq: Permission of instructor and sophomore standing. Placement with county conservation boards, camps, parks, etc. for experience as interpreters, rangers, and technicians.

Ia LL 304I. Physical Geology. (Same as EnSci 304I, Geol 304I.) Cr. 4. Alt. SS, offered 2004. Landscape development as a product of geologic materials and processes. Emphasis on field studies of composition of the earth, glaciation, weathering, erosion, and sedimentation.

Ia LL 312I. Ecology. (Same as A Ecl 312I, Biol 312I, Bot 312I, EnSci 312I, Zool 312I.) Cr. 4. SS. An introduction to the principles of ecology at the population, community and ecosystem level. Field studies of local lakes, wetlands and prairies are used to examine factors controlling distributions, interactions, and roles of plants and animals in native ecosystems.

Ia LL 326I. Ornithology. (Same as A Ecl 326I.) Cr. 4. SS. The biology, ecology, and behavior of birds with emphasis on field studies of local avifauna. Group projects stress techniques of population analysis and methodology for population studies.

Ia LL 364I. Biology of Aquatic Plants. Cr. 4. Alt. SS., offered 2005. A field-oriented introduction to the taxonomy and ecology of aquatic plants in lakes, wetlands and rivers. Individual or group projects.

Ia LL 367I. Plant Taxonomy. (Same as Bot 367I.) Cr. 4. SS. Principles of classification and evolution of vascular plants; taxonomic tools and collection techniques; use of keys. Field and laboratory studies emphasizing identification of local flowering plants and recognition of major plant families.

Ia LL 371I. Introduction to Insect Ecology. (Same as Ent 371I.) Cr. 4. Alt. SS., offered 2005. Field and laboratory study of insects, their diversity, life history; emphasis on ecology and behavior.

Ia LL 401I. Statistical Methods for Field Biologists. (Same as Stat 401I) Cr. 4. Alt. SS., offered 2005. Introduction to the design and implementation of ecological and environmental field studies and statistical analyses, interpretation, and presentation of field data. Fundamentals of experimental design; hypotheses testing with continuous and discrete data; simple and multilinear regression and correlation; introduction of analysis of variance; and data presentation. Individual and/or group projects will be used to collect field data.

Ia LL 402I.Watershed Hydrology and Surficial Processes. (Same as Agron 402I, EnSci 402I.) Cr. 4. SS. Prereq: Four courses in physical or biological sciences or engineering. Effects of geomorphology, soils, and land use on transport of water and materials (nutrients, contaminates) in watersheds. Fieldwork will emphasize investigations of the Iowa Great Lakes watershed. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Ia LL 403I. Evolution. (Same as Biol 403I, Bot 403I, Zool 403I.) Cr. 4. SS. Mechanisms and patterns in microevolution and macroevolution. Field exercises will emphasize studies of natural selection, adaptation, genetic variation, and population genetics of local plant and animal populations. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Ia LL 404I. Behavioral Ecology. (Same as A Ecl 404I, Zool 404I) Cr. 4. Alt. SS., offered 2004. Prereq: Two semesters of biology. Animal coloniality, courtship, territoriality, predator defense, habitat selection, foraging, mating systems, and parental care will be examined in the field in order to evaluate various ecological and evolutionary theories of animal behavior.

Ia LL 415I. Freshwater Invertebrates. (Same as Zool 415I.) Cr. 4. SS. Prereq: One or more ecology courses. Field-oriented introduction to the identification, life-history, and ecology of common, free-living freshwater invertebrates of north-temperate lakes, rivers, and wetlands. Emphasis on the role of invertebrates in aquatic food chains and litter processing. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Ia LL 419I. Vertebrate Ecology and Evolution. (Same as A Ecl 419I, Zool 419I.) Cr. 4. SS. Field and laboratory study of representative vertebrates of northwestern Iowa. Observations and experimentation emphasize ecological histories by integrating concepts of functional morphology, behavioral ecology, and evolutionary biology. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Ia LL 420I. Amphibians and Reptiles. (Same as A Ecl 420I, Zool 420I) Cr. 4. Alt. SS., offered 2004. Prereq: Two semesters of biology. Ecology, behavior, and conservation biology of amphibians and reptiles with emphasis on their anatomy and morphology; temperature and water regulation; locomotion; life history; reproduction; population and community ecology; and conservation.

Ia LL 422I. Prairie Ecology. (Same as Bot 422I, EnSci 422I.) Cr. 4. SS. Prerequisite: Familiarity with basic principles in biological sciences and ecology. Basic patterns and underlying physical and biotic causes of both regional and local distributions of plants and animals of North American prairies; field and laboratory analyses and projects. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Ia LL 427I. Archaeology. (Same as Anthr 427I.) Cr. 4. SS. Nature of cultural and environmental evidence in archaeology and how they are used to model past human behavior and land use; emphasis on Iowa prehistory; basic reconnaissance surveying and excavation techniques. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Ia LL 435I. Illustrating Nature. I. Sketching. (Same as BPM I 435I) Cr. 2. SS. Sketching plants, animals and terrain. Visual communication, development of a personal style, and integration of typographic and visual elements on a page will be emphasized.

Ia LL 436I. Illustrating Nature. II. Photography. (Same as BPM I 436I) Cr. 2. SS. Beginning to intermediate technical and compositional aspects of color photography of natural areas and their plants and animals.

Ia LL 461I. Introduction to GIS. (Same as Bot 461I, EnSci 461I, Env S 461I, L A 461I) Cr. 4. SS. Descriptive and predictive GIS modeling techniques, spatial statistics, and map algebra. Application of GIS modeling techniques to environmental planning and resource management. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Ia LL 473I. Soil Genesis and Landscape Relationships. (Same as Agron 473I, EnSci 473I.) Cr. 4. Alt. SS., offered 2004. Prereq: Agron 154 or 402 or 402I. Relationships between soil formation, geomorphology, and environment. Soil description, classification, geography, mapping, and interpretation for land use. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Ia LL 480I. Introduction to Environmental Planning. (Same as Env S 480I, L A 480I.) Cr. 4. Alt. SS., offered 2004. Introduction to environmental planning theories and methods, emphasis on environmental planning using GIS modeling approaches and public participation in the planning process. Students should have basic familiarity with ArcView and database programs. Individual or group environmental planning projects. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Ia LL 484I. Plant Ecology. (Same as Bot 484I.) Cr. 4. SS. Principles of plant population, community, and ecosystem ecology illustrated through studies of native vegetation in local prairies, wetlands and forests. Group or individual projects. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Ia LL 490I. Undergraduate Independent Study. (Same as A Ecl 490I, Anthr 490I, Biol 490I, Bot 490I, Zool 490I.) Cr. 1 to 4. SS. Prereq: Junior or senior classification and permission of instructor.

Ia LL 493. Natural History Workshop. Cr. 1 to 2. SS. Offered as demand warrants. Five day-long, non-technical introductions to a specific aspect of the natural history of the Upper Midwest or techniques for studying natural history.
A. Amphibians and Reptiles
B. Birds and Birding
C. Nature Photography
D. Mushrooms and Other Fungi
E. Iowa's Trees and Forests
F. Fish Biology
G. Prairies and Prairie Restoration
H. Common Algae
I. Common Insects
J. Aquatic Plants
K. Life in Rivers
L. Life in Lakes
M. Mosses and Liverworts
N. Natural History of Iowa Great Lakes Region
P. Field Archaeology
S. Scuba Diving
U. Sketching Nature

Ia LL 494. Ecosystems of North America. Cr. 2 to 4. SS. Prereq: A general ecology course and permission of the instructor. An extended field trip to study a particular type of ecosystem (prairie, coastal wetland, forest, alpine, coral reefs, etc.) or the ecosystems of a specific region (Rocky Mountains, Gulf Coast, Appalachian Mountains, Deserts of the Southwest, Central America, etc.). Prior to the field trip, there will be an orientation period and after each field trip a review and synthesis period. A field trip fee will be assessed to cover travel expenses. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Ia LL 499. Undergraduate Research. Cr. 1 to 4. Prereq: Junior or senior classification and permission of instructor.

Courses Primarily for Graduate Students, Open to Qualified Undergraduate Students
Ia LL 501I. Freshwater Algae. (Same as Bot 501I.) Cr. 4. SS. Structure and taxonomy of freshwater algae based on field collected material; emphasis on genus-level identifications, habitats visited include lakes, fens, streams, and rivers; algal ecology.

Ia LL 503. Graduate Internships. Cr. 1 to 5. SS. Prereq: Permission of instructor and graduate standing. Placement with county conservation boards, camps, parks, schools, etc. for experience as interpreters, rangers, technicians, and teachers.

Ia LL 505I. Watershed Modeling and GIS. (Same as A E 505I, EnSci 505I) Cr. 4. Alt. SS., offered 2005. GIS techniques for watershed hydrology and water quality modeling and water resource management, including various approaches to watershed analysis, modeling and management; analytical tools for modeling watershed hydrology and water quality; and case studies in modeling and managing rural and urban watersheds.

Ia LL 508I. Aquatic Ecology. (Same as A Ecl 508I, EnSci 508I.) Cr. 4. SS. Prereq: Courses in ecology, chemistry, and physics. Analysis of aquatic ecosystems; emphasis on basic ecological principles; ecological theories tested in the field; identification of common plants and animals.

Ia LL 511I. Field Parasitology. (Same as Zool 511I.) Cr. 4. Alt. SS., offered 2005. Ecology and life history of parasites, protozoans, helminths, arthropods; field and laboratory investigations including preparation, identification, and morphology of representative types and stages; general and comparative concepts of parasitology.

Ia LL 520I. Fish Ecology. (Same as A Ecl 520I.) Cr. 4. Alt. SS., offered 2004. Basic principles of fish interaction with the biotic and abiotic environment. Field methods, taxonomy, and biology of fish with emphasis on the fish fauna of northwestern Iowa.

Ia LL 526I. Advanced Field Ornithology. (Same as A Ecl 526I.) Cr. 2. SS. Prereq: Concurrent registration in 326I. Field study of birds of the upper Midwest; extended field trip to Minnesota and Wisconsin; individual or group project.

Ia LL 531I. Conservation Biology. (Same as Bot 531I.) Cr. 4. Alt. SS., offered 2004. Prereq: 312I. Population- and community-level examination of factors influencing the viability of plant and animal populations from both demographic and genetic perspectives; assessment of biodiversity; design and management of preserves.

Ia LL 535I. Restoration Ecology. (Same as A Ecl 535I, Bot 535I, EnSci 535I.) Cr. 4. Alt. SS., offered 2004. Prereq: A course in ecology. Ecological principles for the restoration of native ecosystems; establishment (site preparation, selection of seed mixes, planting techniques) and management (fire, mowing, weed control) of native vegetation; evaluation of restorations. Emphasis on the restoration of prairie and wetland vegetation.

Ia LL 536. Vegetation Restoration and Management. Cr. 4. Alt. SS., offered 2005. Prereq: A general ecology course. Theoretical and practical considerations for the development and implementation of vegetation management plans. Hands-on experience with a variety of techniques for restoring and managing natural vegetation, including mowing, burning, grazing, thinning, mechanical and chemical weeding, and planting techniques. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Ia LL 564I. Wetland Ecology. (Same as Bot 564I, EnSci 564I.) Cr. 4. SS. Prereq: 312I. Ecology, classification, creation, restoration, and management of wetlands. Field studies will examine the composition, structure and functions of local natural wetlands and restored prairie pothole wetlands. Individual or group projects.

Ia LL 573. Techniques for Biology Teaching. Cr. 1 or 2 each time taken. SS. The development and implementation of laboratory exercises suitable for inclusion in elementary, middle, high school, and community college biology and environmental courses. Exercises will be built around common organisms and ecosystems in Iowa. Field trips.
A. Animal Biology (Same as A Ecl 573A)
B. Plant Biology
C. Fungi and Lichens
D .Aquatic Ecology
E. Prairie Ecology
F. Wetland Ecology
G. Limnology (Same as A Ecl 573G)
H. Animal Behavior (Same as A Ecl 573H)
I. Insect Ecology
J. Biology of Invertebrates
K. Non-invasive Use of Living Organisms
L. Leopold Education Project
W. Project WET (Same as A Ecl 573W)

Ia LL 575I. Field Mycology. (Same as Bot 575I.) Cr. 4. Alt. SS., offered 2004. Identification and classification of the common fungi; techniques for identification, preservation, and culture practiced with members of the various fungi groups.

Ia LL 580I. Ecology and Systematics of Diatoms. (Same as Bot 580I.) Cr. 4. SS. Field and laboratory study of freshwater diatoms; techniques in collection, preparation, and identification of diatom samples; study of environmental factors affecting growth, distribution, taxonomic characters; project design and execution including construction of reference and voucher collections and data organization and analysis.

Ia LL 590I. Graduate Independent Study. (Same as A Ecl 590I, Anthr 590I, Bot 590I, Zool 590I.) Cr. 1 to 4. SS. Prereq: Graduate classification and permission of instructor.

Ia LL 593. Natural History Workshop. Cr. 1 to 3. Offered as demand warrants. Prereq: Permission of instructor. Graduate workshop on some aspect of the natural history of the Upper Midwest or on techniques for studying natural history.

Courses for Graduate Students
Ia LL 699I. Research. (Same as A Ecl 699I, Anthr 699I, Bot 699I, Zool 699I.) Cr. 1 to 4.