3.0

Average Course Rating

Natural history, ecology and evolution are scientific disciplines that greatly depend on the art and practice of observing, asking questions, and finding ways to answer those questions. Most of the time, we must be outdoors to make those observations. To be a good observer, one needs to slow down, be quiet and use all of your senses. The Homewood campus and its surroundings are a wonderful green space in the middle of Baltimore City to practice those skills. In this First Year Seminar, while we focus on the living world, we also will discuss the geology and hydrology around Stony Run. Students should be prepared to spend many hours outside, making observations, and sample plants and invertebrates. In the classroom, these field observations, combined with reading material, will be used to discuss global environmental issues including biodiversity loss, invasive species, and human impacts on the landscape. Specific activities include: 1) Reporting on human effects on life from today’s news; 2) Preparing conservation pamphlets; 3) Researching and presenting about a specific invasive organism. We also plan a day-long field trip to the Natural History Museum in DC. By the end of the FYS, students will be able to generate research questions based upon field observations and appreciate the diverse life forms both globally and in our backyard.