Teaching

BIOL 495/695: Arctic Alaska Vegetation, Permafrost, & Ecosystems

UAF summer 2020 field courses have been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
We hope to offer the course again in Summer 2021.

Course Information

• Course dates: June 8-24, 2020 (CANCELLED)
• Registration opens: February 10 (degree-seeking students), February 24 (all students)
  
• Application deadline: March 15 for International students, May 15 for U.S. students or until spaces are filled.
  
• Cost (tuition + course fees): $2,911 undergraduates, $3,670 graduate level
  
• Deposit (non-refundable): $250, due April 15 (balance due May 15.)
  
• Pre-reqs: Two semesters of college-level science with one upper-division science course or permission of instructor
  
• Registration: UAF Summer Sessions Online Registration Form (See instructions below)
  
• International Students:  Submit an International Student Summer Application and supporting documents by March 15. (See application and instructions).

Our summer field course is offered through UAF Summer Sessions & Lifelong Learning.

Instructors

Dr. D.A. (Skip) Walker, Dr. Amy Breen, and Dr. G.V. (JJ) Frost

Begin your adventure!

• The Arctic is undergoing the most rapid climate and environmental change on Earth and vegetation is a key to understanding the changes.
• Travel with scientists with many decades of Arctic research experience.
• Learn about the vegetation, geology, permafrost, landforms, soils and wildlife of boreal, alpine and Arctic environments.
• Gain a deep understanding of the changes occurring in this remote area and the consequences to ecosystems and people who live here.
• Travel from Fairbanks to Prudhoe Bay, camp along the Dalton Highway and stay at the renowned Arctic research station at Toolik Lake.
• Spend 4 days on the campus of University of Alaska Fairbanks with lectures and local field trips.
• Experience the Yukon River, the Brooks Range, the Prudhoe Bay Oilfield and the diversity of ecosystems along the world’s greatest Arctic Highway adventure.

Course Description

Open to undergraduate and graduate students interested in Arctic biology and ecology, the 3-credit course will be held June 8-24, 2020.

The class includes 2 days of classroom instruction and local field trips in the Fairbanks area before a 13-day field excursion to Alaska's North Slope. The course wraps up back at UAF with 2 days for student presentations and local field trips in Fairbanks.

The field excursion will have a strong emphasis on Arctic environments, local people, and field sampling. Students will learn about Arctic vegetation, soils, landforms, permafrost, geology, wildlife, and land-use. The class will travel along the latitudinal transect from Fairbanks to Prudhoe Bay, which traverses boreal forest, alpine, and Arctic biomes. Students will undertake an independent research project of their choosing.

Eleven days will be spent camping at different locations along the route. We will also spend a night at Toolik Field Station, a world-renowned Arctic research station. Guest instructors will discuss Arctic ecology, permafrost, life in Arctic communities, and environmental issues related to oilfield development and other aspects of Arctic social-ecological systems.

The cost of transportation and meals during the field excursion is included in the course fee, as well as lodging at Toolik Field Station and on UAF’s campus. (Students are responsible for meals during the 4-day campus portion of the course.) Students will need to bring all-weather clothing including winter jackets and rubber boots, and a warm sleeping bag. Expedition tents will be provided. 
 
The course is limited to 10 undergraduate and/or graduate students. Pre-requisites include Two semesters of college-level science with one upper-division science course, or permission of the instructor.

A $250 non-refundable deposit is required by  April 15, 2020. The balance of the course payment is due May 15. Students are encouraged to consider the purchase of travel insurance.

How to Register

1. Obtain permission of the instructor (or request more information) from: Dr. D. A. (Skip) Walker, dawalker@alaska.edu
2. If your prerequisites were not completed at a University of Alaska location, email proof of prerequisites to dawalker@alaska.edu and cc: summer@uaf.edu
3. Complete your registration using UAF Summer Sessions Online Registration Form. Undergraduates should register for BIOL F495 F01. Graduate students should regsiter for BIOL F695 F01. Registration opens February 10 (or February 24 for non-degree seeking students).
4. International students: Submit an international summer student application and supporting documents.
5. Send a $250 non-refundable deposit by April 15, 2020, and pay the balance by May 15, 2020.

Questions?

• Contact Summer Sessions & Lifelong Learning at summer@alaska.edu or 907-474-7021
• Contact Prof. Skip Walker at dawalker@alaska.edu or 907-474-2460

 facebook.com/arcticalaskaecosystems

The Alaska Geobotany Center at the Institute for Arctic Biology at UAF is dedicated to understanding northern ecosystems and Arctic land-use conservation issues through the use of geographic information systems, remote sensing, field experiments, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Educating and training students in Arctic vegetation field skills and analysis is a key part of its mission. Recent research has focused on the effects of infrastructure and climate change on landscape and permafrost in Alaska and Russia.

The University of Alaska Fairbanks is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. UAF is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and educational institution.

Last modified April 2, 2020