Biology of Wallops Island, Experimental

Catalog description

This course is a directed exploration of the natural history and biodiversity of Wallops Islands. Students will experience the ecology of a dynamic coastal system through the school programs offered by Chincoteague Bay Field Station. The Field Station is located on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, between the Atlantic Ocean and ecologically important Chesapeake Bay. The barrier islands of the Eastern Shore create a series of close-by habitats that are biologically diverse and geologically dynamic. These natural classrooms introduce students to a variety of concepts in the biological, chemical, and physical sciences. The core of the course will consist of a Friday to Sunday visit to the Marine Science Consortium located in Wallops Island. Students will explore a variety of terrestrial and marine habitats to observe animals and plants in the wild, as well as visiting conservation facilities and evolutionary research stations. Some preparatory coursework will take place before the trip itself.