This class includes two days of classroom instruction and local field trips in the Fairbanks, Alaska area before a 13-day field excursion to Alaska's North Slope. The course will conclude with two days of 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. Students will stay for two nights at Toolik Field Station, a remote 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 will be responsible for meals during the four-day campus portion of the course.
For more information, visit the website or contact D.A. (Skip) Walker.
To register, visit the course homepage.