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Core Courses In LEAP Curriculum

 

 

The Field and Intro course will be taught in alternating Falls, and will involve 2 cohorts each year. So, there are basically two sequences for LEAP students:

 

1) Field, Methods, Intro, Capstone – Or –

 

2) Intro, Methods, Field, Capstone

 

Methods and Capstone courses will both be taught every Spring, with one cohort each.

 

Interdisciplinary Approaches to the Study of Integrated Human/Natural Landscapes

Credits:  3

Format: 

This broadly interdisciplinary course is an introduction to how scientists, engineers, policy makers and managers define problems, gather and analyze data, and develop policy in the ecology, management and restoration of integrated human/natural landscapes. The format is a combination of lecture, discussion, preparation of position papers, and student presentations. A major course objective is to help students develop the ability to analyze critically core issues in diverse specialties, and to improve their skills in communicating verbally and in writing with colleagues across a broad spectrum of disciplines.

 

Lectures and readings will introduce basic ecological, evolutionary, biogeochemical and geological processes; basic principles of landscape restoration, remediation and conservation; and fundamental economic, social and policy issues involved in environmental management. A unique feature of the course is its focus on creating a comprehensive plan for developing and managing a particular Chicagoland project in ecological restoration and/or conservation. The course will relate broad principles, issues and controversies in environmental management to this core project, starting with an overview of the project and its goals, a visit to the site, and identification of major problems to be solved. Students and faculty will then investigate these problems and possible solutions in depth throughout the semester.

 

This course is required of LEAP IGERT trainees and LEAP Associates, but is also open to graduate students not affiliated with the LEAP program who want training in interdisciplinary approaches to the ecology, management and restoration of integrated human/natural landscapes.

 

Research Methods for Landscape, Ecological and Anthropogenic Processes

Credits:  4

Format:

Students will learn principles of sampling design, data collection, analysis, and interpretation across a spectrum of ecological, environmental and social science topics.  Modeling approaches and spatial analysis will also be addressed.


Components to be included will include:  chemical analysis, hydrologic analysis, stable isotope analysis, molecular biological analysis, statistical analysis, deterministic and stochastic models, and GIS.

 

Field Experiences in Landscape, Ecological and Anthropogenic Processes

Credits:  4

Format:

Students will be taken to Partner institutions and to sites where ongoing research, remediation, and restoration activities are underway.

Taught in three-week blocks:
Week 1: Lecture discussion led by a Partner/site representative.
Week 2: Field trip to site.
Week 3: Follow up discussion with Partner/site representative.

The Partner participants will change from year to year.

Capstone Project in Landscape, Ecological and Anthropogenic Processes

Credits:  4

Format:

Students conduct interdisciplinary research on a specific project identified by the student cohort.  Involves students in a collaborative effort to tackle a “real world” problem. 

 
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