Collection course (EEB 5500)

INTRODUCTION TO NATURAL HISTORY COLLECTIONS

Fall Semester 2019

Instructors: Jane O’Donnell, Sarah Taylor, Janine Caira and Bernard Goffinet, and assisted by Sue Hochgraf and Erin Kuprewicz.

Location of Lectures: Torrey Life Sciences Room 181

Location of Practical Sessions: BPB Rooms 112 & 115 (EEB Biodiversity Research and Education Collections)

URL: http://biodiversity.uconn.edu/

The objectives of this course include: 1) To provide an introduction to Natural History Collections, their value, and utility, 2) To introduce students to the circumstances and issues that present threats to Natural History Collections, 3) To familiarize students with the collections and facilities available in the Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology’s Biodiversity Research Collections, 4) To provide an overview of the databases employed in the collections, 5) To familiarize students with the policies which govern the use of these collections.

Note: This course is required for anyone wishing to use or work in the EEB Biodiversity Research Collections Facility.

Schedule

      Tu Sept. 10

  • 6:00–6:15 pm  Introduction to course (O’Donnell)
  • 6:15–7:00 pm Importance of Natural History Collections (Goffinet)
  • 7:00–7:45 pm  History of the EEB Biodiversity Research Collections (Caira)
  • 7.45–9:15 pm  In-depth tour of the Biodiversity Research Collections, with facility procedures and specimen handling protocols (O’Donnell & Taylor) 

      Th Sept. 12

  • 6:00–6:50 pm  Threats to Natural History Collections (O’Donnell)
  • 6:50–7:50 pm  Organization of Collections (Group Exercise)
  • 7:50–9:15 pm  Specimen preparation and labeling (Parasites and Plants)

      Tu Sept. 17

    • 6:00–6:15 pm  Voucher and type specimens (O’Donnell)
    • 6:15–6:50 pm  Collection databases (Taylor)
    • 6:50-7:15 pm  Using specimen data (Assignment 1 – preparation required for Group Discussion)
    • 7:15–9:15 pm  Specimen preparation and labeling (Vertebrates and Insects)

          Th Sept. 19

    • 6:00–6:30 pm  Basic legal issues, including permits, transactions and shipping (O’Donnell)
    • 6:30–7:00 pm  Societies and organizations; training; careers; resources (Taylor & O’Donnell)
    • 7:00–8:00 pm  Collection policies (Assignment 2 – preparation required for Group Discussion)
    • 8:00–9:00 pm  Collecting and collections: ethical issues (Assignment 3 – preparation required for Group Discussion)
    • 9:00–9:15 pm  Course Evaluations

    Grading is on a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory basis; attendance at, and participation in, all four sessions is mandatory for Satisfactory.

    All of the applicable university policies referenced at this url: http://provost.uconn.edu/syllabi-references/ should be considered part of this syllabus.