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Natural History Field Studies
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The Natural History Field Studies Certificate Program is offered through Evening and Weekend Programs.

The Natural History Field Studies program is cosponsored by the Audubon Naturalist Society (ANS) and the Graduate School since 1962. Courses not currently scheduled are linked to the ANS website for other naturalist activities provided by the Society.

This certificate program consists of 26 total required credits, taken in five subject areas. The recommended order of courses is "Basic Studies," followed by Identification courses, then Ecosystems courses, and then the Conservation courses and Electives. Please note that some courses have prerequisite requirements.

Elective options can be selected from any of the Electives listed below, or from any course listed below that is not already used to fulfill another requirement for this certificate.

You may apply for the certificate program online. For more information on certificate courses offered, please contact the certificate counselor at (202) 314-3349 or .

If you are about to graduate, please submit the Graduation Application

Special accommodations may be requested online by requesting ADA Accommodations. All requests must be received at least four weeks prior to the class start date to be fulfilled.

REQUIRED COURSES (complete 26 credits):

Basic Studies (complete 6 credits):

Course Title Course Code Units Term Comments
Biology for Naturalists NATH1110E 2 Sp Annually
Geology NATH1125E 2 W, F Annually in Fall; next Winter course in 2013
The Living Soil NATH1175E 2 Sp, F Next offered in Fall 2013
Weather and Climate NATH1140E 2 F Annually



Identification Courses (Complete 6 credits to include 2 Plant and 2 Animal credits):

Course Title Course Code Units Term Comments
Fall Woody Plant ID NATH1145E 2 F Taught at two locations in 2013
Ferns and Fern Allies NATH1138E 2 Su Not currently scheduled
Fish Ecology and ID NATH2278E 2 Sp Not currently scheduled
Insect Life NATH1130E 2 Su Annually
Introduction to Ornithology NATH1118E 2 Sp Annually
Mammals NATH2290E 2 W Not currently scheduled
Reptiles and Amphibians NATH2276E 2 Sp Alternate years; next offered in 2014
Spring Flower Identification NATH1135E 2 Sp Next offered in 2013
Winter Woody Plant ID NATH1146E 2 W Annually


Ecosystems (complete 6 credits):

Course Title Course Code Units Term Comments
Introduction to Ecology NATH1160E 2 W, F Offered twice annually
Eastern Forest Ecosystems NATH2215E 2 F Not currently scheduled
Estuarine Ecosystems NATH2206E 2 F Alternate years; next offered in 2013
Freshwater Ecosystems NATH2207E 2 Sp Annually
Wetland Ecosystems NATH8211E 3 CEU Su Annually


Conservation (complete 4 credits):

Course Title Course Code Units Term Comments
Conservation Philosophy NATH2250E 2 W Alternates with American Nature Literature; next offered in 2014
Land-Use Principles NATH2255E 2 W Not currently scheduled
Human Ecology NATH2280E 2 W Alternates with Animal Behavior; next offered in 2013


Elective Courses (complete 4 credits):

Course Title Course Code Units Term Comments
American Nature Literature NATH2248E 2 W Alternates with Conservation Philosophy; next offered in 2013
Animal Behavior NATH1151E 2 W Alternates with Human Ecology; next offered in 2014
Bird Life NATH1115E 2 F Annually
Birds of Prey NATH1155E 2 F Not currently scheduled
Birds of North America NATH1167E 2 W Not currently scheduled
Butterflies and Their Conservation NATH2275E 1 Su Next offered in 2014
Understanding Evolution NATH8201E 1.5 CEU Su Alternate years; next offered in 2014
Grasses NATH2225E 2 Su Alternate years; next offered in 2013
Non-Native Invasive Plants of the Mid-Atlantic NATH2319E 1 Su Alternate years; next offered in 2014
Mushroom Identification NATH2230E 1 Su Alternate years; next offered in 2014
Night Sky for Naturalists NATH2100E 2 F Not currently scheduled
Oceanography NATH2310E 2 Sp Alternate years; next offered in 2013
Owls NATH1165E 1 W Next offered in 2013
Spring Birding NATH1187E 1 Sp Not currently scheduled
Summer Bird Life NATH7116E 1.5 CEU Su Alternate years; next offered in 2013
Summer Wildflower ID NATH7149E 1.5 CEU Su Annually
Wildlife Ecology NATH2265E 2 Sp Not currently scheduled

OR any course in above categories not otherwise used to fulfill requirements.


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