Thiseight day session at Okaw Bluffs at Lake Shelbyville is an intensive introduction to terrestrial and aquatic life ofcentral Illinois. Students willcollect and examine specimens, become familiar with basic field techniques,learn to recognize specific plants, animals, and microscopic organisms, andinvestigate their habitats.Descriptive and simple statistical observations will be required.Freshwater and forest habitats found in Illinois will be emphasized, butrainforest and desert systems are included briefly to focus on plant and animalrelationships. Familiarity withthe physical environment and common organisms should increase as specificidentification methods are introduced.This course involves you with the process of biology. Your field investigations are the mostimportant activities in this course.Plant collections, insect collections, a research problem, and specificjournal entries will be required.