Simage.pngummer 2018 Field Course: Arctic Alaska Vegetation - 14-30 June 2018
University of Alaska Fairbanks

Registration begins: 12 February 2018


For more information and to register, please go to:
http://www.uaf.edu/summer/sessions and see the Summer School flyer.


The University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) announces a 17-day summer field course in Arctic Alaska Vegetation. Open to undergraduate and graduate students interested in Arctic biology and ecology, the 3-credit course will be held 14-30 June 2018.

The class includes 2 days of classroom instruction and local field trips in the Fairbanks area before a 13-day field excursion to Alaska's North Slope. The course wraps up with 2 days for student presentations and local field trips in Fairbanks at the end. 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. We will also stay 2 nights at Toolik Field Station, a world-renowned 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 are responsible for meals during the 4-day campus portion of the course.) Students will need to bring all-weather clothing including winter jackets and rubber boots, and a warm sleeping bag. Expedition tents will be provided.

The course is limited to 12 undergraduate and/or graduate students. To register or for more information, go to http://www.uaf.edu/summer/sessions. A $500 non-refundable deposit is required by 15 April 2018. The balance of the course payment is due 15 May. International students must submit an International Student Summer Application and supporting documents by 15 March 2018 (see http://www.uaf.edu/summer/whoareyou/new/international/).

Pre-requisites: 6 credits of fundamentals in biology or related science disciplines and permission of instructor.