ENVS 2100

Last Updated

  • Schedule of Classes - March 17, 2025 8:55AM EDT

ENVS 2100
Introductory Field Biology

Course information provided by the 2025-2026 Catalog.

In this course, students are introduced to field identification, natural history, and study of plants, animals, and natural systems. This course emphasizes hands-on interaction with nature, recording of ecological phenomena, and awareness and understanding of the natural environment, including ecological concepts (e.g., ecosystem, community, habitat, and niches). Students will 1) work cooperatively in hands-on field lab exercises to build skills in the identification and classification of native biota and their natural history 2) conduct a field research project in which they formulate research questions from field observations, develop a research design, collect field data, and interpret those data for a research report and presentation, and 3) maintain a detailed field journal of natural history observations from field labs and independent observations


Prerequisites REF-FA25/Corequisites REF-FA25 one introductory college biology course. Corequisites: None.

Enrollment Priority REF-FA25 Enrollment preference given to: Arts & Sciences and CALS sophomores and higher planning to complete or interested in the Environment & Sustainability major.

Fees REF-FA25 32 (). to cover certain meals for weekend trips.

Distribution Requirements (OPHLS-AG)

Last 4 terms offered (None)

Outcomes REF-FA25

  • Students will be able to identify and characterize ecosystem types, ecological communities, and habitats in the northeastern region based on key structural features, associated taxa, and the physical environment.
  • Students will be able to identify approximately 200 common taxa of plants and animals in the northeastern region and will understand the natural history of those species and their relationship to the environment.
  • Students will develop an understanding of field research methods and approaches in a variety of ecological disciplines.
  • Students will be able to formulate research questions from field observations, develop a sample design, collect field data, and interpret and discuss their results in relation to research questions.
  • Students will demonstrate equitable collaboration as they design, plan, execute and communicate the results of a field research project.

View Enrollment Information

Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session.  Choose one lecture, one laboratory, and one field studies. Combined with: NTRES 2100

  • 4 Credits Graded

  •  6421 ENVS 2100   LEC 001

  •  
    • T
    • Aug 25 - Dec 8, 2025

    • Goebel, M

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

    Enrollment limited to: students planning to complete the Environment & Sustainability (E&S) major. E&S majors who are unable to enroll, see https://tinyurl.com/escourserequest. Course fee: $32

  •  6422 ENVS 2100   LAB 401

  •  
    • TR
    • Aug 25 - Dec 8, 2025

    • Goebel, M

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

  •  6423 ENVS 2100   LAB 402

  •  
    • WF
    • Aug 25 - Dec 8, 2025

    • Goebel, M

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

  •  7037 ENVS 2100   FLD 801

  •  
    • SSu TBA
    • Aug 25 - Dec 8, 2025

    • Goebel, M

    • Su TBA
    • Aug 25 - Dec 8, 2025

    • Goebel, M

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

    During some of the regularly scheduled Labs, students will travel to field sites to perform research and expand research skills and field experience. Some lab activities require students to walk/hike (or ride in a van) to sites located up to 30 minutes from Cornell campus carrying your belongings in a backpack, often over uneven terrain. Although the walking/hiking is not rigorous, field labs often involve being on your feet for nearly the duration of the lab period. For each 3-hour lab you should carry sufficient drinking water, and a snack (if desired). You must wear close-toed footwear with a strong sole (no sandals or flipflops; hiking boots preferred), and long pants to protect legs from scratches in brushy/thorny habitat). If you have physical or other limitations that make it difficult for you to participate in the course, please contact the office of Student Disability Services (sds_cu@cornell.edu) so that we may work to accommodate your participation in this field-based course