Ornithology is the scientific study of birds.
This course is an advanced undergraduate survey of ornithology. This means that students will learn about both science and birds at the same time. As a consequence, the course will be a mix of topics. However, this course will also cover modern scientific approaches to birds, which has as its goal not just understanding birds, but using birds as a means to uncover general biological principles that may apply to all living things. Finally, this course will also cover methods of doing science, from collecting data on birds to reading, writing, and interpreting scientific literature on birds.