Insect Biodiversity and Land Use Change in Sonora, Mexico
Ento495/595 (3 credits)

COURSE DESCRIPTION. This course is sponsored by the Center for Insect Science and provides an introduction to insect biology and systematics, construction of biodiversity databases, natural history of Sonora, regional land use and change, field collecting and identification of insects, and theory/practice of biodiversity analysis. Course time will be split between field work (collecting insects), lab time (identifications, database construction), and lectures. Lectures will be conducted in English and will include an introduction to insect biology and taxonomy, insect pests and pollinators, biodiversity theory and analysis, desert ecology and Sonoran natural history. The entire course will take place in the state of Sonora, Mexico, using the facilities at the Guaymas campus of the Monterrey Technological Institute on the coast of the Sea of Cortez. Field sites will be located throughout central Sonora. Instructors will be from the University of Arizona and institutions in Mexico.

If you would like to read about the course in Spanish, use this Word document.

DATES.
2005: May 21-June 5, 2005.
2006: To be announced

PREREQUISITES. Two previous courses in Biology. This course is open to all majors. Available for undergraduate and graduate credit.

TO APPLY. To apply, send the following information by email to Marci Tarre, Research Specialist, Sonoran Insect Biodiversity Project, CIS at tarrem@email.arizona.edu. Application deadline will be announced soon, and is expected to be in early March 2006.

• Name, mailing address, email address, telephone number.
• A list of all college biology courses you have completed and the grade received in each course.
• Overall college grade point average.
• A one-half page statement of why you want to take this course.
• Names of two references (with email addresses and phone numbers).
• For non-University of Arizona students only, a completed University of Arizona application for non-degree admission. The application is available at the Admissions Office website (pdf)

FEES AND COSTS. Admission to the course is competitive. Tuition and fees will be waived for all students accepted into this program thanks to the generous support of the University of Arizona Center for Insect Science.