AlaskaMester

Examines the intersecting physical, social, ecological, economic, political, and cultural dimensions of climate change in Alaska and the Arctic, including both Indigenous and Western science perspectives. Includes project-based experiences in observation, data collection and analysis, assessment, planning, communication to shape the future in a time of unprecedented change. This course also includes exciting field trips scheduled throughout the spring semester.

In Alaska, rapidly warming temperatures are thawing permafrost, changing vegetation and increasing wildfires at unprecedented rates. This course examines the impacts of climate change through a combination of lecture and praxis with an emphasis on developing student research, transdisciplinary skills and communication capabilities.

Find your voice in the climate movement with this spring intensive focused on climate change communication and advocacy. The serene and rugged island campus located in the Inian Islands of southeast Alaska provides an unparalleled setting for students to learn about and reflect on the societal and cultural transformations that are needed to address the climate crisis. Students engage in living within a smaller ecological personal footprint, exploring what’s possible in micro renewable energy, wild foods gathering, and small-scale agricultural and composting systems. Students who complete this intensive will be better equipped to actively participate in climate action, communication, and advocacy. Learn more about the program.

The course is aimed at anyone with an interest in the conflict generated by the desire for a clean and healthful environment and the desire for the higher standard of living made possible by inexpensive energy sources. The course will begin with an introduction to the physics of energy including definitions of power and energy with emphasis on common terms such as BTUs, horsepower, miles per gallon, and kilowatt hours so the discussions can be in a common language and science based. Using this, an understanding of our energy use will be developed. We will then cover some of the physics behind climate and climate change including local and global energy balance. Then we will discuss different forms of energy and their impact on climate. This will include reserves of the exhaustible sources of energy (coal, oil, natural gas, and uranium) where projections will be made of the times at which these will become exhausted as a result of increased population and improved standards of living. The availability of renewable energy resources (Wind, Solar, Hydro, Geothermal etc) will be discussed along with their impacts on climate change and the environment. Paths to, and impacts of, changing our energy use will be explored including the thermodynamic limits (physics) to improved energy efficiency and techniques for making use of waste heat. Social impacts of energy including impact of production and climate change as well as the politics of nuclear waste disposal will be explored. Finally, closing the circle, the impact of climate change on alternate energy sources (wind, solar, geothermal, tides, and hydroelectric) will be discussed and projections will be made of the possible future impact.

Introduction to cold water diving and SCUBA techniques used in the research community. Includes familiarization with Alaska subtidal flora and fauna. Opportunity to work underwater and assist with diving projects conducted by MBI F423 students at the Kasitsna Bay Marine Lab during spring break. Through this course, students also can be certified with a Research Diver Specialty (PADI) and a Dry Suit Specialty (PADI). CPR, First Aid (Red Cross), and Emergency Oxygen Administration (DAN) are available through this course. Special Conditions: Must have current SCUBA physical approved.

This course will introduce students to the biology, ecology, and conservation of marine birds, with emphasis on seabirds, sea ducks, and shorebirds, especially species found in Alaska and the Northern Hemisphere. Through ecological and evolutionary perspectives, topics will include biodiversity, adaptations, life histories, population ecology, demography, community ecology, and conservation.

Prerequisites: One year of biology.

Recommended: Basic courses in ecology and invertebrate zoology.

Advanced understanding of marine organisms in an ecological and evolutionary context through field and laboratory work at the Kasitsna Bay Marine Lab (Kachemak Bay, Alaska). Includes the study of marine macroalgae, invertebrates and plankton and relating their anatomical organization to habitat, lifestyle and ecology.

Offered Spring

Students will propose a hypothesis that they will develop in the first two months of the semester and then experimentally test during a spring break field trip to the Kasitsna Bay Marine Lab. Projects may be subtidal (if the student is a current AAUS diver) or intertidal.

Introduction to knowledge, hypotheses and disputes regarding kelp forest ecology, including the environmental and ecological interactions that influence their distribution, structure and function. Course includes lectures, discussions, labs and scuba diving field trips. We take a global perspective but focus on local Alaska subtidal flora and fauna. This course is offered at the Kasitsna Bay Marine Lab.

An introduction to the design and fabrication of experimental ocean acidification systems and oceanographic pH sensors for the study of ocean acidification. This course will require extra fees to cover laboratory activities, room and board. Students are responsible for the travel to and from Kasitsna Bay Laboratory, near Seldovia, Alaska.

This two-week intensive course provides students with skills and techniques for modern oceanographic investigation. Students develop, carry out and present their own field program conducted within fjords surrounding Seward, Alaska. An additional course fee covers ship time, lodging and meals in Seward. Fairbanks-to-Seward return travel costs are covered by students.

Application of harvesting, processing, preservation and marketing of Alaska's rich fisheries resources. Core course requirement for all B.A. students completing a minor in fisheries and for B.S. fisheries students. The course is offered via videoconference.

An introduction to finfish, shellfish and marine mammals of Alaska, including their biology, ecology, fisheries, uses, management, economics and conservation issues.

Introduction to laboratory and field sampling methods in aquaculture, limnology, and fisheries biology. Emphasis will be placed on the proper care and use of laboratory equipment and field sampling gears, as well as the development of sampling protocols for collecting representative, non-biased fisheries and aquatic sciences data.

Hands-on introduction to ecological methods in fisheries and the marine environment. Class will consist of a series of group field exercises and sampling methods conducted in local marine habitats as well as instruction on experimental designs for testing hypotheses and statistical interpretation of results.  This course is offered in Juneau.

Introduction to the life histories of Pacific salmon. Exploring variation in life history traits within and among species, within and among populations, at each stage of the salmon life cycle. Understanding evolutionary and ecological contexts life histories. Discussing management and conservation of Pacific salmonid species throughout their range- Alaskan focused.  Offered in Juneau; however, this course can be distance delivered.

Through hands-on projects, students will learn basic programming with a Raspberry Pi computer kit, basic computer-aided design for 3D printing and using a Laser Cutter. Students will develop leadership, team and communication skills needed to successfully complete projects that utilize the engineering design and design thinking processes.

An introduction to what writing is and does and how people learn to do it in the social and natural sciences, with a focus on the disciplinary questions, methods and reasoning that shape the genres and writing practices in the field.

Introduction to multimodal transportation systems and the factors that influence the planning, design and operation of transportation systems. Highway systems are emphasized, with keen focus on issues related to Northern climates.

Permafrost and frozen ground engineering, types of permafrost and ways of its formations, factors important for permafrost existence, hazards related to permafrost, index, thermal, and mechanical properties of frozen and thawing soils, thermal analysis methods of soil freezing and thawing, foundations design alternatives, pipelines, roads and airfields in permafrost regions.

Design and analysis; extended coverage of hydrologic concepts from CE F344. Precipitation, snow cover and evaporation analysis; groundwater hydraulics; runoff analysis and prediction; statistical hydrology; application of simulation models. Design of structures such as culverts, reservoirs, wells, pumps and pipe networks.

The factors governing design of marine structures, which must contend with the presence of ice. Topics include ice growth, ice structure, mechanical properties and their dependence on temperature and structure, creep and fracture, mechanics of ice sheets, forces on structures, and experimental methods.

This course is designed to introduce the student to the sport of mountaineering.

Instruction and practice in beginning cross-country skiing.

Introduction to ice climbing, top-rope ice skills, movement and technique on ice, rope work, anchor systems, climbing gear, climbing ethics as well as risk assessment and management. No experience required.

We will take folks down to Denali for a day of ice climbing on a frozen waterfall. All gear is supplied, and no experience is necessary.

We will XC ski out one of the beautiful trails in the Chena Rec area and then soak away the afternoon at Chena Hotsprings. All gear is supplied, and no experience is necessary.

For Native and non-Native students with no prior acting or theater experience. Includes both academic and practical components to examine traditional Alaska Native theater, mythology, ritual, ceremony and performance methods. Application of exercises and developmental scenes drawn from Alaska Native heritage.

The history of the colonization of Alaska from contact to the signing of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act in 1971. This course examines Alaska history, how colonization and federal Indian policy shaped the state and some of the ways that Alaska Natives responded to and dealt with the changes.

Traditional Native Alaskan dancing, singing and drumming of songs from Alaska's major Indigenous groups taught by guest Native Elders and dancers. If there is sufficient interest, a dance group will be assembled using class members for spring presentations primarily in the Fairbanks area, including the Festival of Native Arts.

Examine the significance of Alaska Native economies and their role in the modern Alaska economy. To include the challenges facing rural communities, and the role of social and cultural capital. Economic indicators which incorporate Alaska Native health, education, food, energy and resource security, and economic opportunity are evaluated also.

An introduction to what writing is and does and how people learn to do it in the social and natural sciences, with a focus on the disciplinary questions, methods and reasoning that shape the genres and writing practices in the field.

This course examines the images of the peoples and landscapes of the Circumpolar North. It centers on documentary and artistic goals, translations from original sketches to published images, the relationship between Arctic imagery and prevailing historical styles, and the influences of changing worldviews on modes of Northern representation and expressions.

Exploration of local, national and international environmental problems and their social and political impacts. Analysis of historical and contemporary mass media coverage – including radio, film, print and online outlets – and their treatment of environmental issues. Examination of the media’s effects on public opinion and government policies.

News reporting basics with an eye toward science: covering beats including technology, medicine, climate, physics, space, the natural world and science policy. Cultivating sources, interviewing and reporting through public records. Sifting through published research and data. Working with numbers. Segments on print, video and online reporting methods and style conventions.

Students write, read and analyze science articles, social media posts, blog posts and/or press releases. Coursework includes writing and reading assignments, class workshops and conferences with the instructor. Emphasis on recognizing, finding and developing science stories; structuring articles; capturing reader interest; maintaining accuracy; and getting published. Scientists are welcome.

Digital video production technology overview and techniques of composition, audio, lighting, recording and editing as it relates to non-fiction/journalism production. Students will produce videos of varying lengths, including a final project.

Introduction of technical and aesthetic aspects of basic digital photography using digital
SLR cameras and editing photos through Adobe Photoshop suites.