Lectures based on ecological and evolutionary theory provide the foundation for approaching contemporary questions in wildlife science. This foundation in hypothesis driven science ensures students approach questions objectively. We stress critical thinking and appropriate skepticism. Discussion and debate are encouraged in all of our courses. In Conservation Biology, discussion and debate about contemporary conservation challenges is a requirement. Our aim is to provide students with a platform to flourish, whereby transition from their academic to professional career is seamless. We regularly interact with wildlife professionals in and out of the classroom, challenge students to apply lecture learning to lab, and ensure comfort of our students will real-world scenarios.
Our success rate in placement of students is exemplary; employers and higher-education placements include: * Ducks Unlimited, Inc. * Ducks Unlimited Canada * US Fish and Wildlife Service * New York Depart. of Environmental Conservation * Kansas Dept. of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism * West Consultants, Inc. * USDA - Natural Resources Conservation Service * Veterinary School (U of Guelph and U of Tennessee) * California Waterfowl Association * Iowa Department of Natural Resources * Graduate placement at University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point, University of Florida, and Virginia Tech |
Quality LecturesIntense lecture material that makes students return visitors with a passion for waterfowl and other wildlife. Our lectures ensure that students are well-trained and ready to become the next generation of waterfowl and wetlands conservationists. About the Ecology & Mgmt course one student exclaimed, "Wonderful class. Dr. Schummer is an awesome teacher, as a fellow student said, he is a drill Sargent, but a really nice one".
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Hand-on LearningWe increasingly notice that students are well-equipped analytically to tackle today's conservation issues, but they often lack as naturalists and other basic skills critical to becoming a well-rounded wildlife biologist that can succeed in the real-world. We ensure students are exposed to hands-on opportunities including a variety of habitat and wildlife sampling, tracking, and identification exercises. A note on a recent course evaluation stated, "I believe that this will be one of the most helpful and useful classes I have taken at ESF as I am hoping to eventually work with wetlands and waterfowl at some point in my career. This class not only focused on waterfowl but everything that has to do with waterfowl and I believe that is very important to know as a wildlife biologist."
Real-world ApplicationWe ensure that students interact with the stakeholders; interact with their colleagues and the public that will become their greatest supporters and critics. People are passionate about wildlife and this simply makes it a difficult field to please everyone. Our students are challenged to interact with their future stakeholders. We bring wildlife biologists to the classroom, conduct field visits, analyze habitat and wildlife data, and present results in open forums. Students learn real-world situations through direct interaction with their future colleagues. Asked what the most important part of the course was, it was noted by one student, "Talks with various people as well as networking opportunities."
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TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Teacher of Record
Ecology & Management of Waterfowl – Fall 2019, Spring 2016 - 2019 & 2021 (SUNY ESF),Fall 2013 and 2014 (SUNY Oswego ) and Fall 2008 (Mississippi State University )
Senior Synthesis in Conservation Biology EFB 484 – Fall 2020 (SUNY ESF)
Wetlands Conservation & Management for Wildlife EFB 496/696 – Spring 2019 & 2020 (SUNY
ESF)
Senior Capstone Research BIO 492 – Spring 2017 and 2018 (SUNY Oswego)
Ornithology ZOO 376 – Spring 2014 through 2018 (SUNY Oswego)
Conservation Biology BIO 460 – Fall 2015 - 2017 (SUNY Oswego)
Introductory Ecology BIO 320 – Fall 2014 - 2017 (SUNY Oswego)
Independent Study BIO 399 & 499 – 2014 - 2017 (SUNY Oswego)
Wildlife Techniques – Spring 2014 - 2016 (SUNY Oswego BIO 310) and Spring 2008 through 2010 (Mississippi State University
WFA 4243)
Applied Wildlife Science EFB 491 – Spring 2015 (SUNY ESF)
Winter Ecology BIO 310 – Winter 2014 (SUNY Oswego)
Molecular and Cellular Foundations BIO 120– Fall 2013 (SUNY Oswego)
Co-taught
Wetland & Waterbird Ecology Field Course – Summer 2011 and 2012 (Western University)
Wetlands Ecology and Management WFA 6394– Spring 2009 (Mississippi State University)
Special Topics- Spring Migration Ecology & Conservation – May 2009 (Mississippi State University)
Introduction to Wildlife Practices – Summer 2009 (Mississippi State University)
Ecology & Management of Waterfowl WFA 4395/6395 – Fall 2007 and 2009 (Mississippi State University)
Teacher of Record
Ecology & Management of Waterfowl – Fall 2019, Spring 2016 - 2019 & 2021 (SUNY ESF),Fall 2013 and 2014 (SUNY Oswego ) and Fall 2008 (Mississippi State University )
Senior Synthesis in Conservation Biology EFB 484 – Fall 2020 (SUNY ESF)
Wetlands Conservation & Management for Wildlife EFB 496/696 – Spring 2019 & 2020 (SUNY
ESF)
Senior Capstone Research BIO 492 – Spring 2017 and 2018 (SUNY Oswego)
Ornithology ZOO 376 – Spring 2014 through 2018 (SUNY Oswego)
Conservation Biology BIO 460 – Fall 2015 - 2017 (SUNY Oswego)
Introductory Ecology BIO 320 – Fall 2014 - 2017 (SUNY Oswego)
Independent Study BIO 399 & 499 – 2014 - 2017 (SUNY Oswego)
Wildlife Techniques – Spring 2014 - 2016 (SUNY Oswego BIO 310) and Spring 2008 through 2010 (Mississippi State University
WFA 4243)
Applied Wildlife Science EFB 491 – Spring 2015 (SUNY ESF)
Winter Ecology BIO 310 – Winter 2014 (SUNY Oswego)
Molecular and Cellular Foundations BIO 120– Fall 2013 (SUNY Oswego)
Co-taught
Wetland & Waterbird Ecology Field Course – Summer 2011 and 2012 (Western University)
Wetlands Ecology and Management WFA 6394– Spring 2009 (Mississippi State University)
Special Topics- Spring Migration Ecology & Conservation – May 2009 (Mississippi State University)
Introduction to Wildlife Practices – Summer 2009 (Mississippi State University)
Ecology & Management of Waterfowl WFA 4395/6395 – Fall 2007 and 2009 (Mississippi State University)