IPFANS
135 Skok Hall
2003 Upper Buford Circle
St. Paul, MN 55108
612.624.3221
Email: vreyens@umn.edu  |  | | | ESPM 3480: The Natural History of Norway | | This May-term study abroad course will be offered from May 17 - June 3, 2008.
Introduction
3 semester credits
Meets LE Requirements: Historical Perspective Core and Environment Theme
The College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, University of Minnesota has developed an exchange program with Nord Trondelag University College in central Norway in a region known as "Nord Trondelag" ("North Trondelag" translated into English). The exchange program is designed to encourage both student and faculty exchanges at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
The Faculty of Social Sciences and Natural Resources at Nord Trondelag University College focus their teaching and research on areas such as natural resource management, wildlife biology, environmental policy and law, physical geography, agricultural economics, geographic information systems, and other related topics.
The region is known for its snow-capped mountains, productive Norway spruce and scotch pine forests, diverse fish and wildlife species (including trout, salmon, moose, reindeer, sea eagles, grouse, etc.), freshwater glacial lakes, fast-flowing rivers, and a unique marine ecosystem defined by the adjacent Atlantic Ocean and the Trondheim fjord.
Prerequisites: None
Course Objectives and Tentative Topics of Study
Students will learn about the physical geography, the ecology and management of natural resources, and gain an understanding of the flora and fauna of the Nord Trondelag region of central Norway. In addition, students will also learn about this region's rich culture and history and its close ties to Minnesota. Through lectures, readings and field excursions, students will learn about:
- The region's marine ecosystems in the adjacent Atlantic Ocean and Trondheim fjord including marine organisms and seabirds
- The agriculture/forest interface and the economic impacts of these industries to Norway's economy
- Wildlife/fish resources, ecology and management of the resources including moose, reindeer, bear, salmon, trout, etc.
- Geologic origins and associated flora and fauna of the region's mountains, glacial lakes, fjords, rivers
- Environmental policy and management issues including hunting and fishing rights of public and native people, water quality, etc.
- Norwegian culture and history, and geography, Viking age, cotter's farms, emigration from Norway to USA.
- 3-day weekend excursion to Dovrefjell National Park and Molde. For over 200 years, amateur and professional botanists used to come here from around the world to study and enjoy the unique, rich mountain flora. The area also boasts a practically intact mountain fauna with wild reindeer, wolverine, Arctic fox and golden eagles. The herds of musk ox are also unique to Dovrefjell. Molde lies facing south on the Romsdalsfjord and is renowned for its beautiful surroundings and splendid view of the Molde panorama, with its 222 partially snow-clad peaks. (Note: this particular excursion is still tentative; another option may be an excursion to the Arctic Circle and west coast – about 4-6 hours north of Steinkjer or other options to be determined.)
Program Structure
The course will run about two and one-half weeks in length. About one month prior to departure, there will be a pre-departure meeting on the St. Paul campus. The purpose of the pre-departure meeting is to discuss: course objectives, program itinerary, air travel, housing accommodations, clothing and equipment needs, safety issues, travel documents (passport), etc. In addition, there will be a brief lecture presented at this meeting to familiarize students with the topics to be studied in Norway.
Students will tentatively depart from Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport on the evening of Saturday, May 17, 2008 and arrive at the Trondheim International Airport, Norway early afternoon on May 18, 2008. The group will be met by Nord Trondelag University College staff and bused about an hour north to Nord Trondelag University College in Steinkjer, Norway. Welcome and introductions will take place on the Steinkjer campus the day students arrive in Norway. Lectures and field trips/excursions will begin the second day and will continue throughout the program with a significant amount of time spent at sites outside Steinkjer. Travel to sites off-campus will be in vans and other University vehicles.
Eligibility
This program is open to undergraduate students from any University of Minnesota campus, Minnesota community college or university. Preference will be given to students from the University of Minnesota. Students will be admitted on a space available basis. Application consists of the application form, short essay, transcript (2.5 GPA preferred), and a non-refundable $50 application fee.
Cost: Program fee is $3410.
Application Deadline
PROGRAM IS FULL - NEW APPLICANTS WILL BE ADDED TO THE WAIT-LIST. The priority application deadline was February 4, 2008 with a final deadline of March 10, 2008.
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