Science   

(ZOOM SECTION)

Session II: Mar. 18, 25, Apr. 1, 8
Wednesdays 3:45 - 5:00 pm
What aspects of earthquake science are globally unique to Alaska? We will contemplate future earthquakes by exploring 26 amazing facts about earthquake science in Alaska. Students wanting a greater appreciation should also enroll in Session I: Alaska Plate Tectonics: Foundations for Alaska Earthquake Science Facts.
Instructor: Carl Tape (see SCI-02)

Session II: Mar. 20, 27, Apr. 3, 10
Fridays 2:00 - 3:15 pm
Weather drives wildfire behavior in Alaska and across the world. Learn about Alaska's classic weather patterns during the wildfire season and how every season has its own personality. Historic Alaskan wildfires will be investigated, with emphasis also given to impactful fires burning outside Alaska such as the August 2023 wildfire in Lahaina, Hawaii and the January 2025 wildfire in Los Angeles, California.
Instructor Eric Stevens worked as a meteorologist in Alaska for over 30 years, with time at the National Weather Service, University of Alaska Fairbanks, and the Alaska Fire Service.
 

Session II Add-On: April 13, 15, 17
Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9:15 - 10:15am (3 meetings)
Join us as we dive into varying different topics within the umbrella of sustainability science alongside UAF undergraduate students, participating in their presentations, and fostering a sense of intergenerational learning. Come ready to ask questions and learn more about sustainability!
Your instructor Associate Professor Katie Spellman will have various UAF undergraduate students present during each of these meetings.
 

(IN-PERSON SECTION)

Session II Add-On: Apr. 15
Wednesday 12:15 - 1:30 pm (one meeting)
Discover methods used to count, track, and describe wild animals by an early woman biologist as she relates experiences conducting field research across varied landscapes and biologist as she relates experiences conducting field research across varied landscapes and waters of Alaska, collecting information under sometimes harrowing conditions to ensure that conservation measures sustained fish and game for the community's well-being. Research on such animals as sockeye, chum, and Chinook salmon, caribou, moose, and red king crab will be discussed as well as the impacts of a changing climate on these populations.
Instructor Margaret F. Merritt, Ph.D. is a retired biologist and adjunct assistant professor at UAF, public speaker, and author who resides in Fairbanks, Alaska.

(ZOOM SECTION)

Session II Add-On: Apr. 15
Wednesday 12:15 - 1:30 pm (one meeting)
Discover methods used to count, track, and describe wild animals by an early woman biologist as she relates experiences conducting field research across varied landscapes and biologist as she relates experiences conducting field research across varied landscapes and waters of Alaska, collecting information under sometimes harrowing conditions to ensure that conservation measures sustained fish and game for the community's well-being. Research on such animals as sockeye, chum, and Chinook salmon, caribou, moose, and red king crab will be discussed as well as the impacts of a changing climate on these populations.
Instructor Margaret F. Merritt, Ph.D. is a retired biologist and adjunct assistant professor at UAF, public speaker, and author who resides in Fairbanks, Alaska.

SCI-05 (in-person)
Session I: Feb. 13, 20, 27, Mar. 6
Fridays 10:30 - 11:30 am
This course introduces the essential epidemiology you need to make sense of health research and news. We’ll explore how studies measure disease and risk, how to tell correlation from causation, and how different study designs shape the strength of evidence. You’ll learn practical tools for interpreting headlines, evaluating health claims, and understanding what research can-and can’t- tell us. No background in science is required. 
Instructor Andrea Bersamin is a professor with UAF’s Department of Biology and Wildlife and a very well-regarded mentor!
 

SCI-01 (in-person)
Session I: Feb. 9, 16, 23, Mar. 2, 9
Mondays 10:30 - 11:45 am (5 weeks)
Variety of areas of study taken on by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. 
Feb. 9: Wildlife Tracks in the Snow; Mike Taras, Wildlife Education Specialist
Feb. 16: All About Grouse & Ptarmigan; Carol Cameron, Alaska Small Game Specialist
Feb. 23: Fishing in the Interior; Erik Anderson, Alaska Sport Fish Specialist
Mar. 2: Alaskan Eagles; Carter Freymiller, Wildlife Tech
Mar. 9: Parasites, Pus & Pathogens: A Peek Inside Alaska's Wildlife; Kimberlee Beckmen DVM, PhD , Wildlife Veterinarian
 

SCI-04 (in-person)
Session I: Feb. 11, 18, 25, Mar. 4
Wednesdays 3:45 - 5:00 pm
Join us as we explore these fields on a tour of four Alaska volcanoes: Okmok, Mount Edgecumbe, Shishaldin, and Mount Churchill. Take a trip to 4 Alaska volcanoes through the volcanology sub-disciplines of deformation, gas, seismo-acoustics, and experimental petrology!
Learn how scientists monitor unrest at our state’s many volcanoes in this interactive course led by UAF graduate students!