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Conservation 
This intensive class provides an introduction to herpetology and equips participants with amphibian and reptile identification skills and general knowledge of frogs, salamanders, turtles, lizards and snakes — their life histories, habitat requirements and biodiversity. Course content includes classification and identification of amphibians and reptiles, 'herping' equipment, frog calls, attracting amphibians/reptiles and backyard wildlife habitat, anatomy and physiology, ecology, behavior, breeding migration, and conservation. This course is a deep dive into the world of amphibians and reptiles, intended to create a foundation of herpetological knowledge upon which students can build.
The course fee includes lectures, exam, and certificate. For the IRL courses at the Amphibian Foundation, the fee also includes 2 field trips, a copy of Amphibians and Reptiles of Georgia (Jensen, et al), and a graduation luncheon. Throughout the year, Master Herpetologists may be offered early bird or discounted registration for workshops and other reptile and amphibian events in and around Georgia, including opportunities for field work in conservation studies.The class is intended for adults, but there is no age limit. Please contact us before registering someone under the age of 18
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Online Course
The online class is asynchronous (no required time to meet), 100% online, and designed for students to go at their own pace with the material and from any time zone. The scope of the course is much broader than the in-person class as well, in order to highlight the global biodiversity of the animals, the students, and the instructors. We will meet optionally on the Wednesdays listed below from 6 - 8 pm (EST = UTC -5:00) as 'office hours' — if anyone has questions or would like to communicate directly with the instructor (not required). The course will work through any web browser on PC, Mac, iPhone, and Android.
Summer 2020 The schedule below is a guide for the class, as well as the days of the optional office hours. A given chapter (eg. Frogs) will be made available on the date listed below and will remain available for the duration of the course. Students have 2 weeks to absorb the material, before the next topic is introduced, but can go at their own pace and refer back to earlier topics throughout the course.The Final Exam will be made available after the (optional) Office Hours on Sept 2nd, which will serve as a review session for the final. May 27: Introduction
Jun 10: Salamanders
Jun 24: Caecilians
Jul 8: Frogs
Jul 22: Turtles
Aug 5: Lizards
Aug 19: Snakes
Sep 2: Final Exam
Course Instructors: Mark Mandica, Amphibian Foundation Founder & Director, and Biology Faculty at Agnes Scott College; Chris Jenkins, CEO of the Orianne Society; and Grover Brown, PhD Student at the University of Southern Mississippi. Various guest lecturers in amphibian & reptile biology and conservation from around the world.
The Master Herpetologist Program Online is $300 for the 8 session program. It includes lectures, a certificate, and final exam.Registration for Summer 2020 Online Course is Open! -
Fall Semester
Class meets Wednesdays from 10 am - 3 pm (with an hour break for lunch) at the Amphibian Foundation.
Fall 2020 Aug 26: Introduction
Sep 9: Salamanders
Sep 23: Frogs
Oct 7: Amphibian Field Trip
Oct 21: Turtles
Nov 4: Snakes
Nov 18: Reptile Field Trip
Dec 2: Final Exam & Graduate LuncheonCourse instructors: Mark Mandica of the Amphibian Foundation and Agnes Scott College; Daniel Sollenberger of Georgia DNR; Chris Jenkins of the Orianne Society; and Grover Brown of University of Southern Mississippi
The Master Herpetologist Program is offered at a price of $400 for the 8 session program. It includes lectures, guided field trips, Reptiles and Amphibians of Georgia (Jensen, et al.), a certificate, and graduate luncheon.Registration for Fall 2020 is Open! -
Spring Semester
Class meets Saturdays from 10 am - 3 pm (with an hour break for lunch) at the Amphibian Foundation.
Spring 2020 Jan 11: Introduction
Jan 25: Salamanders
Feb 8: Frogs
Break for Southeast Partners in Amphibian & Reptile Conservation conference
Feb 22: Amphibian Field Trip
Break for Atlanta Science Festival
Mar 28: Turtles
Apr 11: Reptile Field Trip
Apr 25: Snakes
May 9: Final Exam & Graduate Luncheon Course instructors: Mark Mandica of the Amphibian Foundation and Agnes Scott College; Daniel Sollenberger of Georgia DNR; Chris Jenkins of the Orianne Society; and Grover Brown of University of Southern Mississippi
The Master Herpetologist Program is $400 for the 8 session program. It includes lectures, guided field trips, Reptiles and Amphibians of Georgia (Jensen, et al.), a certificate, and graduate luncheon.Spring 2021 Registration will open in September 2020!
The Amphibian Foundation is located at the beautiful, 30 acre, Blue Heron Nature Preserve in Buckhead (Atlanta, GA). The main building on the grounds holds 3 of the Foundation's research labs, office space and classrooms, as well as Atlanta Audubon Society, and the Blue Heron Nature Preserve's administration offices and classrooms. It is a hub for urban ecology and conservation right in Atlanta. The course will be held in the Amphibious AF Meeting Room, which is unfortunately, not wheelchair accessible.
