Located in the Biological Sciences building, rooms BI 046C, 036 and 037, the collections of this education-oriented museum are surprisingly diverse.

Collections

The invertebrate section holdings include extensive collections of shells, corals, and preserved specimens representing 24 of the 36 recognised phyla. This material is most heavily utilised by Zoology 375 (Introductory Invertebrates) and Zoology 475 (Advanced Invertebrates) but is used in other courses including Biology 233 (Introductory Biology II).

The vertebrate section holdings include the following:

2000 fish specimens

600+ amphibian specimens

500+ reptile specimens

1000+ bird specimens

2000 mammal specimens

These specimens are stored as preserved materials, skins, and/or skeletons including some mounted preparations such as a sea lion, ostrich, iguana and leopard. Vertebrate material is most heavily used by Zoology 377(The Vertebrates), Zoology 477 (Systematics of the Vertebrates) , and Zoology 577 (Mammology/Ornithology), with some use in other zoological and ecological courses offered by the department.

Other teaching material includes an extensive 35mm slide collection encompassing all major animal forms from Sponges to Chordates. As well, several marine and freshwater aquaria hold live invertebrates and vertebrates from both cold and warm ocean regions.

In addition to the role it plays within Zoology, the museum also provides a service role to other Departments such as, Archaeology, Geology, and Art plus organisations outside the U of C including the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary and the Alberta Science Centre.

Volunteering

A limited number of positions are planned for students to contribute to the Museum. Flexible arragements are possible so people interested should contact Warren Fitch.

Summer Employment

The museum applies for several summer grant positions each year and has, on occasion, received funding for a student to work over the summer. Resumes should be submitted to Warren Fitch in BI 037.

 

Research

Independent Research Projects (Zoology 507, 528, 530) often utilise material from the museum collections. Students can also make use of museum space and equipment. Graduate students that require specimens may borrow material and may also have some work done in the museum (eg. skeletonization or preservation).