Just finished the final exam today!
Now that the course is done here is what I recommend:
Do not buy the textbook
Have not even touched it!
seriously go to every class he gives you vital hints
Pay attention during movies and guest lectures!
Do not slack in labs! They are easy and if you work hard they are HUGE boosters!
For midterm +final exam, No multiple choice so you really have to know your stuff
Make sure you know pretty much every single detail If you are studying and you think a point is not important..chances are that one will be on the test
Know every concept and be able to explain/draw diagrams , graphs in lecture notes
For your final paper, make sure you know how to write a decent scientific paper..follow instructions your T.A gives as well following the rubric helped me structure my paper! Get it peer reviewed and edit as much as possible DO NOT leave it to the very last second! It is worth 20 %!. I ended up getting a 94% on my paper, but because i didn't read the instructions carefully (I forgot to submit a sheet along with my paper), so while I got 100% technically, I lost marks due to a stupid mistake.
I personally really enjoyed the course, I am not really an enviro person but after taking this course I do have an interest! I did not find it a bird course but other may tell you they did..I had to work hard to get good marks!