Syllabus Reading Assignments Announcements
Biology 5307.001 – Readings in Ecology – Conservation Biology Syllabus
Fall 2011 : TR 11:00 – 12:15 WSB 107
Instructor: Dr. Chris M. Ritzi
Office: Warnock Science Building - 216
Phone: 837- 8420
Email: critzi@sulross.edu
Office hours: MW 9:00-10:30, T 2:00-5:00, or appt.
Class Website: http://bbsrsu.sulross.edu & http://faculty.sulross.edu/critzi/
Text: Groom et al. 2006. Principles of Conservation Biology. Sinauer Associates. You will also be responsible for acquiring supplemental materials and articles from Blackboard.
Course Description: In this course we will read and discuss a variety of papers and topics that helped to shape our current understanding of conservation ecology. The goal for each week is to understand what theory or idea is being presented at the time, and how it affects ideas, policy, and beliefs in conservation. It is everyone’s responsibility to read for each week, and to be prepared to discuss the topics. While no one will be designated the “moderator” each week, plan on providing a detailed discussion about each topic. Discussions are meant to be insightful and intelligent, as well as passionate and from the heart.
The biology student graduating with a MS in Biology should be able to:
1) Demonstrate competence in the area of evolution through natural selection.
2) Demonstrate successful application of the scientific method in the investigation of a biological topic or issue.
3) Demonstrate competence in the application of taxonomy.
4) Identify the significant events and people in the development of the biological sciences.
Student Learning Objectives for this Course:
1) Demonstrate and understanding of evolution in how it relates to conservation
biology
2) Compare and contrast the differences in land management practices.
3) Identify the primary threats to conservation, and propose suggested solutions.
4) Identify the facts that shape ones environmental focus.
Tests: There will not be any tests throughout the course, as such. Instead, the course will be graded on participation, preparedness, and the presentation of a class project toward the end of term. The project is to be a 20-30 minute presentation about the conservation issue of your choice (animal, plant, ecosystem, behaviour, etc.). The only exam will be a final essay exam over the core concepts covered in this course.
Grading: You will be assessed 300 points based on your participation and preparedness for each week’s class, as well as 100 points on your presentation. The presentation grade will be determined by myself and your peers (in part). The Final Exam will be a 100 pt essay exam.
Attendance: Students missing 20% of lectures (6 class periods) shall be dropped from the class with an F per the SRSU catalog. Please notify your instructor BEFORE missing class for authorized activities, death in the family, or illness.
Lecture courtesy: The general rules of classroom etiquette are below.
1) This is a graduate class, so feel free to talk about the material as a group. This doesn’t mean you should talk about other things for the hour.
2) No eating, chewing, dipping, etc. (unless it is a brown bag session)
3) Please turn cell phones and pagers to silent while in class. They are disruptive to the entire class, and detract from learning.
Students with disabilities will be provided reasonable accommodations. If you would like to request such accommodations because of physical, mental, or learning disability, please contact the ADA Coordinator for Program Accessibility at 837-8203, FH 112.
Tentative Lecture Outline
Date Lecture topic Chapter
Aug 25 Introduction Ch 1
Aug 30 What is Conservation Biology? Ch 1
Sept 1 Global Biodiversity Ch 2
Sept 6 Threats to Biodiversity Ch 3
Sept 8 Discussion on Biodiversity Ch 3
Sept 13 Conservation Values and Ethics Ch 4
Sept 15 Discussion of Values and Ethics Ch 4
Sept 20 Habitat Degradation Ch 6
Sept 22 Habitat Fragmentation Ch 7
Sept 27 Discussion over Habitat Change Ch 6&7
Sept 29 Overexploitation Ch 8
Oct 4 Discussion on Overexploitation Ch 8
Oct 6 Invasive Species Ch 9
Oct 11 Discussion on Invasive Species Ch 9
Oct 13 Climate Change Ch 10
Oct 18 Discussion on Climate Change Ch 10
Oct 20 Conservation Genetics Ch 11
Oct 25 Discussion on Conservation Genetics Ch 11
Oct 27 Species and Landscape Approach Ch 12
Nov 1 Ecosystem Approach to Conservation Ch 13
Nov 3 Discussion on Approaches Ch 12&13
Nov 8 Protected Areas Ch 14
Nov 10 Discussion on Protected Areas Ch 14
Nov 15 Restoration Ch 15
Nov 17 Discussion on Restoration Ch 15
Nov 22-24 Nov 21-25 – Thanksgiving Holidays – No Class
Nov 29 Prep for classroom presentations
Dec 1 Student presentations
Dec 6 Student presentations
Dec 8 Student presentations
Dec 13 - 10:15am Final Exam for TR 11:00-12:15
Note – This outline is subject to change for reasons of course interest, time constraint, or instructor whim. The exams will be administered on the dates given, unless material relevant for a given exam has not been covered. Under such cases, an exam may be moved a class period or two to aid in the clarity and understanding of the material.
Students with disabilities will be provided reasonable accommodations. If you would like to request such accommodations because of physical, mental, or learning disability, please contact the ADA Coordinator for Program Accessibility at 837-8178, UC 211.
No posting readings due to space and the sheer volume of material we are reading, please check your email for pdf's.
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