50.451/50.551 -- CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
Fall 2006
Instructor: |
Marianna
D. Wood |
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104
Hartline |
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office
hours- |
Tuesday |
10:30 |
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12:00 |
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Wednesday |
2:00 |
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4:00 |
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Thursday |
10:30 |
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12:00 |
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office
phone- 389-4666 |
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e-mail-
mwood@bloomu.edu |
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website-
http://facstaff.bloomu.edu/mwood |
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Required Texts:
Primack, RB. 2006. Essentials of
conservation biology, 4th ed., Sinauer Associates,
coursepack of EcoBeaker workbooks,
SimBiotic Software,
Course Description:
Conservation biology is the science of preserving biodiversity and sustaining the earth. It is a synthetic discipline which draws upon the fields of ecology, evolution, genetics, economics, sociology, political science, and philosophy. The goal of conservation biology is the development of strategies for preserving populations, species, biological communities, and entire ecosystems. The major threat to these biological entities is the growing human population and our impact on the environment. Conservation biologists attempt to bring scientific principles and theory to bear on problems of management for preserving the richness of life on earth.
In this class, we will examine human impact on biodiversity and the earth. We will also examine the contributions of theoretical biology to conservation biology. Furthermore, we will use case studies to survey the possibilities and the problems of applying conservation principles in the real world.
This course is a combined graduate and upper-level undergraduate course. Students enrolled in this course should have a solid background in basic biology, ecology, and mathematics.
Course Evaluation (Graduate):
Your course grade will be based on the following components—
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weekly
preparation |
130 |
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weekly
participation |
130 |
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annotated
bibliography |
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topic and
three citations |
10 |
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complete
bibliography |
70 |
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mid-term
exam |
100 |
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final exam |
150 |
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conservation
organization report |
10 |
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----------------------------------------------------- |
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total |
600 |
Your points earned will be converted to a letter grade using the following scale—
558-600 |
A |
462-479 |
C+ |
540-557 |
A- |
438-461 |
C |
522-539 |
B+ |
420-437 |
C- |
498-521 |
B |
402-419 |
D+ |
480-497 |
B- |
360-401 |
D |
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<360 |
E |
Weekly Preparation and Participation
Conservation Biology is a seminar course. Regular attendance and participation by all students are necessary for the class to be successful. To allow meaningful participation, you must come to class prepared to discuss the evening's topics in depth. In addition to reading the textbook, class preparation includes running computer simulations and directed reading from a variety of sources. Preparation and participation will be graded through a combination of self-assessment, teammate input, and instructor assessment.
Annotated Bibliography
You will prepare an annotated bibliography on a selected topic in conservation biology. You should read at least 220 pages on the topic and write a one-paragraph summary of each paper you read. The majority of your sources should be from the primary literature. The topic and three summaries are due on 27 September, and the complete bibliography is due on 15 November.
Mid-term and Final Exams
There will be two in-class exams, a mid-term and a final. The final exam will conform to University policy and be comprehensive. Both exams will consist of a selection of short to moderate-length essays.
Conservation Organization Report
You will select a governmental agency or NGO that deals primarily with conservation and investigate its specific mission, budget and staffing, methods, and significant outcomes. You will give a 10-15 minute presentation on the organization for the class.
Course Evaluation (Undergraduate):
Your course grade will be based on the following components—
|
weekly preparation |
130 |
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|
weekly
participation |
130 |
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|
annotated
bibliography |
|
|
|
|
topic and
three citations |
10 |
|
|
complete
bibliography |
70 |
|
mid-term
exam |
100 |
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|
final exam |
150 |
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----------------------------------------------------- |
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total |
590 |
Your points earned will be converted to a letter grade using the following scale—
549-590 |
A |
454-471 |
C+ |
531-548 |
A- |
431-453 |
C |
513-530 |
B+ |
413-430 |
C- |
490-512 |
B |
395-412 |
D+ |
472-489 |
B- |
354-394 |
D |
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<354 |
E |
Weekly Preparation and Participation
Conservation Biology is a seminar course. Regular attendance and participation by all students are necessary for the class to be successful. To allow meaningful participation, you must come to class prepared to discuss the evening's topics in depth. In addition to reading the textbook, class preparation includes running computer simulations and directed reading from a variety of sources. Preparation and participation will be graded through a combination of self-assessment, teammate input, and instructor assessment.
Annotated Bibliography
You will prepare an annotated bibliography on a selected topic in conservation biology. You should read at least 160 pages on the topic and write a one-paragraph summary of each paper you read. At least half of your sources should be from the primary literature. The topic and three summaries are due on 27 September, and the complete bibliography is due on 15 November.
Mid-term and Final Exams
There will be two in-class exams, a mid-term and a final. The final exam will conform to University policy and be comprehensive. Both exams will consist of a selection of short to moderate-length essays.
SCHEDULE AND TEXTBOOK
30 August |
conservation
biology and biodiversity |
chapters 1
and 2 |
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6
September |
distribution
of biodiversity, ethical valuation |
chapters 3
and 6 |
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13
September |
economic
valuation |
chapters 4
and 5 |
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20
September |
extinction |
chapters 7
and 8 |
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27
September |
habitat
loss, global climate change |
chapter
9 |
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4 October |
overexploitation,
invasive species |
chapter 10 |
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11 October |
MIDTERM
EXAM |
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18 October |
applied
population biology |
chapters
11 and 12 |
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25 October |
new
populations, ex situ conservation |
chapters
13 and 14 |
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1 November |
protected
areas, conservation networks |
chapters
15, 16 |
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8 November |
managing
protected areas |
chapters
17, 18 |
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15
November |
restoration |
chapters
18, 19 |
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29
November |
sustainable
development |
chapters
20 and 21 |
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6 December |
agenda for
the future |
chapter 22 |
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13
December |
FINAL EXAM |
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Communication:
As
stated in PRP 3408 Student Use of University Assigned Email Accounts, you are
responsible for all messages and attachments sent to your bloomu.edu e-mail
account and items posted on Blackboard. You should regularly check your e-mail
and Blackboard, http://blackboard.bloomu.edu
EcoBeaker:
The
EcoBeaker software is installed on the Specialized Software PCs in the library
and the KUB Games Room (232). The
library is a better location to do the exercises because the computers
are in carousels with room for the workbook, notes, etc. In the library, the
specialized computers are on the third floor on the far end away from the
stairs and elevator and overlooking the parking lot and