Biogeography

Catalog description

An introduction to biogeography, the study of spatial patterns of biological diversity. The course includes the study of geographic variation in nature at all levels from genes to communities to ecosystems, with both ecological and evolutionary perspectives. Biogeographic patterns vary predictably across gradients such as area, isolation, latitude, depth, and elevation. In addition, however, they depend on contingent factors, such as unique events long ago in Earth’s history as well as more- recent human-induced changes. Many biogeographic topics are inextricably linked to current environmental issues important to society (e.g., survival of endangered species, effects of global climate change), which will receive emphasis in the course. This course will include both lectures and computer projects. In addition, it will emphasize critical thinking skills, data analysis, and hypothesis testing. Students will be required to propose experiments and interpret scientific data. Undergraduate students will work in small groups on the projects. Graduate students will take a stronger leadership role in the projects and will write a research paper based on a subset of them. Student interests and curiosity will drive the specific topics covered (including the projects).