Conservation Biology & Biodiversity +Lab

Catalog description

This course focuses on biological diversity of the environment. Themes of the course focus on how biodiversity is created, maintained, and lost; the diversity of ways how humans define, view, and value biodiversity; how biologists define, measure, and analyze biodiversity; methods for the scientific study of biodiversity; and the diversity of philosophies and approaches to the conservation of biodiversity. We focus intensively on the primary literature and popular scientific articles in this course, with an emphasis on the interpretation of data and the design of investigations in conservation biology and ecology. The laboratory includes collection, analysis, and interpretation of biodiversity data within the context of human values. After completing this course, students should be able to apply the scientific method, data analysis, biological theory, and the consideration of human values to questions of use, conservation, and management of biodiversity. Satisfies Natural Science requirement. Satisfies a depth and breadth course requirement in the Natural Science track of the Enviromental Studies major or minor. Prerequisites & Notes Successful completion of BIO 116, ENV 101 or 201, or permission of the instructor is required. Satisfies Group B. Not open to students with credit for BIO 237. No textbook is required for this course and all readings will be provided.