To develop effective conservation strategies, we need to realize that ecological systems are complex, dynamic, connected, and adaptive. The focus of Earth Semester is on the interconnectedness of social, physical, and ecological systems. The goal of the Conservation Biology course is to demonstrate these connections within ecological systems and their significance for the conservation of threatened and endangered species. We do this by focusing on three key concepts: 1) ecosystems are highly connected systems formed by the interactions of coacting organisms and their environment; 2) in order to understand these systems it is necessary to consider how biological processes are connected across multiple biological, spatial, and temporal scales; and 3) these connections are mechanisms through which components of global change can affect populations of threatened and endangered species.

In the Sense of Place module we will focus on concepts and methods used to conduct biological assessments of ecosystems. Such assessments are necessary for developing strategies for managing endangered species and the ecosystems they inhabit. In the Planetary Systems module we will focus on understanding how the effects of various components of global change can cascade across organizational hierarchies, and how ecological systems transcend political and cultural boundaries resulting in far-reaching consequences for the conservation of endangered species.

Course Policies:

Attendance:

All students are expected to attend the lectures, labs, field trips, and discussion sections. If you do not attend a lab or field trip you will fail any assignments for those sessions. Exemptions will only be granted with a note from a health care professional or verification from Student Life.

Extra Credit:

Opportunities for extra credit will only be given to students at risk of failing the course if we are notified by the END OF WEEK 11, and only when those students can demonstrate that this is due to unfamiliarity with the material and not laziness. Remember that many of our best students in the past have been non-science majors.

Handing in of Assignments:

Assignments must be handed in personally to the appropriate TA (see schedule of lectures and labs for details) so the TA can sign you off for that assignment. This is only so we can keep track of who has handed in their assignments in the very unlikely event that an assignment is misplaced or lost.

Role of Teaching Assistants:

Your TAs put a great deal of effort into mastering the material we cover in class, however, they cannot be expected to have the depth of knowledge and understanding that the Professors have. If the TAs cannot answer your questions they will direct you to the appropriate Professor who can.

Academic Dishonesty:

Generic Grading Rubric:

The importance of maintaining a well-organized and detailed field notebook cannot be overemphasized. Your notebook will be collected for spot checks throughout the semester to help you develop your skills, and it will be graded at the end of the semester. This grade will comprise 5% of your final grade.

There will be two exams during the semester: one midterm and one final. The midterm will comprise 15% of your final grade and the final will comprise 20% of your final grade. Makeup exams will only be given on presentation of a note from a health care professional, verification from Student Life, or in response to serious personal or family problems.

The breakdown of your final grade is as follows: