This is an introduction to the principles underlying efforts to conserve the biological diversity in the modern world. While the emphasis of the course is on the science (biology) underpinning conservation biology, some consideration is given to relevant sociological/political/economic issues as well.
Structure of the course: There will be two 50 minute formal lectures per week, Tuesday and Thursday, 10:30 AM, Room 202 OML. The third meeting each week will be a discussion section. Several discussion sections will be formed at different times. All students must attend discussion section and read the assigned material. Once you are assigned to a discussion section, you must stay in it.
Evaluation: There will be two written examinations at the regularly scheduled class time: October 9 and December 4. There will be no final examination. Approximately 80% of the grade will be determined by the examinations and 20% by performance in discussion section. Students will be required to attend at least one, perhaps more depending on the offerings in the fall, Yale campus lecture relevant to the course material and to report on the talk to the discussion section. Final letter grades will be assigned as just a letter, i.e., there will be no pluses and minuses.
Special requirement for Biology Majors: If you are a Biology Major, E&EB area of emphasis, and intend to use this course as an elective toward the major, you must also write a term paper due December 1. Details of the nature of this paper should be discussed with, and approved by, the instructors. Biology majors, MCDB area of emphasis, should check with the DUS of MCDB for permission to use this course as an elective for the major
Credit: The course carries one course credit and may be taken Cr/D/F. However, any Biology Major using the course toward the major may not take it CR/D/F.
Text: Groom, M. J., G. K. Meffe, C. R. Carroll. 2006. Principles of Conservation Biology, 3rd edition. Sunderland MA: Sinauer.
NOTE: This text was used in previous years and used copies may be available.
Instructors:
Jeffrey R. Powell (in charge): ESC 172 (email removed)
John R. Cooley: OML 401 (email removed)
| Date | Topic | Lectuer | Readings |
| Th Sept 4: | Introduction and Overview | Powell | |
| Week of Sept 3- 5: | Organization of Discussion Sections; no discussions this week | ||
| Tue Sept. 9: | Components of biodiversity | Powell | Chapter 2 |
| Thur Sept 11: | Patterns and processes | Powell | Chapter 2 |
| Week of 8-12: | Discussion I | Chapter 1 | |
| Tue Sept 16: | Types of threats to biodiversity | Powell | Chapter 3 |
| Th Sept 18: | What species are most vulnerable? | Powell | Chapter 3 |
| Week of Sept 15-19: | Discussion II | Chapter 4 | |
| Tue Sept. 23: | Habitat loss: causes and consequences | Powell | Chapter 6 |
| Th Sept 25: | Habitat Fragmentation | Cooley | Chapter 7 |
| Week of Sept. 22-26: | Discussion III | Chapter 5 | |
| Tue Sept 30: | Overexploitation | Cooley | Chapter 8 |
| Th Oct. 2: | Invasive species | Powell | Chapter 9 |
| Week of Sept 29-Oct 3: | Discussion IV | TA Choice | |
| Tue Oct 7: | Climate change and biodiversity | Powell | Chapter 10 |
| Th Oct 9: | FIRST EXAM | ||
| Week of Oct 6-10: | REVIEW: All sections this week will be held before Thursday | ||
| Tue Oct 14: | Why maintain genetic diversity | Powell | Chapter 11 |
| Th Oct 16: | How to maintain genetic diversity | Powell | Chapter 11 |
| Week of Oct 13-17: | Discussion VI: | TA Choice | |
| Tue Oct. 21: | Role of museums, zoos, etc. | Powell | |
| Th Oct. 23: | Primer of Ecology | Cooley | |
| Week of Oct 20-24: | Discussion VII | TA Choice | |
| Tue Oct. 28: | Species approaches to conservation I | Cooley | Chapter 12 |
| Th Oct 30: | Species approaches to conservation II | Cooley | Chapter 12 |
| Week of Oct 27-31: | TA Choice | ||
| Tue Nov 4: | Ecosystems approaches to conservation I | Cooley | Chapter 13 |
| Th Nov. 6: | Ecosystems approaches to conservation II | Cooley | Chapter 13 |
| Week of Nov 3-7: | Discussion IX | TA Choice | |
| Tue Nov. 11: | Protected Areas | Cooley | Chapter 14 |
| Th Nov. 13: | Restoration | Cooley | Chapter 15 |
| Week of Nov 10-14: | Discussion X | Chapter 17 | |
| Tue Nov 18: | Sustainable development I | Cooley | Chapter 16 |
| Th Nov. 20: | Sustainable development II | Cooley | Chapter 16 |
| Week of Nov 17-21: | Discussion XI | Chapter 18 | |
| THANKSGIVING BREAK | |||
| Tue Dec. 2: | Pop Culture and Pseudoscience | Cooley | |
| Review discussion sections will be held this week before Thursday | |||
| Th Dec 4: | SECOND EXAM |