BIO 301 Conservation Biology

4 Credit(s) W-II

Over the past 3.6 billion years, our planet has become populated by a spectacular variety of life. Threats to this biological diversity are many and increasing. Conservation biologists use scientific study, public education, and persuasion to address this challenge. This writing-intensive course will use writing as a means to learn about the field of conservation biology. We will use biological principles to understand the field of conservation biology, and investigate how biodiversity is described and distributed. We will then consider the many ways to assess its value, and the arguments used to justify its conservation. This work will lead into an exploration of the causes of biodiversity loss, the characteristics that make species vulnerable to extinction, conservation strategies, and methods of conservation planning. Students will have the opportunity to write in different genres for different audiences. Four lecture hours per week.
Prerequisites: A W-I course, and an Introductory Biology laboratory sequence or permission of Department Chairperson
Co-requisites: BIO121 or BIO131