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Academic Year 2005/2006

Biodiversity
BIOL 112 SP

This course will examine patterns of biodiversity, processes maintaining it, and its prospects in light of human activity. Conceptually, we will focus on paradigms of ecology with implications for environmental conservation. In some cases, ecological paradigms will be contrasted with economic paradigms as we explore the ideological battleground of environmental issues. Topics will include community ecology, biogeography, demography, ecosystem functioning, extinction, global climate change, population viability, species interactions, and species invasions of native communities. These topics will show what we know about the diversity of life on Earth, but also what we don¿t know.

MAJOR READINGS

Gaston, K. and Spicer, J. 2004. BIODIVERSITY: AN INTRODUCTION, Second Edition. Blackwell, Oxford.
Quammen, D. 1996. SONG OF THE DODO. Simon and Schuster, New York.

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

TBA

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

TBA

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: NSM BIOL    Grading Mode: Graded   

Prerequisites: NONE Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-30-2006

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