Conservation Biology (BY 303)


Welcome to Biological Conservation (BY 303). Together in this class we will delve into a fascinating yet relatively new science “Conservation Biology” and get an understanding of contemporary and historical perspectives of global biological conservation challenges and strategies. We will start with broad concepts in the discipline and build up to more complex and relevant issues that challenge conservation biologists today. The course will also involve a group project on the impacts of varied habitats and habitat stressors on local plant diversity. This will give you hand on experience with field methods, data collection, and data analyses.

I look forward to an exciting semester with you all !!


Student Learning Outcomes:

Students who complete the course will be

· Able to identify and describe basic terms and concepts in conservation biology.

· Aware of and able to appreciate global threats to biodiversity and some of the efforts toward the conservation of species and ecosystems.

· Able to apply and discuss the concepts and principles of the drivers of species diversity and species loss.

· Well-versed in the scientific process and hypotheses testing.

· Trained to conduct vegetation plot surveys and use online sources to identify local flora (inaturalist).

· Experienced in working collaboratively in groups to conduct data entry and basic analysis using excel and R (code will be predefined)

· Developing presentation skills on group projects.

Suggestions for Success:

  1. Attend the lectures in person and ask questions. There are no wrong questions!!

  2. Study the lecture slides carefully

  3. Read material posted on canvas

  4. Do the homework on time. It is an easy 100 points i.e. 25% of your total grade.

  5. Come and see me if you are struggling with concepts.

  6. All JSU students can schedule FREE in-person or virtual tutoring. In-person appointments will take place in the Student Success Center located at the Houston Cole Library, 2ndfloor, (256-782-8223). Virtual tutoring is available at tutor.com. To access tutor.com, log into Canvas and click the tutor.com link in the navigation pane.

HOMEWORK: Homework will be posted on canvas on Friday at 6 pm and is due at 9 am on the following Tuesday. Homework must be submitted on canvas. Late submissions will not be accepted unless previous accommodations are made with me before the time of submission.

EXAMS: All exams will be a combination of (but not limited to): multiple choice and short answer type questions. There will be two in-semester exams worth 50 points each. The final exam is worth 100 points. Please bring stationary appropriate for scantrons for the exams.

FINAL GROUP PROJECT: The final group project will start around mid-October. You will work in a group of 6 students and build hypotheses, based on the local plant diversity. You will design a study to test your hypotheses, sample vegetation plots in different habitats, enter the data into excel and analyze the data. Each group will then present their work at the end of the group project period. The project will involve hand on experience with field methods, data collection (in excel), and data analyses.

Prerequisites: BY 101, 102, 103, 104.

REQUIRED TEXTS: The PDF is posted on canvas