Wildlife & Fisheries Biology: Conservation Biology

Conservation of biological diversity at genetic, species, ecosystem, and landscape levels. Emphasis on genetic diversity, population viability, endangered species, critical habitats, international implications. Discussion section covers basic genetic principles, population genetics, and population modeling. Prerequisites: NR 2030 or BCOR 2100; BIOL 1000 or BIOL 1400, and BIOL 1450; or PBIO 1040; or BCOR 1400 and BCOR 1450.

WFB 2740 Principles of Wildlife Management and 1 semester of Statistics recommended; Pre-reqs: BIOL 1400 and BIOL 1450, or PBIO 1040, or BCOR 1400 and BCOR 1450 or BCOR 2100, and NR 2030; Asynchronous online

Conservation biology is an interdisciplinary study of the management and conservation of biodiversity in the face of global threats. The conservation biologist’s primary objectives are to quantitatively determine (1) the health of species at genetic, population, community, and/or landscape levels, and (2) the impact of land use, policies, and management actions. In this course, we will approach these objectives in the context of decision-making. We will cover the fundamental concepts and principles of conservation biology, how to build models that describe and predict important patterns and processes, and how to use those models to inform conservation decision-making. Learning Objectives: 1. think critically about the major threats facing the world’s biodiversity. 2. understand the role of conservation genetics, population modeling, landscape management, and decision-making in addressing issues related to biodiversity conservation. 3. construct quantitative models to approximate natural systems. 4. interpret model findings and use results to draw conclusions about ecological theory, population trajectories, management initiatives. 5. apply structured decision-making to natural systems where competing objectives and values make management complicated. 6. clearly communicate to other scientists, the public, or decision makers the policy implications of work we complete as a class.

This is an online asynchronous lab course. The course covers 4 credits of material in 4 weeks and should be considered a full-time commitment. Working full time or taking another accelerated course concurrently is strongly discouraged. Coursework includes reading scientific articles and posting on our course discussion board, and modeling labs that are completed in Excel using tutorial videos, plus a write-up where you’ll interpret the model and explore its applications. A final lab project will simulate the structured decision-making process.

Evaluations include reading quizzes, discussion board posts, lab assignments, and a final project. Students are expected to work with a partner for the lab assignments.