Instructor: Dr. Kimberly Russell Office:
431 Colton Hall
Website: http://web.njit.edu/~krussell
Conservation Biology is a relatively new discipline that
seeks to develop the scientific and technical means for the protection,
maintenance, and restoration of life on this planet - its species as well as
its ecological and evolutionary processes. In order to be successful,
conservation scientists must investigate the unique biotic and abiotic needs of
individual species, the mechanisms that structure ecological communities and
ecosystems as well as the resistance and resiliency of species and communities
to different kinds of disturbance. In addition to understanding the underlying
ecology of species, communities and ecosystems, conservation scientists must
help inform policy makers regarding which species and ecosystems are the most
valuable and deserving of protection. In addition, they must prescribe how best
to conserve and monitor these areas within the context of their ecology,
specific threats and economic or political limitations. Needless to say, this
is a tall order considering action must be taken despite limited and imperfect
information.
This course will give students an overview of this emerging
discipline including the scientific methods employed, the theory behind
conservation techniques and strategies as well as the complexities involved in
attempts to influence and implement conservation oriented policies. In addition
to lectures, students will be expected to participate in discussions on various
controversial topics throughout the semester. Outside readings for these
discussions will be provided and each student will get a chance to lead a
discussion on a topic of their choice.
GRADES
1 Midterm Exam (100 points)
1 Final Exam (100 points)
3 Quizzes (25 points each)
1 Discussion (25 points)
Class participation +/- 5%
1. Primack, Richard B. 2006. Essentials of Conservation
Biology (4th Edition). Sinauer Associates.
Additional Readings:
TBA. We will be having a number of in-class discussions on various topics
throughout the semester. Papers related to these will be posted on the course
website prior to the scheduled discussion.
|
Day |
Date |
Topic |
Schedule & Reading Assignments |
|
W |
9/2 |
What is Conservation Biology? What is Biological
Diversity? |
Chapter 1 & 2 |
|
F |
9/4 |
Where is the WorldÕs Biological Diversity Found? |
Chapter 3 |
|
W |
9/9 |
Patterns of Biodiversity |
Quiz 1; Chapter 3
contÕd |
|
F |
9/11 |
Ecological Economics & Direct Economic Values |
Chapter 4 |
|
W |
9/16 |
Ethics vs. Economics |
Discussion |
|
F |
9/18 |
Indirect Economic Values & Ethical Values |
Chapter 5 & 6 |
|
W |
9/23 |
Extinction |
Chapter 7 |
|
F |
9/25 |
Vulnerability to Extinction |
Chapter 8 |
|
W |
9/30 |
What
caused the late Pleistocene Extinctions and why does it matter? |
Quiz 2; Discussion |
|
F |
10/2 |
Habitat Destruction & Fragmentation |
Chapter 9 |
|
W |
10/7 |
Degradation and Global Climate Change |
Chapter 9 contÕd |
|
F |
10/9 |
Overexploitation, Invasive Species and Disease |
Chapter 10 |
|
W |
10/14 |
Genetically Modified Organisms: bane or savior? |
Discussion |
|
F |
10/16 |
|
Midterm Exam |
|
W |
10/21 |
Problems of Small Populations |
Chapter 11 |
|
F |
10/23 |
Applied Population Biology |
Chapter 12 |
|
W |
10/28 |
Gene banks and breeding programs |
Discussion |
|
F |
10/30 |
Establishing New Populations |
Chapter 13 |
|
W |
11/4 |
Ex Situ Conservation Strategies |
Chapter 14 |
|
F |
11/6 |
Establishing Protected Areas |
Chapter 15 |
|
W |
11/11 |
Taxonomic Bias in Conservation |
Quiz 3; Discussion |
|
F |
11/13 |
Designing Networks of Protected Areas |
Chapter 16 |
|
W |
11/18 |
Managing Protected Areas |
Chapter 17 |
|
F |
11/20 |
Outside Protected Areas |
Chapter 18 |
|
W |
11/25 |
International Politics and Conservation |
Discussion |
|
F |
11/27 |
Thanksgiving (no class) |
|
|
W |
12/2 |
Restoration Ecology |
Chapter 19 |
|
F |
12/4 |
Conservation & Sustainable Development: Local |
Chapter 20 |
|
W |
12/9 |
Conservation & Sustainable Development: Global |
Chapter 21 & 22 |
|
|
*TBA |
Final Exam |
|
*The final exam WILL be held during the regular final exam
period. DO NOT make arrangements to leave town prior to this, as taking the
exam early will NOT be an option.
Attendance. I expect
you to attend lecture. It will be very difficult for anyone to do well in this
class without attending lecture on a regular basis. Regardless of whether you
are in class or not, however, you are responsible for everything which is
discussed in lecture, everything which is assigned as class reading, and any
handouts which are given in class. You are expected to make your own
arrangements for access to class notes or handouts that you missed. As a study
aid, I will post the lecture slides by the end of each week. Keep in mind that
the slides only form an outline for the material covered in class and are
therefore not a good substitute for class attendance. If you choose to use a
laptop for taking notes during class, please refrain from checking e-mail or
browsing the Internet – if you are caught doing so, I will ask you to put
your computer away immediately.
Make up exams, quizzes and late assignments. Make up exams and quizzes will be possible only with
a doctorÕs or a deanÕs letter or with prior approval. If you have a serious
reason for missing an exam, you must call me BEFORE the scheduled exam period
to notify me that you cannot take the exam. You are then responsible for
arranging with me to make up the test or quiz within two days. Late assignments will be accepted, but
penalized 10% of the points available for each 24-hour interval that they are
late. E-mailed assignments will be accepted, but at your own risk – i.e.,
if the file I receive is corrupted or unreadable, it will be counted as late.
Academic dishonesty. I
will have zero tolerance for academic dishonesty, including plagiarism or
cheating. Instances of dishonesty will be punished by a zero on the assignment
and consultation with the office of the Dean of Students to determine if
further action is required.
Office hours. I will
be in my office in Colton during office hours (unless otherwise noted) and will
be happy to meet with students who have questions or concerns. I am happy to
answer questions via e-mail during these times. However, if you e-mail me
outside of these times, I cannot guarantee how quickly I will be able to
respond. Please be patient and you will get a response.