Course Syllabus

Principles of Conservation Biology

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Course Description

Through field trips and/or individual field work, students examine patterns of biodiversity across levels of scale ranging from local to global. Students apply principles of population biology, community dynamics, ecosystem resilience, and landscape ecology in classroom discussions and field investigations. The course also explores social and economic issues related to biodiversity loss. Prior study in biology or environmental science is recommended. Prerequisite: Intermediate Algebra or equivalent.

Essential Objectives

1. Analyze the effects of predator and prey relationships and host-parasitoid interactions on population and community dynamics in the plant and animal kingdom.
2. Describe how biologists use population size and genetic diversity to determine the conservation status of a species.
3. Analyze and predict the impacts of human behavior on ecological communities throughout the world.
4. Evaluate the social, political, and economic consequences caused by the reduction of regional and global biodiversity.
5. Analyze the ways in which human behavior that is intended to secure resources can be used to exploit certain populations of animals and people.
6. Investigate the different management strategies used for protecting coevolved populations.
7. Use digital tools to map ecosystems and identify areas that support ecological resiliency.
8. Apply different models of succession to explain growth patterns in biological communities.
9. Compare patterns of biodiversity in managed and natural landscapes.
10. Evaluate the different techniques used in restoration ecology for biomes around the world.
11. Design a reserve and create a basic management plan to conserve a vulnerable population.
12. Recommend and analyze regional strategies used to protect critical ecosystem services.
13. Demonstrate proficiency in understanding, interpreting, evaluating, and applying quantitative data and information.
14. Explain how knowledge created in the natural sciences has contributed to the creation, maintenance, and dismantling of social inequalities and discuss the impacts of diversity and inclusion on scientific research and practice.

Required Technology

More information on general computer and internet recommendations is available on the CCV IT Support page. https://support.ccv.edu/general/computer-recommendations/

Please see CCV's Digital Equity Statement (pg. 45) to learn more about CCV's commitment to supporting all students access the technology they need to successfully finish their courses.

Required Textbooks and Resources

This course uses one or more textbooks/books/simulations, along with free Open Educational Resources (OER) and/or library materials.

Fall 2024 textbook/book details will be available on 2024-05-20. On that date a link will be available below that will take you to eCampus, CCV's bookstore. The information provided there will be specific to this class. Please see this page for more information regarding the purchase of textbooks/books.

Link to Textbooks for this course in eCampus.

For Open Educational Resources (OER) and/or library materials details, see the Canvas Site for this class.

The last day to use a Financial Aid Advance to purchase textbooks/books is the 3rd Tuesday of the semester. See your financial aid counselor at your academic center if you have any questions.

Methods

Discussion forums

Homework Assignments (case studies, biodiversity index, reviewing supplemental materials)

Field Journal

Final Paper

Evaluation Criteria

Course Grading:

·Grading will take place under a percentage-point system. To calculate your grade for a given assignment simply divide points earned/points possible.

Percentage

Discussion Forum: 35

Homework Questions: 25

Field Journal Entries: 25

Final Paper: 15

Grading Criteria

CCV Letter Grades as outlined in the Evaluation System Policy are assigned according to the following chart:

	High	Low
A+	100	98
A	Less than 98	93
A-	Less than 93	90
B+	Less than 90	88
B	Less than 88	83
B-	Less than 83	80
C+	Less than 80	78
C	Less than 78	73
C-	Less than 73	70
D+	Less than 70	68
D	Less than 68	63
D-	Less than 63	60
F	Less than 60
P	100	60
NP	Less than 60	0

Weekly Schedule

Attendance Policy

Regular attendance and participation in classes are essential for success in and are completion requirements for courses at CCV. A student's failure to meet attendance requirements as specified in course descriptions will normally result in a non-satisfactory grade.

• In general, missing more than 20% of a course due to absences, lateness or early departures may jeopardize a student's ability to earn a satisfactory final grade.
• Attending an on-ground or synchronous course means a student appeared in the live classroom for at least a meaningful portion of a given class meeting. Attending an online course means a student posted a discussion forum response, completed a quiz or attempted some other academically required activity. Simply viewing a course item or module does not count as attendance.
• Meeting the minimum attendance requirement for a course does not mean a student has satisfied the academic requirements for participation, which require students to go above and beyond simply attending a portion of the class. Faculty members will individually determine what constitutes participation in each course they teach and explain in their course descriptions how participation factors into a student's final grade.

Participation Expectations

• Attendance Policy
  • Regular attendance and participation in classes are essential for success in and are completion requirements for courses at CCV. A student's failure to meet attendance requirements as specified in course descriptions will normally result in a non-satisfactory grade.

• In general, missing more than 20% of a course due to absences, lateness or early departures may jeopardize a student's ability to earn a satisfactory final grade.
• Attending an asynchronous course means a student appeared in the online classroom for at least a meaningful portion of a given class meeting. Attending an online course means a student posted a discussion forum response, completed a quiz or attempted some other academically required activity. Simply viewing a course item or module does not count as attendance.
• Meeting the minimum attendance requirement for a course does not mean a student has satisfied the academic requirements for participation, which require students to go above and beyond simply attending a portion of the class. Faculty members will individually determine what constitutes participation in each course they teach and explain in their course descriptions how participation factors into a student's final grade.

Missing & Late Work Policy

oDue to the design of the online course the attendance is allocated only in the submission of the weekly completed assignments.

oLate work

• All assignments have a specific due date and timeframe. This information is presented in the course outline, weekly module checklist and individual weekly assignments.
• Extra Credit: Extra credit not provided.
• Late Submissions: All assignments have a specific due date and timeframe. Late submissions will not be accepted.
• However, consideration will be made-on a case by case scenario- should you accrue a zero due to illness or family matters. Send me an email of the circumstance. I will work with you to catch up on missed assignments.
• (Please note if this becomes a habitual request-a broader discussion will take place to include tutoring/student resources to address/offer assistance to aid in internal/external factors affecting grades in the course.)
• To receive credit on a missed assignment(s) due to an absence (and you would like to submit the late assignment) requires the following in your email:
• Kindly do the following:
• Check the syllabus to see what module was covered in the class.
• In the event of a missed assignment. Include in the email the missed assignment(s) that you would like to receive credit due to an absence (and you would like to submit the late assignment).
• Please use the below format within an email:
• Place a subject in the subject box that describes the email content
• Indicate the title of the course
• Indicate the assignment(s) you missed and would like to submit the late assignment(s)
• Kindly use proper capitalization, grammar, and spelling in the email.
• This may seem tedious. However, this aids in providing/discussing the answers to the missed assignment(s) to your fellow classmates.

Accessibility Services for Students with Disabilities:

1. Provide disability documentation to the Accessibility Coordinator at your academic center. https://ccv.edu/discover-resources/students-with-disabilities/
2. Request an appointment to meet with accessibility coordinator to discuss your request and create an accommodation plan.
3. Once created, students will share the accommodation plan with faculty. Please note, faculty cannot make disability accommodations outside of this process.

Academic Integrity