Spring 2019 - GEOG 215 D100
Biogeography (3)
Class Number: 1688
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
Jan 3 – Apr 8, 2019: Thu, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby -
Exam Times + Location:
Apr 14, 2019
Sun, 12:00–3:00 p.m.
Burnaby
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Prerequisites:
GEOG 111.
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
An examination of the abiotic and biotic factors that control the distribution and development of plant communities, including climatic and geological change. Students with credit for BISC 204 may not take this course for further credit.
COURSE DETAILS:
Biogeography is the study of spatial patterns and underlying drivers of biological diversity. This course provides students with an introduction to the biosphere, including the living organisms of the Earth and the environments with which the organisms interact. Biogeographers integrate information from a range of fields including ecology, physiology, evolutionary biology, geology, paleontology, and climatology to understand the distribution of organisms. Students will examine the influence of physical environment (e.g., climate and soils), geological activity (e.g., continental changes), biotic factors (e.g., competition and dispersal), humans (e.g., resource use) affect the local, regional, and global distributions of species.
Course Organization:
One two-hour lecture and one two-hour laboratory session each week. There will be no labs held in the first week of classes.
The final examination will be scheduled in the formally-scheduled university examination period.
COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to
1. Describe the biotic and abiotic factors that affect the development of organisms,
2. Describe the biotic and abiotic factors that affect the distribution of organisms,
3. Explain the role of ecological processes in driving change among species,
4. Outline the processes that produce the patterns of organism distribution,
5. Explain the influence of humans on the biosphere.
Grading
- Laboratory 30%
- Midterm Exam 30%
- Final Exam 40%
Materials
REQUIRED READING:
Readings will be available on Canvas.
RECOMMENDED READING:
MacDonald, G. 2002. Biogeography: Space, Time and Life. (chapters below are from this book) Krebs, C.J. 2009. Ecology.
Freedman et al. 2011 or 2016. Ecology, a Canadian Context.
Registrar Notes:
SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.
Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS