Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2020 - EVSC 495 D100

Special Topics in Environmental Science (3)

Ecogeomorphology

Class Number: 4809

Delivery Method: Remote

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 9 – Dec 8, 2020: Wed, Fri, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

A specific topic within the field of Environment not examined in depth in regular courses. This course will provide students with understanding, perspective and experience in emerging and important areas of environment. Variable units: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.

COURSE DETAILS:

Ecogeomorphology is the interdisciplinary study of watersheds that integrates geomorphology, hydrology and
ecology. This area of research facilitates new understandings of both landscapes and ecosystems by bridging
dominant paradigms from individual disciplines while also spanning spatial and temporal scales. While this course
will explore how animals can alter and shape their physical surroundings, we will also explore the approaches we
can use to start understanding how the physical conditions within an ecosystem may influence the condition and
dynamics of ecological populations.

In this course, we will cover essential concepts in geomorphology and hydrology, the interactions between
physical and ecological systems, basics of matrix-based population modeling, and approaches to integrated
physical-ecological modeling. Over the course of the semester, we will read and discuss relevant primary literature,
work with existing models, and students will ultimately design their own modeling experiment and present their
findings to the class.

This course is recommended to students in Environmental Science, Resource Management, Ecology, and
Geography. In addition to learning about the topics and research surrounding ecogeomorphology, this course will
be aimed at helping cultivate and develop student skills in reading and interpreting scientific literature, familiarity
with running scripts and basics of coding in Matlab, presenting science, and technical writing.


Prerequisites
GEOG 111 (Earth Systems) or EASC 101 (Dynamic Earth), BISC 204 (Intro to Ecology), and a minimum of 60
units. GEOG 213 (Intro to Geomorphology) is recommended.

Notes: 

This course is offered in a remote format this semester with synchronous components.  

If there are any changes in this outline, the Instructor will provide students with a statement setting out those changes within the first week of classes.

Grading

  • Participation tba%
  • Literature Presentations tba%
  • Pop-up activities and assignments tba%
  • Term Presentation tba%
  • Term Paper tba%

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

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

TEACHING AT SFU IN FALL 2020

Teaching at SFU in fall 2020 will be conducted primarily through remote methods. There will be in-person course components in a few exceptional cases where this is fundamental to the educational goals of the course. Such course components will be clearly identified at registration, as will course components that will be “live” (synchronous) vs. at your own pace (asynchronous). Enrollment acknowledges that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes. To ensure you can access all course materials, we recommend you have access to a computer with a microphone and camera, and the internet. In some cases your instructor may use Zoom or other means requiring a camera and microphone to invigilate exams. If proctoring software will be used, this will be confirmed in the first week of class.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112).