Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2021 - EVSC 395 D100

Special Topics in Environmental Science (3)

Watershed Ecology

Class Number: 4705

Delivery Method: Remote

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 11 – Apr 16, 2021: Thu, 10:30–11:20 a.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Apr 24, 2021
    Sat, 3:30–5:30 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: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.

COURSE DETAILS:

 Course Description: In this course, you will use both physical and biological science approaches to watershed science. A watershed is an area that drains into a waterbody, like a stream, river, or lake – and we all live in one. Watersheds encompass terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and deliver many services that humans rely on, from clean water and flood protection to carbon storage and provisioning of food and materials. Watersheds are also units of management for both practical reasons and ecological ones: downstream flow of water connects the different parts of a watershed, linking all the different landscape components together. In this course, you will learn to think at the spatial scale of the landscape and how to consider mechanisms that operate at different spatial and time scales in watersheds. We will use case studies and examples from classic and current scientific literature to understand how physical and biological processes are structured in watersheds and contribute to watershed health.

Prerequisites: EVSC 100, Intro to Environmental Science, plus one of the following: BISC 204, Intro to Ecology; REM 211, Intro to Applied Ecology; GEOG 215, The Biosphere.

Meeting Times (all content delivered remotely, no face-to-face components):

Mondays 8:30 - 10:20 asynchronous lecture – watch anytime on Monday

Thursdays 10:30 - 11:20 synchronous quizzes (4x during semester, 20 mins each) and optional synchronous Q&A on course material 

Thursdays 11:30 - 12:20 synchronous tutorial

Grading

  • Class engagement 9%
  • quizes (4 quizzes worth 4%) 16%
  • Lab/discussion group assignments (4 assignments worth 5% each) 20%
  • Science communication assignment 10%
  • Mid-term exam 20%
  • Final exam 25%

NOTES:

Course outline and grading is subject to change and instructor will release course outline by the end of the first week of classes.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Readings: Readings will be selected from scientific articles, which will be provided as PDFs; you are expected to read before the assigned date.


RECOMMENDED READING:

There will also be suggested readings the optional textbook: Water: A Natural History by Alice Outwater (subject to change).

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 SPRING 2021

Teaching at SFU in spring 2021 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).