Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2025 - REM 211 D100

Introduction to Applied Ecology (3)

Class Number: 3110

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Thu, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Dec 4, 2025
    Thu, 12:00–2:00 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Balancing the needs of people and other components of nature is among the foremost challenges of our time. Understanding key processes that structure nature across space and through time can help inform this challenge. Introduces students to the foundational concepts of applied ecology motivated by real-world management and conservation problems. Breadth-Science.

COURSE DETAILS:

Balancing the needs of people and other components of nature is among the foremost challenges of the 21st century. Fortunately, understanding the key processes that structure nature across space and through time can help inform this challenge. Motivated by real-world natural resource management and conservation problems, this course will introduce you to the foundations of applied ecology. You will be introduced to the study of populations and concepts such as predation, competition, density dependence and extinction risk by learning about the data needed to protect imperiled species and apply Canada’s Species-at-Risk Act. The field of community ecology and concepts such as disturbance, succession, food webs and facilitation will be introduced to you by learning how applied ecologists design and assess protected areas. The concept of ecosystems, energy flux and ecological efficiency will be motivated by the contemporary application of ecosystem-based management in forests on land and under the sea. You will also learn and apply basic field survey and monitoring techniques with short field trips to the local forest. Lastly, you will learn how to evaluate and discuss current and contentious topics in environmental management and conservation science by reading, critiquing, and presenting a contemporary peer reviewed journal article.   

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  1. Confidently identify and describe the foundational principles of applied ecology that should be considered while addressing a management and conservation issue
  2. Demonstrate your awareness of the key processes that drive population, community and ecosystem dynamics
  3. Effectively communicate applied ecological concepts to a target audience

Grading

  • Module Test 60%
  • Assignments 20%
  • Weekly Quizzes 5%
  • Paper critique & presentation 10%
  • Participation 5%

Materials

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.