Spring 2025 - GEOG 215 D100
The Biosphere (3)
Class Number: 4397
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby -
Exam Times + Location:
Apr 15, 2025
Tue, 12:00–2:00 p.m.
Burnaby
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Instructor:
Audrey Pearson
audreyp@sfu.ca
Office: TBA
Office Hours: TBA
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Prerequisites:
GEOG 111.
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
An introduction to the planetary biosphere, its living organisms, and their interactions with each other and the Earth system.
COURSE DETAILS:
This purpose of this course is to provide students with an introduction to the Biosphere, including the living organisms of the Earth and their interactions with their environments that create the web of life on Earth. The main learning objectives are: to examine the biotic and abiotic factors that control the distribution and development of organisms; to understand the processes that produce these distribution patterns; to understand ecological concepts; to examine the influence of humans and industrial activities on the Biosphere, and how can we apply these concepts to conservation and stewardship of the natural world.
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.
Grading
- • Laboratory exercises 30%
- • Midterm examination 20%
- • Class project 25%
- • Final examination 25%
NOTES:
The final examination will be scheduled in the formally-scheduled university examination period.
Materials
RECOMMENDED READING:
On 4-hr reserve at Bennett Library:
Freedman, B. et al. 2016. Ecology: A Canadian Context. 2nd Edition. Publisher: Top Hat eText. eText ISBN: 9780176482008, 0176482008. (Available on VitalSource)
Any additional readings will be provided on Canvas.
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
SFU’s Academic Integrity website 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
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.