Overview

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

The production and organization of biodiversity (investigations of species, and an in-depth look at taxonomy, systematics and phylogenetics). Evolutionary and ecological theories behind the patterns of biodiversity (the current and future geographic distribution of species, and how biodiversity is related to ecosystem function). The values society gives biodiversity (how our values are reflected in law and regulation). Students with credit for BISC 440 may not repeat this course for further credit. Writing.

COURSE DETAILS:

Biodiversity is grist for many mills. We will explore topics in four broad areas: the production and organization of biodiversity (species, taxonomy, systematics, phylogenetics); evolutionary and ecological theories behind the patterns of biodiversity (why we think it all is where it is, and where it may be in the future); what’s happening to it now (going away); and the values society gives it (many, most vague).   

We will consider both the technical side of biodiversity studies (molecular phylogenetics and the use of simple statistics) and the rhetorical side (as this is a ‘writing-intensive’ course). This means there will be varied literature to digest, from Darwin to the Globe and Mail, and there will be a focus on your scientific writing and verbal expression. Expect to participate in class and to dip into ‘R’ scripts too.

Our discussions will be based in part on a few draft chapters from a textbook still being written by colleagues in Australia, and in part on the primary literature.

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