Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2021 - REM 211 D100

Introduction to Applied Ecology (3)

Class Number: 5861

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 8 – Dec 7, 2021: Mon, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    Sep 8 – Dec 7, 2021: Wed, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Dec 13, 2021
    Mon, 8:30–11:30 a.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Balancing the needs of people and 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. Motivated by real-world management and conservation problems, this course will introduce students to the foundational concepts of applied ecology. Breadth-Science.

COURSE DETAILS:

Balancing the needs of people and 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. You will also have the opportunity to learn and apply basic field survey and monitoring techniques. Lastly, you will learn how to evaluate and discuss current and contentious topics in environmental management and conservation science by reading, critiquing and presenting contemporary peer reviewed journal articles.

REM 211 is a mixed lecture/tutorial course with two hours of weekly lecture and a one-hour tutorial. Details on required readings, assignments, and other course elements will be provided on Canvas.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

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

  1. Confidently identify and describe the foundational principles of applied ecology that should be considered while addressing a management and conservation problem
  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

  • Assignments 20%
  • Quizzes 10%
  • Exams 60%
  • Paper and Presentation 10%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Some course reading will be from the free online textbook: Fisher, M.R. 2019. Environmental Biology.
This textbook is available at https://openoregon.pressbooks.pub/envirobiology/.

Other readings, of reports and journal articles, will be made available on Canvas.

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 2021

Teaching at SFU in fall 2021 will involve primarily in-person instruction, with approximately 70 to 80 per cent of classes in person/on campus, with safety plans in place.  Whether your course will be in-person or through remote methods will be clearly identified in the schedule of classes.  You will also know at enrollment whether remote course components will be “live” (synchronous) or at your own pace (asynchronous).

Enrolling in a course acknowledges that you are able to attend in whatever format is required.  You should not enroll in a course that is in-person if you are not able to return to campus, and should be aware 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.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who may need class or exam accommodations, including in the context of remote learning, are advised to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112) as early as possible in order to prepare for the fall 2021 term.