Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2022 - REM 211 D100

Introduction to Applied Ecology (3)

Class Number: 4307

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 7 – Dec 6, 2022: Mon, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    Sep 7 – Dec 6, 2022: Wed, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Dec 14, 2022
    Wed, 8:30–9:30 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, presenting, and writing about contemporary peer reviewed journal articles.

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 45%
  • Engagement Activities 10%
  • Midterm exams (2) 30%
  • Final exam 15%

NOTES:

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.

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.

RECOMMENDED READING:

Additional optional reading will be made available 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