Spring 2025 - BISC 309 D100

Conservation Biology (3)

Class Number: 2099

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Thu, 3:30–4:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    BISC 204 with a minimum grade of C-.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An examination of the primary threats to biodiversity, how biological processes contribute to the persistence of populations and structure of communities, and species and landscape approaches to conservation in the real world.

COURSE DETAILS:

Conservation biologists seek solutions to the daunting problem of how to preserve the evolutionary potential and ecological viability of the world’s biodiversity in the face of increasing pressure from human activities. In this course, we will examine the primary threats to biological diversity, assess how genetic, ecological, and land/seascape level processes contribute to the persistence of populations and the structure of communities, and explore species and landscape approaches to managing biodiversity on a local and global scale. The course will be organized around lectures and guest lectures, supplemented with computer games, tutorial readings from the primary literature and discussions and role-playing connecting scientific research with conservation decisions in the real world.

Grading

  • • Examination 30%
  • • Essay 30%
  • • Understanding the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 10%
  • • Tutorial and quizzes 30%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

There is no required textbook.

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.