Semester Topic:
       Conservation Biology  (Spring 2000)

COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course will introduce undergraduate students in biology to current topics, research and research methods, literature, and controversy in biology.  Prerequisites of a declared major in biology and senior standing in the college of arts and sciences are required.
 

HOMEWORK
Each student will be responsible for finding and submitting three literature citations from peer-reviewed journals related to each weekly topic. Homework assignments in this course are submitted electronically.  The online form for homework submission is located below.

Example format for literature citations:
Adler, G.  1998.  Impacts of resourse abundance on populations of tropical forest rodents.  Ecology 79(1):242-254.

Blumstein, T.D., C.S. Evans, and J.C. Daniel.  1999.  An experimental study of behavioural group size effects in Tammer Wallabies, Macropus eugenii.  Animal Behavior 58:351-360.

Garten, C.T., Jr.  1976.  Relationships between aggressive behavior and genic heterozygosity in the oldfield mouse, (Peromyscus polionotus).  Evolution 30:59-72.

Greep, R.O.  1998.  Whither the global population problem.  Biochemical Pharmacology 55(4):383-386.

Powell, S. A. Newmann, J. Pendergast, and M.H. Lewis.  1999.  A rodent model of spontaneous stereotype: Initial characterization of developmental, environmental, and neurobiological factors.  Physiology and behavior 66(2):255-363.

Wadman, M.  1998.  Population explosion raises alarm over lab animal health.  Nature 391:623.

Yukasawa, N.J., H. Monder, F.R. Leff, and J.J. Christian.  1985.  Role of female behavior in controlling population growth in mice.  Aggressive Behavior 11(1):49-64.

Zelena, D., J. Haller, J. Halasz, and G.B. Makara.  1999.  Social stress of variable intensity: physiological and behavioral consequences.  Brain Research Bulletin 48(3):297-302.
 

CLASS PARTICIPATION
You are expected to participate in weekly class discussions.  The instructor will note each week students that: 1) have actively participated in discussion, 2) have provided information regarding their weekly literature reviews, and 3) have asked questions regarding material presented in student presentations.  Attendance in this course is mandatory and missed classes will be reflected in your attendance grade for this course. 
 

GRADING
 

	Student Presentation	100 points
	Student Research Paper	100 points
	Homework	50 points
	Class Participation	50 points
	Attendance	50 points
	Course Point Total	350 points

 

WITHDRAWAL POLICY
If grades of W(P), W(F), or I, are requested, University policy will be followed.
 

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
Students who have disabilities that may prevent them from fully demonstrating their abilities should contact the instructor as soon as possible to discuss the accommodations necessary to facilitate full participation and to ensure the each student's educational opportunity.

NOTE:  This syllabus is subject to change at the discretion of the instructor.