Conservation Biology (LS4124)

Instructor: Doyle L. Crosswhite (telephone: 405/878-5194)

Course Description: History of the conservation movement in America, natural resources and ecosystem management, government policy, endangered and threatened species, biodiversity, and conservation. (discussion, assigned reading and writing components). prerequisites: Botany and General Zoology or consent of the instructor. Laboratory and local field trips are required; $25.00 field trip fee.

Goals of the Course:

1. Introduce the student to the philosophical, ethical, and biological framework upon which conservation biology is built.

2. Expose students to patterns of global biodiversity.

3. Explore humankind's role in preserving the earth's natural resources.

4. Facilitate the development of practical resource management skills that meet conservation goals.

Required Textbooks:

Meffe, G. K. and C. R. Carroll. 1994. Principles of conservation biology. Sinauer Associates, Inc., Sunderland, MA

Other supplementary materials are included on a general bibliography for students (see below).

General Guidelines:

* Lecture will be held in JA407.
* Laboratory will be held in JA401.
* Students are expected to attend all lectures & laboratories and to be on time! If you must be absent, arrive late or leave early, please inform me in advance. I will take roll each class period. If you are not present for class, an absence will be recorded. I make no value judgments as to the nature of the absence, but simply record that you were not present. Obviously, unforeseen circumstances arise. If you cannot be in class, you must make up all assignments before the next class meeting. You may communicate with the instructor by phone or e-mail for additional information about the class that you missed.
* Class Participation: Each student begins with 100 points. Points are lost by failure to participate; 10 points/absence and 5 points/tardy or early departure. IF YOU MISS MORE THAN FOUR CLASSES, IT WILL NOT BE POSSIBLE TO PASS THE CLASS.
*LATE WORK RECEIVES ½ CREDIT.
* Please do not begin putting away your materials, talking to your neighbor, and/or disrupting class until you are excused at the end of the session.

Laboratory:

*The most important part of a laboratory exercise is the first fifteen or twenty minutes during which time I present a brief introduction & instructions. Please be on time!
*The most certain way of ensuring success in lab is to always READ THE LABORATORY EXERCISE BEFORE CLASS!
*The second most reliable way to succeed in this class is to STAY FOR THE ENTIRE LABORATORY SESSION every week. If you finish early, I suggest you go back and review material from previous labs in preparation for the next quiz.
*Do not eat, drink, or use tobacco while in the laboratory.
*Handle preserved specimens, microscopes, and other equipment carefully.
*Clean your laboratory station and return all equipment to its proper place after each lab exercise.

Method of Student Evaluation:

Laboratory/Field Exercises:

Course Tools:

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