| OBJECTIVES: | |
| 1. To study the fundamental principles of conservation biology as a scientific discipline. | |
| 2. To acquaint students with some of the primary literature in the dynamic and rapidly | |
| changing field of conservation biology. | |
| 3. To further develop your critical thinking and writing skills. | |
| 4. To study the application of conservation biology principles to the solution of environmental problems. | |
| GRADES: | |
| The grade for the lecture part of the course will be based on the following: | |
| 1) Two Hour Exams (20% each) | 40% |
| 2) Paper | 10% |
| 3) Poster Presentation | 20% |
| 4) Participation in Lecture, Discussion, and poster Presentation | 10% |
| 5) Final Exam | 20% |
| 100% | |
| PAPER: | |
| A paper of approximately 750 words (3 typewritten, 1.5 spaced pages) is required. | |
| The paper must be typed and will be based on assigned readings and your library research. | |
| A formal peer review will be conducted before submission of your paper. Forms for the review will be provided. Details will be provided when the paper is assigned. | |
| POSTER: | |
| A poster presentation on a topic related to conservation biology is required. You will work collaboratively with a team of colleagues to design and produce a poster . You will present your poster to the class and participate in the Colby Undergraduate Research Symposium. Your poster will also be displayed in a prominent location for others to view. More details on this project will be presented in class. | |
| DEADLINES: | |
| Assignments are due on the specified dates. Unexcused late assignments will be penalized 1/3 of a grade for each day that they are late (e.g., 2 days late; an "A" paper will be given a "B+"). | |
| TEXTBOOK: | |
| Primack, Richard. 2002. Essentials of Conservation Biology, 3rd edition. | |
| Sinauer Associates, Inc. Sunderland, Massachusetts | |
| TEXT READINGS: | |
| It is expected that the students will read the text as we progress through the outlined topics during the semester. Test questions will be taken from topics covered or assigned in class, but some topics will need the depth that the text offers. | |
| RESERVE READINGS: | |
| At times during the semester, articles will be placed on reserve in the science library. These articles will be used to supplement the text in certain areas and to acquaint students with some of the primary literature in the field of conservation biology. The general concepts covered in these articles may be included on examinations. | |
| ATTENDANCE: | |
I adhere to the college policies regarding attendance at lecture andd laboratory sessions. |
|
| ACADEMIC DISHONESTY : | |
Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Exams and papers must represent your own (or group's) work and thought. Use of other people's work without acknowledging their contribution is plagiarism and is a very serious offense. Plagarism includes verbatim copying, paraphrasing (changing a few wordes here and there), and structural plagiarism (borrowing the structure or outline of somebody else's work without acknowledgement). Students cheating on exams or submitting papers containing plagiarized materials will receive an F in the assignment and may receive a failing grade for the course. These students may be reported to the Dean of Students, possibly resulting in academic probation or suspension from the college, as noted in both the student handbook and college catalog. |