SYLLABUS

Course title: FW 2001 - Introduction to Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology (3 cr)
Grade base: A/F or S/N (S equivalent to C or better)
Prerequisites: General biology 
Time and location: 10:40-11:30 MWF,490 Hodson Hall

Instructor: Ira R. Adelman, 108 Hodson Hall
          Phone:612- 624-4228        E-mail: ira@umn.edu
          Office hours: after class or by appointment

Course description: This course introduces students to the theory and practice of conservation and management of living resources. It covers the general ecological principles applied to management of fish, wildlife, and biodiversity, including single species, populations, ecosystem, and landscape approaches. Topics include the biota, habitat, and socio-political aspects of human use. Case studies are used to explore current issues in conservation. The book "Song of the Dodo" will provide the historical context and current issues in conservation biology.

Who should take this course: Students in majors where ecological or environmental issues are of concern may wish to take this course to enhance their professional background. Students in other majors and non-degree seeking students who have a personal interest in fish, wildlife, and conservation of natural resources may wish to take this course to broaden their background. This course satisfies the Liberal Education Designated Theme: Environment. Students in environmental or ecological majors should take this course in their sophomore or junior years or they may find some material repetitious with previous courses.

Course objectives:

Course Web site: http://fwcb.cfans.umn.edu/courses/FW2001Fall/default.html

Many but not all class sessions will have outlines or other information on the Web site. Where possible, this information will usually be on the Web a day or so after the class session. Figures and charts used in class will be on the web site so that in taking notes, you will not have to copy them in detail. Once on the Web, the information will remain throughout the course and will be useful in studying for exams.

Course Expectations:

The book "Song of the Dodo" is required reading and several class sessions will deal with this book. The book "Introduction to Wildlife and Fisheries: An Integrated Approach" is optional but will be useful for background information for many of the class sessions. It would be a good investment to purchase a copy. Lectures, discussions, class exercises, writings, and guest speakers will be used to convey the course information. Exams will be based on assigned readings from the books and information from the Web site and lectures, including guest lecturers.

Course Grading: Grading is based on a curve (more or less) after all points from the grading table below are accummulated. Approximately 50% of the class will likely receive a grade of B- or higher and approximately 50% will likely receive a grade of C+ or lower although in recent semesters, most classes have done better than that.

Diversity, inclusiveness, and disabilities: An array of topics is covered in the class and students are expected to be respectful of the opinions and views of others. Enlightened discourse is encouraged, but be aware that not everyone views the world through the same lens and the key to successful conservation is to consider and embrace a diversity of views. It is University policy to provide, on a flexible and individualized basis, reasonable accommodations to students who have documented disability conditions (e.g., physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, or systemic) that may affect their ability to participate in course activities or to meet course requirements. Students with disabilities are encouraged to contact Disability Services and their instructors to discuss their individual needs for accommodations. Disability Services is located in Suite180 McNamara Alumni Center, 200 Oak Street. Staff can be reached by calling 612/626-1333 voice or TTY.
Note: Students with special needs are strongly encouraged to talk to the instructors as soon as possible so that we can better assist you in meeting the course goals and objectives. We welcome the opportunity to help you gain maximum access to course information. All discussions will remain confidential.

Academic integrity: Academic integrity is essential to a positive teaching and learning environment. All students enrolled in University courses are expected to complete coursework responsibilities with fairness and honesty. Failure to do so by seeking unfair advantage over others or misrepresenting someone else’s work as your own, can result in disciplinary action. The University Student Conduct Code defines scholastic dishonesty as follows:

Scholastic Dishonesty: Scholastic dishonesty means plagiarizing; cheating on assignments or examinations; engaging in unauthorized collaboration on academic work; taking, acquiring, or using test materials without faculty permission; submitting false or incomplete records of academic achievement; acting alone or in cooperation with another to falsify records or to obtain dishonestly grades, honors, awards, or professional endorsement; altering forging , or misusing a University academic record; or fabricating or falsifying data, research procedures, or data analysis.

Within this course, a student responsible for scholastic dishonesty can be assigned a penalty up to and including an "F" or "N" for the course. If you have any questions regarding the expectations for a specific assignment or exam, ask.

Reading materials:

Optional (on reserve in library):

Scalet, C.G., L.D. Flake, and D.W. Willis. 1996. Introduction to Wildlife and Fisheries: An Integrated Approach. W.H. Freeman and Co., New York. 512 p.

Other:

Meffe, G., L. Nielsen, R. Knight, and D. Schenborn. 2002. Ecosystem management: Adaptive, community-based conservation. Island Press. Washington, D.C.

Tester, J. 1995. Minnesota's natural heritage: An ecological perspective. University of Minnesota Press. Minneapolis, MN.

Meffe, G. K. and R. Carrol (eds.) 1997. Principles of conservation biology, 2nd ed. Sinauer Assoc., Sunderland, MA.