Course Description
This course covers causes of anthropogenic global change, consequences for biological and ecological processes, and ecology- and biotechnology-based solutions for mitigating and adapting to this new world. Students will read and discuss the primary literature on global change, explore policy makers' perspectives, and practice how to communicate science effectively through in-class discussions and debates, written assignments, and multiple in-class oral presentations. Prerequisite: Biology graduate student or permission of instructor.
Syllabus
Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:
Students successfully completing this course will be able to:
- Explain the major drivers of anthropogenic global change and the evidence supporting current environmental trends.
- Evaluate how global change affects ecological processes across levels of biological organization, from organisms to ecosystems.
- Interpret climate projections and ecological data from the primary scientific literature.
- Critically analyze current research on global change ecology and communicate scientific findings through written and oral discussion.
- Apply ecological principles to evaluate potential management and conservation strategies under future environmental change.
Course Grading Information:
| Activity/Performance Measure | Percentage/Points |
|---|---|
| Participation Points | 20% |
| Article Evaluations | 15% |
| Presentation 1 | 15% |
| Presentation 2 | 20% |
| Play! | 5% |
| Exams | 25% |
Course Grading Scale
| Percentage | Letter Grade |
|---|---|
| > 93% | A |
| 90-92.99% | A- |
| 87-89.99% | B+ |
| 83-86.99% | B |
| 80-82.99% | B- |
| 77-79.99% | C+ |
| 73-76.99% | C |
| 70-72.99% | C- |
| 67-69.99% | D+ |
| 65-66.99% | D |
| <64.99% | F |
Attendance/Participation:
Class attendance is expected as is on time arrival! An absence will result in a grade of 0 (zero) for the participation points that day even though attendance per se isn’t taken.
Tardiness will be recorded, and if it becomes chronic (more than 3 times) points will be subtracted from that day's attendance.
Participation scores reward preparation, thoughtful contributions, and respectful engagement with classmates.
The three lowest participation point days will be dropped. No reasons or notes are required.
If there is a chronic or long-term reason for absences, plan ahead, and get in touch with the instructor to make a plan.
Course Materials Purchased by the Students:
No course materials are required.
Scholarly Perspectives
This course engages diverse scholarly perspectives to develop critical thinking, analysis, and debate and inclusion of a reading does not imply endorsement.