BIOL 402T Topics in Ecology: Biological Resources (Same as Environmental Studies 404T) (Not offered 2006-2007) (W)
A tutorial course investigating the patterns and processes in human-dominated
ecosystems, especially those that produce food and fiber, process wastes, or provide a context for human activities such as recreation. The course will draw
heavily upon the experiences that students have had in other biology courses.
Topics will include: the relationships among diversity, ecosystem function, sustainability, resilience, and stability of biological resource systems, nutrient pools
and processing in human-dominated ecosystems. Four field trips will be taken to
biological resource sites in the region. These experiences will serve as introductions to readings and the topics of papers to be written by student participants.
Each student will write four papers that deal with questions requiring extensive
reading of primary resources. Paper presentations will alternate with serving as a
critic of other student papers. Students will be given the opportunity to revise
and rewrite two of the four papers in the week following their tutorial presentation thereby being able to respond to the criticism and discussion of the tutorial
group.
Format: tutorial/field trip, one to three hours per week. Evaluation will be based
on writing assignments, tutorial presentation, performance in the role of paper
critic, and course participation.
Prerequisites: Biology 203 or Biology 302 or Environmental Studies 203 or permission of instructor. Enrollment limit: 10 (expected: 10) Open to juniors and
seniors, with preference given to senior Biology majors who have not taken a
400-level course.
Satisfies the distribution requirement in the Biology major and the Natural
World distributional requirement of the Environmental Studies program.