Not offered 2007-2008
BIOL 402T Topics in Ecology: Biological Resources (Same as Environmental Studies 404T) (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.
ART