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.