ENV42020

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course focuses on the nature and importance of biological diversity, modern threats to its integrity, and the emergence of conservation biology as a crisis-oriented, applied, scientific discipline. Biological, political, and managerial considerations are given to a broad range of topics, including: biodiversity, island biogeography, extinction, minimum viable population size, endangered species, design of nature reserves, and ecosystem management. Students gain a broad overview of conservation biology, as well as focus on a specific topic of their choice through completion of a personal project. Extensive readings of original literature are required.