Graduate Studies Reports Access
Graduate Course Proposal Form Submission Detail - BSC6007
Tracking Number - 5439
Current Status:
-
Campus: St Petersburg
Submission Type: New
Course Change Information (for course changes only):
Comments:
Detail Information
- Date & Time Submitted: 2016-04-13
- Department: Biology
- College: AP
- Budget Account Number: 511209
- Contact Person: Deby Cassill
- Phone: 7274241424
- Email: cassill@mail.usf.edu
- Prefix: BSC
- Number: 6007
- Full Title: Biodiversity
- Credit Hours: 3
- Section Type: C -
Class Lecture (Primarily)
- Is the course title variable?: N
- Is a permit required for registration?: N
- Are the credit hours variable?: Y
- Is this course repeatable?: N
- If repeatable, how many times?: 0
- Abbreviated Title (30 characters maximum): Biodiversity
- Course Online?: C -
Face-to-face (0% online)
- Percentage Online: 0
- Grading Option:
-
- Prerequisites: None
- Corequisites: None
- Course Description: A study of the principles and practice of conservation biology. Emphasis on the primary threats to biodiversity and the application of contemporary tools to solve conservation problems. Restricted: Students in a Graduate Program at USFSP.
- Please briefly explain why it is necessary and/or desirable to add this course: Needed for new program/concentration/certificate
- What is the need or demand for this course? (Indicate if this course is part of a required sequence in the major.) What other programs would this course service? Biodiversity is a core course for the proposed MS in Conservation Biology.
- Has this course been offered as Selected Topics/Experimental Topics course? If yes, how many times? No
- What qualifications for training and/or experience are necessary to teach this course? (List minimum qualifications for the instructor.) PhD in Biological Sciences or related field.
- Objectives: 1) Demonstrate the ability to apply concepts of species diversity in the context of ecosystems.
2) Apply quantitative analysis to interpret biological data.
3) Demonstrate ability to accurately, clearly, and succinctly communicate scientific concepts, interpretations and conclusions to scientific peers.
4) to understand and appreciate the threats and successes in our endeavor to maintain biodiversity on our planet.
- Learning Outcomes: 1. 90% of students will successfully complete an original research project based on data from conservation groups.
2. 90% of student research projects will be formatted as a poster or short paper.
- Major Topics: The current state of biological diversity
Challenges to the preservation of biodiversity
Human dependence on biological diversity
Diversity at risk: Tropical forests
Diversity at risk: The global perspective
The economic value of biodiversity
How is biodiversity monitored and protected?
Science and technology: How can they help?
Restoration ecology: can we recover lost ground?
Alternatives to destruction
Policies to protect diversity
Present problems and future prospects
Ways of seeing the biosphere
Case studies in the 21st century
- Textbooks: 1. E.O.Wilson and F.M. Peter. 1986. Biodiversity.
- Course Readings, Online Resources, and Other Purchases: 1. Case studies from current scientific literature. Topics will depend on the interests of the students.
- Student Expectations/Requirements and Grading Policy: The current state of biological diversity Ch 1
Challenges to the preservation of biodiversity Ch 2-7
Human dependence on biological diversity Ch 8-11
Diversity at risk: Tropical forests Ch 12-16
Diversity at risk: The global perspective Ch 17-20
The economic value of biodiversity Ch 21-25
Exam I
How is biodiversity monitored and protected? Ch 26-29
Science and technology: How can they help? Ch 30-34
Restoration ecology: can we recover lost ground? Ch 35-39
Alternatives to destruction Ch 40-43
Policies to protect diversity Ch 44-46
Present problems and future prospects Ch 47-51
Ways of seeing the biosphere Ch 52-56
Case studies in the 21st century TBA
Exam II
89.5 – 100 A
79.5 - 89.4 B
69.5 - 79.4 C
60 - 69.4 D
below 60 F
- Assignments, Exams and Tests: 25% Research project
50% 2 unit exams
25% Case study problems assigned as homework throughout the semester
- Attendance Policy: Course Attendance at First Class Meeting – Policy for Graduate Students: For structured courses, 6000 and above, the College/Campus Dean will set the first-day class attendance requirement. Check with the College for specific information. This policy is not applicable to courses in the following categories: Educational Outreach, Open University (TV), FEEDS Program, Community Experiential Learning (CEL), Cooperative Education Training, and courses that do not have regularly scheduled meeting days/times (such as, directed reading/research or study, individual research, thesis, dissertation, internship, practica, etc.). Students are responsible for dropping undesired courses in these categories by the 5th day of classes to avoid fee liability and academic penalty. (See USF Regulation – Registration - 4.0101,
http://usfweb2.usf.edu/usfgc/ogc%20web/currentreg.htm)
Attendance Policy for the Observance of Religious Days by Students: In accordance with Sections 1006.53 and 1001.74(10)(g) Florida Statutes and Board of Governors Regulation 6C-6.0115, the University of South Florida (University/USF) has established the following policy regarding religious observances: (http://usfweb2.usf.edu/usfgc/gc_pp/acadaf/gc10-045.htm)
In the event of an emergency, it may be necessary for USF to suspend normal operations. During this time, USF may opt to continue delivery of instruction through methods that include but are not limited to: Blackboard, Elluminate, Skype, and email messaging and/or an alternate schedule. It’s the responsibility of the student to monitor Blackboard site for each class for course specific communication, and the main USF, College, and department websites, emails, and MoBull messages for important general information.
- Policy on Make-up Work: Make-up work will be allowed on a case-by-case basis. The instructor expects students to be honest in all of their academic work. Cheating is defined as the improper taking or tendering of any information or material which shall be used to determine academic credit. Taking of information includes, but is not limited to, copying graded homework assignments from another student; working together with another individual(s) on a take-home test or homework when not specifically permitted by the instructor; looking or attempting to look at another student’s paper during an examination and; looking or attempting to look at text or notes during an examination when not permitted. Tendering of information includes, but is not limited to, giving your work to another student to be used or copied; giving someone answers to exam questions either when the exam is being given or after having taken an exam; giving or selling a term paper or other written materials to another student; sharing information on a graded assignment. The instructor may assign a grade of F or zero to an assignment, test, exam or other course work or the entire course for admitted or alleged academic dishonesty.
- Program This Course Supports: MS in Conservation Biology
- Course Concurrence Information: Florida Studies
ESP
- if you have questions about any of these fields, please contact chinescobb@grad.usf.edu or joe@grad.usf.edu.