2021-2022 Catalog

BIO-H343 Honors Biodiversity & Conservation Biology

This honors course focuses on the core principles of conservation and biodiversity preservation rooted in both ecology and policy. We examine a wide range of topics including the history and underlying ideals of conservation, the meaning and value of biodiversity, ecosystem services, the Endangered Species Act, and population ecology. The course also addresses major conservation challenges and threats to biodiversity including the impacts of agriculture, commercial fishing, freshwater degradation, and climate change. Students must complete two semester-long group projects; one on the recovery of an endangered species or the control of an invasive species and the other on implementing a biodiversity-preserving plan for farming or fishing. As an honors course, students can expect to explore topics in greater depth and to take increased ownership of the research and design of the group projects.

Credits

4

Prerequisite

BIO-114 and BIO-L114. Honors students only.