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This course covers aspects of biology that are useful in applied conservation situations. In other words, how can ecologists help to preserve biodiversity? Topics covered include: what is rarity; extinction rates past and present; limiting factors in endangered species management; adaptive management of NZ species; reserve design in theory and practice; conservation and climate change. This course complements BIOL429 which looks at conservation genetics.
The aim of the course is to look at parts of science can help to preserve biodiversity. This includestheoretical considerations of rarity, extinction, and the value of biodiversity, along with practicalstudies of what management methods work, and why.We will not discuss conservation genetics, which are covered in the companion courseBIOL429 Conservation Genetics.We will not be centrally concerned with issues of morals, values, or sociology, althoughthese will inevitably be touched on. Remember that you may have value judgements about what is“better” but others in the class may have different values. In the course we encourage you toconcentrate on scientific facts, and use these to develop informed opinions on the topics covered.Recommended preparatory course(s): BIOL 374, BIOL375, BIOL377, BIOL378, BIOL 379 or BIOL384
As a student in this course, I will develop the ability to: Acquire an in-depth appreciation of important concepts in conservation biology, across arange of taxa and ecosystems (assessment task: final exam); Display a high level of critical thinking including critique and synthesis of conservationbiology research, development of hypotheses, and integration of theory and applications(assessment: essay and final exam); Develop a high level of communication skills in a range of modes, including tutorialdiscussions, report writing/critique, and formal essays (assessment: essay and final exam); Develop skills in literature searching, and rapid but effective reading of scientific literature(assessment: essay);Transferable Skills Register / Pūkenga NgaioAs a student in this course, I will develop the following skills: Discovery, synthesis and interpretation of information (GP1) Evaluation of arguments and evidence, and debating alternative points of view (GP2) Writing formal prose to summarise factual information (GP2) Engaging in science and technology issues with a broader understanding of their socialcontext, and how New Zealand’s conservation issues fit in a global context. (GP5)GP1-5 refer to Graduate Profile attributes: (1) Critically competent in a core academic disciplineof their degree; (2) employable, innovative and enterprising; (3) biculturally competent andconfident; (4) engaged with the community; and (5) globally aware.
Subject to approval of the Head of School.
BIOL474
Sara Kross
Hazel Chapman
Note that the course assessment will be subject to the Biology policy on late submission of work, and essays may be required in both hard and electronic formats so we can run plagiarism checking software on them (see below). Also note that Biol policy requires you to score at least 40% in the interm work (essay) and at least 40% on the final exam, and get an overall mark of at least 50%, to pass the course.
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Domestic fee $1,114.00
International Postgraduate fees
* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.
For further information see School of Biological Sciences .