BI 313 - Conservation, Management, and Policy

An environmental science course designed to promote an appreciation for the ecological complexity of the natural world and humanity’s role within it. Throughout the course students will consider the causes and consequences associated with environmental issues that are of concern to society, explore aspects of resource management, and determine current policies governing our resources.

As a means to understanding the impact of humanity on environmental issues, students will learn relevant facts and theories from the many different fields across the natural and social sciences that inform the interdisciplinary study of environmental science.

An important learning goal of this course is to develop within students the ability to critically evaluate scientific and non-scientific information, and based on this evaluation arrive at a well-reasoned opinion regarding an environmental issue of interest. To that end, students will practice and improve their critical thinking, scientific reasoning skills, and scientific communication skills throughout the semester.

Note: Meets Global Engagement Learning Outcome (GLOB).

Three hours of lecture each week for one semester. Four credits.

Prerequisite(s): One semester of a college-level biology laboratory course or permission of the instructor.