Course Overview:
            Conservation biology is a growing area of science that emphasizes developing appropriate policies and science-based management applications for preserving and maintaining biological diversity at multiple levels (genetic, population, and ecosystem) and over long termporal scales. In this graduate level seminar course we will explore and discuss a variety of continuing or emerging issues in conservation biology.  The course will be primarily graduate student-led with 2 person groups selecting 2 papers for the class to read, and then relatively briefly reviewing those papers (10-15 minutes) at the start of a class period, followed by group discussion.  Each student will be participate in leading 2 different class discussions during the semester.  All students will be expected to critically read materials for seminar class periods and actively participate in discussions.
            Grading will be based on preparation and leading of discussion sessions (50%) and participation in discussions (50%).  Papers for each discussion area can be selected entirely by the student groups, or I can assist in identifying potential papers from my library.  The final decisions on what papers will be discussed will be up to the graduate students.

COURSE SCHEDULE
DATE                  TOPICS                                                                                   DISCUSSION LEADERS