SW 332 - Virtual Biodiversity

Institution:

DePaul University

Subject:

Description:

The exploration and measurement of the amount of genetic, species, and ecological variation on earth is emerging as one of science's and society's most important and urgent endeavors. Scientific efforts to study earth's biodiversity have intensified because of our growing appreciation of the role human population growth and urbanization play in accelerating the extinction of plant and animal species through the destruction of critical habitats. Since life on earth has been diversifying for at least 3.8 billion years, but most of the biodiversity that once existed (as much as 99%) has been lost to extinction processes, we will focus on exploring what are "normal" levels of extinction on earth. Central questions addressed in this course are: How is the security of humanity dependent on biological diversity Is a mass extinction event currently in progress on earth Do we have an obligation to future generations to keep life on the planet as diverse as possible Students will be introduced to major biodiversity issues through discussions, readings, lectures, labs, and original inquiry. Students are required to participate in a self-directed fieldtrip to a biological reserve and to develop a detailed research paper on a biodiversity issue of their choice structured in a scientific format. This course will employ a great variety of online biodiversity resources available at institutional websites. Subjects of the course will include: different views the biosphere; biodiversity trends in earth's fossil record; the value of and human dependence on biodiversity; biodiversity at risk; policies, economics, and technology to protect biodiversity. Competencies: S4, S2C, S3D, S2A. Faculty: Staff.

Credits:

4.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.depaul.edu

Phone Number:

(312) 362-8000

Regional Accreditation:

North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

Calendar System:

Quarter

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