Faculty: Timothy Quinn, Ph.D., Chief Scientist of Habitat Program, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Conservation biology has two major goals: 1) evaluate human impacts on biodiversity and 2) develop practical approaches to prevent biodiversity loss. Because it addresses human behaviors and activities, conservation biology is interdisciplinary, drawing on both the natural and social sciences. This course explores ongoing and completed success stories as well as continuing challenges associated with the integration of key natural and social science perspectives on major conservation issues and recovery efforts in the Pacific Northwest. Conservation biologists study the maintenance, loss, and restoration of biodiversity, as well as how evolutionary processes sustain genetic, population, species, and ecosystem diversity. This course will mostly emphasize natural science elements of conservation biology but always within a social and economic context. The course will also provide a practitioner's perspective on the relationship between science and policy from work done in Washington State over the last 30 years. This course will introduce students to important literature, controversies, and promising methodologies for a variety of conservation biology applications. In addition, several local experts will provide perspectives on their applied work in the field of conservation. We will read, discuss, and write on various conservation topics. Course assignments will include written and oral exercises with peer evaluations to help students develop ideas and improve communication skills. This course will introduce students to the principal concepts and methodologies of conservation biology, many of which are based in ecological science, will enrich their understanding of the scientific contributions necessary for solving conservation problems, and will further their powers of analysis and communication.
In-person Class Format: This course is offered fully in-person. Students should expect to attend in-person for all class periods. We cannot promise to offer remote attendance options due to illness or other absences. Students should strategize methods for getting notes from class when attendance is not possible.
Class Schedule: Wednesday nights, 6pm-10pm
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Academic Details
environmental studies