BIOL 260 Conservation Biology
Current rates of human-caused extinction are comparable to those of Earth’s most recent mass extinction event. This course explores the major principles of conservation biology, an interdisciplinary discipline that focuses on the preservation of biological diversity at the gene, population, species, ecosystem, and global levels. Conservation biologists use biological theories to develop practical approaches for the protection, maintenance, and restoration of species, biological communities and ecosystems. Topics of study include the causes and consequences of biodiversity loss, the value of biodiversity to humans, and conservation strategies. The course focuses on the biological concepts in conservation, but will also review economic, political and philosophical perspectives. This is a foundation course in the Environment, Sustainability and Society major.