Conservation Biology

BIOL4120
schedules
Modified

Tue Oct 13, 2026

This schedule is tentative and subject to change at any time, so check the online version regularly. You are solely responsible for keeping up with assigned textbook readings, exams, and assignment deadlines. We may also complete graded, in-class activities or quizzes not listed here without notice.

Textbook sections should be read before the class for which they are listed.

Monday, August 24
No Class BIOL4120
Wednesday, August 26
Overview & Syllabus BIOL4120
Overview

Monday, August 31
The Rise of Conservation Biology
Foundations of Conservation Biology
  • Reading
    Ch 1
    Conservation biology - past and present (19 pages)
  • Slides
Wednesday, September 2
No Class BIOL4120

Monday, September 7
Labor Day
Wednesday, September 9
Biodiversity Concepts & MeasurementThe Rise of Conservation Biology
Foundations of Conservation Biology
  • Reading
    Ch 2
    Biodiversity (17 pages)
  • Slides
  • Slides

Monday, September 14
Biodiversity Concepts & Measurement
Foundations of Conservation Biology
  • Slides
Wednesday, September 16
Threats to Biodiversity
  • Case
    Conversation 1
    Extinction
    Sasha M., Macey V., Emily M.

Monday, September 21
Quantifying Biodiversity
Foundations of Conservation Biology
  • Reading
    Ch 16
    The conservation biologist’s toolbox – principles for the design and analysis of conservation studies (27 pages)
Wednesday, September 23
Extinction
Threats to Biodiversity
  • Reading
    Ch 10
    Extinctions and the practice of preventing them (17 pages)
  • Slides

Monday, September 28
Extinction
Threats to Biodiversity
  • Slides
Wednesday, September 30
Threats to Biodiversity
  • Case
    Conversation 2
    Habitat Loss, Fragmentation, and Degradation
    Kier L., Jay C., Alexander M.

Monday, October 5
Extinction
Threats to Biodiversity
  • Slides
Wednesday, October 7
Habitat Loss, Fragmentation, and Degradation
Threats to Biodiversity
  • Reading
    Ch 5
    Habitat fragmentation and landscape change (18 pages)
  • Reading
    Ch 4
    Habitat destruction: death by a thousand cuts (14 pages)
  • Slides

Monday, October 12
Threats to Biodiversity
  • Case
    Conversation 3
    Overexploitation
Wednesday, October 14
Exam 1 BIOL4120

Monday, October 19
Fall Break BIOL4120
Wednesday, October 21
Habitat Loss, Fragmentation, and Degradation
Threats to Biodiversity
  • Slides

Monday, October 26
Habitat Loss, Fragmentation, and DegradationOverexploitation
Threats to Biodiversity
  • Reading
    Ch 6
    Overharvesting (23 pages)
  • Slides
Wednesday, October 28
Overexploitation
Threats to Biodiversity
  • Case
    Conversation 4
    Invasive Alien Species

Monday, November 2
Overexploitation
Threats to Biodiversity
Wednesday, November 4
Invasive Alien Species
Threats to Biodiversity
  • Reading
    Ch 7
    Invasive Species (21 pages)

Monday, November 9
Climate Change & Biodiversity
Threats to Biodiversity
  • Reading
    Ch 8
    Climate Change (9 pages)
  • Case
    Conversation 5
    Climate Change & Biodiversity
Wednesday, November 11
Climate Change & Biodiversity
Threats to Biodiversity

Monday, November 16
Ex Situ Conservation
Approaches to Conservation
  • Reading
    Mirandaet al., 2023
    The Role of Zoos and Aquariums in a Changing World
Wednesday, November 18
Ex Situ ConservationSpecies-Level Approaches
Approaches to Conservation
  • Reading
    Ch 12
    Endangered species management: the US experience (15 pages)

Monday, November 23
Species-Level Approaches
Approaches to Conservation
  • Case
    Conversation 6
    Species-Level Approaches
    Endangered S.
Wednesday, November 25
Thanksgiving Break BIOL4120

Monday, November 30
Species-Level Approaches
Approaches to Conservation
Wednesday, December 2
Community & Ecosystem Approaches
Approaches to Conservation
  • Reading
    Ch 11
    Conservation planning and priorities (20 pages)
  • Reading
    Ch 15
    From conservation theory to practice: crossing the divide (28 pages)
  • Case
    Conversation 7
    Community & Ecosystem Approaches

Monday, December 7
Community & Ecosystem ApproachesLandscape-Scale Approaches
Approaches to Conservation
  • Reading
    Ch 13
    Conservation in human‐modified landscapes (25 pages)
Wednesday, December 9
Landscape-Scale Approaches
Approaches to Conservation
  • Case
    Conversation 8
    Landscape-Scale Approaches

Monday, December 14
Final Exam BIOL4120