January 21, 2003
Content: Characteristics of changes; scientific basis for analysis and
modeling of wildlife populations.
Philosophy: Analysis of populations is a quantitative discipline. Mathematical models are required to understand and predict population behavior. Therefore, this course will be structured upon a foundation from mathematical models, expanding to the biological evidence to support and/or reject various factors regulating populations. To conclude the course, population management strategies will be introduced.
Instructors: Gary C. White, Dana L. Winkelman.
Teaching Assistant:
Objective: Students will develop competence 1) to build realistic population models and run them on a PC; 2) to assess the rate of increase/decrease of a population given birth, death, immigration, and emigration rates; and 3) to have a familiarity with both the biological and mathematical literature of population dynamics.
Credit: 3 hr
Pre-requisites: Calculus, FW360, computer literacy (especially Excel spreadsheets).
Schedule: Classes will meet twice as often during the first half of the semester, so that students needing to leave campus for field work can do so. Formal lectures will be given on Mondays and Wednesdays, and computer laboratory exercises and discussion groups will meet on Fridays.
Class Times: MW 8-11 Lectures and Recitations, F 8-10 Computer Labs.
Discussion Sessions: Students will be expected to have read the material pertaining to lectures during the week, plus reviewed their class notes, and be ready to discuss the material presented. In addition, students are encouraged to bring in literature from their area of expertise for discussion by the class, and the further schooling of the instructors.
Project: Each student will develop a population model for a species of their interest, and present the model to the class during the latter part of the class. We envision a 20-minute presentation.
Grading: A midterm (take-home, written exam) and final (25 minute oral exam) exams will be given. Final grades will be based on these exams. Participation in class, particularly thoughtful comments in discussion groups and the insights of their model presented to the class, will help decide borderline grades, i.e., instructor discretion.
Policy on Cheating: Any student found cheating in this course will be given an F for the course, and the Graduate Affairs Committee of the Department of Fishery and Wildlife will be petitioned to expel the student from the major.
Important Dates:
Midterm -- Feb. 11, due Feb. 14, 8:00am.
Final Exam -- Mar. 21-22, oral exam, 25 minutes each.
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Last Modified January 18, 2005