NRES / IB 348

Fish and Wildlife Ecology

Fall 2009

Instructor: Michael Ward

                        Offices: 1) 2105 I-building; 1816 South  Oak St. (campus research park, INHS)
                        e-mail: mpward@illinois.edu ; Phone: 244-4089
                        Office Hours: To be established early in the semester

Teaching Assistant: Dan Elbert
                        Office:2010 I-building; 1816 South  Oak St. (campus research park, INHS)
                        e-mail:  delbert2@illinois.edu
                        Office Hours: To be established

Course overview:
Welcome to NRES 348!  This course is intended to provide an introduction to the ecology, management, and conservation of wildlife and fisheries populations/communities.  Emphasis will be placed on basic principles of population ecology, habitat management, and conservation of biodiversity.  Material will cover both exploited and non-exploited species.  The format of the course is three lectures / week.  Several guest lecturers/experts will come in to talk about specific topics (see below).   We will also have sessions during which we discuss course –related issues in a more participatory and active learning environment.     

Time and Place: MWF at 10-10:50; Room 119 Material Science and Engineering Building

Class Webpage Address: http://courses.nres.uiuc.edu/nres348/index.html

READINGS FOR LECTURES (FROM VARIOUS SOURCES) WILL BE REQUIRED AND POSTED ON THE CLASS WEBPAGE (NO TEXT IS REQUIRED).

Exam and Grading: Your grade will be based on the following:

1. Quizzes (in class [announced]): 25 points each, four will be given and the lowest grade will be dropped for a total of 75 possible points.
2. Mid-term exam: 100 points
3. Final Exam: 150 points
4. Attendance, participation and performance in Active Learning Exercises: up to 25points

Important Dates:
October 16th: Midterm Exam
December 9h: Final Exam

Expectations:
Attendance is expected at every class, but if you need to miss a lecture or two, just be sure to keep up to date on the lecture and reading material.  Most of the lectures will be posted on the class webpage.  We will be taking attendance on occasion.  E-mail me at anytime if you have questions or comments.

TURN OFF YOUR CELL PHONES!!

Tentative Lecture Schedule:

Date                                   Subject                                                 
August    24                                         Introduction /Handout of Syllabus                             
               26                                         General concepts (humans and wildlife)
               28                                         History of wildlife and fisheries management
               31                                          Current issues in Wildlife Ecology
Sept.       2                                           Basic Ecological Concepts: Populations
               4 (Dan)                                  Basic Ecological Concepts: Communities
               7                                           Labor Day (No Class)
               9                                           Basic Ecological Concepts: Ecosystems                                    
               11, 14, 16                               Habitat Management
               18, 21, 23                              Conservation biology
               25                                         Conservation Genetics
               28                                         Discussion (Conservation)                                
Oct.         30                                         Behavior
               2                                           Behavior
               5                                           Wildlife Disease
               7                                           Wildlife Disease                                              
               9 (Cory)                                 Management Strategies
               12                                          Applied Population Ecology
               14                                          Discussion (Management)
               16                                          Hourly Exam                         
               19, 21, 23                              Wildlife and Agriculture                                                         
               26,28, 30                              Invasive Species                                              
Nov.         2, 4                                       Urban Wildlife and Fish                   
               6                                           Discussion Hour (Urban Issues)
               9, 11, 13 (Guest)                    Human Dimensions                     
               16                                          Economics
               18                                          Law
               20                                         Biopolitics/Endangered Spec. Act
               23, 25, 27                             Thanksgiving Break; have a good one
               30                                         Careers in Fish and Wildlife                
Dec         2                                           Discussion (Current Issues)
               4                                           Case Histories in Wildlife Management           
               7                                           No class (Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference)       
               9                                           Final (??)

Lectures
• 1 - Introduction
• 2 - General Concepts
• 3 - History