Course Syllabus

1. Biodiversity and its importance (what is biodiversity? Understanding biodiversity and the status of global biodiversity)
2. Concrete threats to biodiversity
3. Maintaining biodiversity
4. With great power... comes great responsibility....

By the end of this course students will have:

• Knowledge of fundamental concepts within conservation and biodiversity;
• Knowledge of the main threats to biological diversity and the ability to evaluate the effects of human influences such as habitat fragmentation, climate changes and invasive species on biodiversity;
• A greater understanding of the relationships and conflicts between social development and conservation of ecosystems; as well as moral and ethical issues;
• The ability to demonstrate the differences between the different layers in the red list;
• An enhanced recognition of the complexities of environmental conservation;
• An overview of the current political and economic concerns of conservation, the players involved, and their roles;
• A greater sensibility of the wonderful natural world that is still surrounding us.
• The ability to analyze information generated from scientific investigations and use findings to address conservation and biodiversity issues.

Inger Kærgaard holds a MSc in biology (University of Copenhagen, 2004). Focused on sustainability and conservation biology. Project manager and research assistent at a University of Applied Sciences in Switzerland. One project in environmental education was funded by the EU, another project funded by the Swiss government involved sustainable income generating activities for organic farmers in the Swiss Alps (2004-2006). Worked for various NGOs on forest protection and sustainable development in Thailand and Indonesia (2007 and 2010). Taught biology in an upper secondary school in Denmark and was also involved in an education program for sustainability education (2010-2013). Organized two photo exhibitions on forest issues. The exhibitions were supported by Danida and were based on qualitative research, which Inger carried out in South East Asia (2009 and 2012). 2019 and 2020 Inger has been doing bat consultancy for Copenhagen Municipality. Since spring 2021 Inger has her own research project on the bat population in Copenhagen. With DIS since 2014.

In general...

Critically read the assigned readings before class with the help of handouts and questions for the given lecture. This still applies on test days.

Laptop use is to be extremely limited.. If you are on Facebook, Instant Messaging, etc, your participation grade will severely suffer. Occasionally, I will ask you to search for something, and in these cases internet searches are of course allowed.

Mobile phones are not allowed during class.

Hand in your papers and assignments on time, otherwise your grade will be penalized by a half a grade per day of delay.

You should be able to search for and find scientific references on you own using the Royal Library:http://www.kb.dk/da/index.html 

Just come and talk to me directly, or to the the class representatives, or ESA Program Assistant, Shannon Schooley, if there are any problems.

You will be evaluated in this course in several ways. There will be one midterm test to make sure you have learned the key concepts of conservation and biodiversity. You will also be evaluated on participation in class/field studies, and on three separate papers that you are going to write during the semester; the final paper will function as your final exam.

Midterm test:

The test will cover the basic principles of conservation and biodiversity taught during the semester.

1. Approximately 80 minutes in length

2. Use it to gauge how you are doing in the class

Citizen science Assignment 1 (4 pages including pictures)

ZOO visit Assignment 2 (4 pages including pictures)

For this assignment you have two different options: Option 1: During our Copenhagen Zoo visit you will gather information about four animals with various statuses. You have to describe concerns, treatments, and what can be done to support these species. In the zoo, you will also try to evaluate the enclosure and the behavior. Option 2: Exploring the purpose of zoos. You will make a critical review of their impact on conservation.

You will receive more guidelines for both options assignment.

 Conservation/Biodiversity paper (Final paper, 6-7 pages):

You will choose a topic within conservation or biodiversity from the list (to be handed out in class) and write an outline with 10 references, which you will turn in. You will get your outline back with comments and then write a paper on the chosen subject. The paper should consider the ecosystem, population dynamics, geographical region, problems, solutions, economics, politics and law etc. Further information will follow.

Deadlines for assignments: All assignments are due at 23:59, they should be uploaded on Canvas.