Wildlife Ecology and Conservation

Principles of fish management in freshwater and marine systems. Includes field and laboratory techniques for aquatic habitat and fishery resource assessment, aquaculture practures and consideration of contemporary issues pertinent to sport and commercial uses of renewable fisheries resources.

Provides students with a basic understanding of the classification, nomenclature, morphology, ecological relationships, associations and uses of the major forest tree and shrub species of North America.

Basic concepts of sampling. Design of cost-effective sample surveys. Sampling methodology applicable to natural resources: simple random, stratified, systematic, multi-phase and multi-stage. Cluster sampling, ratio, regression and difference estimation. Line transects. Computer simulation of sampling methods. Introduction to remote sensing, geographic information and global positioning systems.

An integrative approach to the study of forest resource management for the production of multiple products (such as timber, recreation, wildlife, rangeland, etc.) utilizing the case study approach.

Factors in evolution of forest, range, wildlife and related natural resources administration and policies in the United States; policy components; policy formation in implementation, administration and change processes; introduction to criteria for evaluating effectiveness of policies and administration.

Emphasis given to current wildlife conservation issues in Florida and the Southeast. (B).

This laboratory will include exercises designed to complement lecture material in WIS 2040 and will provide students with an opportunity to gain experience in identification of wildlife species in the SE US. This course will also satisfy graduation requirements for students needing a lab. (B)

Introduction to the relationship between humans and the global biotic environment that supports them. This course explores human patterns of resource use and population biology determining the status of the earth’s biodiversity resources. The goal of this course is to help students understand how today’s human society affects global life support systems, and how individuals can make lifetime contributions to environmental solutions. (B, I)

Overview of the history and culture of the profession; careers in wildlife or natural resource conservation; Departmental structure, policy, and programs; use of campus research, academic and career resources; methods of networking, management and teamwork; critical thinking and the scientific method; preparing for graduate school; leadership and volunteer opportunities; and other practical experience.

Wildlife as natural resource, with emphasis on principles of conservation, ecology, and management.

A laboratory designed to familiarize students with the characteristics, life history traits and identification of birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians of Florida.

Natural history, ecology, behavior and identification of vertebrates in Florida.

Introduction to key concepts and contemporary issues in wildlife ecology and conservation, with an emphasis on critical reasoning skills.

Tropical Wildlife is an interdisciplinary course that teaches students about both the ecology of animals and the socio-economics of wildlife use. The first part of the course deals with the biology of tropical wildlife and the second with the historical, economic and political aspects of the use and management of tropical wildlife.

Central constructs and methods of landscape ecology are applied to wildlife ecology and conservation.

Application of land management practices and their effects on wildlife habitats in Florida.

Ecological principles of conservation and management of wildlife in wetland environments, including a survey of the structure and function of major wetland types.

Patterns and processes of distribution of biota on the earth, across a wide range of spatial and time scales. Includes: ecological processes and environmental gradients, biodiversity, biomes, sources of novelty, islands and oceans, plate tectonics, ice ages, mass species extinctions, natural colonizations, impact of human cultures, climate change. Global perspectives and Florida.

Introduction to the dynamics and regulation of biological populations and life-history theory.

Local and international models are used to provide an interdisciplinary overview of the theory and practice of conservation education, environmental communication and integrated resource management and conservation.

Principles and problems associated with the conservation and management of wildlife in terrestrial environments, from urban areas to wilderness, with emphasis on the ecological relationships underlying management strategies.

To expose students to some of the common methods used to estimate animal abundance/density in the wild; to analyze wildlife population data; and to measure the use of space and resources by animals.

This course will focus on the ecology and management of introduced and invasive wildlife species and their effects at the community and ecosystem levels. Topics will include traits of invasive and introduced species, environmental characteristics that promote invasions, use of introductions as a management strategy in conservation and detailed analysis of case studies.

Intensive advanced field experience in scientific study design and ecology of wild bird populations and communities.

This course is an overview of the major problems in conservation of biological principles and theory of preservation of this diversity.

Concepts and applications of quantitative techniques in ecology and wildlife management.

Lectures and discussions in class explore the nature and processes of designing and conducting original research in ecology and conservation biology. This course is required for all students seeking graduation with high or highest honors in the Honors Program. Students seeking admission into the Department’s Honors Program must take this course in the spring semester of their junior year. This course is open to all majors and can be taken at any point by students not seeking admission to the Honors Program.

Individual study of a selected topic related to wildlife ecology and conservation as contracted with the instructor at the start of the term.

Independent honors research project. Should be taken following completion of WIS 4904, and during conduct of research leading to honors thesis and graduation with High or Highest Honors. Must be taken fall term of senior year. Minimum of 2 credits of 4909 plus 1 credit for 4904 are required to satisfy 3 of the 9 credits of courses required for completion of the COA/WEC Honors Program.

Selected topics in wildlife, forestry, range, recreation, and fisheries. Topics include special current issues and in –depth study of topics not covered in other courses.

Practical training in wildlife research techniques including radiotelemetry, methods of trapping, immobilization and marking of birds, mammals and herps.

Practical co-op work experience related to wildlife ecology and conservation under approval of industrial, business, institutional or government agency supervisor.