BIOL-279 International Ecology and Conservation

Credits 3 / 3 Contact Hours
Pre-requisite: Placement into ACRD-080. Students must complete an application and be accepted into the study abroad program at the deadline established by the International Institute prior to enrolling in the study abroad course. Students must have a Minimum GPA of 2.5. Students enrolled with International Student Visa must get clearance from the DOS in the Admissions Office. Additional requirements: a valid Real ID, a valid Enhanced Driver´s License, or a valid U.S. passport (does not expire within 6 months) and vaccinations required by the country of entry.
This course is intended to introduce students to the principles of scientific inquiry in the disciplines of ecology and conservation on the international stage.  Students will acquire skills and hands-on application, while abroad, of ecological and conservational issues.  Students will develop an understanding of the variety of ways that organisms interact with both the physical and biological environment internationally and acquire an understanding of the dissimilarities in the structure and function of different types of ecosystems.

BILLABLE CONTACT HOURS: 3

Course Outcomes
Cross Cultural and Identity Outcomes

1. Re-examine values and priorities to become better contributors to the global community.
2. Recognize and acknowledge self-awareness of culture.
3. Examine actions in terms of personal responsibility and ethical, social, and environmental consequences.
4. Show sensitivity to the concerns of under-represented, minority or indigenous peoples throughout the world.
5. Identify and appreciate subtle (and not-so-subtle) differences in social norms, the function and deployment of humor, and what is deemed “acceptable”.
6. Demonstrate critical thinking skills in the areas of cultural analysis and intercultural understanding.

Academic Goals

1. Illustrate a better understanding of global issues including a heightened awareness of global environmental concerns.
2. Recognize and apply an understanding of the host society including its politics, economy, society, history, identity, and culture.
3. Identify skills and academic and professional abilities applicable for use in regional and global contexts.
4. Demonstrate critical thinking skills in the areas of cultural analysis and intercultural understanding.
5. Compare differing viewpoints on controversial topics and be able to form and share opinions.
6. Practice independence and confidence when it comes to researching and seeking out local resources.
7. Identify the environmental and ecological viewpoints that attempt to provide a factual basis that can be utilized to improve conservation globally.
8. Ascertain the human associated ecological problems that can occur internationally.
9. Recognize the principles of scientific inquiry in the discipline of International Ecology and Environmental Science.
10. Develop an understanding of the variety of ways that various organisms interact with both the physical and biological environment.
11. Develop an understanding of the basic principles of conservation, biodiversity, ecology, and biogeography.
12. Identify politics, laws, social-economics, and philosophy of international conservation.
13. Explore the dissimilarities in the structure and function of different types of ecosystems.
14. Acquire a basic knowledge in data analysis and presentation of that data.