Course Name Year Term Period Faculty / Graduate School All Instructors Credits
50976:Foundation Course to Policy Science Ⅶ (P) 2024 Fall Wed2 College　Of　Policy　Science SAKURAI RYO 2

Campus

OIC

Class Venue

AS465

Language

English

Course Outline and Method

This course overviews Natural Science with a specific focus on Conservation Biology. Environmental issues are becoming serious problems all over the world and we all need to think about how to conserve nature and live in harmony with wildlife. In order to understand how nature could be effectively conserved, we need to learn, first, what biodiversity is and how it functions. In this course, the instructor will also cover what roles species play in ecosystems, how species interact, and threats to biodiversity such as habitat degradation and overexploitation. The course will be consisted of lectures and group discussions.

Student Attainment Objectives

After taking this course, students will be able to understand
1.important concepts of conservation biology (e.g. biodiversity, speciation, extinction),
2.threats to biodiversity (e.g. habitat degradation, overexploitation),
3.ethics and economics related to conservation.

Recommended Preparatory Course

Course Schedule

Lecture/Instructor（When there are multiple instructors) Theme
Keyword, References and Supplementary Information
1

Introduction
What is natural science and what is conservation biology? What is biodiversity?

Chapter 4 of Living in the Environment

2

How does the earth’s life change over time?

Chapter 4 of Living in the Environment

3

How do speciation and extinction affect biodiversity? (Short report)

Chapter 4 of Living in the Environment

4

What roles do species play in ecosystems?

Chapter 4 of Living in the Environment

5

How do species interact?

Chapter 5 of Living in the Environment

6

First exam

What limits the growth of population?

Chapter 5 of Living in the Environment

7

Biodiversity crisis / Conservation ethics and ecological economics

Chapter 3 of Principles of Conservation Biology

8

Habitat degradation and loss

Chapter 6 of Principles of Conservation Biology

9

Habitat fragmentation (Short report)

Chapter 7 of Principles of Conservation Biology

10

Overexploitation

Chapter 8 of Principles of Conservation Biology

11

Species Invasions

Chapter 9 of Principles of Conservation Biology

12

Second exam

Saving Species / Explanation about the final presentation

Chapter 9 of Living in the Environment

13

Case study about extinction of Japanese wolf / Preparing for the final presentation (Submit abstract and PowerPoint of final presentation by following week)

14

Final presentation by students

15

Final presentation by students

Class Format

Classes on Face to Face basis

Recommendations for Private Study

Students are expected to actively participate in classes and group discussion, prepare for the exams, and write short reports. Also, students need to prepare for the final presentation.

Grade Evaluation Method

Kind Percentage Grading Criteria etc.
Final Examination (Written) 0

Report Examination
(A report to be submitted by the unified deadline)		 0

Exams and/or Reports other than those stated above, and Continuous Assessment　
(Evaluation of Everyday Performance in Class)		 100

35%: Two exams
20%: Two short reports and abstract for final presentation
15%: Final presentation
30%: Class participation and group discussion

Grade Evaluation Method （Note）

Advice to Students on Study and Research Methods

Textbooks

Title Author Publisher ISBN Code Comment
Living in the Environment G. T. Miller, S. E. Spoolman Cengage Learning 1285197283
Principles of Conservation Biology, Third Edition M. J. Groom, G. K. Meffe, C. R. Carroll Sinauer Associates, Inc 0-87893-518-5

Textbooks （Frequency of Use, Note）

Reference Books

Reference Books （Frequency of Use, Note）

Web Pages for Reference

How to Communicate with the Instructor In and Out of Class(Including Instructor Contact Information)

Learning Management System （manaba+R）,Talk with Students

Other Comments

【科目ナンバリング・カリキュラムマップはこちらから/Click here to see the Curriculum-Map and Course-Numbering】
URL:http://www.ritsumei.ac.jp//students/pathways-future/course/curriculum.html