Course Description
An overview of the ecology, conservation, and management of
fish and wildlife populations in the United States.
Athena Title
Wildlife in America
Non-Traditional Format
This course will be taught 95% or more online.
Semester Course Offered
Offered summer semester every year.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student Learning Outcomes
- By the end of this course, students should be able to provide an overview of the history of wildlife ecology, conservation, and management in the U.S. and describe the importance of these fields in modern society.
- By the end of this course, students should be able to distinguish among the various wildlife taxa found in the U.S. and world and be able to describe important aspects of their life history and ecology.
- By the end of this course, students should be able to explain the association between wildlife and habitat and the fundamental role wildlife play in ecosystems.
- By the end of this course, students should be able to describe key conservation challenges for wildlife, including the impacts of human land use and other anthropogenic activities.
Topical Outline
- a. Introduction and Wildlife Tragedies (market hunting)
- b. Principles of Ecology
- c. Principles of Wildlife Management and Conservation Biology
- d. Ecological Concepts – Ecosystems, Communities, Succession
- e. Biological Diversity – Why save it?
- f. Causes of Extinction
- g. Endangered Species Act
- h. Methods of Monitoring Wildlife Populations
- i. How Small is a Population?
- j. Keystone Species and Trophic Cascades
- k. National Parks and Refuge Design
- l. Captive Breeding and Reintroduction Programs
Yellowstone Wolves
- m. Game Species
White-tailed Deer Overpopulation
- n. Birds: Their Ecology and Conservation
- o. Migration
- p. Bird Protection Programs
- q. “Herps” – Reptiles and Amphibians
- r. Worldwide Herp Population Declines
- s. Overview of Marine and Freshwater Fishes
- t. Over Exploitation of Fisheries Resources
- u. Future Challenges to Wildlife Conservation and Management
