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Applied Population Dynamics

Analytical Thinking

Course Description

Foundations of population dynamics from an applied perspective. Exponential and logistic population growth, life tables, multiple species interactions, and basic population models. Sampling design and analytical methods for estimating abundance and demographic parameters. Application of population models to harvest management and small population management. Integrative student project required.

Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Graduate students will be expected to do additional readings throughout the course, and they will be required to undertake a semester-long review paper on a topic to be chosen in conjunction with the instructor.

Athena Title

Population Dynamics

Prerequisite

(MATH 1113 or MATH 1113E) and (FANR 3200 or FANR 3200W or ECOL 3500-3500L or ECOL 3505H-3505L)

Corequisite

WILD 5700L/7700L

Semester Course Offered

Offered fall

Grading System

A - F (Traditional)

Student learning Outcomes

  • By the end of this course, students will be able to develop models to forecast the impacts of environmental change and management actions on wildlife populations.
  • By the end of this course, students will be able to design field studies to collect data on wildlife demographics.
  • By the end of this course, students will be able to review scientific literature to support modeling decisions.
  • By the end of this course, students will be able to present modeling results in the form of a short scientific paper.

Topical Outline

  • Introduction to population dynamnics. Why do we collect data on population density and demographics? Why is population dynamics important?
  • Exponential and logistic growth
  • Harvest management
  • Environmental and demographic stochasticity
  • Extinction risk
  • Competition and predation
  • Age and stage structured populations
  • Source-sink dynamics and metapopulation dynamics
  • Study design
  • Occupancy models
  • Distance sampling
  • Mark-recapture
  • Survival analysis
  • Case studies

Institutional Competencies Learning Outcomes

Analytical Thinking

The ability to reason, interpret, analyze, and solve problems from a wide array of authentic contexts.


Syllabus

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