Course Outline - Classes at U. of L. - University of Lethbridge

Biology 3610; 2006 Prairie Conservation 1/3
BIOLOGY 3610 - PRAIRIE CONSERVATION
Course Outline - FALL 2006
Instructor: Andy Hurly
Office: D868; email: hurly@uleth.ca
Lecture: Tuesday 4:30-7:20 p.m.; W514
Lab: Thursday 4:30-7:20 p.m.; W514
Text: Documents will be provided.
Lab Manual: Exercises provided.
Evaluations: Proportion of Final Grade
Classroom Group Assignments 20%
Individual Assignments 25% Penalty for late assignments - 10% per day
Paper#1 (Due Oct. 5, noon) 20% Penalty for late paper - 10% per day
Paper#2 (Due Nov. 16, noon) 20% Penalty for late paper - 10% per day
Poster (Due Nov. 30, noon) 15% Penalty for late poster - 10% per day
Total 100%
Note: Failure to participate in a group assignment will result in a grade of zero on that assignment.
Course Objective:
The objective of this course is to provide students with a comprehensive overview of the native prairie
landscape in Alberta, including:
- unique physical, ecological and cultural attributes of the prairies;
- historic use of the prairie landscape;
- current status of native prairie (extent, distribution, health/condition, threats);
- present-day land uses and activities;
- management issues and management approaches, and;
- the impact of government policy and programs on the prairie landscape.
While the course will address the whole prairie landscape, an emphasis will be placed on the conservation of
remaining native prairie. On completion of the course, students will have a basic understanding of
conservation issues related to native prairie landscapes and will be able to begin making informed decisions
about the management of native prairie.

Biology 3610; 2006 Prairie Conservation 2/3
Tentative Schedule:
Sept. 12, 14 Prairie Conservation Introduction; Prairie Biodiversity
Andy Hurly
Lab
Sept. 19, 21 The Prairie Landscape: Biotic Environment & Ecosystem Management
Andy Hurly
Lab
Sept. 26, 28 The Prairie Landscape: Physical Environment
Andy Hurly, Rene Barendregt - Geography, U of L
Lab Available to discuss Paper#1
Oct. 3, 5 Cumulative Impacts
Andy Hurly
Lab
Oct. 10, 12 Tutorial 1a
Lab Tutorial 1b
Oct. 17, 19 Tutorial 1c
Lab Tutorial 1d
Oct. 24, 26 Water
Andy Hurly
Lab
31, Nov. 2 Rangelands (Native Grasslands)
Barry Adams - Range Management Specialist, AB Sustainable Resource Development
Lab
Nov. 7, 9 Cultivation
Andy Hurly
Lab
Nov. 14, 16 Protection and Conservation
Richard Quinlan- Species at Risk Biologist, AB Sustainable Resource Development
Lab
Nov. 21, 23 Tutorial 2a
Lab Tutorial 2b
Nov. 28, 30 Tutorial 2c
Lab Tutorial 2d
Dec. 5 Course Wrap-up and Poster Session
Andy Hurly

Biology 3610; 2006 Prairie Conservation 3/3
Papers and Tutorials
Two major papers will be written on topics that I assign. Each paper will be no longer than 10 double-
spaced typed pages. Ensure that all references are cited following the format of a major scientific journal in
biology (see Canadian Journal of Zoology). Following the submission of each paper, I will then meet with
each student during a scheduled tutorial period to discuss his or her paper. During this discussion I will ask
the student to defend his or her arguments and explain issues related to the topic.
Grading Scheme for each Essay
Content 60%
Style (clarity, organization, grammar, spelling) 15%
Tutorial 25%
Total 100%
Poster
Near the end of the course you will prepare a poster. The aim of the poster is to communicate to the public
an important message about prairie conservation that is based upon primary science. A poster should be
simple and direct, presenting and supporting 2 - 4 essential points of information in a clear fashion. You will
prepare the poster using Microsoft PowerPoint available on PC or Macintosh computers in the student
computer labs. Posters can be printed at the U of L Copy Centre for a few dollars. There will be a poster
session in the last class during which we will all assign grades to the posters.
Letter grade conversions (approximate)
Percent Letter
91-100 A +
86-90 A Excellent
80-85 A -
77-79 B +
74-76 B Good
70-73 B -
67-69 C +
64-66 C Satisfactory
60-63 C -
55-59 D + Poor
50-54 D Minimal Pass
49 or less F Failure
Plagiarism & Cheating
No student shall represent the words or ideas of another person as his or her own. Unless otherwise
indicated, all assignments in this course must be original work completed by individual students. Academic
offences (plagiarism and cheating) or non-academic offences committed by students in the context of this
course will be dealt with according to the policy of the University of Lethbridge as indicated in the 2006/07
Calendar (see pages 70-74).