West Kentucky Community and Technical College

BIO 122 Introduction to Conservation Biology Section B5Z1, Spring 2017

COURSE DESCRIPTION: An introduction to the historical and current perspectives on species extinction and
global loss of biological diversity is presented. Methods used to conserve plant and animal life in the United
States and around the world are surveyed, and conservation activities and needs are discussed in societal,
cultural, economic, and political contexts. Pre-/Co-requisite: None. General Education Science: 3 credit hours

INSTRUCTOR: Ms. Bobby Ann Lee Office: Waller Hall, Suite A Offices, phone: 270 534-3237
email: bobby.lee@kctcs.edu- may take up to three business days to respond when class is in session
Bobby Lee website: http://541498140136394388.weebly.com/

INSTRUCTOR SCHEDULE AND OFFICE HOURS (Classes are in Waller Hall, Virtual Office Hours
are listed as Office below, please contact by phone)
MON: 9-9:30a 9:30-10:45a 10:45-2p 2-3:20p
Office BIO 120 Office BIO 120
Rm. 214 Rm. 214
TUE: 9-9:30a 9:30-10:45a 11-12:15p 12:15-3:15p
Office BIO 112 BIO 112 Office
Rm. 214 Rm. 214
WED: 9-9:30a 9:30-10:45a 11-12:50p 1-2p 2-3:20p
Office BIO 120 BIO 121 Office BIO 120
Rm. 214 Rm 203
THU: 9-9:30a 9:30-10:45a 11-12:15p 12:15-3p
Office BIO 112 BIO 112 Office
Rm. 214 Rm. 214
FRI: Administrative Meetings, Field Trips, Professional Development,
And Online Classes (BIO 113, BIO 122)

COURSE COMPETENCIES: When the student completes this course, he/she should be able to
a. explain the concept of biodiversity (biological diversity) as used to describe community diversity,
species diversity, and genetic diversity within species.
b. list reasons why species become endangered or extinct, and distinguish between anthropogenic and non-
anthropogenic causes.
c. outline the history of species loss and the historical development of the human conservation ethic.
d. evaluate the arguments given for preserving biodiversity, and articulate personal views on the need for
conservation of biodiversity.
e. discuss the details of selected case histories of specific plant or animal extinction, endangerment, or
conservation (as explored in class or outside of class).
f. explain the role of habitat loss in present loss of species, and how theories of island biogeography are
applied to elucidate the effect of habitat loss.
g. describe major techniques applied to the preservation of species, including legislative action, habitat
protection and restoration, preserve design, and captive breeding and reintroduction.
h. discuss conservation practice and effectiveness with an awareness of societal, cultural, economic, and
political obstacles, and evaluate current conservation practice as weighed against future needs.

GENERAL EDUCATION COMPETENCIES WITH COURSE SPECIFIC LEARNING OUTCOMES:

A. Knowledge of human cultures and the physical and natural worlds

Students will explain basic concepts and principles in conservation biology by researching and
preparing a written research paper which is graded based on a common rubric.
B. Intellectual and practical skills
 Students will demonstrate an understanding of the methods of science inquiry by utilizing scientific
articles in preparing the written research paper on conservation practice and effectiveness.
C. Personal and social responsibility
Students will explain how scientific principles relate to issues of personal and/or public importance
with an awareness of societal, cultural, economic, and political obstacles, and evaluate current
conservation practice as weighed against future needs in their paper.
D. Integrative and applied learning
Students will apply scientific principles to interpret and make predictions related to course
competencies in their written research paper.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Introduction to Conservation Biology (BIO 122) is an online course

augmented with field projects, Internet websites, library research, and homework assignments. Students must be
able to use the KCTCS Blackboard system to access course material online. Each student is required to have an
active KCTCS email account to communicate with KCTCS faculty, staff and students. Browser versions and
their settings effect the use of Blackboard, and it is up to each student to resolve any personal computer issues
which negatively effect his/her use of Blackboard or KCTCS email during the first week of the semester. After
the first week, missed due dates because of individual student technical difficulties will be considered late work.
Students are required to achieve a 100% on a syllabus quiz by the end of the first week of the semester to take
this course.
TEXTBOOK/SUPPLIES: A minimum of 9 hours per week to Internet access, hardware and software to
properly use Blackboard, and a KCTCS email account. TEXTBOOK: A Primer of Conservation Biology,
Fifth Edition. Richard Primack, Sinaur Associates, Inc. ISBN 978-0-87893-623-6. This text is available
through : www.kctcs.bncollege.com This website will ask for your campus, click West Kentucky
Community and Technical College, and include the correct section number when searching (B5Z1)
ACTIVE KCTCS E-MAIL ACCOUNT: All KCTCS students are required to set up an e-mail account
and are strongly encouraged to check it at least twice weekly. It is the students responsibility to keep
the KCTCS e-mail account active, as this is a primary means of communication between students and
the college. Change the password every 90 days. Periodically delete unnecessary messages in the
Inbox and Sent and Deleted items folders. Go to http://westkentucky.kctcs.edu /Current_Students
and click on E-mail to reset the password and to login to the e-mail account.
COURSE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM: KCTCS uses Blackboard as the course management system.
Blackboard is in Eastern Time. Please note this when submitting assignments. The KCTCS Blackboard
Web Site URL is: http://elearning.kctcs.edu. Login using your Username and Password these are the same
as those used to access your KCTCS email account.

COURSE TECHNOLOGY EXPECTATIONS: Students who enroll in this class are expected to be
independent learners on a number of levels. They are expected to have:
Access to a multimedia-capable personal computer with sound card and speakers
Cable or DSL Internet service (or if others are not available, Satellite Internet Service)
Firefox or Chrome Web browser for optimum Blackboard functionality
Have the ability to:
Recognize common computer terminology (files, Web browser, etc.)
Input data via touch screen or keyboard and mouse
Open/close programs, save, print, copy, cut and paste files, attach documents to e-mail and to
receive documents which have been attached to e-mail (Microsoft Word or saved as rtf files)
Install programs and manage files
Access the Internet via modem, send and receive e-mail, download, install, and handle files and
graphics from the Internet
Free software and Plugins (latest versions):
QuickTime Player - https://www.apple.com/quicktime/download
Java http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/index.html
 Adobe Acrobat Reader - http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html
Students should be prepared to have access to independent support if they anticipate problems with any of these
course expectations. Some limited support will be available from the instructor, but mostly in the context of
specific classroom activities.

ATTENDANCE POLICY: Students are expected to check onto the Blackboard course site a minimum of four
times each week and respond to emails sent from the instructor within three days.

NO-SHOW POLICY FOR ONLINE LEARNING: If a student fails to complete the Syllabus Quiz by
midnight CST during the first week of the course, the student will be reported as a no-show and will be unable
to access the Syllabus Quiz or the remainder of the course material. WKCTC students reported as no-shows
will be automatically dropped from the course. No-show students not dropped from the course by their home
KCTCS colleges should consider withdrawing from the course rather than failing the course. Being reported as
a no-show, failing a course, withdrawing from a course, or not completing a course can all have implications for
financial aid and should be discussed with someone in Financial Aid at the students home college. Students
may contact the instructor if they have any questions regarding the Syllabus Quiz or the no-show policy.

GRADING CRITERIA: Semester grades will be determined by the student's performance on exams, quizzes,
written projects, attendance and extra credit. Letter grades will be assigned based on the following grading scale :
TOTAL POINTS 435 Exams 200 Reading Quizzes:50 Discussion Board Posts (4): 40
Biodiversity Quizzes: 50 Research Journal/Paper: 95
A 90-100% B 80-89% C 70-79% D 60-69% E 0-59%

PROJECTS: Each student is required to participate in and complete projects that concern biodiversity issues.
Projects will consist of field observations and written work that require scientific literature search and review.
Grades are based on organization, completeness, quality and depth of content, technical functionality (such as
working web links), grammar, proper citations and format.

TESTING CENTER NO SHOW POLICY-ONLINE PROCTORED EXAMS: We understand that

situations arise in which you must cancel your appointment. If cancellations are made with less than 72 hours
notice, we are unable to offer that time slot to other students. For this reason, cancellations and changes can
only be made 72 hours in advance. Any student who does not report to the Testing Center at the scheduled day
and time shall be recorded as a No Show by our proctors. No Show students will receive a zero for the exam
and may be retested only at the discretion of the instructor with written permission to the Testing Center
Coordinator.

INCOMPLETE GRADE (I): The I grade is only given at the discretion of the instructor. The I grade will be
given only if (a) satisfactory completion of the missed work would give the student a reason able chance of
passing the course with a C or better, and if (b) the missed work was a result of the illness of the student or a
death in the immediate family. The incomplete work must be completed and all course requirements fulfilled
within 6 months of the last day of classes of the semester enrolled in this course. If the I grade has not been
removed within this allotted time, it will be changed to a F grade.

WRITTEN WORK AND EXAMINATION POLICY All exams/quizzes will be composed of objective,
discussion and/or practical questions. Exams will be announced at least three days prior to the exam. Two
exams, and multiple quizzes will be given as time permits. Points may be deducted for misspelled words and
grammatical errors on exams and written work. Written work will include student posts online. The midterm and
final exam will be face-to-face KCTCS proctored exams at KCTCS colleges. Students must bring a photo ID to
the exams and schedule the exams at least a week in advance with a KCTCS test proctor site.
LATE/MAKE-UP WORK POLICY: Make-up test/quizzes and late work are allowed at the discretion of the
instructor, and only when there is a legitimate excuse for missing the work. Make-up exams may be in the form
of essay exams. It is the student's responsibility to notify the instructor if an exam or work is to be missed and
to inquire about the time and date to take the make-up exam or complete late work before the due date. Make-
up exams, quizzes and late work must be made up before the last day of regular class meetings. A zero grade
will be given for all exams or late work not made up at this time. Grades may be reduced for any late work.

TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES: Students must be able to use the KCTCS Blackboard system to access course
material online. Each student is required to have an active KCTCS email account to communicate with KCTCS
faculty, staff and students. Browser versions and their settings effect the use of Blackboard, and it is up to each
student to resolve any personal computer issues which negatively effect his/her use of Blackboard or KCTCS
email during the first week of the semester. Missed due dates because of individual student technical
difficulties will not be a valid excuse for making up missed work. Students are expected to have alternate
access to Blackboard if their primary access is experiencing technical difficulties.

In the event that the course management system becomes inoperable, student and faculty communication will
continue through the use of KCTCS e-mail and student/faculty accounts. Assignments will continue to be
submitted as e-mail attachments or faxed to the instructor. The instructor will provide guidance on this.

FINANCIAL AID REPAYMENT: PELL, SEOG, and Student Loan recipients (Title IV) who stop attending
or withdraw prior to the 60% point in the semester may be obligated to repay a portion of their financial aid.

SPECIAL/STEP EXAM: No special or STEP exam is available for this course section.

KCTCS CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT: The Kentucky Community and Technical College System
(KCTCS) faculty and students are bound by principles of truth and honesty that are recognized as fundamental
for a community of teachers and scholars. The college expects students and faculty to honor, and faculty to
enforce, these academic principles. The college affirms that it will not tolerate academic dishonesty including,
but not limited to, violation of academic rights of students and student offenses. Academic Offenses include
plagiarism, cheating, student co-responsibility in academic dishonesty, and misuse or student falsification of
academic records. Sanctions for academic dishonesty or misconduct may include the following but are not
limited to:
a. Requiring the student to resubmit the assignment
b. A lower or failing grade on the assignment, exam, or in the course;
c. Removal from the course
d. Referral for other disciplinary actions
A student who receives a penalty for academic dishonesty or misconduct may not avoid the academic penalty
by withdrawing from the courseStudents may refer to the KCTCS Code of Student Conduct, Article II for more
information on academic rights, academic offenses, and the students right to appeal. You can locate the
KCTCS Code of Student Conduct at
http://www.kctcs.edu/~/media/System_Office/Academics/KCTCS_Code_of_Student_Conduct_1117.ashx

Cheating includes buying, stealing, or otherwise obtaining unauthorized copies of examinations or assignments
for the purpose of improving ones academic standing. During examinations or in-class work, cheating includes
having unauthorized information, and/or referring to unauthorized notes or other written or electronic
information. In addition, copying from others, either during examinations or in the preparation of homework
assignments, is a form of cheating.

Plagiarism is the act of presenting ideas, words, or organization of a source, published or not, as if they were
ones own. All quoted material must be in quotation marks, and all paraphrases, quotations, significant ideas,
and organization must be acknowledged by some form of documentation acceptable to the instructor for the
course. Plagiarism also includes the practice of employing or allowing another person to alter or revise the
work that a student submits as the students own. Students may discuss assignments among themselves or with
an instructor or tutor, but when the actual material is completed, it must be done by the student and the student
alone. The use of the term material refers to work in any form including written, oral, and electronic.
All academic work, written or otherwise, submitted by a student to an instructor or other academic supervisor, is
expected to be the result of the students own thought, research, or self-expression. In any case in which a
student feels unsure about a question of plagiarism involving the students work, the student must consult the
instructor before submitting the work.

TITLE IX Discrimination/Harassment: Students may direct complaints of discrimination or harassment to

Dr. Dalton-Russell (Anderson 204, 270-534-3081, belinda.dalton-russell@kctcs.edu) for resolution pursuant
to the http://www.kctcs.edu/Current_Students/Code_of_Student_Conduct
TITLE IX Sexual Misconduct: Sexual misconduct matters should be directed to the Title IX Coordinator, Dr.
Dalton-Russell (Anderson 204, 270-534-3081, belinda.dalton-russell@kctcs.edu) to be handled in accordance
with the http://www.kctcs.edu/Current_Students/Safety_and_Security/Title_IX_Procedures . Any responsible employee who
receives information related to sexual misconduct is required to report it to the Title IX Coordinator.

ADA STATEMENT: Students with documented disabilities requiring individualized accommodations should
contact the Accessibility/Disability Resource Coordinator at the Home College. A list of Accessibility Resource
Coordinators for the KCTCS colleges can be found at http://www.kctcs.edu/en/Students/Disability_Services.aspx
Once the student has contacted the Accessibility Services Coordinator at the Home College, that Coordinator
will communicate with the student's instructors and/or the Accessibility Resource Coordinator at the Delivering
College in order to coordinate and/or provide reasonable and appropriate accommodations to the student.

The WKCTC Office of Accessibility Services will work with WKCTC students to determine if accommodations
are appropriate and to assist them in obtaining equal access to education while at West Kentucky Community &
Technical College. All requests for accommodations should be directed to the WKCTC Manager/Coordinator of
Accessibility Services, at 270-534-3406. The WKCTC Accessibility Services Office is located in the Anderson
Technical Building in Room 105. Appointments are recommended due to the volume of students being served
and to maintain confidentiality. Any student with a documented disability should seek services at the
beginning of the semester and no later than midterm in order to ensure academic success. Once
documentation has been reviewed and accommodations are approved, an accommodation request form (ARF)
will be prepared for instructors for each appropriate class. A student can discuss accommodation needs with
his/her course instructor only after the instructor has been sent the ARF.
Students registered in Accessibility Services must notify the Manager of Accessibility Services EVERY
semester to request the accommodation request form (ARF) be sent to instructors.

COPYRIGHT POLICY: West Kentucky Community and Technical College respects the intellectual property
of others and asks our students to do the same. Each student is responsible for preventing the intentional or
unintentional sharing of Educational Materials from the WKCTC/Blackboard Sites so as not to infringe any
third party copyright under the restrictions and guidelines of Educational Fair Use as defined under Section
107 of the U.S. Copyright Act. For the purposes of this Agreement, Educational Materials shall include all
content or other materials available on the Sites, including but not limited to code, images, text, layouts,
arrangements, displays, illustrations, audio and video clips, HTML files and other content. These are the
property of WKCTC and/or its affiliates or licensors and are protected by copyright, patent and/or other
proprietary intellectual property rights under the United States and foreign laws. In consideration for your
agreement to the terms and conditions contained here, WKCTC grants you a personal, non-exclusive, non-
transferable license to access and use the Sites. You may download material from the Sites only for your own
personal, non-commercial use. You may not otherwise copy, reproduce, retransmit, distribute, publish,
commercially exploit or otherwise transfer any material, nor may you modify or create derivative works of the
material. The burden of determining that your use of any information, software or any other content on the Site
is permissible rests with you. In connection with your participation in an Online Course, you will have the
ability to access or download content or other course-related materials provided by other Users taking the
course. WKCTC cannot guarantee that any such User Content will be free of viruses, worms, back doors, Trojan
horses or other contaminants which may harm your computer, tablet, hand-held device or any programs or files
therein. WKCTC disclaims any responsibility or liability relating to your access or download of such User
Content. Accordingly, WKCTC recommends that you only download or access files from a trusted source and
implement security measures to scan downloaded files for contaminants. Completion of the syllabus quiz is
your electronic signature that you agree not to share Educational Materials from the WKCTC/Blackboard Sites
electronically on the Internet or otherwise. Doing so will result in a violation of the Digital Millennium
Copyright Act ("DMCA"). In addition WKCTC may, in appropriate circumstances, take legal action against
copyright infringers.

ONLINE STUDENT SERVICES: The success of the student is very important to the instructor, to the home
college, and to the KCTCS. In addition to the Bookstore, Tutoring Center, and Library, student services such as
Advising, Counseling, and Financial Aid and are available online through Starfish. Contact the WKCTC Online
Learning Department or your instructor if you need assistance. The Online Learning Web page is linked from
the home page of the college under Academics.

WITHDRAWAL PROCEDURE FOR ONLINE COURSES: Students officially withdrawing on or prior to

Midterm will receive a grade of "W." After this date, the grade of "W" will be assigned at the discretion of the
instructor. It is the student's responsibility to obtain and complete all paperwork related to withdrawing. It is
recommended that prior to withdrawal students discuss their circumstances with their instructor. Withdrawal
from a course or courses is a serious decision and, in many cases, affects financial assistance and academic
progress. In addition, withdrawal does not relieve students from their financial obligation.

For students whose home KCTCS college is West Kentucky Community & Technical College:
1. Review the Academic Calendar in the course syllabus; check for refund dates and to see if instructor
permission is required for withdrawal.
2. Complete the online Drop Request Form.
Contact Financial Aid to ensure you will not be required to pay back any awarded money.
Instructor permission is required after mid=session and you must forward approval via your
KCTCS Student e-mail account to mailto:WKCTCrecords@kctcs.edu
Locate instructor contact information within the course syllabus.
For students whose home KCTCS college is not West Kentucky Community & Technical College:
1. Review the Academic Calendar in the course syllabus; check to see if instructor permission is required
for withdrawal.
2. Refer to the home KCTCS college web site or Registrar for specific college procedures for
drops/withdrawals.

ACADEMIC CALENDAR: Visit this website, http://westkentucky.kctcs.edu/Academics/Calendars

COURSE OUTLINE:
Module A: The Need for Conservation Biology
o Chapter 1: Defining Conservation Biology
o Chapter 2: What is Biodiversity?
o Additional Slide presentation: History of Conservation Biology

Module B: Threats to Biodiversity

o Chapter 4: Threats to Biodiversity
o Chapter 5: Extinction is Forever
o Additional Slide presentations:
Five Primary Threats to Biodiversity
Island Biogeography Model for Estimating Extinction Rates
Case Study Red Wolf

Module C: Efforts to Conserve Species and Habitats

o Chapter 6: Conserving Populations and Species
o Chapter 7: Protected Areas and Conservation
o Chapter 8: Outside Protected Areas
o Chapter 9: The Challenge of Sustainable Development
o Additional Slide presentations:
Species Protection
Case Study: Whooping Cranes
Geograpic Information Systems (GIS) and Case Study: Obion Creek Habitat Restoration
International Conservation and Case Study: Mozambique, Africa

Additional Assignments
Identification of KY Species: Mammals, Birds, Reptiles, Amphibians, and Endangered/Threatened
Written Reflection Assignments and Research Paper on Conservation
BIO 122 TENTATIVE ASSIGNMENT SCHEDULE (may change at the discretion of the instructor)
LEARNING READING QUIZ DISCUSSION BOARD AND
MODULES & SCHEDULE: Due by JOURNAL ASSIGNMENTS:
EXAMS Sunday (end of week) Due on Sunday (end of week)
Week 1 Begin LEARNING Mandatory Syllabus Introduce yourself on DISCUSSION
Jan 9-15 MODULE: Quiz BOARD: Post a memorable
INVESTIGATION A encounter with wildlife (10)
Week 2 Continue Module A Chapter 1 Module & Reading
Jan16-22 Quiz: Ch 1
Week 3 Continue Module A Chapter 2 Module & Ch 2 quiz,
Jan23-29 and Birds quiz
Week 4 Continue Module A Chapter 3 Module & Ch 3 quiz Post on DISCUSSION BOARD:
Jan30-Feb5 Species of interest (10 pts)
Week 5 Begin LEARNING Chapter 4 Mammals quiz
Feb 6-12 MODULE:
INVESTIGATION B
Week 6 Continue Module B Chapter 4 Module & Ch 4 quiz Post on DISCUSSION BOARD:
Feb 13-19 Habitat Threats (10 pts)
Week 7 Continue Module B Chapter 5 Module & Ch 5 quiz
Feb 20-26
Week 8 PROCTORED Midterm open for only Begin Research Paper: Scientific
Feb 27- MIDTERM EXAM two weeks some sites research on Habitat and Environmental
Mar 5 (100 pts) Students require early proctored Protection Post for topic approval in
schedule at KCTCS scheduling JOURNAL (5 pts)
Testing Site
Week 9 Begin LEARNING Find and post articles for Research
Mar 6-12 MODULE: Paper in JOURNAL, demonstrate
INVESTIGATION C ability to use eLibrary for research
(15 pts)
Week 10 Chapter 6 Reptiles quiz
Mar13-19
Week 11 Continue Module C Chapter 6 Module & Ch 6 quiz
Mar20-26
Week 12 Continue Module C Chapter 7 Post on JOURNAL/SAFEASSIGN
Mar 27- Briefly summarize related article that
Apr 2 conducted a scientific experiment (10
pts)
Week 13 Continue Module C Chapter 7 Amphibian quiz
Apr 3-9
Week 14 Continue Module C Chapter 8 Module & Ch 7 quiz Finish Research Paper: Scientific
Apr10-16 research on Habitat and Environmental
Protection, post on SAFEASSIGN
Week 15 Continue Module C Chapter 9 Module & Ch 8 quiz Post on DISCUSSION BOARD;
Apr 17-23 Observations of community
Sustainability Practices (10 pts)
Week 16 Continue Module C Module & Ch 9 qui
Apr24-30
Finals PROCTORED KY Endangered Sp.
Week FINAL EXAM (100) quiz
TOTAL EXAMS 200 Reading/ Biodiversity Quizzes: Discussion Board Posts (4): 40
PTS: 435 Quizzes:50 50 Research Journal/Paper: 95