Popular Biology Class Revamped, Adds Independent Study

One of NCTC's longest-running and most popular courses in contemporary biology has been updated, repackaged, and offered up two ways that will debut next month.

"Conservation Biology" -- the study of species and their diversity, and the protection of imperiled plants and animals and their habitats from extinction -- is being re-cast into two new forms, both under the leadership of long-time NCTC associate Dr. Curt Griffin, professor of wildlife ecology at the University of Massachusetts.

"Conservation Biology" premieres August 8-12 as "Applied Landscape-Scale Conservation Biology (CSP 2101)," where new concepts like strategic habitat conservation and meta-population viability will be stressed. "Landscape-scale" biology addressed the needs of species beyond the boundaries of traditional preserves and protected areas; "strategic habitat conservation" applies a science-based process for delivering conservation protections where they will do the most good.

The new, week-long course will examine species diversity, genetic drift, and habitat fragmentation and connectivity, among a host of contemporary topics in the discipline. It carries 2 semester hours' college credit. About 10 seats remain in the new class. Additional information about the course is available on the NCTC web site.

The next offering of "Applied Landscape-Scale Conservation Biology" after August will be January 9-13, 2012, in Shepherdstown.

Can't make it to Shepherdstown in August? Then register for "Conservation Biology--Independent Study" (CSP 2104), a self-paced 15-hour program of research and writing spread over 8 weeks under Dr. Griffin's direction and supervision. It's designed for student who have already completed study in conservation biology within the past 5 years, but who seek additional training and updating. It carries college credit of 1 semester hour. Additional details about the new independent study option are posted here.

 -- published --  July 21, 2011
 -- photo credit --  USFWS

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