2016 Summer Syllabus
WFSC 304: Wildlife & Fisheries Conservation
Prerequisites: RENR 205 and junior or senior classification or approval of instructor
Instructor:Dr. Thomas J. DeWitt
Department of Wildlife & Fisheries Sciences
110i Heep Lab on MAIN campus (
E-mail:
Office hours: casual (e-mail confirm I am there and stop in)
Time & location: 9-10:35 am daily (5/31-7/1/2016) in Nagle Hall room 104
Course format: Lectures, discussions, student-driven projects and participation
Scope: This course covers major issues in environmental biology and presents the disciplines that collectively make up the applied field of conservation biology. We explore the major conceptual paradigms associated with both wildlife and fisheries conservation. We examine current issues and perspectives relevant to modern conservation. The course includes graded, written and oral assignments that foster growth in creative and integrative ability and communication skills.
Learning Outcomes: Students will have a firm grasp of the major regional, national and global issues related to the conservation and management of wildlife and fisheries resources. This will be evaluated via a process of examinations. They will learn to give an oral presentation and work as a team in writing a paper. They will also participate in class discussion following group presentations.
Texts:
Primack RB. Wildlife and Fisheries Conservation: Essentials of Conservation Biology, 5th or 6thEdition. ISBN 978-0-87893-640-3
Leopold A (1949) A Sand County Almanac: And Sketches Here and There. Oxford University Press. New York, New York, USA (Optional)
Grades:Exam 1, 2 & Final (top 2 scores count 25%, worst counts 20%)
Rapid-fire individual presentation (5%)
Conservation issues group project/presentation (20%)
Participation 5 (3 attendance; 2 for discussion)
Plan on a standard grading scale (e.g. 90-100 A, 80-89 B, etc.). Occasionally this instructor lowers grading brackets if scores don’t seem to fit the talent of the class. Brackets will not be raised.
Rapid-fire presentation:
Students will individually invent a policy, device or social structure that aids in solving a problem related to conservation biology. Pick a problem and sociopolitical setting, and solve the problem. Invent something brilliant. Disseminate your solution in a 90 second oral presentation in which you state the rationale (i.e. the need), the design of your solution, and how and where it might be implemented.
Group project/presentation:
Groups will be chosen by the instructor and will be composed of 3-4 individuals. Groups may define their own focal topic but should gain approval from the instructor. Groups will research the issue, including using primary literature and develop a position (or render split opinions) addressing the conservation issueand present it to the class. Presentations (e.g. PowerPoint, Prezi) should present theissue, demonstrate the group’s research, scholarship and thoughtful analysis. These presentations should be AVrich (quality graphics, images, etc.) and well spoken. All members of the group should engage heavily in this assignment and all must speak. This instructor reduces the grade for group members who do not pull their weight in the project. You will have 15 minutes for your presentation. This short time requires presentations to be tight and well-rehearsed. Plan to speak for 13 and address questions for 2 minutes. Turn in a well-written abstract (by e-mail) including a bibliography of your scholarly sources.
At the time of the presentation each group will turn in 3 multiple choice questions that are related to the most significant content from their presentation. The audience should be informed about the significant content (i.e. questions) of your presentation.
Late work: Projects are scheduled and cannot be late. I will consider giving a makeup exam if a scheduled exam must be missed for a university approved excuse and I am contacted about the reason PRIOR to the exam (see
Class participation:
Students are expected to participate in class discussion. Respectful debate is expected. All students will be expected to follow University and classroom rules of conduct during class discussion (see above). Classroom participation will be graded, and this grade will constitute 2.5% of the student's final grade.
Back-up of electronic assignment media:
All students will be expected to maintain back-up electronic and hard copies of assignment drafts (e.g. PowerPoint presentations). Please note that maintenance of these back-ups is a course requirement. Students that fail to produce back-up copies upon request will receive a score of zero (0) for the assignment.
Classroom rules:
Rules of the classroom are available In the Texas A&M University student handbook. Students are expected to abide by these rules. In addition, the following rules of the classroom apply:
•No use of electronic equipment (e.g., computers, iPODs, phones, calculators) during class unless such use is employed for activities directly related to class. No internet browsing.
•Mobile phones must be off, ringers silenced, or better yet, left at home.
•Every person in class will be treated respectfully. Different opinions and lively discussions are encouraged. However, agonistic, inappropriate, or unprofessional conduct will not be allowed.
Attendance:
Students will be graded on attendance and roll will be taken. Only University sanctioned excuses, approved by the appropriate University office, will be allowed. If special circumstances demand your being absent from class, you must notify the instructor in advance, and provide appropriate documentation in support of the expected absence. Direct email or telephonic correspondence with the instructor at least 24 hrs before class-time constitutes "advance notification".
Exam format:The midterm and final exams will consist of approximately 50 multiple-choice questions. Exams will be scantron graded. You must provide your own scantrons (The grey ones; Form NO. 0-101607-TAMU). Make-up exams will be offered to students with authorized university excuses (see TAMU Regulations).
IMPORTANT CONCERNS
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact Disability Services, in Cain Hall, Room B118, or call 845-1637. For additional information visit
“An Aggie does not lie, cheat or steal or tolerate those that do.”
“Integrity is a core value of a society that offers hope, the promise of security, and meaning to individuals within that society. Within the university, academic integrity is the most critical core value of the learning community. Without trust – and honesty that breeds trust – our society and our universities cannot flourish.” From: (retrieved 10 January 2010). For additional information, please visit:
Texas A&M University student rules Section 20 outlines official policies on scholastic dishonesty ( Section 20 declares, “It is the responsibility of students and instructors to help maintain scholastic integrity at the University by refusing to participate in or tolerate scholastic dishonesty.” Further, Section 20 defines various categories of scholastic dishonesty (retrieved 10 January 2010).
As a professional responsibility, and as an instructor in WFSC 304, I am obligated to follow the provisions of Section 20, Texas A&M University Student Rules on Academic Dishonesty.
“The University views class attendance as the responsibility of an individual student. Attendance is essential to complete the course successfully. University rules related to excused and unexcused absences are located on-line at
If you are unsure about anything relating to scholastic honesty or academic misconduct, please ask andI will help you clear up confusing issues. When in doubt, better to err on the side of caution.
WFSC 304 – Wildlife & Fisheries Conservation
Summer I 2016Topic Outline and Examination Dates
*SCA = Leopold, A. 1949. A Sand County Almanac: And Sketches Here and There. Oxford University Press. New York, New York, USA.
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