Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

Capstone: Conservation Biology (Face-to-Face)

BIOL 4650-01

Course: BIOL 4650-01
Credits: 3
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: BIOL
CRN: 12574

Course Description

Principles and concepts of conservation biology with emphasis on management of biodiversity, ecosystems, and populations and on socio-economic and political factors related to conservation. A minimum grade of “C” must be earned in this course before it can be counted in a biological science major or minor or as a prerequisite for any other biology course.

Required Texts

Readings will be made available through canvas. No other textbook is required. 

Learning Outcomes

After the completion of this course, successful students will:

  1. demonstrate knowledge of the natural world through study in the life sciences. (SUU Essential Learning Outcome (ELO))
  2. systematically explore issues through the collection and analysis of evidence that results in informed conclusions or judgments. (SUU ELO)
  3. be able to break complex topics or issues into parts to gain a better understanding of them. (SUU ELO)
  4. develop and express ideas in a variety of ways, namely in writing, by speaking, and visually. (SUU ELO and Biology Student Learning Outcome (SLO))
  5. demonstrate an understanding of the dynamics of interactions and adaptations within and among biological systems. (Biology SLO)
  6. demonstrate an understanding of the methodologies of science and will synthesize new knowledge from scientific literature. (Biology SLO)
  7. use appropriate tools to carry out investigations in their intended fields. (Biology SLO)
  8. articulate the value of biodiversity, explain the consequences of biodiversity loss to both natural and human systems, and demonstrate an understanding of common conservation approaches.
  9. have some fun working together to learn about conservation biology and how this important field pertains to all of our lives.

Course Requirements

Class Requirements:

Course requirements include weekly readings and quizzes, a final project, and three hours of lecture per week. 

Grading:

Course grades will be based on the following (570 points total):

Twelve quizzes worth 20 points each (240 points total) 

Twelve commonplace submissions worth 10 points each (120 points)

Project proposal worth 10 points

Two species reports (oral) worth 15 points each (30 points)

One area report (oral) worth 20 points

Attendance and participation (50 points total) 

One final project (100 points) 

Final grade percentages break down as follows:

| 93 - 100 = A | 80 – 83 = B- | 67 – 70 = D+
| 90 – 93 = A- | 77 – 80 = C+ | 63 – 67 = D
| 87-90 = B+ | 73 – 77 = C | 60 – 63 = D-
| 83 – 87 = B | 70 – 73 = C- | <60 = F

Course Outline

Lecture and reading schedule:

Lecture Week

Lecture Topic, Text Reading

Outside Reading

Jan 5

Introduction to course 

Reading 1

Jan 12

Taxonomy & Genetic Diversity

Reading 2

Jan 19

Conservation by Proxy

Reading 3

Jan 26

Conservation in Utah

Reading 4

Feb 2

Invertebrate Conservation

Reading 5

Feb 9

Conservation and Agriculture

Reading 6

Feb 16

Introduced Species

Reading 7

Feb 23

Hunting and Fishing

Reading 8

Mar 2

Hotspots

Reading 9

Mar 9

Spring Break - no classes

 

Mar 16

Hotspots (cont.)

Reading 10

Mar 23

Living with Wildlife

Reading 11

Mar 30

Conservation Areas

Reading 12

Apr 6

Value of Biodiversity

Reading 13

Apr 13

Area Reports

 

Apr 20

Final Exam Tuesday April 21 @ 11:00 in class

 

 

 

FINAL EXAM:  Thursday, April 28 @ 11:00 am in class.

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Late work will not be accepted for full points without a doctor's note. 

Attendance Policy

Attendance is required so if you need to miss class for any reason please contact me.

You cannot learn biology just by sitting in a lecture hall listening to a lecturer; I expect you to take an active role in your learning. This requires that you come to class prepared, ready to participate by asking questions about what you do not understand, and by applying what you learn to novel situations. 

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.