BIOL 346 - Biogeography

The study of the geography of nature. Lectures and discussion of scientific literature from this emerging interdisciplinary field will focus on topics such as the latitudinal diversity gradient (i.e. why are the tropics so diverse?), biodiversity hotspots, glaciation, plate tectonics, conservation biogeography, and patterns of dispersal in marine habitats. Ecological and historical approaches will be integrated. Each student will write a major peer-edited review paper on the topic of his/her choice. Prerequisites: BIOL 270 (Biodiversity and Evolution) and ENVI 285 (Ecology). Three hours of lecture/discussion per week. Offered every year. Prerequisite(s): BIOL 270 and BIOL or ENVI 285. (4 Credits)