Wildlife & Conservation Biology
2011-2012 Course Syllabus
Bosque School – Science Department & The Black Institute
Teacher: Dan Shaw Assisting Teacher: Kimi Scheerer
COURSE OVERVIEW
Wildlife and Conservation Biology (WCB) is a field-based, college preparatory course devoted to student
participation in actual wildlife research and conservation projects. Through those activities and
supported by supplemental readings students gain a broad understanding of the fields of wildlife and
conservation biology as well as an understanding of each studied species’ natural history, its landscape
and ecological context, as well as its relationship with humans. Students select one of the WCB research
projects to take primary responsibility for managing and analyzing its data and preparing its annual
technical report.
Furthermore, during each semester, students participate in a substantial outreach activity related to a
WCB research or conservation project with groups beyond the Bosque School community. Each quarter
WCB students provide leadership and environmental education programs to younger students on several
wildlife and conservation projects. Key areas of study in WCB projects include: the ethical and moral
implications of live animal research; safety; wildlife management techniques and procedures; field
research design and execution; data management; and the preparation of technical reports. WCB is an
elective science class open to juniors and seniors (sophomores with instructor permission) and can be
used once to meet a Bosque School science course graduation requirement. Furthermore, students
enrolled in WCB can also enroll concurrently with NM State University’s online wildlife biology class
“WLSC 110 Introduction to Natural Resource Management.”
The specific literature and course material used varies depending upon the animals selected for study.
To learn more, including how to get involved, visit Dan Shaw's teaching website at:
http://teacherweb.com/NM/BosqueSchool/DanShaw/ :)
