Dear Ecolog members, Please see the information below for an online-based course offered through the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology at Colorado State University. It is a 3-credit graduate level course (FW551) taught by Professor Ken Wilson. For more information see below or go to: http://www.learn.colostate.edu/courses/credit/?subject_cat=39786#courselistings Cheers, Sharon
Sharon Baruch-Mordo Ph.D. Candidate in Ecology Dept. of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology Colorado State University http://www.warnercnr.colostate.edu/research/bear FW 551 - Design of Fish and Wildlife Studies Fall 2012 Instructor: Dr. Kenneth Wilson ([email protected]), Professor, Dept. of Fish, Wildlife, & Conservation Biology Delivery Method: Online as a Web-based Application with video lectures, discussions, etc. Credits: 3 Prerequisite: One statistics course, 300 level or higher or permission of instructor. The course is intended for students and professionals with a baccalaureate degree. Course Description: FW 551 will provide a non-mathematical introduction to the design of research studies used in fish, wildlife, and conservation biology. Fundamental concepts about sampling studies, controlled experiments, quasi-experiments, monitoring studies, observational studies, and the associated philosophies of science will be covered. This course will not delve into the analyses of data, e.g., ANOVA, general linear models, etc., rather emphasis will be on issues related to philosophy of science such as valid study design, types of designs, and inference from studies. The overriding motivation for these issues can be viewed as the simple question "how do we know what we (claim to) know?" For wildlife studies, "what we can claim to know" can be greatly limited. Students will be expected to do a lot of thinking, synthesizing and critical evaluation based on concepts from the reading. Readings: Readings will come from the book Wildlife Study Design (2001) by M.L. Morrison, W.M. Block, M.D. Strickland, and W.L. Kendall and the primary literature covering classical to current philosophies about experimental design. Registration Info: See http://www.learn.colostate.edu/courses/credit/?subject_cat=39786#courselistings
