Prof. Jonathan Chase/Dr. Annabell Berger

• Biodiversity science is experiencing a %u2018Renaissance%u2019 and is poised to address some of the most critical problems facing humanity in an increasingly human dominated world. Recent advances in biodiversity science lie at the nexus of complexity theory, data collation and pattern analysis at the global scale, and connections to socio-economic systems, epidemiology, and (meta) genomics. Clearly, the next generation of biodiversity scientists will need be adept at a diversity of complex quantitative approaches. However, equally necessary, though often overlooked, is that prudent use of these quantitative tools will require an in depth understanding of the conceptual and theoretical foundations of the discipline.

This course will trace the development of major concepts and approaches in biodiversity science. Readings will include foundational pieces by Darwin, Lotka, Volterra, Elton, Lindeman, Hutchinson and MacArthur, and others, as well as more contemporary studies that represent the %u2018state-of-the-art%u2019. The role of theory will be emphasized throughout, building on a set of foundational principles, including evolutionary process, thermodynamics and stoichiometry, birth-death processes, network theory and probability. In addition to reading and discussion, course work will include laboratory %u2018practicums%u2019 centered on incorporating these foundational principles into computational models (using the R program for statistical computing) that form the basis for addressing complex biodiversity problems.

The module will be held as block course, in general.

Oral examination