UBC’s Point Grey Campus is located on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam) people.

COURSE INFORMATION

COURSE DESCRIPTION

A variety of ecological processes shape agricultural landscapes. Students will learn the research foundations of applied ecology in agriculture and how to read and critique the scientific literature in this field.

PREREQUISITES

One of BIOL 230, APBI 260 or APBI 265.

CONTACTS

COURSE STRUCTURE

The twice weekly 1.5 hour sessions include a combination of lectures, in class discussions and activities, an in-class computer activity working with data presentation and several outdoor activities at the UBC farm (see schedule). Participation in all lectures, discussions and activities is required (see grading scheme). Note that journal articles must be downloaded from the UBC library.

SCHEDULE OF TOPICS*

Lecture/Activity Schedule (* schedule may be updated periodically on Canvas)

LEARNING OUTCOMES

1. Understand the connections between ecological theory and working agricultural systems
2. Learn how to read and critique core research in field of agroecological science
3. Learn how to write a research proposal on a topic in agroecology
4. Learn the basics of agro-environmental issues; gain insights on the complexity of the issues and their solutions; problem solve while taking other viewpoints into consideration
5. Practice working effectively in a team

LEARNING ACTIVITIES

1. Discuss your prepared and spontaneous ideas in lecture (required)
2. Critically review an agroecology research study using a prepared rubric (required)
3. Learn specific agro-ecology based farming approaches in practice at UBC Farm (required)
4. Conduct literature review and propose a research project in agroecology (required)
5. Take different perspectives and make policy recommendations in a role playing activity (required)
6. Learn how to identify local bees in a lab (and field) setting (required)

KEEPING UP WITH THE COURSE

The syllabus is your guide to keeping on top of assignments, activities, expectations and key dates. Follow the course Canvas site for up to date information on course readings, deadlines and activities. Journal article readings must first be downloaded by the students using the resources available on UBC’s library website.

READINGS AND OTHER RESOURCES

Rubric papers:

1. Douglas, M.R. et al. 2015. Neonicotinoid insecticide travels through a soil food chain, disrupting biological control of non-target pests and decreasing soya bean yield. Journal of Applied Ecology 52, 250-260.
2. Sálek, M. and M. Mayer. 2022. Farmstead modernization adversely affects farmland birds. Journal of Applied Ecology 60: 101-110.

Videos:

1. Drew Bondar interview for Delta Farmland Wildlife Trust:

  https://www.facebook.com/1404879516500216/videos/974822392984220/

2. Claire Kremen talks about working lands: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTvhBiBsaIA

ASSESSMENTS OF LEARNING

LATE POLICY: Unless an academic concession has been granted (https://www.calendar.ubc.ca/vancouver/index.cfm?tree=3,329,0,0#26562), assignment grades will be docked by 10% if not submitted to Canvas by the deadline. Assignments not submitted by 4:30PM (Pacific Time) on the day following the deadline will receive a grade assignment of 0. Any midterm or lab exams missed (again, for an approved reason, see link above) will have their weight placed to the final exam. If you are struggling with an assignment or deadline, please make an appointment to see me as soon as you can.

UNIVERSITY POLICIES

Policies and Resources to Support Student Success

UBC provides resources to support student learning and to maintain healthy lifestyles but recognizes that sometimes crises arise; there are additional resources to access including those for survivors of sexual violence. UBC values respect for the person and ideas of all members of the academic community. Harassment and discrimination are not tolerated nor is suppression of academic freedom. UBC provides appropriate accommodation for students with disabilities and for religious observances. UBC values academic honesty and students are expected to acknowledge the ideas generated by others and to uphold the highest academic standards in all of their actions.

Details of the policies and how to access support are available on the UBC Senate website.

Policies and Definitions to Support Academic integrity

Be sure you are aware of UBC’s policies around plagiarism and other forms of academic misconduct, as described here: https://academicintegrity.ubc.ca/regulation-process/academic-misconduct/

COPYRIGHT

All materials of this course (course handouts, lecture slides, assessments, course readings, etc.) are the intellectual property of the Course Instructor or licensed to be used in this course by the copyright owner. Redistribution of these materials by any means without permission of the copyright holder(s) constitutes a breach of copyright and may lead to academic discipline.

Version: January 8, 2024