CON-100 First Year Experience in Conservation

This course is designed to provide a broad overview of the field of environmental conservation. Students will explore career options and develop an educational plan. Academic skills including learning strategies, writing, and foundational critical thinking skills are practiced throughout the semester. Topics include a history of the conservation movement in the U.S., ecological succession, and current local issues in the discipline.

Credits

3

Department

• Environmental Conservation and Horticulture

Semesters Course Will Be Offered

• Fall
• Spring

For more detailed course information view the Course Outline

CON 100: First Year Experience in Conservation

Department

Environmental Conservation and Horticulture

Course Description

This course is designed to provide a broad overview of the field of environmental conservation. Students will explore career options and develop an educational plan. Academic skills including learning strategies, writing, and foundational critical thinking skills are practiced throughout the semester. Topics include a history of the conservation movement in the U.S., ecological succession, and current local issues in the discipline.

Credit Hours

3

Contact Hours

Lecture	3
Lab	0
Other	0

Grading Scheme

Letter

Semester(s) Course Will Be Offered

Fall, Spring

First Year Experience Course

Yes

Course Learning Outcomes

1. Review foundational topics in environmental conservation.
2. Practice various learning strategies to aid the development of independent learning skills necessary for success within their academic career.
3. Identify campus resources to aid the development of independent learning skills necessary for success within the conservation field.
4. Practice critical thinking (e.g. identify common logic errors, formulate scientific arguments).

Topic Outline

1. Introduction to the Conservation program
   1. FLCC degree program overview
   2. Transfer to 4-year colleges
   3. Conservation professions
   4. Career building skills
      1. Internship and Job searches
      2. Resume writing
      3. Development of a 5-year plan
   5. Strategies for effective learning
2. Introduction to the field of conservation
   1. History of conservation
   2. History of NYS land use
   3. Invasive species
   4. Introduction to conservation literature
3. Development of technical writing skills
   1. Writing in sciences
   2. Library research skills
   3. Analysis of scientific literature
   4. Research paper fundamentals 
4. Development of foundational critical thinking skills
   1. Assessing the quality of information that is used as evidence
   2. Identification of types of logic errors in arguments