ZOOL423 From Extinction to De-Extinction

Reconstructing prehistoric ecosystems and impacts of humans and climate change through the use of Quaternary techniques, including assessing extinction causes, what the future holds for conservation, ecosystem restoration and de-extinction.

Paper title	From Extinction to De-Extinction
Paper code	ZOOL423
Subject	Zoology
EFTS	0.1667
Points	20 points
Teaching period	First Semester
Domestic Tuition Fees (NZD)	$1,348.60
International Tuition Fees (NZD)	$5,967.53

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Contact

zoology@otago.ac.nz

Teaching staff

• Dr Nic Rawlence
• Professor Phil Seddon
• Professor Ewan Fordyce
• Dr Catherine Collins
• Professor Richard Walter
• Dr Catherin Beltran

Textbooks

Textbooks are not required for this paper.

Course outline

This paper will

1. critically assess the causes of extinctions of prehistoric ecosystems
2. introduce students to the tools scientists use to reconstruct these ecosystems
3. critically assess what scientists have discovered using these tools
4. critically assess what the future holds in terms of conservation, ecosystem restoration and de-extinction

Graduate Attributes Emphasised

Appreciation of global and interdisciplinary perspective; information and environmental literacy; lifelong learning; communication; teamwork; research; critical thinking; and scholarship.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.

Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete the paper will:

1. Formulate and answer questions about reconstructing prehistoric ecosystems, using Quaternary techniques such as radiocarbon dating, stable dietary isotopes, ancient DNA, molecular fossils, palaeontology, archaeology, palynology and plant macrofossils.
2. Use recently developed freely available online tools (e.g. radiocarbon date calibration, DNA sequence analysis) that will be of use in their postgraduate research.
3. Critically evaluate (including interpretation and applying knowledge) research in Quaternary Science.
4. Engage in discussion with other people about Quaternary Science research.
5. Find relevant material from library databases.
6. Produce well-organised and well-written research reports.
7. Give effective scientific oral presentations and debates.

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