Geog 215:

Introduction to Biogeography

Outline

Schedule

Spring 2009

Produce a poster (in Powerpoint¹ ) that deals with, either:

Topic 1: the biogeography of a migratory organism

The poster should investigate the following (where appropriate):

1. The evolutionary geography of the species and its relatives
2. Explanations for migratory behaviour
3. The current distribution and status of the species.

or,

Topic 2: the biogeography of an extinct organism

The poster should investigate the evolutionary geography of the species and its relatives, and the factors that contributed to its demise.

Sources: books, articles in scientific journals, magazine and newspaper articles, encyclopaedias and web sites.

Keep a journal that details your research efforts. Include this with your poster (typed notes can be included on your CD). The journal is prima facie evidence that the poster represents your own efforts , and will be graded (5%).

Citations: Refer to sources in standard scientific (i.e. Harvard) format (e.g. Golondrina, 2005; Elk et al., 1974) in the poster text. Provide a bibliography in standard format on the CD:

e.g. book: Golondrina, A. 2005. Swallows of the World. Swift Press, London.

e.g. journal article: Elk, A. , Cleese, J., and Idle, E. 1974. Dinosaur anatomy. Jurassic Studies 1, 1-10.


Due Dates:

March 4: email a short outline of your topic to your TA for approval.

April 1: hand the final version of your poster (on a CD) and your research journal to your TA (by 4:30 pm).

Late penalty: 10% per day (weekends count as 1 day).

¹There are many online resources that give good advice on how to prepare a Powerpoint poster. Here are two:

American Phytopathological Society

University of Washington School of Public Health

N.B. The poster must be your own work. All students should be aware of the contents of SFU’s policy on academic honesty and the consequences for its violation (see SFU policy T10.02). See the SFU Library tutorial for advice on avoiding plagiarism.