This course focuses on the relationships between scale, spatial patterns and ecological processes. Through lecture, discussion and lab exercises students learn about scale and scaling techniques, the abiotic and biotic processes creating landscape patterns, how landscape patterns are characterized , and the application of landscape ecology theory to contemporary issues in conservation and management. Emphasis placed on landscape perspectives and practices as they relate to understanding and managing populations and communities. Prereq: BIOL 541, NR 527 or permission of instructor.