BIO 334 Brazil and US Rivers

Consider enrolling in this unique online course on the Restoration and Conservation of Rivers in North and South America. Professors Mike Lemke (UIS) and Luiz Felipe Machado Velho (UEM) co-teach this course which will be delivered inter-institutionally with asynchronous and synchronous components. No prerequisites are required. Taught in both English and Portuguese. Cross-listed with Environmental Studies to count towards the ENS major.

Course Description: While multiple rivers in each continent will be examined, a focus of this course will be as case study of a single river in North and South America allowing in depth comparison of these river studies to lend an understanding of complex conservation and restoration ecology issues from two different cultural perspectives. The U.S. study focus will be the middle reach of the Illinois River, which has undergone over 125 years of mixed degradation, conservation and restoration. The area of focus in Brazil will be the Upper Rio Paraná that has the last reach of river free of impoundments. Prolific and significant scientific studies have been conducted on the aquatic ecosystem of the Paraná, since it is one of the most important rivers in South America, located in the most populous regions in Brazil and has been greatly altered by the construction of dams for hydroelectricity. Particular attention will be given to the conservation approach to maintain and protect existing biodiversity and critical habitat and contrast this approach with that in restoration where goals are often to reverse ecosystem degradation.

UIS Course Catalog and Schedule

Search the links on the UIS Course Schedule to learn more information about the availability of the course and how to register.