Course title |
Exploring Taiwan: natural environment and resources |
Semester |
108-1 |
Designated for |
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Instructor |
HSIAO WEI YUAN |
Curriculum Number |
Forest5035 |
Curriculum Identity Number |
625EU1900 |
Class |
01 |
Credits |
2.0 |
Full/Half Yr. |
Half |
Required/ Elective |
Elective |
Time |
Wednesday 8,9(15:30~17:20) |
Remarks |
The upper limit of the number of students: 75. The upper limit of the number of non-majors: 69. |
Ceiba Web Server |
http://ceiba.ntu.edu.tw/1081Forest5035_01 |
Course introduction video |
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Table of Core Capabilities and Curriculum Planning |
Table of Core Capabilities and Curriculum Planning |
Course Syllabus
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Please respect the intellectual property rights of others and do not copy any of the course information without permission
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Course Description |
Taiwan, an island country rich in biodiversity, located between Eurasian Plate and Philippine Sea Plate, the geological structure is quite young. The frequent orogeny in Taiwan form many towering mountains, so even though Taiwan is in the tropical and subtropical zone, the temperate climate can still be found at high altitudes. In addition, the creatures, adapted to different climates, are able to survive in Taiwan.
Taiwan is also known from high percentage of endemic species. This is because in the Ice Age, Taiwan was connected to Eurasia. After the Ice Age, Taiwan was isolated by the ocean, and many lives gradually evolved into endemic species on the island. Nowadays, the proportion of endemic species in Taiwan is about 71% in mammals, 17% in birds, 22% in reptiles, 31% in amphibian, 19% in freshwater fish, 25% in plants, and 60% in insects.
Although the land area of Taiwan is only 0.027% of the total of the world, the number of species is as high as 3.8%, which is 150 times the global average. Furthermore, the marine species around Taiwan are about 10% of the world, which is 361 times the average. Taiwan is not a country with large territory, while its rich biological resources are such amazing. Base on that, we invite guest speakers in different fields to talk about the geography, wildlife, ecosystem and culture of Taiwan. They will help students to learn more about the beautiful nature of Taiwan. Besides the lectures, students could also learn deeply through the 3 various field trips (2 assigned trips and 1 self-planned trip). |
Course Objective |
It will give international students a wide range of background knowledge, increasing their understanding of Taiwan and enabling them to take advanced courses lectured in Chinese or partake in research in the future. |
Course Requirement |
1. Students should attend each class on time. After 15:35, you’ll be noted as late arrival.
2. Students should participate actively in class discussion. Answering or asking questions in class, you can get extra points added to the final score.
3. Students should review the PPT files given with the lectures after class.
4. Please check CEIBA and NTU-mail often for class information and announcements. |
Student Workload (expected study time outside of class per week) |
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Office Hours |
Appointment required. |
Designated reading |
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References |
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Grading |
No. |
Item |
% |
Explanations for the conditions |
1. |
Attendence |
15% |
Students should attend each class on time. When you get in the classroom, please take a white paper from TAs for pop quiz. After 15:35, you’ll be given a green paper and noted as a late arrival.
If you are unable to show up for some reason, please provide your proof to TAs by email. |
2. |
Pop quiz |
10% |
Questions will be asked at the end of the class. Please answer the quiz on the paper and turn it to TA before you leave the classroom. |
3. |
Field trip reports/assignments |
20% |
We have two assigned trips, Campus tour and Taipei City Zoo, and one self-planned trip that you can visit the place you desire, which relates with nature sources. Please finish your reports and upload them to CEIBA within two weeks after trips. |
4. |
Group project |
30% |
Students will be divided into several groups and you can choose from following topics:
- What part of Taiwan's natural environment impresses you or you enjoy the most.
- Compare the natural environment or events of your own country to Taiwan.
- Choose a topic Prof. Hsiao Wei Yuan approves. |
5. |
Final exam |
25% |
The final exam will be based on the content from lectures. |
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Week |
Date |
Topic |
Week 1 |
9/11 |
Introduction - Prof. Hsiao-Wei Yuan |
Week 2 |
9/18 |
Geology of Taiwan - Prof. Ludvig Löwemark |
Week 3 |
9/25 |
Population in Taiwan - Prof. Lan-Hung Chiang |
Week 4 |
10/02 |
Birds of Taiwan - Prof. Hsiao-Wei Yuan |
Week 5 |
10/09 |
Tea Culture and Science in Taiwan - Prof. Kai-Hsien Chen |
Week 6 |
10/16 |
Mammals of Taiwan - Dr. Jung-Tai Chao |
Week 7 |
10/23 |
Group Report Discussion - Prof. Hsiao-Wei Yuan |
Week 8 |
10/30 |
Pelagic Ecosystems - Prof. Chih-Hao Hsieh |
Week 9 |
11/06 |
Flora of Taiwan - Prof. Jer-Ming Hu |
Week 10 |
11/13 |
Campus tour to NTU Herbarium and Zoology Museum I - Prof. Jer-Ming Hu |
Week 11 |
11/20 |
Campus tour to NTU Herbarium and Zoology Museum II - Prof. Jer-Ming Hu |
Week 12 |
11/27 |
Snakes in Taiwan - Prof. Si-Min Lin |
Week 13 |
12/04 |
Freshwater fish in Taiwan - Prof. Chi-Chang Liu |
Week 13 |
12/07(SAT.) |
Veterinary Hospital & Reptile Rescue Center in Taipei city zoo - Prof. Hsiao-Wei Yuan |
Week 14 |
12/11 |
Amphibians in Taiwan - Prof. Chi-Chang Liu |
Week 14 |
12/14(SAT.) |
Veterinary Hospital & Reptile Rescue Center in Taipei city zoo - Prof. Hsiao-Wei Yuan |
Week 15 |
12/18 |
Group Project Presentation (Group 8, 10, 3, 4, 11, 1)- Prof. Hsiao-Wei Yuan |
Week 16 |
12/25 |
Group Project Presentation (Group 7, 2, 9, 5, 6, 12)- Prof. Hsiao-Wei Yuan |
Week 17 |
1/01 |
No class (New Year's Day) |
Week 18 |
1/08 |
Final Exam |
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