Course Information
Course title
Exploring Taiwan: natural environment and resources 
Semester
107-1 
Designated for
 
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. 
Ceiba Web Server
http://ceiba.ntu.edu.tw/1071Forest5035_01 
Course introduction video
 
Table of Core Capabilities and Curriculum Planning
Table of Core Capabilities and Curriculum Planning
Course Syllabus
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Course Description

We have many international students in National Taiwan University. To fulfill the needs of international students of English courses, the College of Bio-resources and Agriculture opens a course “Exploring Taiwan – Natural Environmental and Resources”, which is taught in English. The instructors of this course are all the best of Taiwan in their fields, including atmospheric science, environment science, physical and social geography. 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.  

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 pattend each class on time. After 15:35, you’ll be noted as late arrival.
2. Students should participate actively in class discussion.
3. Students should review the PPT files given with the lectures after class.
4. Students should check CEIBA and NTU-mail often.  
Student Workload (expected study time outside of class per week)
 
Office Hours
 
Designated reading
 
References
 
Grading
 
No.
Item
%
Explanations for the conditions
1. 
Attendance 
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. 
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 
15% 
We have two assigned trips, Campus tour and Taipei City Zoo, and one optional trip that you can visit the place you are interested in and related with nature source. 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 
30% 
The final exam will be based on the content from lectures. 
 
Progress
Week
Date
Topic
Week 1
09/12  Introduction - Prof. Hsiao Wei Yuan 
Week 2
09/19  Geology of Taiwan - Prof. Ludvig Löwemark 
Week 3
09/26  Population in Taiwan - Prof. Lan-hung Chiang 
Week 4
10/03  Pelagic Ecosystems - Prof. Chih-Hao Hsieh 
Week 5
10/10  No class because of National Day 
Week 6
10/17  Freshwater fish in Taiwan - Prof. Chi-Chang Liu 
Week 7
10/24   Flora of Taiwan - Prof. Jer-Ming Hu 
Week 8
10/31  Campus tour to NTU Herbarium and Zoology Museum I - Prof. Jer-Ming Hu 
Week 9
11/07  Group Report Discussion - Prof. Hsiao Wei Yuan 
Week 10
11/14  Amphibians in Taiwan - Prof. Chi-Chang Liu 
Week 11
11/21  Campus tour to NTU Herbarium and Zoology Museum II - Prof. Jer-Ming Hu 
Week 12
11/28  Birds of Taiwan - Prof. Hsiao Wei Yuan 
Week 13
12/05  Movie: "Fly, Kite Fly" 
Week 15
12/19  Mammals of Taiwan - Dr. Jung-Tai Chao 
Week 16
12/26  Group Project Presentation - Prof. Hsiao Wei Yuan
(Group 10, 1, 8, 3, 4, 9, 5) 
Week 17
01/02  Group Project Presentation - Prof. Hsiao Wei Yuan
(Group 12, 2, 13, 11, 6, 7)
 
Week 18
01/09   Final Exam 
Week 14-1
12/12  Tea Culture and Science in Taiwan - Prof. Kai-Hsien Chen 
Week 14-2
12/15 (SAT.)  Veterinary Hospital & Reptile Rescue Center in Taipei city zoo - Prof. Hsiao Wei Yuan