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Course Description |
***If you are interested in signing up for this course, please join the first class on 2/16 (Wed.) at 15:30 at Xinsheng Lecture Building, room 203 (新生203). If you cannot come to the physical classroom, please attend the first class at 15:30 (UTC+8) via live-streaming lectures on Facebook Group "110-2 Exploring Taiwan: Natural Environment and Resources (https://www.facebook.com/groups/497564331936522). Please join the Facebook group as soon as possible.
Make sure you join the first class to get the registration code.***
Taiwan, an island country rich in biodiversity, located between Eurasian Plate and the Philippine Sea Plate, the geological structure is relatively young. The frequent orogeny in Taiwan forms 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 can survive in Taiwan.
Taiwan is also known for its high percentage of endemic species. It is because, during 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 amphibians, 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, 361 times the average. Taiwan is not a country with a large territory, while its rich biological resources are fantastic. Based on that, we invite guest speakers in different fields to talk about Taiwan’s geography, wildlife, ecosystem, and culture. They will help students to learn more about the beautiful nature of Taiwan. Besides the lectures, students could also build a comprehensive knowledge through the three various field trips (two assigned trips and one self-planned trip). |
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Grading |
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No. |
Item |
% |
Explanations for the conditions |
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1. |
Attendence |
15% |
After 15:35, you will be noted as late arrival.
[Physical course] Please scan the QR code and write down your "name" & "student ID" for your attendance. After the class starts, please take white paper (on time) or yellow paper (late) from the TAs and hand it to the TAs before you leave the classroom.
[Online course] Please write down your "name" & "student ID" on the live stream chat room for your attendance. |
2. |
Pop quiz |
10% |
The pop quiz will be taking place at the end of each class. Please answer the quiz on NTU Cool before leaving the classroom. |
3. |
Field trip reports/ assignments |
20% |
We have two assigned trips, a Campus tour and a Taipei City Zoo tour, and one self-planned trip in which you can visit a place you are interested in as long as it is related to natural resources. Please finish your reports and upload them to NTU COOL within two weeks after the trips. |
4. |
Group project |
30% |
Students will be divided into several groups, and you can choose from the following topics:
- Related to natural resources, environments or events.
- 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 the lectures. |
6. |
In-class discussion |
0% |
You can earn extra points by answering or asking questions during class. Please find TAs to sign your name and student ID after class if you answer or ask questions.
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