What are the global patterns in ecology, what fundamental processes generate these patterns, and can we use macroecological pattern and process to design effective conservation strategies?  In this course, we will explicitly consider the "big picture" in ecology by examining proposed ecological patterns at large spatial scales and across taxonomic groups.  We will then consider the processes that drive these large-scale patterns and the current methodological approaches used to study them.  Finally, we will examine whether we can effectively apply our understanding of macroecology to conservation design and utilize GIS-based methods to put these concepts into practice.  An emphasis will be placed on the process of ecological research through the discussion of primary literature and critical examination of proposed patterns and the hypotheses proposed to explain them.