Dates Topics *Text
Chapter
AUG 22,24 Introduction 1,2
27 Key
Processes of Exchange 3
29 Climate 4
31 Light 5
SEP 3 Temperature 6
5 Moisture 7
7 Periodicity 8
10 Nutrients 9
12 Soils 10
14 Test
1 (Chapters 1-10)
17,19 Properties
of Populations 11
21 Life
History Patterns 12
24,26 Growth
Models 13
28 Intraspecific
Competition 14
OCT 1 Test
2 (Chapters 11-14)
3,5 Interspecific
Competition 15
8,10 Predation 16
15 Mutualism
and Parasitism 17
17 Human
Interactions with Natural Populations 18
19,22 Population
Genetics and Speciation 19
24 Test
3 (Chapters 15-19)
26,29 Community
Structure 20
31, NOV 2 Community
Dynamics 21
5,7 Community
Development 22
9 Test
4 (Chapters 20-22)
12 Production
in Ecosystems 23
14,16 Trophic
Structure 24
19,21 Biogeochemical
Cycles 25
26 Global
Environmental Change 26
28,30 Survey
of Ecosystems 27-37
TBA Comprehensive
Final Exam
*Text
Smith, R. L. and T. M. Smith. 2000.
Elements of ecology, 4th ed.
Addison Wesley Longman, Inc., San Francisco.
OBJECTIVES
The primary objective is to provide the biology major
with an in-depth introduction to the field of ecology to include autecology,
populations, communities and ecosystems. Supporting goals include that the
student be able to read the primary literature in ecology and understand the concepts
under study. Also, through hands-on
laboratory activities, the student should become familiar with the field,
laboratory, and statistical tools utilized by practicing ecologists. Finally, in support of the University
Purpose, the student should gain an appreciation of world-views through which
the application of the principles of ecology may be made to the stewardship of
the Earth's environment.
GRADING
The four tests will constitute 50 percent of the
overall grade in the course. The
comprehensive final exam will determine 30 percent of the grade, and the
laboratory exercises will provide the remaining 20 percent. A ten-point grading scale is used to
determine the letter grade. A passing
grade (>60) is required in both lecture and laboratory to receive credit for
the course.
ABSENCES
In the College of Arts and Sciences, a student missing
more than 15 percent of class time will not receive credit for the course. This is to include laboratory time. Therefore, if a student misses more than six
lectures or two labs, he or she will receive a WF for BIOL 327.
TEACHER EDUCATION COMPETENCIES
The following specific competencies for secondary
biology are met in BIOL 327.
1.10 Understand
variances and their importance to a population.
1.12 Understand
the diversity of living things.
1.14 Understand
how an organisms structure, function, and behavior relate to its environment.
1.25 Understand
the nature of vertebrates and their importance to man.
1.32 Understand
the nature of populations, communities, and ecosystems.
1.33 Understand
the energy flow within an ecosystem.
1.34 Understand
the patterns of interaction within an ecosystem.
1.35 Understand
the implications of technology on the environment.
1.36 Be
familiar with moral and ethical issues such as world hunger, population
control, alternate energy sources, pollution control, world resource
allocation, and endangered species.
LABORATORY
Ecology laboratory provides the student with an
opportunity to use standard scientific equipment to collect and analyze data
for field studies in biology.
Laboratory should result in the student being able to perform these
duties for an employer upon graduation. Also, the laboratory experience should
enhance the understanding of ecological relationships presented in lecture.
LABORATORY SCHEDULE
Week of Topic Reference*
SEP 3 Study
Area Assignments, Lay-out of Study Areas Unit
3,4,5
10 Vegetation
Data Collection Unit
14
17 Vegetation
Data Collection Unit
14
24 Vegetation
Data Collection Unit
14
OCT 1 Vegetation
Data Collection Unit
14
15 Population
Density Estimation Unit
11,12
22 Dispersal Unit
21
29 Life
Tables Unit
23
NOV 5 Community
Analysis Unit
31,32,33
12 Animal
Sampling Unit
9
19 Mark-Recapture
Techniques Unit
10
26 Activity/Energy
Budgets Handout,
Unit 6(a)
*Cox, G. W.
1998. Laboratory manual of
general ecology, 7th ed. wm.
C. Brown Publishers, Boston.