I. Biol 270 Ecology 4-SH (3 for lecture; 1 for lab )

II. Fall 2001, George Mears 108 Farr 869-6230

gmears@inetlmu.lmunet.edu Ext 6230

Office Hours : See schedule on office door

III. Co-requisite: Biol 270 Lab

IV. Course Description/Course Goals :

To relate the relationships of organisms to environment,

including energy flow, population dynamics, and the

structural and functional aspects of ecosystems

To familiarize students with relevant ecological

terminology

To allow students to conduct research using the scientific

method

To expose students to relevant trends and publications in

ecology

To show the value of plants and animals as resources and

how they respond to various resources within the system

To present various models to explain what may be happening

within the environment

To give the student an awareness of the impact on society

and the limits placed upon science

To expose student to various instrumentation used in

ecological study

V. Relationship of Course to Content Area Knowledge and

Skills :

This course is intended to give the student an

appreciation for his/her environment.

To expose the student to the concepts of ecology to better

understand the delicacy of the environment and the

balances found therein.

To show how scientific theory is put to practice for the

good of all plants and animals.

To ensure students know how to properly apply the

scientific method of data collection and interpretation.

VI. Text :

Elements of Ecology Smith

Field and Laboratory Methods for General Ecology

Brower

VII. Course Objectives :

To provide the student with a bibliography of the major

contributors to the study of ecology

To provide a philosophical and ethical appreciation for

the sciences

To ensure the student maintains safety consciousness when

conducting research

Have student demonstrate knowledge of ecosystem,

population, and community structure and function

Student will be familiar with operation of first and

second laws of thermodynamics within ecosystems, and the

consequences of disruption

VIII. Units of Instruction :

Week 1 Introduction -

Ecology as an interdisciplinary science

People in Ecology/Contributions

Research Trends

Week 2 Ecological Laws and Principles

Week 3 Energy Transferal and Flow -

Food Chains, Food Webs, Trophic Levels

Week 4 Productivity -

Photosynthesis

Primary Productivity

Secondary Productivity

Assimilation

Week 5 Nutrient Cycling -

Decomposition

Weathering Processes

Week 6 Review/Test

Week 7 Ecosystem Energetics -

Abiotic Limits

Law of the Minimum

Limiting Factor

Week 8 Ecosystem Energetics -

Biotic Limits

Week 9 Terrestrial Ecosystems

Week 10 Aquatic Ecosystems

Week 11 Review/Test 2

Week 12 Community Structure

Competition

Resource Allocation

Week 13 Population Dynamics

Density

Natality

Mortality

Immigration

Emigration

Migration

Week 14 Social Behavior

Week 15 Reproductive Strategies/Review

Week 16 Final Exam (Note time in term schedule)

Laboratory Projects

Food Web Analysis

Population Estimation

Age Structure and Survivorship

Diversity

Community Similarity

Competitive Niche

Laboratory projects will be written in qualitative and/or

quantitative form depending on the nature of the research.

Papers will be typed following format as outlined in

student lab manual.

IX. Required Readings : See Readings List

X. Suggested Readings : See Readings List

XI. Methods of Instruction and Learning :

Course materials will be presented through lecture format,

reinforced by use of audio/visual media and field

experiences where applicable.

Laboratory periods will be used for learning acceptable

methods of collection and interpretation of ecological

data.

XII. Course Requirements/Evaluation:

Students are encouraged to attend all lectures and

laboratories.

Three scheduled exams will be given during term for

lecture credit.

Laboratory grades will be determined from completion of

lab projects.

Grading Scales - Lecture Laboratory

A 100-90% 100-96%

B 89-80% 95-90%

C 79-70% 89-85%

D 69-60% 84-80%

F Below 60% Below 80%

XIII. Revision Date: August 2001