Fall 2018 BIO337 Marine Ecology Department of Biology University of Southern Maine

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Fall 2018 BIO337 Marine Ecology Department of Biology University of Southern Maine Instructor contact information and office hours: Assistant Professor Rachel Lasley-Rasher, Ph.D. 476B Science Building (C wing), rachel.

1 Fall 2018 BIO337 Marine Ecology Department of Biology University of Southern Maine Instructor contact information and office hours: Assistant Professor Rachel Lasley-Rasher, Ph.D. 476B Science Building (C wing), Office hours: W 10:00-11:00pm, R 2:00-3:00pm, F 11:00-1:00pm and by appointment Lecture 8:45-10:00 am, Monday & Wednesday, Payson Smith 203 Lab: 1:15-5:05 pm, Monday, Room 160 Science Building (B wing) Course Description: In this course, fundamental concepts in community ecology will be reviewed and put into a marine context. Students will learn about the dynamic physical setting of the marine environment and explore ecological processes such as primary production, competition, and predation in various marine habitats. In this course, there is an emphasis on the Gulf of Maine and how it differs from other ocean realms. Applied topics such as fisheries and aquaculture will also be covered. Students will learn common field and laboratory techniques used in field of marine ecology and nearshore oceanography. Lab and field work will expand upon topics covered in lecture and focus on population and community dynamics of regional benthic and pelagic ecosystems. Course s Role in the Curriculum: This course fulfills the requirement of: a) Core: elective b) BIO Major: fulfills requirement of lecture/lab combination from Area 2 Credit Hours: 5 Prerequisites & Minimum Grades: Grade of C- or higher in BIO 203 (Ecology) or ESP 125 (Environmental Ecology)

2 Learning Outcomes: 1. Students demonstrate a strong foundation of governing principles and common patterns in marine ecology. 2. Students will learn and execute common survey and laboratory techniques used to address ecological questions in the marine environment. 3. Students communicate effectively in both oral and written skills to convey their scientific knowledge and results to peers, the public, and scientific audiences. Course Materials: We use the following book, Marine Ecology: Concepts and Applications by Martin Speight and Peter Henderson. An electronic book is available. Follow the link and click on USM Access Class Schedule: Week Date Lecture Lab Assignments Due Sep 5 W Course Introduction & 1 Ch. 1 PHYSICAL TEMPLATE 2 Sep 10 M Ch. 1 Cont d & Ch. 2 BIODIVERSITY * Last day to drop a class with no financial penalty Characterizing the pelagic environment (field trip) *Methods section from pelagic lab due Friday, Sep 14th by Sep 12 W Sep 17 M Sep 19 W Sep 24 M (H 11:30 am, L 5:30 pm) Sep 26 W Oct 1 M (L 10am, H 4pm) Oct 3 W Ch. 2 Cont d & Discuss Marine Biome Presentations Ch. 3 PRIMARY PRODUCTION Finish Ch. 3 and exam review Exam 1 Ch. 4 PRIMARY CONSUMPTION Ch. 4 Cont d & 2 Marine Biome Presentations 2 Presentations & Invasive species module: green crab survey (field trip) Biodiversity in the rocky intertidal Scallop edna Project *Graphs and figure captions from green crab survey due Friday, Sep 20th by *Marine Biome Presentation slides due Sunday, Sep 30th by (if presenting Monday) *Marine Biome Presentation slides due Tuesday, Oct 2nd by (if 2

3 Group formation and topic presenting Wednesday selection Oct 8 M Fall break Fall break *Group project Oct 10 W Ch. 5 PREDATION information sheet due Friday, Oct 12th by Oct 15 M (L Ch. 5 PARASITES AND 10:40 am, H PATHOGENS 4:40 pm) Oct 17 W Ch. 6 COMPETITION Oct 22 M (H Ch. 6 SUCCESSION 10:30 am, L 5 pm) Oct 24 W Exam 2 Oct 29 M (L Ch. 7 DISPERSAL AND 9 am, H 3 SETTLEMENT & pm) Downloading R Oct 31 W Ch. 7 cont d, Ch. 8 FISHERIES Nov 5 M (H Ch. 8 cont d 9 am, L 3 pm) Nov 7 W Ch. 9 THREATS TO MARINE ECOSYSTEMS Zooplankton and biodiversity analysis (worksheets due before you leave lab) Group project check-in Independent projects Independent projects Independent projects Nov 12 M Veteran s Day No class No lab Nov 14 W Ch. 9 cont d, Exam review Nov 19 M Exam 3 R lab Crash course on statistics and data analysis Nov 21 W Nov 26 M Nov 28 W Thanksgiving Break No class Ch. 10 MARINE CONSERVATION Journal article discussion Free lab: work on papers and presentations *Results section from green crab lab due Sunday, Oct 21st by *Annotated bibliography due Friday, Nov 2nd by *Abstract & Outline due Friday, Nov 9th by * Journal article discussion questions due at the end of Wed class *Final Group Research 3

4 14 15 Papers due Sunday Dec 2nd by Dec 3 M TBA * Journal article Dec 5 W Journal article discussion TBA discussion questions due at the end of Wed class Dec 10 M Maine s Climate Future Presentations Dec 12 W Final review Dec 17 M Exam week *Presentation slides due Sunday Dec 9th by Student Assessment and Deadlines: Participation & Assignments o Attendance is recorded from student submission of notecards during lecture that include (1) name, (2) date, (3) a question or comment (4) answer to a question posed in class. NOTE that lab attendance is mandatory. Missing lab will negatively affect your grade. o Participation and critical thinking will be assessed during class discussions of primary literature. o Student groups will deliver a presentation on a marine biome in lecture. o Scientific writing and analytical skills will be assessed through mini lab reports and lab exercises. Research projects o Student groups will design and execute an independent research project. o Groups will submit a final paper and presentation. Exams o Three lecture exams (multiple choice and short answer) will be administered to assess mastery of material. Final Exam o The grade from your final exam can be used to replace your lowest test score. Make-up Exams: If you know you are going to miss an exam, inform me in writing beforehand. Make-up exams must be taken within one week of the scheduled exam. To schedule a make-up exam, please me your reason for missing the exam and three different times I can pick from to give you the make- up exam. Make-up exams will be given in 476B Science Building. 4

5 Grade Determinations: Lecture participation/ journal article discussion 5% Marine Biome Presentation 5% Mini lab reports and lab exercises 10% Group paper 15% Group presentation 10% Exams (there will be 3) 55% Final exam - Final exam grade can replace lowest test The letter grades for the class will be awarded using the following scale: A= Excellent % B= Above average 80-89% C= Satisfactory 70-79% D= Unsatisfactory 60-69% F= Failing, below 60% Plus and minus grades will also be given. *Attendance, participation and effort will also be considered with borderline grades. Course Evaluations: At the end of each semester every student has the opportunity to provide constructive feedback on the course. It is important to me that you take the time to let me know your thoughts about the course. I use your feedback to make improvements in the course materials, assignments, and outcomes. Attendance Policy: Attendance will be recorded in both lecture and lab. Note that lab attendance is mandatory. There are no make-up labs. Missing more than 2 labs will result in an automatic F for the lab portion of the course (roughly 35% of overall grade). Technology in the Classroom: I will give you a printed outline at the beginning of each class. I strongly recommend that students take hand written notes so that you can easily draw diagrams be more present and engaged in the material. However, students are allowed to use electronic devices in the class to help you take notes. Be aware that I reserve the right to ask you to put electronic devices away if they become a distraction to others. Class Cancellation: Be sure that you have enrolled in the campus notifications services, so that you are aware of any closures due to inclement weather. From time to time USM will determine to close the University due to inclement weather. When the cancellation is for an entire day, the 5

6 class content will be made up at another time or through additional, outside of class assignments. When the school opens late or closes early, and the time selected is during the middle of class, we will still hold the class unless you are otherwise notified by me. Academic Integrity: Everyone associated with the University of Southern Maine is expected to adhere to the principles of academic integrity central to the academic function of the University. Any breach of academic integrity represents a serious offense. Each student has a responsibility to know the standards of conduct and expectations of academic integrity that apply to academic tasks. Violations of student academic integrity include any actions that attempt to promote or enhance the academic standing of any student by dishonest means. Cheating on an examination, stealing the words or ideas of another (i.e., plagiarism), making statements known to be false or misleading, falsifying the results of one's research, improperly using library materials or computer files, or altering or forging academic records are examples of violations of this policy which are contrary to the academic purposes for which the University exists. Acts that violate academic integrity disrupt the educational process and are not acceptable. Evidence of a violation of the academic integrity policy will normally result in disciplinary action. A copy of the complete policy may be obtained from the Dean of Students Office, online at or by calling and requesting a copy at (207) Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Notification/ Accomodations: The university is committed to providing students with documented disabilities equal access to all university programs and services. If you think you have a disability and would like to request accommodations, you must register with the Disability Services Center. Timely notification is essential. The Disability Services Center can be reached by calling or by at dsc- usm@maine.edu. If you have already received a faculty accommodation letter from the Disability Services Center, please provide me with that information as soon as possible. Please make a private appointment so that we can review your accommodations. Learning Commons and Tutoring: Tutoring services include writing, critical reading, academic coaching, study skills and time management. Walk-in tutoring is available at the Glickman Library in Portland, the Gorham Library, and the LAC Writing Center. For best service, we recommend making an appointment at Questions about tutoring should be directed to Paul Dexter at Counseling: 6

7 Counseling is available at USM. The best way to schedule an appointment is to More information is available at Nondiscrimination Policy: The University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, including transgender status and gender expression, national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, genetic information or veteran s status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. Please contact Lynda Dec, CHRO & Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity, and Title IX support for USM 45 Exeter Street, Portland, ME, , lynda.dec@maine.edu with questions or concerns. Statement on Religious Observance for USM Students: Absence for Religious Holy Days: The University of Southern Maine respects the religious beliefs of all members of the community, affirms their rights to observe significant religious holy days, and will make reasonable accommodations, upon request, for such observances. If a student s religious observance is in conflict with the academic experience, they should inform their instructor(s) of the class or other school functions that will be affected. It is the student s responsibility to make the necessary arrangements mutually agreed upon with the instructor(s). Title IX Statement: The University of Southern Maine is committed to making our campuses safer places for students. Because of this commitment, and our federal obligations, faculty and other employees are considered mandated reporters when it comes to experiences of interpersonal violence (sexual assault, sexual harassment, dating or domestic violence, and stalking). Disclosures of interpersonal violence must be passed along to the University s Deputy Title IX Coordinator who can help provide support and academic remedies for students who have been impacted. More information can be found online at or by contacting Sarah E. Holmes at sarah.e.holmes1@maine.edu or

Corporate Communication

Corporate Communication UTRGV COMM 6329 / Fall 2015 Schedule: August 31, 2015 to December 13, 2015 Location: Online Instructor: Dr. Young Joon Lim Office: ARHU, Room 158 Office Hours: through email young.lim@utrgv.edu