BIOLOGY 412 General Ecology Fall 2016

Transcription

1 BIOLOGY 412 General Ecology Fall 2016 Lecture: Monday, Wednesday, Friday: , AH 153 Instructor: Dr. James E. Moore Office: AH 110 Telephone: Website: Office Hours: Monday: ; ; Tuesday: ; Wednesday: ; Thursday: ; Friday: Note: If these times do not fit into your schedule, feel free to make an appointment, or stop by whenever my door is open. Texts: Cain, M.L., Bowman, W.D., and Hacker, S.D. Ecology 2 nd Edition. Sinauer Associates, Inc. ISBN: OR Cain, M.L., Bowman, W.D., and Hacker, S.D. Ecology 3 rd Edition. Sinauer Associates, Inc Franklin, S.B. Grubaugh, J.W., and Adams, R.A. Ecology Lab Manual. Kendall Hunt Publishing Co. ISBN: Course Description: Ecology is the study of interactions between organisms and their environment. It encompasses all levels of biological organization; from molecules cells organisms as well as abiotic components such as nutrients, climate, and geochemical cycles. We will examine such topics as population organization, community and ecosystem structure and function, abiotic factors, and cycling of energy. Objectives: Upon completion of this course, students will: Develop an understanding of major ecological theory and understand the seminal experiments in the field. Use ecological principles when describing the major local ecosystems. Apply ecological theory to describing patterns in nature. Begin to think scientifically. Pre-requisite Courses and Abilities: All students must have successfully completed BIOL 112, CHEM 113 or higher, seven additional credits in Biology > 200 level with Junior or Senior standing. Ecology is both computationally and writing intensive; assignments and examination material will rely heavily on your math and writing skills. 1

2 Text Readings: The assigned text readings will supplement the material presented in class. Students will also be responsible for reading assigned primary literature. Lectures material will make more sense if you have read the assigned chapters prior to lecture. Course Postings: All supplementary material will be available on my website. All course correspondence will be conducted through your CBU account. I will not respond to personal accounts such as: hotmail, yahoo etc. You are responsible for all announcements sent via , even if your inbox is full and you cannot receive messages. Assessment: Tentatively, a total of 600 points are possible. Sources of points include: 3 lecture 100 points each = 300 points Comprehensive final exam = 150 points Population Ecology Homework = 20 points Community Ecology Homework = 20 points Current Issue Group Paper = 50 points Presentation = 50 points Essay = 10 points 600 points Grades: All grades will be based on the number of student earned points out of the total possible class points (600). A = 540 to 600; B = 480 to 539; C = 420 to 479; D = 360 to 419; F = < 360 Exams: Following the course schedule, students will be assessed by four in-class exams and a final comprehensive exam. NO exam grade will be dropped, nor will the final grade be based on a curve. Exams are designed to take the entire class period (~ minutes is not a long time). If you are late for a quiz or exam and AT LEAST ONE STUDENT HAS TURNED IN THE quiz or exam YOU ARE NOT PERMITTED TO TAKE the quiz or exam. NO EXCEPTIONS. Missed Exams: THIS IS A SERIOUS MATTER. Make-up exams are not given unless prior approval has been obtained from ME. Obviously, make-up exams cannot be made-up. In the event of a make-up exam, please note that the style and format will be much different (i.e., 20 essay questions). A doctor s excuse is not an automatic excuse. Ultimately, I decide whether or not you should be granted a make-up, so be there on time! THERE IS NO MAKE-UP FOR THE FINAL EXAM. IF YOU ARE LATE FOR THE FINAL EXAM AND AT LEAST ONE STUDENT HAS TURNED IN THE FINAL, YOU ARE NOT PERMITTED TO TAKE THE FINAL EXAM. Grade Dispute: I take special care to ensure that all students are graded fairly. If mistakes in grading are found, I will correct the error and point total. If your dispute involves comparing another classmate s graded exam with your own then I will reassess both students entire exams. During this process, grades may change, but not always in a positive direction. All scores and disputes must be conducted within one week of the in-class return date (i.e., you must attempt to reach me by: phone, , slipping a note under my door) for the exam of consideration. 2

3 Academic Integrity / Student Conduct: Nothing is more destructive to science and academia than the unethical duplication of others work. Anyone attempting to pass somebody else s work as you your own will earn an F for the course (NO EXEPTIONS). Cheating, plagiarism or any other form of academic dishonesty will be dealt with according to the CBU Student Handbook. The onus is on you to familiarize yourself with the Student Handbook found at: pdf Attendance and Cancellations: Students are expected to attend all lectures as this will maximize the probability that you will succeed in my course. Any student who has missed > 8 lectures may be withdrawn from the course or given an F at my discretion. If classes are cancelled on a regular lecture day, exam dates will not change. If classes are cancelled on an exam day, the exam will be given during the next meeting time. I will send updates reminding you if indeed we have a cancellation. Special Needs: Any student who may need class or exam accommodations based on the impact of a disability is encouraged to speak with me privately to discuss your specific needs. Students with disabilities should also contact Student Disability Services (SDS). Reasonable accommodations will be made available only after I have received written documentation from Student Disability Services. Please deliver the documentation to me in my office as soon as possible. Late notification may result in the requested accommodation being unavailable. 3

4 Course Schedule: Dates for lecture topics are subject to change. Date Lecture Topic Description 22-August 24-August 26-August 31-August 02-September 07-September 09-September 12-September 14-September 16-September Introduction Scientific Method / Abiotic Environment Abiotic Environment The Biosphere The Biosphere cont. Distribution Patterns Ecology & Evolution What is Ecology? Terminology, History/ Influential Ecologists, Maxims Experimental Design Climate: global & local, Chemistry Climate: global & local, Chemistry Biomes Zones Factors of Zonation Biomes Zones Factors of Zonation Abundance & Distribution, Geographic Range, Dispersal Temperature & Water Balance Tolerances Energy: Autotrophy, Heterotrophy, Photosynthesis, Metabolism Energy: Autotrophy, Heterotrophy, Photosynthesis, Metabolism What is Evolution? Terminology, History, Genetics, Speciation, Extinction Reading/ Chapter Chapter 1 Ch s 1 & 2 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 3 Chapter 8 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 19-September Ecology & Evolution Continued Chapter 6 21-September EXAM 1 23-September Life History Life History Tables Chapter 7 26-September Life History Continued Chapter 7 28-September 30-September Population Ecology Population Ecology Life Tables, Age Structure, Density dependence/independence, Population Size, Metapopulations Life Tables, Age Structure, Density dependence/independence, Ch s 9 & 10 Ch s 9 & October Population Ecology Population Size, Metapopulations Ch s 9 & October Competition Resources, Coexistence Chapter October Competition Species Diversity Competitive Exclusion, Resource Partitioning, NICHES Chapter 11 & October Species Interactions Predation & Herbivory Exploitation + Population Cycles Chapter October Species Interaction Continued Chapter 12 Parasitism 14-October Species Interactions Primary & Secondary Hosts, Life Chapter 13 Cycles, Co-evolution Supplements or Assignment Due Date Pianka 1966 McCain 2009 Presentation Topic Due Population Ecology Homework Due Tilman & Grime Debate Connell 1961 Essay Topic Due October FALL BREAK 4

5 24-October Species Interactions Mutualism & Commensalism Chapter October EXAM II 28-October FIELD TRIP 31-October Community Dynamics Definitions, Structure & Species Interactions Chapter November Community Dynamics Definitions, Structure & Species Interactions Chapter November Community Dynamics Agents of Change, Succession Stable States Chapter November Community Dynamics Agents of Change, Succession Stable States Chapter November 11-November Biogeography Biogeography Global & Regional Species Distribution Global & Regional Species Distribution Chapter 17 Chapter November Production Primary & Secondary Production Chapter November Energy Flow + Food Webs Trophic Levels/Cascades Chapter November Energy Flow + Food Webs Trophic Levels/Cascades Chapter November 23-November Nutrient Cycling Nutrient Cycling Conservation Biology Requirements, Sources, Transformations Chapter 21 Continued Chapter November EXAM III 30-November Conservation Biology Chapter December Landscape Ecology Habitat loss, Fragmentation etc. Chapter December Global Ecology Human Induced Change Chapter December Global Ecology Human Induced Change Chapter December December PRESENTATIONS May Go Into Lunch Hour FINAL EXAM WEEK Clements & Gleason Papers Sousa 2001 Cowles 19?? Community Ecology Homework Due Simberloff MacArthur & Wilson 5