Spring 2013 KBCC Biological Sciences Professor: Christina Colόn Ph.D. Lab: S-226 Lecture: T-267 E-mail: christina.colon@kbcc.cuny.edu Lecture (7906): Mon. 1:50 5:10pm Office Hours: Mon + Wed 12 1pm; Th 3-4pm Lab: Wed. (16669) 1:50 5:10pm Office Location: Room S-134 Biology 53: Ecology This 4 credit six hour laboratory course is an elective for biology majors interested in learning about and directly studying local and global ecosystems, and the organisms that inhabit them. Ecology is the study of interactions between organisms and their environment. It entails study of the structure, function and interactions of populations, communities and ecosystems. Included in this, is an understanding of energy flow, biogeochemical cycling, community structure, population growth and population interactions in both disturbed and undisturbed ecosystems. Lectures will be traditional as well as PowerPoint based interspersed with discussion, multimedia elements, group activities, field trips and potentially guest lectures. Students are expected to participate in class discussions and to stay abreast of current issues in ecology. This class has a Civic Engagement component that involves citizen science research on horseshoe crabs. This will require a commitment of no less than 6 hours of volunteer time outside of class. ATTENDANCE: Attendance will be taken at the start of class. Any student not present at that time will be marked absent. Any student arriving after attendance has been taken will be marked late. Attendance and participation will count towards your grade. ETIQUETTE: Please maintain a respectful and collaborative learning environment at all times. No eating, drinking, or smoking in class. All cell phones must be off or muted during class. Plagiarism (e.g. copying text as though it is your own) and/or cheating will not be tolerated. Use of any electronic devices for ANY reason during tests will be considered cheating. TIPS FOR SUCCESS: Come to class ready to learn (not to sleep, text, gossip, eatetc.) Be on time and complete all assignments on time. Take advantage of the front row; be visible. Read each week s chapter before class. Ask questions and offer your opinion. Share information on any pertinent books, lectures, articles or news items you encounter. TEXT: Elements of Ecology7 th Edition by T. Smith and R. Smith, Pearson Benjamin Cummings LABMANUAL: Ecology on Campus R. Kingsolver, Pearson Benjamin Cummings GRADE BREAKDOWN: Participation and attendance 10% Term paper 10% PowerPoint presentation 10% Independent inquiry investigation 10% Lab assignments 10% Unit tests (3)10% each 30%
Cumulative final exam 20% TOTAL: 100%
MEASURABLE LEARNING OUTCOMES 1. Apply methods and processes of life science by designing and conducting an ecological investigation 2. Demonstrate proficiency in quantitative reasoning by analyzing, depicting and interpreting original data 3. Compare and contrast adaptations associated with organisms found in four distinct biomes 4. Demonstrate an understanding of the pathways of energy transfer and matter cycling within living systems by creating a trophic pyramid, food web and carbon cycle. 5. Demonstrate an understanding of the levels of biological organization and interactions by listing two types of ecological interactions between individuals in a population, a community, and an ecosystem. LEARNING COMPETENCIES ACTIONS TAKEN TO MEET THESE COMPETENCIES Become Civically Engaged Volunteer with New York City Audubon to study horseshoe crabs Develop observation skills Observe, draw and describe organism in natural ecosystems Develop research skills Ask scientific questions about organism and interactions Understand the scientific method Conduct an independent research investigation Develop public speaking skills Present findings to a group of peers Develop writing skills Summarize findings of investigation in a research paper Become proficient at PowerPoint Prepare a presentation to the class using PowerPoint Become proficient at MS Word Create written report using Microsoft Word Become proficient at Excel Create data sheets, data tables and graphs using Excel Develop classification skills Create a classification of living organisms collected Develop identification skills Become proficient in use of a dichotomous key Know ecological hierarchy Identify the correct ecological hierarchy of a group of organisms Understand trophic pyramids List the correct trophic role of selected organisms Use descriptive statistics Statistically summarize differences between populations Conduct mathematical calculations Describe population interactions mathematically Understand human impacts* Conduct research paper on a global environmental issue
Differentiate between ecosystems Describe global biomes Understand local ecosystems Conduct biodiversity census Conduct chemical analyses Compare physical and biological differences between ecosystems Explore exhibits and grounds at KBCC, and local museums Explore coastal and woodland habitats on field trips Survey local organisms for diversity and density Sample soil and water for ph, nitrate, phosphate, salinity, temperature
TOPICS COVERED AND ASSIGNMENTS EACH WEEK WEEK 1: Feb 27 WEEK 2: March 6 WEEK 3 March 13 WEEK 4 March 20 WEEK 5 April 3 WEEK 6 April 10 WEEK 7 April 17 WEEK 8 April 24 LAB WEEK 9 May 1 WEEK 10 May 15 WEEK 11 May 22 WEEK 12 May 29 Lab 1: (Chap. 1 lab manual) Observation of populations OUTDOORS Invertebrate population measurements on beach/hallway exhibits Chapters 1, 9 Introduction and Populations Lab 2: (Chap. 18 lab manual) Island Biogeography simulation Chapters 11, 13 CompetitionTERM PAPER OUTLINE DUE(1 page) Lab 3: Inquiry investigation of competition and predation. OUTDOORS Chapter 14 PredationFIRST SCIENTIFIC ARTICLE DUE Lab 4: Complete Inquiry investigation and present findings to class. Chapter 15 Parasitism and MutualismUNIT 1 EXAM Lab 4:(Chap. 12 lab manual) Rhizobium, termite and lichen symbiosis Chapter 16, 17 Communities POPULAR ARTICLE DUE (with highlights) Lab 5: (Chap. 9) Inventory of plant species on campus OUTDOORS Chapters18 Succession ALL SCIENTIFIC ARTICLES DUE Lab 6: Eco-FestAudubon IWASH horseshoe crab Citizen Science training Chapters 26 Biodiversity UNIT 2 EXAM Lab 7: (Chap. 13 lab manual) Biodiversity index of marine species OUTDOOR Chapter28 Conservation BIBLIOGRAPHY DUE Lab 8:Sustainable Harvest of marine species can it be done? Chapter 23Aquatic Ecosystems TERM PAPERS DUE Lab 9:Self directed Exploration of KBCC Aquarium Chapter 24 Terrestrial Ecosystems UNIT 3 EXAM Lab 10: FIELD TRIP TO JAMAIC BAY or Exploration of KBCC Science Chapter 27 Population and Sustainability STUDENT PRESENTATIONS
INDEPENDENT INQUIRY INVESTIGATIONThis group assignment will entail an investigation of a population ofliving organism on or around campus (ants, crabs, gulls, cats, weeds, etc). Students will generate a scientific research question. They will then design and carry out a short experiment, collect data, draw conclusions based on the data, graph and present their findings, and write a lab report summarizing their findings. This investigation will count for 10% of final grades and will be based on group effort as well as individual typed lab reports. Report will contain the following topic headings 1. Title of investigation and name of students 2. Background 3. Research question and hypothesis 4. Methods 5. Results 6. Conclusions TERM PAPERThis5 page, research report must be on a SPECIES FOUND IN JAMAICA BAY. The topic must be preapproved by the professor. The report must include: 1. A description of the environmental concern, issue or debate related to this species. 2. Information on thetaxonomy, ecology and habitat used by this species. 3. A brief history of the issue including associated debates associated with this species. 4. A list of possible solutions to protect/preserve/control this species along with associated challenges. 5. A paragraph on your opinion about this organism/habitat, its impact on humans, nature and you. 6. A bibliography including authors, date, title of article publication source and page numbers. This report will count for10% of final grades, and must be neatly typed, on 8.5 x 11 white paper, 12 point font, 1.5 spacing.a topic and outline must be submitted and approved to the professor before the report is written. Literature sources must be submitted and approved by the professor before the report is written. This report must include 5 valid scientific sources along with a Xeroxed copy of each article. Two must be peer reviewed scientific journal articles (e.g. Ecology, Nature), two from a reputable magazine or newspaper (e.g. New York Times, National Geographic) and one from a reputable, non-commercial internet source from a university (.edu), research institution, accredited professional member organization (.org) or government agency (.gov). ORAL POWERPOINT PRESENTATIONA 7 minute, 5 slide PowerPoint presentation based on the written assignment will be made by each studentduring the last week of class. This assignment will count as 10% of final grades and must be submitted as an attachment to an email as well as on a thumb drive for presentation to the class. PowerPoint presentations must: 1. A title page with the title of the presentation and name of the presenter 2. A title for each slide introducing the topic
3. All font must be 24 point with high contrast to the background color 4. bulleted talking points and an image on EACH SLIDE 5. A range map, data chart and 6. A conclusion slide that sums up the presentation EXTRA CREDIT:Students are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to explore some of New York s impressive natural science resources. Self directed activity sheets specific to the American Museum of Natural History, Zoos or the Aquarium must be completedas directed and must accompany a ticket stub for the date of visit. 1% credit will be added to final grades for each sheet submitted, up to a maximum of 5%.