Course Content and Objectives:  Ecology is a broad topic, and different ecologists have very different views of its definition.  For the purpose of this course, we will use the definition established by Charles Krebs.  He defines ecology as - the scientific study of the interactions that determine the distribution and abundance of organisms.  This course (lecture and lab) will emphasize an experimental, mechanistic, and evolutionary approach to the study of ecology.  However, a descriptive approach will also be covered because of its historical importance.

           

The objectives of this course are

1)      to provide you with an introduction to the major concepts of ecology, including the structure and function of ecosystems as well as population and community dynamics. 

2)      you will also learn the application of the scientific method to ecological problems, and in so doing you will gain valuable experience in gathering and analyzing data and summarizing the results in written format.      

 

Attendance:  Attendance is required for you to succeed in the course for a number of reasons: 1) I will be presenting material in class that is not found in your text, 2) I utilize an “Active Learning “ style of teaching that requires student participation, and 3) Quizzes will be given periodically during lecture which cannot be made-up.  If you have to miss a lecture due to an illness, for example, be sure to get good notes from someone in the class right away.  I will not be able to provide students with lecture notes.  I also expect students to arrive on time and to stay for the entire class.  My lectures continue until 12:45pm. The class will be dismissed as soon as my thought is completed.  Although I expect you to attend class I will not record attendance.  I also expect students to show proper classroom etiquette by- 1) not talking while I am talking, 2) not sleeping or reading during class, 3) turning off all cell phones and pagers before class.

         

Student Expectations:  This is a 4 credit hour, upper-division Zoology course.  Consequently, I expect students will spend up to 12 hours per week outside of class time completing assignments, reading and studying the material.  This policy is consistent with the guidelines established by the Zoology Department (Statement of Expectations).

 

Exams, Quizzes and Assignments: You are expected to take all exams as scheduled.  If you have to miss an exam, you must let me know BEFORE THE EXAM, or as soon as physically possible.  It is your responsibility to contact me if for some valid reason you miss an exam and must arrange a make-up (exam make-ups are essay exams).  Quizzes cannot be made-up if missed.  Students will not be penalized for missed quizzes if the absence is excused (illness, death) by me.  Excused absences will be granted only if I am notified as soon as possible.  Late assignments will be penalized 5% / day, up to five days late; after five days, unexcused late assignments will not be accepted.  Late assignments will be accepted without penalty only if a valid excuse (e.g. documented illness) is presented as close to the due-date as is practical.  

Each student is expected to do his or her own work. Cheating, plagiarism and all other forms of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Students are expected to abide by the Student Code as printed in the WSU Student Handbook. Proof of academic dishonesty will result in a final grade of E for the course and the circumstances will be reported to appropriate University authorities.

An important part of the exam development process is to review each exam item (i.e., exam question) to ensure technical accuracy, clarity, relevance, and absence of ambiguity and bias. However, in the event you believe a particular exam item is not valid, you may make a written appeal.  In an attempt to provide a fair, impartial and impersonal appeal process I WILL NOT enter into "face to face" negotiation with students over exam questions. The only means for getting reconsideration is through a written appeal. Appeals MUST be submitted within 5 days to be considered.

Steps for Appealing Exam Items
Within four calendar days of receiving the corrected exam, submit the following information by e-mail to jcavitt@weber.edu with "Exam Item Evaluation" in the subject line:

·        Name

·        E-mail address

·        Exam score

·        A concise description for the specific exam item(s) at issue

·        A concise rationale for evaluation of the item.  This must include 2 citations supporting your claim. This should also include relevant passages from texts which you feel support your interpretation.

·        Your submittal will be acknowledged by e-mail. At that time, you
will receive either the result of the evaluation or, if more time is needed for evaluation, an estimate of when you can expect a decision.

·        Once a decision has been made, it will be regarded as final and no further evaluation will occur.

 

 

 

Any student requiring accommodations or services due to a disability must contact Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) in room 181 of the Student Service Center.  SSD can also arrange to provide course materials (including this syllabus) in alternative formats if necessary.

 

Study Groups: “None of us is as smart as all of us”, Roy Disney.  Students who study with (a) classmate(s) learn more and get better grades.  Do yourself a favor: take the initiative and find a study partner or two and do some studying together.  Remember to quiz each other thoroughly.  You want to find out BEFORE an exam what you don’t know and then learn it.  Many of the assignments can be completed together so establishing study groups can greatly assist you in completing the material.

 

 

Assigned Readings from:

 

(1)   Textbook:   Krebs 2009

 

(2)   Course Website:  http://faculty.weber.edu/jcavitt/Ecology.htm

 

(3) Other sources as assigned in lecture; these will be posted in the readings section of this website.

 

Grading:

There will be a total of 600 pts over the course of the semester.  The points will be distributed as follows:

 

(1) 200pts from the Laboratory (see Laboratory schedule)

(2) 50pts from quizzes over assigned readings, Current Events, and other misc. assignments.  These quizzes cannot be made-up if missed.  Students will not be penalized for missed quizzes if the absence is excused (illness, death) by me.  Excused absences will be granted only if I am notified as soon as possible.

(3) 100pts from 1^st exam,

(4) 100pts from 2^nd exam,

(5) 150pts from comprehensive final,

 

The following percentages will determine the grade earned:

 

93 - 100% A

90 - 92% A-

87 - 89% B+

83 - 86% B

80 - 82% B-

77 - 79% C+

73 - 76% C

70 - 72% C-

67 - 69% D+

63 - 66% D

60 - 62% D-

below 60% E

 

 

 

Tentative Course Outline

 

Introduction to Ecology

1. Definition
2. Science
3. History

 

Evolution

1. Natural Selection
2. Genetic Fitness
3. Speciation
4. Types of Selection

 

Autecology

1. Abiotic environment
2. Physiology

 

Population Ecology

1. Life Tables
2. Survivorship Curves
3. Population Growth
4. Population Regulation
5. Organization

 

Species Interactions

1. Types

2.      Trophic Structure

3. Optimal Foraging
4. Herbivory & Frugivory
5. Competition
6. Predation and Parasitism
7. Mutualism

 

Combined Effects of Species Interactions in Communities

1. Community Structure
2. Community Properties: Diversity
3. Community Change: Succession
4. Community Patterns: Food Webs

 

Ecosystem ecology

1. Energy Flow
2. Nutrient Cycles
3. Biomes
4. Global Ecology

 

Evolution of Life Histories

 

Behavioral Ecology

1. Sexual Selection
2. Mating Systems
3. Parental Care

 

Applied Ecology

1.      Conservation Biology

2.      Global Change

3.      Food Supply & Human Population