Dr. John F.
Cavitt
Office: LI 58
Phone:
626-8541; 626-6172
Email:
jcavittatweberdotedu
Office Hours: Monday and Wednesday 11:30 or by appointment
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.
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, and studying the material. This policy is consistent with the guidelines established by the Zoology Department (Statement of Expectations).
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 9:50. 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.
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.
Steps for Appealing Exam Items
Within four calendar days of receiving the corrected exam, submit the
following information by e-mail 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: 
Ecology: Evolution, Application Integration. 2016. Oxford University Press,
New York, NY.
(2)
Other sources
are posted on the readings section
of this website.
Grading:
There
will be a total of 575 pts over the course of the semester.
The points will be distributed as follows:
(1) 150pts 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) 25pts Civic Engagement. Participation in one’s community is an important aspect of being a good citizen. You will receive 25 pts for attending a Natural Resource public board meeting. Information will be provided in class.
(4) 100pts from 1st exam, Oct. 9
(5) 100pts from 2nd exam, Nov 25
(6) 150pts from comprehensive final, Monday, December 16, 10:30am
The
following percentages will determine the grade earned: