Please note: This is not a course syllabus. A course syllabus is unique to a particular section of a course by instructor. This curriculum guide provides general information about a course.
This course is designed for Biology majors. Ecology is the scientific study of how organisms interact with each other and with the physical environment, which encompasses the levels of populations, communities and ecosystems. The course will cover the major concepts, theories and techniques of ecological science with an emphasis on understanding the functional adapations of species in their natural habitats. The lab section will involve outdoor field biology activities, basic biostatistics and computer applications. The goal is to provide the knowledge and skills necessary for those entering careers in ecological fields.
A. Aquatic and terrestrial biomes
B. Ecosystem productivity and nutrient cycles
C. Community ecology, succession, and diversity
D. Species interactions and food webs
E. Population ecology: distribution and population growth
F. Biological invasions
G. Natural selection and ecological genetics
H. Competition: intraspecific and interspecific
I. Predator-prey interactions
J. Herbivory and pollination
K. Disease interactions and epidemiology
L. Symbiosis and mutualism
M. Human population growth
N. Climate science and global change
O. Basic biostatistics and hypothesis testing
Specific Course Activity Assignment or Assessment Requirements
Required assignments:
a. weekly homework assignments
b. lab reports (scientific papers)
c. research paper
d presentation of final project
Required Exams:
a. Midterm exams (3)
b. Final exam
Required Activities:
Participation in outdoor field activities. Use of common computer software such as spreadsheet, word processing, web browsers, etc.