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Wel 2.308
INSTRUCTOR: Robert B. Jackson
Text
The text for the course is Ecology: Individuals, Populations, and Communities by Begon, Harper, and Townsend (second edition).
Course Description and Goals
The primary goal of the course is to develop an understanding of the science known as ecology. Ecologists study the distribution and abundance of organisms, and how the environment affects patterns of abundance. A second goal is to understand current questions and techniques in the field of ecology. To address these goals, we will examine natural systems at a number of scales, including individual organisms, populations, communities, ecosystems, and the globe.
Readings will come from Begon, Harper, and Townsend (see above), plus supplemental material. Lectures will not simply repeat material in the text, but will expand on the text and cover additional material. You are responsible for all material presented in the lectures and assigned readings.
Grading
The course will have 3 exams, 2 during the semester and 1 semester-ending final. The exams are weighted by the following formula:
Exam 1 = 30%
Exam 2 = 30%
Final Exam = 40%
The final exam will be comprehensive. The exams will be a mixture of multiple choice, short answer, and essay/problem solving. If you believe you were incorrectly graded on any exam, you may petition to have it regraded within one week of receiving the corrected test. Petitions must be in writing, and you must state clearly and specifically why you believe your original answer was correct. If a grader made a mistake you will receive additional points. However, if an exam is returned for regrading, we reserve the right to recheck the entire exam.
Test dates:
Test 1: Thursday, Feb 19th
Test 2: Thursday, Apr 2rd
Final exam: Finals week
Make-up tests: There will be no make-up tests for the course. If you miss an exam for an approved reason (e.g., documented medical injury), you will be graded on the remaining two exams. An unexcused absence results in a 0 for that test.
Grades: Although the course may be graded on a curve, I guarantee that the final grades will be no more difficult than the following:
100-92 A
84-92 B
76-84 C
70-76 D
<70 F
Course Schedule
Week Topic
Jan 19 What is ecology? A global overview
Jan 26 Limiting Factors
Feb 2 Evolution and the niche
Feb 9 Populations: demography and dispersal
Feb 16 Interactions among organisms
Feb 23 Competition
Mar 2 Predation
Mar 9 Disturbance
Mar 16 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - (Spring Break)
Mar 23 Communities: patterns in space
Mar 30 Communities: patterns in time
Apr 6 The abundance of organisms
Apr 13 Ecosystem ecology
Apr 20 Matter and energy fluxes
Apr 27 Patterns of species richness
May 4 Conservation and global change
Last modified 12 Jan, 1998.
This document is maintained by Rob Jackson