Biology 453/553 – Ecology
Fall 2016, Colorado State University - Pueblo
Dr. Lee Anne Martínez Class meets: WF, 1:25 pm – 2:20 pm
office: Life Science 218 FAX: 719-549-2993 Life Science 229
phone: 719-549-2744 (office), 719-549-2743 (dept.) Text: Ecology, Molles, 7ed
office hours: M 2 – 3:30 pm, T 9 –10:30 am, or by appointment.
e-mail: (send via Blackboard)
web site: http://faculty.csupueblo.edu/leeanne.martinez/ecol_index.html
Week of: Tentative topics: Required reading:
22 Aug. Introduction, Ecological Studies & Methods Ch. 1, 23
29 Aug. The Physical & Chemical Environment Ch. 2, 3
5 Sept. Abiotic Factors Ch. 5, 6
12 Sept. Autecology: Survival & Reproduction Ch. 4, 7
19 Sept. Biotic Factors: Exploitation (Consumers) & Mutualism, Quiz I Ch. 14, 15
26 Sept. Dispersal, Migration, Habitat Selection pp. 219-226, 198-200
Biogeography Ch. 22
3 Oct. EXAM I, Distribution & Abundance Ch. 9
10 Oct. Life Tables & Life History Characteristics Ch. 10, 12
17 Oct. Populations, Population Growth Ch. 11
24 Oct. QUIZ II, Competition, Population Regulation Ch. 8, 13
31 Oct. Community Ecology, Biodiversity Ch. 17, 16
7 Nov. Succession, Ecosystems: Organisms & Energy Flow, EXAM II Ch. 20, 18
14 Nov. Ecosystems: Nutrient Cycles & Human Impacts Ch. 19, (Ch. 23)
21 Nov. THANKSGIVING VACATION!!
28 Nov. Conservation & Large Scale Ecology Ch. 21
5 Dec. FINALS WEEK
Grading: 7% attendance & participation; 14% quizzes; 48% midterm examinations (two at 24% each); 31% final examination
NO MAKE-UP EXAMS, NO LATE WORK ACCEPTED
Exams I II: Weds., 5 Oct.; Fri., 11 Nov.; Quiz I II: Fri., 23 Sept.; Weds., 26 Oct.
Final (comprehensive): Thursday, 8 Dec., 10:30 am – 12:50 pm
Students are responsible for material presented in lectures, assigned readings, and writing animations, as well as videos shown during class. Attendance at each lecture is expected.
Accommodations: CSU-Pueblo abides by the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which stipulates that no student shall be denied the benefits of an education "solely by reason of a handicap." If you have a documented disability that may impact your work in this class and for which you may require accommodations, please see the Disability Resource Coordinator as soon as possible to arrange accommodations. In order to receive accommodations, you must be registered with and provide documentation of your disability to the Disability Resource Office, which is located in the Library (LARC), Suite 169.
Resources: The PROPEL Center offers walk-in, personalized and online tutoring, as well as mentoring, supplemental instruction sessions, and study groups. Stop by Life Sci. Rm. 122, 9 AM – 4 PM or email for more information.
Ecology Course Description:
Interrelationships among organisms and their environment, employing quantitative methods and conceptual models.
Course Objectives:
· Students will gain an understanding of how scientific method is used to study relationships between organisms and their abiotic and biotic environment, on scales ranging from individual organisms to global-scale processes.
· Students will analyze and evaluate scientific information, and communicate their findings in ways that demonstrate their understanding of key concepts.
· Students will examine how differential solar radiation/heating and water availability, along with the resultant physical and chemical properties of the environment, influence the abundance and distribution of organisms.
· Students will explore how populations of organisms have an optimal set of environmental conditions to which they are adapted (e.g., through behavior and physiology), and that consequently, their fitness in other environments may be reduced.
· Students will examine how patterns of distribution and abundance reflect organisms’ life histories, and their interaction with members of their own species (intraspecific), other species (interspecific), in addition to interactions with the abiotic environment.
· Students will learn how feeding relationships among organisms function to regulate populations and structure communities, as well as driving the flow of energy and the recycling of nutrients throughout the ecosystem (biogeochemical cycles).
· Students will gain an appreciation of how biodiversity, in concert with intact landscapes and ecosystems, provides key ecosystem services, and that conservation (along with recognition of the impact of human activity) is crucial to maintaining life as we know it.
Academic Dishonesty:
· Academic dishonesty is any form of cheating which results in students giving or receiving unauthorized assistance in an academic exercise, or receiving credit for work which is not their own, including but not limited to plagiarism. When in doubt, please ask your instructor for clarification. Academic dishonesty is grounds for disciplinary action by both the instructor and the Director of Student Judicial Affairs. Academic dishonesty is considered an act of misconduct and is also subject to the University disciplinary process as defined in the CSU-Pueblo Code of Student Conduct and Adjudication Manual. Students may refer to the following link for further information:
http://www.colostate-pueblo.edu/StudentLife/StudentJudicialAffairs/Documents/CodeofStudentConduct2011.pdf
Other Policies:
· During exams, all electronic devices must be turned off and put away, and must not be used.
· Cell phones or other devices that are detracting from the students’ focus may be confiscated.
Early Alert:
This course is participates in the Early Alert program. Information about issues with student performance in this class may be communicated to Student Academic Services. This information is then relayed to academic advisors and others involved in supporting student success. The program is designed to promote success among our students through proactive advising, and through referral to appropriate resources. Instructor concerns may be posted to the Early Alert system at any time throughout the semester. Lack of attendance in weeks 1 – 2 will result in administrative withdrawal of the student.
Other General Education Resources:
Math Learning Center (PM 132, 719-549-2271); Writing Center (LARC 251, 719-549-2901); PROPEL Center (help with science, engineering or technology courses) (LS 122, 549-2652).