ENV 133 Introduction to Ecology and Environmental Studies, Spring 2007

ENV 133 Introduction to Ecology and Environmental Studies, Spring 2007

Instructor: Kendra Cipollini, Ph.D.

Class:MWF 9:00-9:50, Kettering302; Lab W 1:00-3:50, Kettering 205A

Email Address:

Instructor Website:

Textbook Website:

Office:Kettering 204

Office Hours:M 11-12, W 11-12, T 2:30-4, R 2:30-4and by appointment

Office Phone:937-382-6661 Extension 367

Required Text: Raven, P. H., Johnson, G. B., Losos, J. B., and S. R. Singer. 2005.

Biology, 7th edition, McGraw Hill Higher Education, New York, NY.

Important Dates:

Monday, January 22 – Last Day to Add Classes

Monday, February 5 – Exam 1

Friday, February 9 – Cricket Behavior Introduction & Methods Lab Report Due

Wednesday, February 21 – Exam 2

Friday, February 23 – Research Project Proposal First Draft Due

Friday, March 2 - Research Project Proposal Final Draft Due

Friday, March 9 - Lemna Results & Discussion Lab Report Due

Monday, March 19 - Last Day to Drop Classes

Monday, March 26 – Exam 3

Wednesday, April 18 – Exam 4

Monday, April 23 - Research Project Paper Due

Wednesday, April 25 & Wednesday, May 2 - Research Project Presentations

Course Goals:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of basic ecology and environmental studies including: the evolutionary basis of behavior, population ecology, community ecology, ecosystem ecology and human impacts on the environment, as well as efforts to offset these impacts.
2. Improve critical thinking, writing, data analysis and library research skills through lab reports and lab exercises.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the scientific process through conception, implementation, analysis and presentation, both written (in scientific report format) and oral (using Powerpoint), of an ecological experiment.

General Information:

Important course announcements will be made in class, posted on the website and/or sent to your WilmingtonCollege email account. It is expected that you will check your emails at least once every 48 hours during the semester. There is a course webpage and a textbook webpage, both of which contain valuable information about the course and the course material. Lecture notes will be posted on the course webpage, usually prior to the relevant lecture. These notes are not meant to replace your attendance in class, nor your note-taking during class. Many times there are important concepts covered in the lecture and lab that are not explicitly addressed in the notes and text; therefore it is important you take careful notes during lecture and lab. You should read the relevant textbook chapter PRIOR the relevant lecture.

You absolutely must take an active role in your learning to be successful in this course. The instructor will be available during office hours, via email and by appointment to answer any questions you have concerning course content and your progress. There is one guarantee for this course; if you start off with a true commitment to do well, question the instructor at every opportunity, meet deadlines, and study hard on an ongoing basis, you will pass this course with no trouble.

Grading System:

Grades will be based on:

4 exams, 100 points each400

Final comprehensive exam150

Lab reports (2)70

Lab attendance and participation points125

Research project and presentation130

Learning exercises, computer simulations and quizzes125

Total Possible Points:1000

Points earned will be added and grades will be assigned based on the scale below. Do not expect any "curving" of grades in this course. From the Wilmington College Faculty Handbook, page 79: “It is the policy of WilmingtonCollege to strive to fairness in grading and avoid grade inflation. Faculty are encouraged to regard “C-“ as a satisfactory grade, which means the student is meeting College standards, and will treat it as such in talking with students, unless otherwise noted in the College Catalog. The grade of “A” on the other hand, should mean outstanding achievement, with a grade of “B” in between. The grade “D” represents minimally acceptable achievement, and the grade “F” indicates failure.”

Letter grade and pointsMeaning of grade (from WC Handbook)

A = 920-1000, A- = 900-919Range of outstanding achievement

B+ = 870-899, B = 820-869, B- = 800-819Range of good achievement

C+ = 770-799, C = 720-769, C- = 700-719Range of average achievement

D+ = 670-699, D = 600-669Range of below average achievement

F = 600Inadequate achievement

Exams and Assignments:

Exams will be a mixture of multiple choice, matching, short answer and essay. Since learning science is a cumulative endeavor, exams will test on cumulative information. However, exams will mostly focus on material learned in lecture and lab since the last exam. The final exam will be comprehensive and test on all material learned in the course. If you miss an exam, you will receive a zero on the exam; there will be no make-ups. If extreme and unavoidable circumstances occur that make you miss an exam, you must contact the instructor prior to the exam and have documented proof of these unusual circumstances. Similarly, no late assignments will be accepted except under documented extraordinary circumstances. Electronic assignments submitted via email or disk will not be accepted unless otherwise indicated by the instructor.

Research project: For this course you will individually design, implement, and analyze original ecological research. The research project will develop your skills as a scientist. You will present your research project during a Powerpoint presentation and in a written report. Details on this assignment are forthcoming.

Attendance/Absence/Behavior Policy:

Attendance at labs/field trips is mandatory. You may miss only one lab period in the entire semester. For each lab that you miss after the one “freebie,” 15 points will be deducted from your lab attendance points, regardless of the excuse. If you miss a lab where a presentation is due, you will receive a zero. If you miss a lab where an assignment is due, you are responsible for coordinating with the instructor to turn the assignment in on time. Students are expected to actively participate in laboratory and lecture activities and will be graded on their level of participation. Students are expected to exhibit appropriate classroom etiquette, including, but not limited to, listening attentively when the instructor or another student is speaking, raising your hand before speaking, arriving to class on time andturning off cell phones. In addition, students are expected to clean their laboratory area and return laboratory materials to the appropriate location prior to leaving lab. Attendance at lectures is strongly encouraged, but attendance will not be taken. There will be learning activities and quizzes in class. If you miss a class in which these unannounced activities are administered, you will not be able to make up the points and will receive a zero. Students are responsible for getting information from other students or from the instructor on what material they have missed from a lecture or laboratory, whether the absence is excused or unexcused.

Field Trips:

Please dress appropriately for field trips (shoes for hiking, appropriate clothing, hat, etc.). Sunscreen and water are recommended on hot days. Field trips will only be cancelled in the event of extreme weather conditions; we will go out in rain and unpleasant weather. Please arrive promptly at 1:00 PM, as we will be leaving immediately. Every effort will be made to return by 3:50 PM, within the constraints of traffic, weather, etc. It is highly recommended that you avoid scheduling anything on your lab day immediately after class in case of unavoidable lateness.

Academic Integrity Policy:

Students are expected to understand and adhere to the Academic Integrity Policy in the Wilmington College Student Handbook and will be reported to The Office of Academic Affairs if a violation occurs.

Note: If you have a documented disability that requires an accommodation, please notify your instructors and the Director of the SkillsCenter within the first week of the semester.

Schedule of Classes:

Date / Lecture Topic / Reading / Lab Activity
W, Jan 17 / Ecology and environmental science / pp. 2-3 / Intro to Lab & Making Scientific Observations
F, Jan 19 / Evolution Review / Ch. 21 & 23
M, Jan 22 / Animal behavior – early studies / Ch. 52 / Cricket Behavior & Developing Hypotheses
W, Jan 24 / Evolutionary basis of behavior / “
F, Jan 26 / Learning / “
M, Jan 29 / Optimal foraging / “ / Cricket Behavior & Designing Experiments
W, Jan 31 / Communication and courtship / “
F, Feb 2 / Altruism and sociality / “
M, Feb 5 / EXAM 1 / LemnaPopulation Growth
W, Feb 7 / Population demography / Ch. 53
F, Feb 9 / Population growth / “
M, Feb 12 / Survivorship curves / “ / Cemetery Field Trip &
LemnaMeasurements
W, Feb 14 / Factors controlling population growth / “
F, Feb 16 / Life history trade-offs / “
M, Feb 19 / Human population growth / “ / Research Conferences &
LemnaMeasurements
W, Feb 21 / EXAM 2
F, Feb 23 / Community ecology / Ch. 54
M, Feb 26 / Competition and species interactions / “ / Final Lemna Measurements & Data Analysis
W, Feb 28 / Predator-prey relationship and herbivory / Ch. 39
F, Mar 2 / Coevolution and symbiosis / Ch. 54
M, Mar 5 / Succession and disturbance / “ / Research Conferences & Research Project Work Day
W, Mar 7 / Materials cycle / Ch. 55
F, Mar 9 / Trophic levels and energy flow / “
NO CLASSES- SPRING BREAK
M, Mar 19 / Biodiversity and stability / “ / Environmental Problem Solving
W, Mar 21 / Biodiversity patterns / “
F, Mar 23 / Island biogeography / “
M, Mar 26 / EXAM 3 / Service Learning Field Trip
W, Mar 28 / Terrestrial biomes / Ch. 56
F, Mar 30 / Aquatic ecosystems / “
M, Apr 2 / Global warming / “ / Water Pollution Field Trip
W, April 4 / Air pollution / “
F, April 6 / NO CLASS - HOLIDAY / “
M, April 9 / Water pollution / Basic Statistics & Research Project Work Day
W, April 11 / Land Use / “
F, April 13 / Agriculture and pesticides / “
M, April 16 / Urbanization / “ / Caesar Creek Gorge Field Trip
W, April 18 / EXAM 4
F, April 20 / Intro to conservation biology / Ch. 57
M, April 23 / Loss of biodiversity / Ch. 57 / Research Project Presentations
W, April 25 / Causes of biodiversity loss / “
F, April 27 / Invasive Species / “
M, April 30 / Biodiversity / “ / Research Project Presentations
W, May 2 / Species Recovery / “
F, May 4 / Protected areas / “
COMPREHENSIVE FINAL EXAM – MONDAY, MAY 7 10:15 AM -12:15 PM

Note: The course content may be modified as required, at the instructor’s discretion (e.g. change of pace, change in chapter readings, change in laboratory exercises, etc.). Such changes will be announced in class and posted on the course website.