BIO 313 Ecology and Field Biology Fall 2009

BIO 313 Ecology and Field Biology Fall 2009

Professor: Kendra Cipollini, Ph.D.

Class:MWF 10-10:50, Kettering 202

Laboratory: W 1:00-3:50, Kettering 205A

Email Address:

Professor Website:

Textbook Website:

Office:Kettering 204

Office Hours:T 10:30-12, W 11-12, R 1-2:30, F 11-12 and by appointment

Office Phone:937-382-6661 Extension 367

Required Texts: Smith, T. M and R. L. Smith. 2008. Elements of Ecology, 7th Edition. Pearson/Benjamin Cummings, New York, NY.

Knisely, K. 2009. A student handbook for writing in biology, 3rd edition. Sinauer Associates, Inc., Sunderland, MA.

Important Dates:

Friday, August 28 – Last day to add classes

Friday, September 18 – Service learning project proposal due

Monday, October 12 – Service learning project progress report due

Monday, October 26 - Last day to drop classes

Friday, November 20 – Service learning research report due

Wednesday, December 9 – Service learning research project presentations

Friday, December 11 – Service learning research project final products due

Course Goals:

1. Gain an in-depth understanding of ecology within the context of evolutionary theory, including physiological ecology, population ecology, community ecology, ecosystem ecology, and conservation ecology.
2. Gain an understanding of field methods, species identification and natural environments through field trips and research projects.
3. Improve critical thinking, writing, data analysis and library research skills through lecture, research and lab exercises.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of the scientific process and engage in community service through conception, implementation, analysis and presentation, both written and oral, of an ecological service learning project.

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 to the relevant lecture.

You absolutely must take an active role in your learning to be successful in this course. The professor 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 professor 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 attendance and participation points125

Service learning research project and presentation150

Learning exercises, computer simulations and quizzes175

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. 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- = 800-819 Range 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 = < 600 Inadequate 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 professor 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 professor. All multi-page assignments must be stapled when turned in; an assignment is not considered complete until it is properly stapled.

Service Learning Research project: For this course you will individually design, implement, and analyze original ecological research, which meets the objectives of a community partner. The research project will develop your skills as a scientist solving real-world problems, as well as learn the value of community service. 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 for the entire lab period is mandatory. You may miss only one lab period in the entire semester without penalty. For each lab that you miss after the one absence, 15 points will be deducted from your lab attendance points, regardless of the excuse. If you miss a lab where a presentation or assignment is due, you will receive a zero for that assignment. 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 in both lecture and lab, including, but not limited to, listening attentively when the professor or another student is speaking, raising a 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. Students are responsible for getting information from other students or from the professor 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 in the Kettering Parking Lot promptly, 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. If it is your second academic integrity offense at the College, you will receive an F in the course.

Note: Note: If you have specific physical, psychological, or learning disabilities and require accommodations, please notify your professors and the StudentResourceCenter within the first week of the semester so that your learning needs may be appropriately met.

Schedule of Classes:

Date / Lecture Topic / Reading / Lab Activity
M, Aug 24 / Introduction to course / Asking and Answering Questions in Ecology
W, Aug 26 / Ecology as a science / Ch. 1
F, Aug 28 / Evolution/ecology interface / Ch.5
M, Aug 31 / The physical environment / Ch.2 / Insect Field Trip & Sampling
W, Sept 2 / The aquatic environment / Ch.3
F, Sept 4 / Lakes and rivers / Ch. 24
M, Sept 7 / NO CLASS – LABOR DAY / Aquatic Field Trip & Sampling
W, Sept 9 / Oceans / Ch. 24
F, Sept 11 / Terrestrial environment / Ch.4
M, Sept 14 / Terrestrial environment / Terrestrial Field Trip & Sampling
W, Sept 16 / Biomes / Ch. 23
F, Sept 18 / Land-water interface / Ch. 25
M, Sept 21 / EXAM 1 / Physiological Ecology
W, Sept 23 / Land plant adaptations / Ch. 6
F, Sept 25 / Animal adaptations / Ch. 7
M, Sept 28 / More animal adaptations / Ch. 7 / Service Learning Project Updates
Wetland Field Trip
W, Sept 30 / Life history patterns / Ch. 8
F, Oct 2 / Population properties / Ch. 9
M, Oct 5 / Measuring populations / Ch. 9 / Mark-Recapture Exercise
W, Oct 7 / Population growth review / Ch. 10
F, Oct 9 / Limits to growth / Ch. 11
M, Oct 12 / Metapopulations / Ch. 12 / Age Structures
W, Oct 14 / EXAM 2
F, Oct 16 / Interspecific competition / Ch. 13
M, Oct 19 / Interspecific competition / NO LAB
W, Oct 21 / NO CLASS – WESTHEMER PEACE
F, Oct 23 / NO CLASS – FALL BREAK
M, Oct 26 / Predation and herbivory / Ch. 14 / Niches and Ecological Isolation
Community Structure
W, Oct 28 / Parasitism / Ch. 15
F, Oct 30 / Mutualism / Ch. 15
M, Nov 2 / Community structure / Ch. 16 / Service Learning Project Updates and Work Day
W, Nov 4 / Factors affecting community structure / Ch. 17
F, Nov 6 / EXAM 3
M, Nov 9 / Community dynamics / Ch. 18 / Investigating Food Webs
W, Nov 11 / Ecosystem ecology / Ch. 20
F, Nov 13 / Energy flow
M, Nov 16 / Nutrient cycling / Ch. 21 / Service Learning Project Work Day
W, Nov 18 / Chemical cycling / Ch. 22
F, Nov 20 / Landscape ecology / Ch. 19
M, Nov 23 / EXAM 4 / NO LAB
W, Nov 25 / NO CLASS - THANKSGIVING
F, Nov 27 / NO CLASS - THANKSGIVING
M, Nov 30 / Human population growth / Ch. 27 / Conservation Biology
W, Dec 2 / Sustainability / Ch. 27
F, Dec 4 / Patterns of biodiversity / Ch. 26
M, Dec 7 / Habitat and biodiversity loss / Ch. 28 / Service Learning Research Project Presentations
W, Dec 9 / Conservation biology / Ch. 28
F, Dec 11 / Global climate change / Ch. 29
COMPREHENSIVE FINAL EXAM – WEDS, DECEMBER 16, 8-10 AM

Note: The course content may be modified as required, at the professor’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.