GENERAL ECOLOGY

Biology 209

Fall 2008

CREDITS:  4 credits (three 1hr. lectures and one 3 hr. lab per week)

INSTRUCTOR:  Dr. Jan Simpkin                              Office hours:   MWF 11-11:50

Office: 213E Shields Building                                  TR       2-2:50

Telephone: 732-6840

Email: jsimpkin@csi.edu

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course is designed for biology majors. The discipline of ecology addresses the interactions of organisms with other organisms as well as the abiotic environment.  It is inherently broad in scope, encompassing everything from microorganisms to the entire biosphere.  This course will cover the major concepts and techniques of ecology as well as applications of these concepts to current issues.  The goal is to provide the tools and knowledge of concepts necessary for those entering careers in ecological fields.  Prerequisite: Biol 201.

LECTURE SCHEDULE:       MWF 1:00- 1:50          Shields 201

LAB SCHEDULE:                 W       2:00-4:50          Shields 201

REQUIRED TEXT:   Elements of Ecology, 6th ed., T.M. Smith and R.L. Smith

COURSE FORMAT:  We will cover course content using traditional lectures, text readings, class and small group discussions, video tapes, supplemental readings, and laboratory and field exercises.  You will be expected to contribute to the course by participating in labs and critical discussions of the topics presented.  You are encouraged to bring up relevant local, regional, and world issues.

ACADEMIC HONESTY:  I expect honesty in all aspects of coursework.  I will not tolerate any form of cheating (including, but not limited to, plagiarism).  Cheating is defined in the CSI Student Handbook.  If you are caught in any form of dishonesty, you will receive a “0” for the assignment, and you may receive an “F” for the entire course.  You may be reported to the Life Science Department Head and the Academic Vice-President.  If the offense is severe enough, you may face expulsion.   Furthermore, any activities that violate the Student’s Code of Conduct as outlined in the Student Handbook may result in your removal from the course and referral to the Dean of Students.  Please see the CSI catalog and Student Handbook for details.

CLASSROOM POLICIES: Please turn off and put away all phones (no text messaging), beepers, and other electronic devices while in class.  As a student you are expected to arrive on time to class so you do not disrupt others.  You are responsible for any material or announcements missed due to tardiness or absences.

As the teacher, I have the responsibility to set and maintain standards for classroom behavior that are appropriate to the discipline and method of teaching.  You, the student, may not engage in any activity that I deem disruptive or counter-productive to the goals of the course (please see CSI student handbook for more details).  I have the right to remove offending students from class.  Repetition of the offense may result in expulsion from the course.

COURSE EVALUATION:  As part of Outcomes Assessment at CSI, students are asked to evaluate all of their courses at the end of the semester.  You will use online forms, available at http://evaluation.csi.edu.  User information is provided at the site.  These evaluations are important; the Biology Dept. Chair and I take your comments seriously when planning future improvements for the course.  Please take a few minutes at the end of the semester to seriously evaluate this course and provide constructive suggestions for course improvement.  It is much appreciated.

GRADING:

Grade determination will be as follows:

Theory:

1)  Tests:  3 @ 125 pts. ea.                                           375 pts.

2)   Outside readings                                                       75 pts.

3)   Final exam                                                              150 pts.

Laboratory (also see lab syllabus):

1)  Lab project                                                               200 pts.

2)  Lab reports and data analysis                                ~200 pts.

Total ~1000 pts.

Tests:   The three semester tests and final exam will be mainly objective, consisting of short answer, multiple choice, and essay questions.  I will give you at least one week’s notice before each exam.  If you have a legitimate reason for missing a test, you must contact me before the test so that we can make arrangements for you to take a make-up exam.  This includes those of you with excused absences-- you must still discuss make-up options with me before the test date.

Outside Readings:  You will be asked to read and answer several questions about approximately two scientific papers taken directly from the primary literature.  More detail later.

Data analysis:  A major goal of this course is to help you understand how to analyze and interpret data.  In addition to data you collect during lab exercises, we will manipulate other datasets so that you have further experience in data analysis.  We will work on these both in lecture and in lab.

Due Dates:  Lecture and laboratory assignments have specified due dates.  An assignment must be turned in at the beginning of lecture or lab on the day it is due.  I will penalize late assignments by 10% per calendar day up to a maximum of 50% of the assignment’s total value.  No assignment will be accepted more than one week after the due date.  Because you will always have prior notice of due dates, an excused absence on a due date will not exempt you from this requirement.

NO EXCEPTIONS TO THIS POLICY!

Grading scale:  A=  90-100%                       C=  70-79%

B=  80-89%                         D=  60-69%

F=  59% and below             NC grades will not be given

W= Student withdrawal before the final drop date.  This is your responsibility.  I

will not drop the class for you.  If you do not drop before the final drop date

you will receive a letter grade for the course. This will most likely be an “F”.

I = Incomplete.  This will be given only in the event of extreme illness or family

emergency, and only if you are passing the course.  With an incomplete,

you have one year to complete the course requirement.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA):  The ADA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act require “reasonable accommodations” for students on college campuses who have diagnosed disabilities or believe they have a disabling condition needing accommodations for learning access.  Students must self-disclose a disability prior to requesting accommodations.  If you have requests for accommodations from your instructor(s), contact each instructor and/or the Coordinator of Disabled Student Services, CSI Advising Center, 732-6260.  For Learning Disabilities requests, contact LD Coordinator at the Academic Development Center, 732-6530.

COMMUNICATION: E-mail is the primary source of written communication with all CSI students.  Students automatically get a CSI e-mail account when they register for courses.  Messages from instructors and various offices such as Admission and Records, Advising, Financial Aid, Scholarships, etc. will be sent to the students’ CSI accounts (NOT their personal email accounts).  It is the students’ responsibility to check their CSI e-mail account regularly.  Failing to do so will result in missing important messages and deadlines.  Students can check their CSI e-mail online at http://students.csi.edu.  Student e-mail addresses have the following format: username@students.csi.edu.  At the beginning of each semester free training sessions will be offered to students who need help using their CSI e-mail accounts.

LABORATORY MANUAL AND SUPPLEMENTAL LECTURE MATERIAL:  All laboratory assignments will be made available on Blackboard prior to the lab session.  You should download the handouts and read them before the beginning of lab.  Supplemental lecture material will also be made available on Blackboard.

OUTCOMES AND ASSESSMENTS: Biology 209 fulfills the instructional goals established by the Life Science Department at the College Of Southern Idaho.  Life Science instructional goals can be found in the department chair’s office.  The following are general outcomes and methods of assessment for students in this course.

1)  Outcome:       To master course content as presented in lectures, labs, and in the text.

Assessment:  Successful performance on tests and the comprehensive final exam.

2)  Outcome:       To demonstrate an increased skill level in the following areas:

1.  Cognitive processes:      a.  formulating clear, answerable questions

b.  developing a testable hypothesis

c.  predicting expected results

d.  following an experimental protocol

2.  analysis skills:                 a.  collecting and organizing data in a systematic fashion

using accepted techniques and experimental design

b.  presenting data in an appropriate form

c.  assessing the validity of data using statistical analyses

d.  drawing appropriate conclusions based on the results

3.  communication skills:     a.  discussing and presenting lab results in oral and written

formats

4.  interpersonal  skills:         a.  working effectively in teams or groups

b.  effectively managing time and tasks allowing

overlapping task to be done simultaneously

c.  integrating knowledge and making informed

judgments about science in everyday life

Assessment:  Successful and improved evaluations on laboratory write-ups and scientific

papers during the semester.  Successful participation and evaluation on small

group discussions and ecological projects.  Successful written and oral

evaluations on a semester ecological project.

3)  Outcome:        To demonstrate the ability to explain and practice safe scientific

procedures, protective procedures, and emergency procedures.

Assessment:  Students must receive training during their first laboratory regarding

the safety procedures and policies in the lab.  Each student will sign and date

a written copy of these procedures and policies.  Students’ safety skills will be

evaluated on a daily basis by informal observation and critique from the

instructor.

TENTATIVE LECTURE SCHEDULE:

Some topics listed may not be covered, and additional topics may be added or substituted at my discretion.

WEEK

DATE

TOPIC

TESTS and ASSIGNMENTS

CHAPTER

1

8/25

Introduction to Ecology

1

8/27

Evolution; adaptation; population genetics

2

8/29

2

9/1

Labor Day

9/3

9/5

Climate

3

3

9/8

Aquatic Environments

4

9/10

9/12

Terrestrial Environments

5

4

9/15

9/17

Test 1

9/19

Plant adaptations

6

5

9/22

9/24

Animal adaptations

7

9/26

6

9/29

Life History

8

10/1

Population Ecology

9, 10, 11

10/3

7

10/6

10/8

10/10

8

10/13

Columbus Day

10/15

Test 2

10/17

Competition

13

9

10/20

10/22

10/24

Predation

14

10

10/27

10/29

10/31

Parasitism and Mutualism

15

11

11/3

11/5

11/7

Community Ecology

16, 17, 18

12

11/10

11/12

11/14

13

11/17

Energy flow, nutrient Cycling

20, 21, 22

11/19

11/21

14

11/24

Test 3

11/26

Thanksgiving

11/28

Thanksgiving

15

12/1

Biogeography

23, 24, 25, 26

12/3

12/5

16

12/8

Human Ecology

27, 28, 29

12/10

12/12

17

12/15

Final Exam Week