General Ecology (BIOL 24)

Instructor: Brenda Whited

Fall 2014 Columbia College

TEXT
Ecology by M.L. Cain, W.D. Bowman, S.D. Hacker 3
rd
Edition

OFFICE HOURS
My office hours will be T/Th 8:30-9:30 AM, T/Th 4-5 PM, and Friday 1-2 PM. Talk to me if you need to schedule
other times when we can meet.

CLASS TIMES
Lecture T/Th 1-2:25, Sugar Pine 126; Lab 2:40-4:05, Sugar Pine 217

OFFICE
Sugar Pine 122. I also have a box in the Instruction office where you can leave notes or assignments for me.

EMAIL
whitedb@yosemite.edu (I read my emails daily)

BLACKBOARD
We will use Blackboard, where I will post lecture notes, assignments, and make announcements. Check it
frequently as sometimes the schedule changes from the syllabus. Take advantage of the discussion board on
Blackboard to arrange study groups and communicate with me and other students.

"The only rules of scientific method are honest observation and accurate logic" Robert H. MacArthur

COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course will cover principles of ecology including limits to species abundances, evolutionary ecology,
population dynamics, community interactions and patterns, and ecosystem patterns and dynamics.

COURSE OBJECTIVES
1. To develop critical thinking and analytic skills.
2. To improve verbal and written communication skills.
3. To develop an understanding how ecological knowledge is gained and what kinds of questions ecology can and
cannot answer.
4. To introduce selected methods used to study ecological questions.
5. To develop an understanding of how to examine and interpret data.
6. To develop knowledge and skills needed by concerned citizens to make informed decisions related to ecological
questions.

THEMES
The following questions will provide a framework for all the topics that we will cover in the semester:
1. What are the properties of a population, community, and ecosystem?
2. How do organisms respond to an ever variable environment?
3. Why are there so many species? What limits species diversity?
4. How is energy transferred within living systems?
5. Are there predictable patterns of population, community, and ecosystem structure? function? dynamics?
6. What are the consequences of human-caused changes for natural systems?

LECTURE FORMAT
Classes will consist of lecture, interspersed with small group activities and discussions. It is vital that each person
be prepared to participate during the class periodlearning is an active process!



LAB FORMAT
Lab will be inquiry based, therefore your preparation and motivation will be key to a successful lab experience. We
also will spend a great deal of time outside, so plan accordingly (be prepared for rainit may be an El Nino year
mud, blistering heat, sun, slippery trails and anything else Mother Nature throws at us).

COURSE POLICIES
Drop Policy & Attendance: To succeed in this course, you must come to class! If you do not attend class
for 2 consecutive weeks without notification, I will drop you from class. Class activities, assignments,
etc., can happen in class at any time and you cannot earn these points unless you are present.
Turning in work late: Each day work is turned in late, you will lose the equivalent of one letter grade
worth of points.
Make-up exams: If you have an extremely dire circumstance and cannot make it to an exam, you must
contact me beforehand (or as soon as possible in the case of an emergency), and I will need some form
of documentation (such as a doctors note). I may choose to give you a make-up exam by essay or oral-
format, or by dropping that exam from your final grade. You will not be given the same exam as other
students.
Cheating and plagiarism: Even though we will work together on assignments in class and in the lab, the
work you turn in must be in your own words. Any identically worded assignments will receive zero
points for all parties and may result in failing the course.
Disabilities: If you have or think you may have a condition that requires special accommodation please
see me by the third week of classes so that we can talk about your options.

RESOURCES
The Academic Achievement Center (AAC) provides free tutoring, supportive study space and academic assistance
to all students. http://www.gocolumbia.edu/aac/default.php

IMPORTANT DATES
9/7 Last day to drop without a W on your transcript
11/13 Last day to drop

ALTERNATIVE MEETING SITES
When we meet at alternative meeting sites (aka field trips), students have to provide your own transportation
(carpooling is encouraged). Notice of alternative meeting sites will be given 1 week prior to the meeting time.
Meetings at alternative sites will take place during regularly scheduled course meeting times and days. If
necessary, time will be allowed for transit to and from campus during the regularly scheduled meeting time and
day.

LECTURE SCHEDULE

Week Topic Readings
Week 1
8/26-8/28
The Web of Life
Evolution
Chap. 1, 6 (also read about
sexual selection in Ch. 8)
Week 2
9/2-9/4
Evolution
The Physical Environment
Chap. 6, 2
Week 3
9/9-9/11
Field trip Tuesday: Plant Communities/ Vegetation profile
The Biosphere
Chap. 3
Week 4
9/16-9/18
Field Trip Tuesday: Red Hills
Exam I (Thursday, 9/18)
Coping with Environmental Variation
Chap. 4
Week 5
9/23-9/25
Coping with Environmental Variation Chap. 4, 5
Week 6
9/30-10/2
Life History
Populations (Limits, Growth)
Chap. 7, 9, 10
Week 7
10/7-10/9
Field trip Tuesday: Local Cemetery
Population Growth/ Dynamics
Chap. 10, 11
Week 8
10/14-10/16
Interactions among Organisms
Exam II (Thursday, 10/16)
Presentation topic due
Chap. 12-15
Week 9
10/21-10/23
Interactions among Organisms Chap. 12-15
Week 10
10/28-10/30
Nature of Communities
Change in Communities
Chap. 16, 17
Week 11
11/4-11/6

Field Trip Tuesday: Fish Hatchery
Biogeography
Presentation outline due

Chap. 18
Week 12
11/11-11/13
No class on Tuesday (11/11), Veterans Day
Exam III (Thursday, 11/13)

Week 13
11/18-11/20
Field Trip Tuesday: TUD
Species Diversity in Communities
Chap. 19
Week 14
11/25-11/27
Ecosystems
Abstract Due
No class on Thursday (11/27), Thanksgiving break
Chap. 20-22
Week 15
12/2-12/4
Conservation and Management Chap. 23-25
Finals Week
12/11
Final (Thursday, Dec. 11, 11-1)




LAB SCHEDULE

Week Lab Dates Tuesday Thursday Due Dates
1 8/26, 28 Environmental spill
Pond study: intro/collect
data

2 9/2, 4
Pond study: collect data/O2,
turbidity
Analyze pond data


3 9/9, 11
Field trip: Plant communities.
Vegetation profiles, 3 hour lab
Review data/Lecture
4 9/16, 18
Field trip: Red Hills soil study, 3
hour lab
Lecture
5 9/23, 25 Analyze data: Soils/Red Hills/veg. Wrap-up: pond, soils etc. Pond 9/26
6 9/30, 10/2 Population growth of Lemna Lemna continued. Veg. 10/3
7 10/7, 9
Field Trip: Life Tables/cemetery
analysis, 3 hour lab
Cemetery data analysis Red Hills 10/10
8 10/14, 16 Guppy Sex Selection
Guppy Sex selection/ Lemna
finish up
Cemetery 10/17
9 10/21, 23 Stomata study: Collect leaves Stomata: Count stomata Guppy 10/24
10 10/28, 30 Stomata: Data analysis Ecobeaker/computers Lemna 10/31
11 11/4, 6 Field Trip: Fish Hatchery, 3 hours Build a Reserve/computers
Stomata/Reserve
11/7
12 11/11, 13 Veterans Day, NO CLASS Commons: Fisheries Fisheries 11/14
13 11/18, 20
Field Trip: Sewage Treatment
TUD, 3 hours
Prep presentations
14 11/25, 27 Prep Presentations Thanksgiving, NO CLASS
15 12/2, 4 Presentations Presentations
16 12/9 Finals week: no lab Finals week: no lab


ASSESSMENT OF LEARNING
Your grade will be based on the total number of points obtained.
Assessment Possible Points Lab Assignments: points, due
Exam 1 100 Pond write-up: 10, 9/26
Exam 2 100 Vegetation write-up: 10, 10/3
Exam 3 100 Red Hills write-up: 10, 10/10
Exam 4 (final exam) 100 Cemetery Analysis: 10, 10/17
Lab Assignments 100 Guppy Report: 10, 10/26
Quizzes, in-class problems, hw 40 Lemna write-up: 15, 10/31
Lab Notebook 25 Stomata Report: 15, 11/7
Group Presentation 60 Build a Reserve: 10, 11/7
Fisheries solution: 10, 11/14

Total points possible 625

90%-100% = A, 80%-89% = B, 70%-79% = C, 60%-69% = D, below 60% = F

Exams: I will give four exams (including a comprehensive final) over the course of the semester (see schedule).
Each exam will cover only the material presented since the previous exam. The final will be 60% comprehensive,
and 40% from that material presented since the last exam. When studying for exams use both text and lecture/lab
material, but remember if I talked about something in lecture then you can assume that I consider it very
important material. Questions on exams could include: definitions, short answers, essay, multiple choice,
matching and take-home exams.

Lab Assignments: Lab write-up due dates and points are specified above. I will provide specifications for each lab
write-up or report. All assignments should be typed unless I indicate otherwise. Hand written assignments will lose
points.

Quizzes, in-class problem sets, homework: These can occur at anytime, and are designed to help you with more
difficult material. There are no opportunities to make up missed in-class activities, but I will drop your one lowest
score.

Lab Notebook: I will collect your lab notebook at the end of the semester. Complete, neat, organized, and detailed
lab notebooks will receive full credit.

Group Presentation: One group project will be assigned during the semester, worth 60 points. It will be a research
presentation on some aspect of the field component of the course or an ecological issue. The group will develop a
multimedia project to present the data and analysis of one of the lab activities or an ecological issue. Information
may be presented using the media of students choice (i.e. video, skit, slideshow, etc.). The following pages in this
syllabus describe the presentation requirements in detail.



GROUP MULTIMEDIA PROJECT GUIDE

OBJECTIVES
1. You will present your research findings using a combination of media forms to the rest of the class
(research and format are described below).
2. You will work interdependently and cooperatively with group members during each phase of the project.

BACKGROUND
Multimedia presentations are becoming increasingly popular due to their effectiveness in communicating
information. Computer programs that incorporate video, audio, textual, graphic, animated, and other media
forms are rapidly becoming mainstream in business, scientific, and educational applications. Research has shown
that people acquire knowledge and information in a variety of modalities (e.g. visually, auditorally, kinesthetically,
etc.). In order to effectively communicate your research to your fellow classmates, you will design a project that
uses more than one media form (i.e. video, slides, audio tape, text, posters, manipulatives, models, dramatic
presentations, musical presentations, etc.). Remember, you are trying to: 1) learn new information; and 2)
effectively communicate that information to others.

EXPECTATIONS
1. Project: You will present the research data that you used in your lab report or other approved subjects.
You will need to present the data and background information you feel is interesting and relevant to the
project.
2. Project Format:
a. Should have an Abstract (see rules for writing an Abstract below)
i. a concise, informative summary/statement of conclusions reached
ii. not more than 250 words
iii. turned in to me a week before the presentation
b. Should have two or more forms of the following media in the presentation:
i. audio, video, slides, dramatic skit, models, musical presentation, etc.
c. Should have a list of references cited (listing each source of information used)
i. any statement that is not general knowledge needs to be credited
ii. do not just use encyclopedias and textbooks
iii. use primary (scientific journals, interviews with researchers) and secondary sources
(books and review articles that deal with a specific topic)
d. should be professional (clear, audible, legible, neat, high quality, etc.)
3. Presentations:
a. Each presentation will be 5 minutes per individual in group (i.e. 3 people= 15 min.) in length with
time for questions afterward from the class
b. Each presentation will be evaluated by the members of the class on a standardized evaluation
form to be provided
4. Groups:
a. There will be 3 to 4 students per group
b. Responsibilities will be divided among group members
c. The group grade will be determined from:
i. peer review = 20% (from evaluations)
ii. instructor input = 80%
d. Individual grades will be determined in the following manner:
i. Your group will receive a grade = # out of 60 points
ii. Individual grade = (group grade) X (# of students in group), then the group members
split up these points as they decide appropriate

Example: A group of 3 members get 50/60 for their group grade. 3 X 50 = 150 points, so the group must
decide how to divide up these 150 points amongst themselves (i.e. 50 points each, or 55 points for two
members that put in the greatest effort and 40 points for the third member that did less--if that's what
happened).


DEADLINE
This project is due to be presented on the 15th week of class (December 2, 4) during scheduled class or lab time.
Each group (all members) must meet with me and okay their topic (topic deadline: October 16; presentation
outline: November 6). Evaluations of student presentations will be due at the end of each class hour that
presentations are given. Credit will be given for completing evaluations.

MATERIALS
Columbia College may be able to provide some demonstration materials on a check out basis, otherwise
see me if you need support in this area.
The college has an overhead projector, computer and projector with CD/DVD drives with auditory ability,
and several other forms of more outdated media forms.

Remember - the main goals are to:
1. Learn something new and to present it to others in the class
2. Work cooperatively and interdependently with your group members in an enjoyable, respectful, and polite
manner.
MULTIMEDIA PROJECT EVALUATION

Group Members: Your Name:
Project Title:

Use this form to evaluate each presentation. Fill out a separate form for each group. You will be given credit for
completing the evaluations. Use this form as a checklist as you prepare your presentations. I will use these
evaluations to: 1) help determine each groups grade; and 2) to assess your evaluation skills (how well do you
summarize and criticize the work of others).

The numbers in brackets indicate the weight given to each item. The evaluation scale ranges from 1 to 10, where 1
is inadequate, 4 is poor, 6 is adequate, 8 is good, 10 is excellent. The mark out of 10 is calculated by
multiplying the rank by the weight for each item. Example: You give 8 evaluation points to a group. The weight is
(.5) for that category. 8 X (.5) = 4; write 4 for the subtotal.

1. Content and Communication

(1) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Does the project relate to a lab completed or course
material?
(1) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Has the group shown higher level critical thinking
in their presentation/research?

(.5) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Is the title appropriate and as specific as possible?

(1) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Are the concepts presented explained clearly and
logically?

(1) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Is an Abstract included and does it summarize
appropriately?

(.5) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Are primary and secondary sources cited?

(1) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Is the group able to talk about the material and
answer questions appropriately?

2. Presentations

(1) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Is the presentation easy to understand and
informative (no jargon; includes new and
interesting ideas)?

(1) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Does the group show they understand detailed
scientific concepts related to course material?

(1) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Is the presentation professional (audible, clear, high
quality)?

(1) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Does the presentation have a logical sequence
(the audience is guided through in an orderly way;
a theme is followed throughout)?

Note: To calculate the total, add all of the subtotal points together, and write the total in the space below.
Total =

3. Comments (use back of page if necessary) -- Please tell the group: 1) two reasons why their presentation went
well; and 2) suggest one area for improvement.