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BIOL 348 GENERAL ECOLOGY

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School of Sciences and Technologies


Department of Biology
P.O. Box 175, Port of Spain, Trinidad, W.I.

GENERAL
ECOLOGY
COURSE
OUTLINE
First Semester
COURSE DESCRIPTION:

COURSE NUMBER & TITLE

BIOL 348 GENERAL ECOLOGY

COURSE CREDITS

FIRST SEMESTER

2014-2015

DAYS; TIME; ROOM; LAB

T, R; 12:15 1:30 p.m.; LH8; T 8:00 11:00 a.m..

BIOL 348 General Ecology is an overview of the fundamental concepts of the


patterns of relations between organisms and their environment. Scientific methods,
history, functional components of ecosystem dynamics, temporal/spatial approach
form the major emphases of this course.

Undergraduate Course Outline:Revised April 2012

BIOL 348 GENERAL ECOLOGY

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The course will consist of two weekly lecture sessions (75 minutes each) lasting
twelve weeks and one 3-hour lab for a total of ten. Some labs will be in the field.

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name: Andrea Scobie MPhil.


Rank: Instructor
Office address: Science Complex
Contact number: 662-2241 Ext. 2732
E-mail address: scoband@gmail.com
Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday 1:45 2:30 p.m.
Communication Policy: Office hours- in person or phone; Outside of office
hours e-mail.
PURPOSE OF THE COURSE/COURSE RATIONALE

The course fulfils one compulsory requirement for the Biology degree. The
ecological information contributes significantly to the livelihood of organisms,
especially humans. The operation of the ecosystems, the energy flow, the increase
and decrease of populations are just a few of the aspects which impact upon the
existence of living organisms. This course is designed to acquaint the students with
knowledge and tools for future application of ecological information in research and
conservation efforts.

Undergraduate Course Outline:Revised April 2012

BIOL 348 GENERAL ECOLOGY

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LETTER TO THE STUDENT

Dear Students,
You have opted to be a member of the General Ecology class. Congratulations.
Since education is not merely the imparting of knowledge, but leading the seeker of
knowledge to know where it is found and how to access it, you will be guided
through a course of study of General Ecology. It is my hope that it would be an
educational as well as enjoyable experience, and the goals and aims of this class
would be achieved.
Blessings to you
Andrea Scobie (Instructor)

GOALS/AIMS

1. To encourage
environment.

students

in

the

in-depth

observation

of

their

2. To have students explore the ecological literature for scientific


information.
3. To develop in students laboratory skills relevant to the data
collection and analysis.
4. To foster an awareness of the origin and development of the
ecosystems.
5. To develop in students awareness of the need for conservation of the
environment with a view to establishing longevity of biotic and
abiotic systems.

Undergraduate Course Outline:Revised April 2012

BIOL 348 GENERAL ECOLOGY

Undergraduate Course Outline:Revised April 2012

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BIOL 348 GENERAL ECOLOGY

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LEARNING OUTCOMES (Modules/Unit Learning Outcomes)


Upon completion of the course, the students should be able to
1. appreciate the rich history of ecology and environmental science.
2. utilize scientific methods and statistical applications in the study of ecology.
3. understand the major functional components of ecosystem/landscape
dynamics, namely system energetics, biogeochemical cycles, and regulatory
factors and processes.
4. describe scale levels of organization, including processes that transcend all
levels, moving through the population, community, ecosystem, landscape,
regional/biome and global levels.
5. apply ecological principles to human predicaments, such as population
growth, resource management, and environmental contamination.
6. further appreciate the Creator through a better understanding of the complex
interactions among living and non-living things, and the inherent complexity
of a balanced ecosystem.

COURSE CONTENT

Research Design
Models
Historical Ecology

Biogeochemical Cycles

Energy flow

Ecosystems
Populations
Community
Developmental Ecology

Landscape

Regulatory factors
Regional
TEACHING STRATEGIES

Undergraduate Course Outline:Revised April 2012

Global

BIOL 348 GENERAL ECOLOGY

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Lectures, Group Work, Discussion, Projects, Peer Teaching, Practicals, Field


trips.

RESOURCES

1.

Text: Odum, Eugene P., Gary W. Barrett. Fundamentals of Ecology. 5th ed.
Brooks/Col Companion Website: www.brookscole.com

2.

Reference text: Stiling, Peter D. Ecology: Theories and Applications. 2nd ed.
Prentice Hall.Companion Website: www.prenhall.com/stiling/

3.

A copy of the lab manual is found on moodle.

ASSIGNMENTS
JOURNAL REPORTS
Read 2 periodical (journal) articles dealing with current Ecological research.
Reports are to be sent via email to scoband@gmail.com . Use articles posted on
Moodle. A reporting template is also posted on Moodle.
RESEARCH PAPER
A topic for the research paper will be given in class and all the details will be
communicated then.
OTHER ASSIGNMENTS
These may involve quizzes, games, oral presentation/participation, and any
innovative approach. Bonus marks are attached to some of these.

COURSE ASSESSMENT

Examinations
Examinations will consist of three (3) unit assessments and one (1) final examination.
Exam questions are a mixture of objective, Calculations, Multiple Choice and/or True
and False, and short essay type questions. All students are expected to take
examinations at the scheduled times. If a student is sick and cannot take a unit exam, he/she
must call the Faculty Office at 662-2241/2, ext. 2701 during office hours, prior to the start of the
exam. Students are required to bring a medical certificate from the student health office or a
medical doctor in order to be allowed to take a makeup exam. Makeup exams will be
administered at the end of the semester, upon the request of the student.

Undergraduate Course Outline:Revised April 2012

BIOL 348 GENERAL ECOLOGY

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COURSE CALENDAR
*LOR = Learning Outcome Reference as listed in the section bearing the
same name.
Labs are listed in the table below
Due date for all lab reports is the next lab day/as announced
Week
1
Sept 4
2
Sept 9

Chapte
r
12.1
12.6

Sept 11

1.1 1.7

Sept
16
Sept 18
4
Sept
23,
5 Sep
30
5

Oct 7

Introduction to Ecology class


and Research paper information
Statistical Thinking for Students
of Ecology : Research Design
theory to practice; Statistical
thinking Evidence, hypothesis
testing, reporting, publishing.
The Scope of Ecology: History
and relevance, levels and
development, models.

*LO
R

Readi L
ngs
ab
Ch 12 - Text

1, 2,

Begin ch. 2 The Ecosystem:


structure

Ch18 Ref
text

2.1
2.13

Continue The Ecosystem:


3, 4
structure, management,
diversity, Biological control,
ecosystem cybernetics,
classification.
ASSESSMENT:
UNIT ONE September 30.

Submission
3,
of Research
paper
outline
and

8.1 8.5

Journal1
report

Oct 2

Topic

5.1 5.8

Ecosystem Development:
Strategy of development,
climax, evolution micro and
macro, relevance to Human
Ecology.
Limiting and Regulatory Factors:
laws, factor compensation and
ecotypes, soil, fire, physical
limiting factors, Biological
Magnification and Anthropogenic
stress.

Undergraduate Course Outline:Revised April 2012

3, 4,
5

Ch
text

17-Ref 5

Due

BIOL 348 GENERAL ECOLOGY


Oct 9

7
Oct 14

3.1
3.12

Energy in Ecological Systems:


laws, Productivity, eMergy,
energy-based classification of
Ecosystems.

ASSESSMENT:

Page 8 of 11
3, 4,

Section 5

UNIT TWO October 14

MID-SEMESTER BREAK: OCTOBER 15 - 17


8

4.1
4.12

Biogeochemical Cycles: Basics


cycles, turnover and residence
times, Watershed
Biogeochemistry, Recycling

Oct 23

4.1
4.12

9
Oct 28

6.1
6.13

Biogeochemical Cycles: Basics


cycles, turnover and residence
times, Watershed
Biogeochemistry,
Recycling
Population
Ecology:
Properties,

Oct 30

6.1
6.13

10
Nov 4,6

7.1
7.10

11
Nov 11
11
Nov 13

ASSESSMENT:

12
Nov 18

10.1
10.4

12
Nov 20

11.1
11.5

Oct
21

9.1 9.9

Journal2
report

2, 3

Ch 2, 5

Complete Population Ecology

2, 3

Section 3

Community Ecology: Types of


interaction, Biodiversity,
Paleoecology.

1, 3

Submit
Research
paper

rate, mechanisms of regulation,


energy partitioning, Population
genetics

UNIT THREE November 11

Landscape Ecology: structure,


biodiversity, Island
Biogeography, sustainability,
domesticated landscapes.
Regional Ecology: Major
Ecosystem Types and Biomes:
Marine, Freshwater, Terrestrial,
Human-designed.
Global Ecology: Development,
societal gaps, sustainability,
scenarios, long-term transitions.

Undergraduate Course Outline:Revised April 2012

3, 4,

Ch 19

5
3, 4,
5

3, 4,
5

Ch 15

BIOL 348 GENERAL ECOLOGY


13

ASSESSMENT:
November 25

13
Nov 27

Make up exams

14
Dec 2

Review

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UNIT FOUR

Final Class December


05

LABORATORY EXERCISES
Week

LAB #

TOPIC

Writing Laboratory (Research) Reports

Extinction

Demography Life Tables

4.

Microhabitat Analysis I

5.

Microhabitat Analysis II: Comparative Soil


Property Analysis

6.

Predation

7.

Rainforest Ecosystem Ecological Character

8.

Wild Russia - Video documentary

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Undergraduate Course Outline:Revised April 2012

BIOL 348 GENERAL ECOLOGY


1.

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Attendance at class sessions and laboratory exercises is mandatory.

2.

Laboratory exercises will include field trips. Times will be announced. Late
attendance to labs will cost you a significant percentage of the marks allotted
to each lab report, except where accompanied by a valid medical certificate.

3.

Absences exceeding 20% of the total class hours for the semester can lead
to the 'F' grade. (Refer to Handbook/Bulletin)

4.
All cases of dishonesty or suspected dishonesty will be dealt with as
outlined in the U.S C.
Handbook.

GRADING SYSTEM

Evaluation

Grading Scale

Laboratory Reports

20% A

90-100% C+

65-69%

Three Unit Examinations

30% A-

85-89% C

60-64%

Final Examination

20% B+

80-84% C-

55-59%

Oral Participation/Assignments

10% B

75-79% D

50-54%

10% B-

70-74% F

0-49%

Reading Reports
Research Paper
TOTAL

10%
100%

HOW TO SUCCEED IN THIS COURSE

Undergraduate Course Outline:Revised April 2012

BIOL 348 GENERAL ECOLOGY

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1. Regularly attend classes


2. Pay close attention and participate willingly in discussions.
3. Review work done in class the night of the same day. Do not leave for the
night before exam.
4. Read assignment before class.
5. Do all assignments and submit on time (including lab reports).
6. Keep a record of all work done and submitted.
7. Record marks you were awarded during the course of study.
8. Consult with Instructor or lab technician on puzzling matters.

DATES TO REMEMBER
Mid-Semester Break: October 15 - 17
Last Day to Add a Course/Change from Audit to Credit: September 17
Public Holidays: September 24 (Republic Day), October 22 (Divali)
Last day of Class: December 03
Final Examinations: December 08 18
Second Semester Classes begin: January 07

Best Wishes To You All.

Undergraduate Course Outline:Revised April 2012

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