BIOLOGY 306

General Ecology

 

Spring 2009 – CSUB

 

Instructor:

            Dr. David J. Germano

            Science Bldg I, Room 212

            Phone #654-2471   E-mail: Dgermano@csub.edu

            Web: www.csub.edu/~dgermano

Office Hours: Mondays & Wednesdays 12:30-2:00 pm or by appointment

 

Text:  The Economy of Nature (fifth edition):  Robert E. Ricklefs

 

Objectives:

            I will present a basic understanding of ecological principles: topics include how the physical environment shapes ecology, biomes, ecosystems and their functioning, succession, energy transfers, population characteristics and structure, population growth, life histories, community structure, competition, predation and herbivory, and parasitism and mutualism.   Like other sciences, ecology is quantitative, so expect some measure of statistical and mathematical treatment of ideas and processes.  Ecology is a fundamental concept in biology; that is why we require you to take this course.  Besides that, I believe that you need to understand basic ecological principles to function as an educated citizen in our democracy.  Increasingly, you are being asked to vote on environmental issues.  You will be expected to understand basic principles of ecology and to use these principles to answer questions.

            You will demonstrate your understanding of these topics by written examinations (mid-term and final exam), and by various assignments during the quarter.  Lecture exams will be a combination of one word answer, short answer, and a few short essays.  Exams will test both your ability to remember facts given in lecture and your ability to determine answers to questions that make use of these facts.

 

Grading:

            I will assure you of an A if you earn 90% of total points (lecture and lab), a B if you earn 80-89% of points, a C if you earn 70-79% of pints, and a D if you earn 60-69% of points.  However, I suspect that I curve this scale down slightly (in other words, 87% or 88% of points may earn you an A, etc. if the distribution of point totals at the end of the quarter warrant this change).  I will never curve grades upwards.  In no case will you earn a passing grade with 50% of points or less.  I cannot be bribed and I will not grant extra-credit work on your part to make up for a poor effort on a test: meaning that you must come prepared to do well on tests, quizzes, papers, and other assignments.

 

 

So how will you earn your grade?  Here are the ways:

 

Lecture:   2 Exams (each 100 points): 200 points

               Final Exam:  150 points

 

   Total Lecture:  350 points

 

Other Assignments:  3 @ 30 pts each - 90 points

                               Research Report:  50 points

 

   Total Assignments:  140 points

 

TOTAL POINTS:  490 points (Grades will be determined from this total)

 

 

LECTURE SCHEDULE

GENERAL ECOLOGY

 

 

 

  1        2 April                 Introduction; Physical Determinants of Ecology               Chapters 1, 2 & 4

 

  2        7 April                 World Biomes (+ Deserts of North America)                Chapters 5

 

             9 April                 World Biomes (+ Deserts of North America)

 

  3        14 April                        Aquatic Habitats                                                          

                                                                                                                             

            16 April                        Ecosystem Dynamics                                                    Chapter 6

 

  4        21 April                        Ecosystems / Nutrient Recycling                                    Chapters 7 & 8

 

            23 April                        EXAM  I

                                                                                                                       

  5        28 April                        Population Characteristics                                             Chapters 13

                                                                                                                             

            30 April                        Population Growth                                                        Chapters 14

                                                                                                                              

  6        5 May                         Life Tables                                                                  

 

           7 May                        Activity: Life Table Analysis

 

  7        12 May                        Population Dynamics / Life Histories                             Chapter 9 & 10

 

            14 May                        EXAM  II

                                                                                                                       

  8        19 May                        Community Ecology / Competition                                Chapters 21-22, 19

                                                                                                                             

            21 May                        Field Activity:  Plant Productivity Measurements

 

  9        26 May                        Competition / Predation / Herbivory                              Chapters 17 & 18

 

            28 May                        Activity: Plant Community Diversity

 

10          2 June                 Predation  / Parasitism                                                                                                                    

              4 June                        Parasitism / Mutualism          (Turn in Report)             Chapter 20

 

11          9 June                        Sex and Sociality                                                          Chapters 11 & 12

 

            **  FINAL EXAM:  Thursday, 11 June, 2:00 – 4:30 p.m. **

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