Lectures: MW 1500-1700
Office: 301 Irvine Hall
Office Hours: MW 1100-1200 or by appointment
Phone: 593-9669
Email: roosenbu@ohiou.edu
Text: Manuel C. Molles. 1999. Ecology: Concepts and Applications 1st Edition, WCB/McGraw-Hill. Boston. ISBN# 0-07-042716-X
**Make sure you get the supplement to the text: Chapter 21 Population Genetics and Natural
Selection**
Objective
Ecology is the study of how organisms interact with their environment. We will explore how
the biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) environments can affect an organisms' life cycles. We
will study how ecological processes affect individuals, populations, communities, ecosystems
and the planet. Our study will emphasize how environmental interactions have contributed to the
complexity of living systems and how anthropogenic disturbance threatens the environment and
the existence of life.
Attendance
Attendance is strongly encouraged. Because the content of the exams will be based primarily on
the material discussed in lecture, your grade will ultimately reflect your attendance. There is
considerably more material in the book then can be adequately discussed during lecture.
Additionally, some of the subject material that will be presented in class may not be covered in
the text. Furthermore, the schedule provided on the syllabus is tentative and subject to change.
The only way to learn of these changes is to attend lectures.
Supplemental Materials
Supplemental materials will be provided in a variety of formats. First, a WWW home page has been developed for this course. It can be found at,
http://cneuro.zool.ohiou.edu/~roosen/ecology/syllabus.html
Here you will find a copy of the syllabus and links to the lecture notes for the lectures for each
day. Do not count on these lecture notes as a substitute for going to class. Many of the
pictures and figures presented in class will not be available on the web site. These illustrations
will help clarify lecture notes and will provide examples that will help you develop a better
understanding of the material. Notes for each lecture will be made available on the web by 10
am the day of the lecture.
Grades and Exams
Your grade will be based on your performance on four exams, three midterms and the final exam.
1st Midterm 25% January 31
2nd Midterm 35% February 23
Final Exam 40% March 14
Exams will be a combination of multiple choice, true false, matching, and short answer essay
questions. The Final Exam will be comprehensive. Except for exam dates, the syllabus for
this course is subject to change. Exact coverage of the material included on the tests can only be
determined through attendance in lectures.
Academic Integrity
Academic misconduct including disrupting class activity and cheating on exams and assignments will not be tolerated. Students guilty of misconduct will receive an F in the course and the case will be referred to the Office of University Judiciaries.
| Course Syllabus
BIOS 275 - Ecology |
|||
| Date | Topic | Readings | Location |
| January 5 | Introduction, What is Ecology, and The Scientific Method | Chapter 1 | Irvine 194 |
| January 10 | Terrestrial and Aquatic Environments | Chapter 2 & 3 | Irvine 199 |
| January 12 | Population Genetics and Natural Selection | Chapter 21 | Irvine 194 |
| January 17 | Martin Luther King Day - NO CLASS | ||
| January 19 | Physiological Ecology - Temperature | Chapter 21 | Irvine 199 |
| January 24 | Physiological Ecology - Temperature | Chapter 4 | Irvine 194 |
| January 26 | Physiological Ecology - Water | Chapter 5 | Irvine 199 |
| January 31 | Organismal energetics | Chapter 6 | Irvine 199 |
| February 2 | Irvine 194 | ||
| February 7 | Population Ecology: Distribution and Abundance | Chapter 7 | Irvine 194 |
| February 9 | Population Dynamics | Chapter 8 | Irvine 194 |
| February 14 | Population Growth | Chapter 9 | Irvine 194 |
| February 16 | Competition | Chapter 10 | Irvine 194 |
| February 21 | Predation | Chapter 11 | Irvine 194 |
| February 23 | Mutualism | Chapter 12 | Irvine 194 |
| February 28 | Food webs, Productivity and Energy Flow | Chapter 13 | Irvine 194 |
| March 1 | Chapter 14 & 15 | Irvine 199 | |
| March 6 | Diversity, Food Webs, Energy Flow and Biogeochemical Cylcing | Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 | Irvine 194 |
| March 8 | Cycling, Succession, and Biogeography | Chapters 16, 17 & 18 | Irvine 194 |
| March 14 14:30 | Final Exam | Irvine 199 |