Bio 3255:

Introductory
Ecology

Syllabus

 

 

Dr. Robert L. Curry

Dept. of Biology

Villanova University

Instructor:          Robert L. Curry                                     

Office:                   Mendel 190A                                         

Lab:                       Mendel 106                                           

Tel:                        519-6455                                               

e-mail:                   robert.curry@villanova.edu                   

Course format:    Lecture, laboratory, and field exercises; 4 credit hours

Lectures:              MWF 0930-1020h

Laboratory:          W 1330-1620h  + one required weekend field trip (see below)

Overview: Introduction to the ecology of individuals, populations, communities, and ecosystems. Lectures cover environmental conditions, biomes, physiological adaptations, behavioral ecology, life history adaptations, population growth and regulation, species interactions, succession, community structure, ecosystem dynamics, and topics in applied ecology and conservation. (This is not a course in environmental science/engineering nor in social ecology; it will not focus on topics such as recycling, energy efficiency, nuclear waste, pollution treatment, or public policy.)

Course objectives: To familiarize students with central topics, concepts, and methods in ecology. Laboratory component emphasizes collection and statistical analysis of ecological data. The course introduces students to the identification and observation of organisms and habitats through field trips; completion of one overnight class trip is required.

Students completing the course should:

•   exhibit comprehension of concepts and factual knowledge throughout ecology, as presented in lectures, handouts, and text readings

•   demonstrate mastery of quantitative foundations of ecology, including analytical and graphical representations of models

•   show ability to summarize and evaluate primary research literature in ecology

•  display familiarity with field guides for identification of organisms, and techniques for recording field observations

•  exhibit understanding of basic procedures for collecting and analyzing data

Writing component: Bio 3255 is “Writing Enriched”; the course will give students training in scientific writing, independent of particular career interests in Biology. Students will complete several graded writing assignments, including one involving revision and resubmission. Skills emphasized include searching and analyzing primary research literature; organizing a review; writing clearly and concisely; using accepted style and format; properly acknowledging sources; and presenting research results.

Guidelines and expectations for the writing assignments will be detailed in a separate handout.

                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Attendance Policy:

Lecture attendance is optional but very highly recommended; lectures will NOT follow the text exactly. We will tend to be more generous with grading for students who have attended lectures consistently, especially if they also ask questions and participate in discussion.

Students are required to attend all scheduled lab sessions. Unexcused absence will severely hurt your course grade; see us in advance to request a section switch if you cannot attend your normal section. If you have to miss a lab because of illness, try to get a doctor’s note.

Completion of your weekend trip is essential. Don’t miss the bus! It is extremely difficult for us to set up alternative arrangements in place of the group field activities included in the scheduled weekend trip. Unless you have an overwhelmingly valid excuse, missing your assigned trip will seriously affect your grade for Bio 3255. Invest in a good alarm clock (or two!) and use it!

                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Academic Integrity:

We will strictly follow University policies regarding academic integrity. Violation of any element of the Code (http://www.vpaa.villanova.edu/academicintegrity/code.html) on any assignment or activity will result in a grade of F for the entire course and formal disciplinary procedures (http://www.vpaa.villanova.edu/academicintegrity/policy.html).

Disability:

It is Villanova’s policy to make reasonable academic accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities (http://www.learningsupportservices.villanova.edu/learning_disability.htm). If you area person with a disability please contact us as soon as possible and make arrangements to register with the Learning Support Office (required to receive accommodations; contact 519-5636 or nancy.mott@villanova.edu).

Communication:

E-mail: All students are required to check their official Villanova University e-mail account regularly (ideally at least once a day but certainly every second day at a minimum) and to learn how to use e-mail for submission of assignments. We will use electronic means to contact you with important course information, and you will use it to submit assignments. “I didn’t check my email” is not an acceptable excuse for missing a deadline, announcement, or other important piece of communication about the course. If you tend to use another account, make sure to have mail from your Villanova account forwarded; arranging this is your responsibility.

Internet: Students are also required to visit the course WebCT site regularly to obtain important news, download documents, and visit links supporting lecture and lab content.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Required Texts:

Ricklefs, R. E. 2008. The economy of nature. Sixth edition. Freeman, New York, NY, USA.

Pechenik, J. A. 2007. A short guide to writing about biology. Sixth edition. Pearson Longmans, New York, NY, USA.

Other supplies:  

•  Required: USB pen drive for use during weekday labs.

•  Required: Small notebook (+ pen/pencil!) for use during weekday labs and weekend trip.

•  Required: Sleeping bag plus appropriate footwear and clothing for 36-hour field trip.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Animal Use:

The Department of Biology has established a formal policy regarding the ethical and humane treatment of animals in teaching and research. This course will not make intensive use of animals (i.e., no dissections or invasive experiments) but interested students are welcome to consult the Departmental policy to address any specific questions (see one of the Instructors, your TA, or the staff in the Department office). Our course will include observation of animals in the wild during field trips and weekday labs; behavioral experiments involving arthropods; and possibly capture, banding, and blood sampling of songbirds (approved under Dr. Curry’s USFWS Bird Banding Permit).