ECOLOGY 1 (ECOL 1)
Conservation of Natural Resources
Lecture
Sections 10742 and 10743 combined:
LS 101 TuTh 1:00 —2:20
Instructor: Dr. Jon Hubbard
Office Hours: By arrangement between 11:00 and
12:30 Tu and Th.
Lab
Section 10742: Tu 2:30-5:35 LS 102
Section 10743: Th 2:30-5:35 LS102
Fall 2014
e-mail: jhubbard@gavilan.edu
Recommended Text: The text we will be using is an on-line text: ‘Principles of Biology’ by Nature Publishing
Co. You can access the text through: www.nature.com/principles. The course code which you will
need is 31629357. You will also need either an access code which can be purchased at the bookstore or a credit
card in order to pay the publisher directly for access. (Course code and access code are two different
things.)
In addition to the text above you may be asked to access selected reading materials on reserve in the
library or found on the internet to complete specific assignments.
Outside readings will be announced and made available on the course website.
Lab Materials:
Both of these items may be obtained through the book store for a nominal cost (cost of
photocopying plus in the case of the SimBio Exercises a small royalty which is transmitted to
the developer of those programs).
1. A copy of the lab manual: ‘Lab Manual for Ecol-1’ prepared by JPHubbard
2. Copies of two SimBio Lab exercises: ‘Keystone Predator’ and ‘Sewage’. These are
available in the bookstore.
Other Resources:
A class web site is being maintained and updated and may be accessed through the Gavilan College
Homepage (or at http://gavilan.edu/dir/classlist.php ). Check it frequently as updated material for
review including questions which may be used on upcoming exams will be added weekly as the course
progresses. There are also a set of links to other useful web sites listed there.
Course overview and expected learning outcomes: This course examines the fundamentals of ecology (the
study of the relationships between organisms and their environment) with special emphasis on human
effects on the environment. Topics of discussion will include ecosystem dynamics, resources, pollution,
population growth, and the clash between economic and political policy and the environment.
During this course you will learn:
COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES:
1. The student will explain how energy and nutrients cycle within and through ecosystems
and describe how these cycles can be disrupted by human activities.
ILO: 1, 2, 7 Measure: Written exam, homework
2. The student will describe the various factors affecting the distribution and abundance of
living organisms on Earth.
ILO: 1, 2, 7 Measure: Written exam, homework
3. The student will evaluate how humans influence air and water quality, climate, and
biodiversity and propose strategies for lessening human impacts on the environment.
ILO: 1, 2, 7 Measure: Written exam, homework, lab reports, term project
4. The student will compare and contrast the physical characteristics and adaptations of flora
and fauna of a variety of local ecosystems.
Ecol-1 Fall 2014
Syllabus
Page: 1
ILO: 1, 2, 5, 7 Measure: Written exam, lab reports
5. The student will cooperatively research, produce, and present with a group of other
students a term project that analyzes the environmental, social, and economic impacts
of a particular environmental issue and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of
the democratic process in dealing with these complex issues.
ILO: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 Measure: Term Project
Labs: A copy of the lab manual (available in the book store along with Simbio labs is required ffor this course.
This is a lab course and lab attendance and participation is mandatory. You may miss up to two labs
although doing so may lower your grade. If you miss more than 3 or more labs you may fail the
course. Most lab reports/notes will be checked at the end of the lab so be certain to have your lab
checked-off before you leave. If you leave without having your lab checked (or turned in if that is an
option) you may not receive a grade and that lab will be counted as an absence (see above). In a few
cases you will be turning in labs the week following that lab. In those cases labs must be turned in as
scheduled or again you will not receive a grade.
Early departure from lab may count as an absence. Be certain lab is over before leaving.
Ecology is a field science and some labs will involve walking and climbing on uneven terrain off trails
and roads. Be certain to dress appropriately; in particular choose appropriate footwear. Also, be aware
that temperature on field trips may vary, dress in layers and bring a sweatshirt or jacket, even if it is not
needed on campus. Failure to dress appropriately will not be an excuse for non-participation. In
general there will be no makeup opportunities for labs.
A key component to lab activity involves careful observation and critical interpretation of those
observations. Integral to this process is the maintenance of field notes which may serve as the basis of
reflection later on. Thus it is critical that you maintain a contemporaneous set of field notes.
Additional questions related to field visits may be provided and responses should be recorded in your
field notebook and/or returned for evaluation as requested.
Grade: The course includes three hours per week lecture/discussion and three hours per week lab. Some labs
will involve field trips which will include some walking on uneven ground in field conditions. Students
will be responsible for maintenance of field/lab notes which will be an integral part of the grade. A
rubric will be discussed during the first lab. Grade activities are outlined below:
Lecture
Midterm exams (2@ 50 pts each)
Final
Homework/class discussion and
quizzes*a
Total lecture:
100
50
40
190
exercises/assignments
and lab reports
Outside research
project:
Total Lab
Lab
140*b
50
190
Grade Schedule: Letter grade will be based on % total available points (380 pts total) earned:
A:
87- 100%
B:
75-86%
C:
61-74%
D:
50-60%
F:
Less than 50%
Ecol-1 Fall 2014
Syllabus
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ADA Accommodation Statement: Students requiring special services or arrangements because of hearing,
visual, or other disability should contact their instructor, counselor, or the Disabled Student Services
Office.
Occupational/Vocational Statement: Occupational/Vocational students – Limited English language skills will
not be a barrier to admittance to and participation in Vocational Education Programs.
Student Honesty Policy Statement: Students are expected to exercise academic honesty and integrity.
Violations such as cheating and plagiarism will result in disciplinary action which may include
recommendation for dismissal.
Absences, Makeup Work and Extra Credit: You should be present at all lectures and labs. Since a number
of the labs will involve off-campus field trips you must be on time for labs or make prior arrangements
to meet us at the field location. Since transportation arrangements need to be made in advance and there
will be a limited number of seats available you need to attend the lab section for which you registered.
Make-up work will not be assigned without proof of dire emergency. Extra-credit work will not be
available for improve a poor grade. Limited extra credit will be available as part of regularly scheduled
quizzes, exams and homework.
How to succeed in this course:
 Read material prior to lecture. Your intelligent participation will help you final grade.
 Review material after lecture, fill in any gaps in your understanding by asking or further
reading.
 Attend all lectures and labs and be on time. Quizzes will be given during many of the lecture
meetings, missed quizzes cannot be made up later. Likewise, you will not receive credit for
lab/field notes for labs you do not attend. Lectures and labs are regarded an integral part of the
course.
Ecol-1 Fall 2014
Syllabus
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1 Welcome and intro to course - What
is ecology?
2 The Evolution-Ecology Connection
2
3
4
Sept
2
Sept
9
Sept
16
5
Sept
23
6
Sept
30
7
Oct
7
Oct
14
Lab Schedule – Note that
changes may be made
during the semester
Note that changes in Lab
Schedule are to be
Expected and
Announcements will be
made during lecture
Aug
26
Reading – Text and
other outside reading 1
Lecture number and
Discussion Topic
1
Dates (for Tues of
week)
Week
Schedule: Below is a lecture/lab schedule. Expect a number of changes through the semester as
adjustments are made, particularly timing and location of field trips.
173 Intro to Ecology
Lab Introduction Campus Field Trip
63 Intro to Evolution
65 Forces that Drive Evolution
3 Energy and Ecosystem Structure
2 Energy and Matter
187 Energy and Biomass
4 Nutrient Cycling
188 Matter Cycles
5 Climate
174 Climate
6 Climate Change
175 Climate Change
7 Terrestrial Biomes
176 Terrestrial Biomes
Field trip – riparian and redwoods
8 Soil
Outside Reading – to be
announced
---
Life In the Pond
Midterm 1
9 Water
10 Freshwater Biomes
6 Water
177 Aquatic Biomes and outside
reading to be assigned
Scientific Method , Scientific Research and Project
Orientation
Intro to Kingdoms – Bacteria, Fungi, Protista, Plants
and Animals
SymBio – ‘ Nutrient Pollution’
11 Marine Biomes
8
9
Oct
21
10
Oct
28
11
Nov
4
12
Nov
11
13
Nov
18
Moss Landing Field Trip – Lecture and Lab Combined – Estuarine and Migratory Ecology
12 Populations
178 Populations
Campus Safe for Wildlife?
13 Life History Patterns
14 Managing Populations
179 Life History Populations
181 Managing Populations
Field Trip: Fremont Peak
15 Species Interactions
16 Predators and Ecosystem Structure
17 Disease Ecology
18 Human Population Growth
182 Species Interactions
183 Dominant and Keystone
Species
189 Human Impacts
180 Human Population Growth
19 Human Impacts
20 Biodiversity
189 Human Impacts
190 The Biodiversity Question
21 Conservation Biology
22 Habitat Conservation
191 Conservation Biology
192 Landscape and Regional
Conservation
Presentations
193 Ecological Restoration
Outside Reading – to be
announced
Fisheries and Ocean Health
Outside Reading – to be
announced
Presentations/Case Study – Ecosystems in Decision
Making
Migratory Species – Tale of Two Species
Symbio – Keystone Predator
Predators in ecosystems: Wolves in Yellowstone and
Mystery in Alaska
23 Ecological Restoration
14
15
Nov
25
Dec
2
16
Ecol-1 Fall 2014
Syllabus
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24 Agriculture and Forestry
Thanksgiving Holiday – No Th
Meeting
Lect 25 Ecosystems Approach to
Decision Making
Final – Thursday, Dec 11 13PM