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ECOLOGY
WWU BIOL 325
Winter 2014
Lecture, CRN 13756:
Instructor:
Office Hours:
M W F 1200-1250, in BI 212
Dr. Roger Anderson
Phone 650 3992
e-mail Roger.Anderson@wwu.edu
M 1100-1145, W 1300-1345 & H 1300-1345 in BI 311
Lecture Text:
Ecology, 2nd Ed by Cain, Bowman & Hacker
Ancillary Materials: A reference set of materials on word and power point usually will be available on Canvas a
few hours before lecture. It is advisable to print 2-4 powerpoint slides per page.
Course Description: Ecology is the scientific field of study which seeks to answer the basic questions, “What are
the spatiotemporal patterns of distribution and abundance of organisms, and what are the causes of those patterns?”
Ecologists study the interactions among organisms and the interactions between organisms and the spatiotemporal
patterns and processes of matter and energy. Ecology is a very broad scientific discipline of linked areas of study that
vary from exclusively biological processes to combined biological-and-physicochemical processes, to exclusively
physicochemical processes. The schedule below reflects some of the diversity of ecology, studied at the major levels
of ecological organization.
We first will focus our study on the planetary spatial scale of climate and biomes and then see how major
climate-related factors (e.g., temperature and rainfall) affect the adaptive patterns of individual organisms, and then
explore how individual interactions and survival and reproduction of individuals translate into dynamic changes in
populations. The interactions among individuals of different species (e.g., predator and prey) translates into amongpopulation relationships at the level of biological community. Then at an even more inclusive level, the ecosystem, we
begin to see how energy and matter (water, oxygen, carbon, nutrients, etc…) integrate the biological community into
the biosphere at the planetary spatial scale. Please refer to the course map for explication.
Course Objectives:
1) Students will become familiar with how the major organizing question in Ecology (see Course Map) is
studied and answered at each level of ecological organization.
2) Students will learn how questions in ecology can be integrated among levels of ecological organization
3) Students will learn how curiosity-based ecology is studied and how ecological research can be applied to
solving problems that humans have caused for species and organismal communities.
LECTURE SCHEDULE
Date
Jan
8
10
Topic
Readings
Introduction
Autecology & Climate
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Section One: Autecology
(Organismal Ecology: Behavioral Ecology, Physiological Ecology & Ecomorphology)
Jan
13
15
17
Climate & Biomes
Climate & Ecology of heat & temperature
Ecology of heat, temperature
Chapters 2 & 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 4
Jan
20
22
24
Read & Study Assiduously
Ecology of Water
Ecology of Water
Chapter 6 on your own
Chapter 4
Chapter 4
Jan
27
29
31
Ecology of Nutrition
Ecology of Nutrition
Ecology of Nutrition
Chapter 5
Chapter 5
Chapter 5
1
Feb
3
Feb
5
Team Exam (Biomes),
Finish Nutrition, Begin Life History
Individual Exam One on Chapters 1-7
Chapters 6 & 7
Section Two: Population Ecology
(patterns and processes across a collection of individuals of a species in a local area)
Feb
7
Life History Modes, Body Size
Chapter 7
Feb
10
12
14
Distribution and abundance & Population Growth
Population growth & dynamics
Population dynamics
Section Three: Community Ecology
Chapters 8 & 9
Chapter 9 &10
Chapter 10
Feb
17
19
21
Read & Study Assiduously
Competition & Predation
Herbivory, Parasites & Mutualists
Chapters 11 &12
Chapters 13 & 14
24
26
28
Exam 2 on Chapters 8-14
Communities & community dynamics
Communities & community dynamics
Chapters 15 & 16
Chapters 15 & 16
Mar
3
5
7
Section Four: Ecosystems Ecology
Production & Energy flow & food webs
Nutrient supplies & cycling
Global Ecology
Chapter 19 & 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 24
Mar
10
12
14
Species Diversity & biogeographic Patterns
Landscape Ecology
Conservation Biology
Chapter 17 & 18
Chapter 23
Chapter 22
Feb
March 17
Final Exam, Monday 1530-1730
Cumulative, but with heavy focus on Ch 15-24, the material after 2nd exam. (NB, rapid pace!)
ASSESSMENT AND GRADING
There will be a maximum of about 80 points (~15 team, 65 individual) on the first exam, about 90 points on the 2nd
exam (~15 team, 75 individual) and about 150 points (~30 team, 120 individual) for the Final Exam.
There are 20- 25 points reserved for three team assignments. The third team assignment will be team answers to
sample final exam questions. The questions will be provided after the second midterm. The other two team
assignments are below.
Team Editing of Ecology News Article (Full-and-updated details for the Assignment are on Canvas)
Six person team assignment; 6 pts can be earned per individual. Due February 26 at noon.
Begin with the links Dr Anderson has provided in the Science News Websites file on Canvas (if there is a useful
website Dr Anderson missed or if the website address has changed, please let him know).
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1) Each person on the team must find two interesting and significant ecology news articles (within the past year,
please). The choice parameters:
A) Each news article must be focus on a different level of ecological organization (choose among organismal,
population, community, ecosystem or biosphere levels).
B) One news article must be on basic science in ecology.
C) One news article must focus on applied ecology, such as invasive species, endangered species, habitat
(damage, fragmentation, loss), climate change, human health, or economic issues.
2) Contact your Team Members, share your links, with each other and Dr. Anderson, then via on-line discussion
site in Canvas decide on which two links you choose to edit.
3) Two-three individuals each will read each original research article and will discuss on-line, in Canvas which
facets could have been better explained or described and whether there may be a more effective way to
communicate the ecological significance.
4) One person will take the lead and make tracked editorial changes to the news article with respect to the agreed
upon changes that will improve the understanding of the phenomenon and its significance to the reader.
5) Another person then also will use tracked changes to edit the prior person’s changes and any other syntactical
or grammatical changes as necessary.
6) The entire team will discuss, on-line, which changes, if necessary are needed, and those changes will be
applied, then submitted to Dr A.
7) Based on what is learned from your web link, a third individual should attempt to come up with one interesting
and challenging exam question (refer to Bloom’s taxonomy) about one of the two news articles that could be
asked on an exam. This communication and feedback from other students should also be evident in a
discussion thread on Canvas. The question will be submitted to Dr Anderson via e-mail.
The Student Team Literature Assignment (The full-and-updated details for the Assignment are on Canvas)
Due on Thursday, March 13 at 10 am.
The 6-student team will write annotated bibliographies for 8 readings, four from each general research focus
(which paper is in which research focus should be obvious):
Area 1 = Ecology of Predation & Antipredation.
Area 2 = Climate Change Ecology.
The annotated bibliographies should all be in one word file. The team must provide annotated bibliographies
from: a) six original articles, each of which must have been published within the last two years and each must have
been published in a different journal (i.e., 6 different journals total) and b) two advanced textbooks, published within
the last four years. The rubric for annotated bibliographies will be posted in the Team Assignment Module in Canvas.
I may choose among some of the best annotated bibliographies, but no more than two from any one team, to post online, in preparation for the final exam.
Course Grades & Course Completion
To obtain a course grade, all three exams and all assignments be completed. Grades are based upon the 4
foregoing assessment categories. Grades are based upon total number of points received in the course. The average
course grade is expected to be a B. The approximate grading scheme is as follows:
A=
C=
3
89-100%
65-76%
B=
D=
77-88%
53-64%
Tentative Point Tally
1st Exam ,
1st Exam,
2nd Exam,
2nd Exam,
Final Exam,
Final Exam,
News Rewrite,
Annotated Bibliography,
Final Exam Test Prep,
Team
Individual
Team
Individual
Team
Individual
Team
Team
Team
15
65
15
75
30
120
6
10
9
Total Pts 345
Exam descriptions & Preparation advice:
The individual portion of the exam will require you to answer a combination of multiple choice, short, fill-in
phrases and short expository essays; graphs and graph interpretation will be included.
For the two mid-term exams, on the scheduled class period just before or after the class period in which the
students take the individual exam, there will be a 12-18 minute segment for the team exam question.
The first 45 minutes of the scheduled final exam period will be reserved for the team exam. The last 75
minutes will be reserved for the individual exam.
About 75-80% of the final exam will be on material covered after the second exam, and 20-25% will be
comprehensive, integrative review.
Makeup exams and substitute assignments are permitted only in rare, special, pre-approved circumstances.
The exams are difficult enough to show the edge of knowledge and understanding of the most accomplished
student, and if I consider them too challenging, then the scores will be adjusted (e.g., all exam scores adjusted upward
by several points) somewhat. All exams must be taken to receive a course grade.
You will receive a set of expository essay questions and some sample exam questions to consider as essential
study guides. The reference notes and power point slides upon which lecture is based will also be made available for
you on Canvas usually before the lecture.
The focus of knowledge and understanding in the course will be introduced during our lecture-discussions.
You must take an active role in your own learning, because the lecture exams are based largely on your answers to the
expository essay questions. You will have to refer to the power point slides, reference notes, and the text to develop
high quality answers. The textbook is a valuable introduction to the topic; it is expected that you will peruse the text
before the topic is covered in lecture.
EXPECTATIONS & POLICIES
Statement of Flexibility and Spontaneity
I reserve the right to revise the schedule and syllabus during the quarter if necessary; and at times will add
unannounced content to the course. I will inform you enough in advance so as to cause minimal inconvenience, and
the additions are intended to facilitate your learning, not to add significantly to your workload. In the event that I do
make an impromptu change, the material will not unduly add to existing workload nor markedly affect course
completion requirements. Thus, this course syllabus is tentative; it is not a contract. I will make changes, as necessary.
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Consultation Hours
I am dedicated to providing a high level of support; hence I am available for consultation outside of my published
office hours. Please respect the following email policy: Although I generally have an “open-door” policy, please limit
emails to necessary communication. I will try to respond to emails within 24 hours. For involved discussions, I would
prefer to meet with you either in-person. For the sake of efficiency, I would prefer to answer multiple questions in a
single meeting, rather than respond to a series of single-topic email interactions.
I will use the “Announcements” page of the Canvas site to communicate with you. Check it often!
Attendance and Participation
Participation in team assignments is mandatory, and if there are lecture periods in which there is a noticeable number
of absences, Dr. Anderson will deliver an impromptu 2-3 point quiz, which cannot be taken later.
Submission of Individual Work
All individual work must be submitted on the required date and time to have the opportunity to receive full credit.
Teamwork
Learning to function as an effective team, both on assignments and exams, is valuable experience. Moreover,
the team assignments commonly improve student overall grades; even the grades of students with the highest
individual performances tend to be enhanced by the outcomes of team assignments.
Submission of Team Products
There is some emphasis placed on team projects. As team work, by definition, is interdependent, all team
products must be turned in by dates specified on syllabus unless prior arrangements have been made, or in case of
emergency. If an individual member of the group is to have a planned absence, then it is advised that person’s share of
the team project is to be given to another team member in advance to allow the team to include the absentee’s work in
final team project or presentation.
Expectations for Individual Interactions in a Team Project
Students are expected to equally share the workload of team projects, be accessible for and responsive to team
activities and communication, and in general, work in a manner conducive to fostering positive among-individual
interaction. If I deem it necessary, each team member may be asked to evaluate peer effort and comportment. Active
participation in each team assignment is required. Assignments are set up so that I can discern whether a student
contributed adequately.
Rules of Engagement
It is axiomatic that during team projects, students are expected to treat those with differing opinions, attitudes, abilities,
and learning styles with respect. Students are encouraged at appropriate times to voice differing opinions and
disagreements to stated opinions, if done in a positive and respectful manner. At no time, however, should students
disrespect others on a personal or socio-cultural basis, or on any other basis that I may have neglected to include. I will
exert my best effort to foster an on-line and in-person environment of respect, engagement, and inclusion. Keep in
mind that posts on media/websites outside of Canvas may be in the public domain (see “Third-Party Software and
FERPA” policy below). For a discussion of Netiquette (i.e., etiquette for online communications) please see:
http://www.indiana.edu/~icy/netiquette.html
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Honest Effort at Prompt Feedback
I will do my best to ensure timely feedback and grading of assignments (within 8 work days) when assignments are
submitted by deadlines.
Technology
Students are expected to have a basic working knowledge of computers, the internet, email, and word processing, as
well as the following: Regular access to a computer with a high speed internet connection that has:



A recent media player such as Windows Media Player or VLC Media Player
Microsoft Office or another office suite
Adobe Acrobat or other PDF reader
Technology Support
I may provide an open forum, located in the “Discussion Board” section of each module in Canvas. It would be open
for questions to be asked and answers to be provided by students and the course instructor. If the forum is available,
please ensure your responses provide accurate information.
Third-Party Software and FERPA
If during this course you use public online services and software applications (e.g., Google Docs, YouTube), please do
not make any personally identifying information on those sites. Please do not post or provide any private information
about yourself or your classmates. Written assignments posted on Discussion Threads in Canvas will not require you
to disclose any personally sensitive information. If you have any concerns about public entries in Canvas, please
contact me.
Reasonable Accommodation Policy
It is the policy of Western Washington University to provide reasonable accommodation to the known physical,
sensory, or mental limitations of qualified individuals except where such accommodation would impose undue
hardship on the institution. To request accommodation, contact WWU disAbility Resources for Students at 360-6503083.
Academic Integrity
Participants are responsible for reading, understanding, and following the policy and procedures regarding academic
dishonesty as set forth in the WWU Academic Honesty Policy and Procedure
(see Appendix D of the University Bulletin).
Feedback Process
Students will be given the opportunity to answer a course questionnaire & evaluation immediately after the final exam.
This feedback will be anonymous.
Copyright
This course may contain copyright protected materials such as media clips, images, text materials, etc. These items are
being used with regard to Fair Use and/or Creative Commons licensing. Please do not copy, duplicate, download or
distribute these items without permission. All copyright materials are intended to be credited to the copyright holder.
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