Central Michigan University
College of Science & Technology
Master Course Syllabus
BIO
340
Ecology
Desig.
No.
Title
I.
Bulletin Description
3(2-3)
Credit (Mode)
Interaction among plants, animals, man, and the environment.
II.
Prerequisites
Completion of University Program Group II (Natural Sciences) and a minimum of 45 hours
of University credit.
III.
Rationale for Course Level
Students should have taken one field-type biology course prior to ecology.
IV.
Textbooks and Other Materials to Be Furnished by the Student
General Texts: one of following or similar
Ricklefs, R. E. 2001. The Economy of Nature, 5th ed. W. H. Freeman. 550 pp.
Molles, M.C. 2002. Ecology: Concepts and Applications, 2nd ed. WCB/McGraw-Hill, Boston,
586 pp.
Course pack with laboratory exercises
Guide to Scientific Writing (Recommended):
McMillan, V.E. 2001. Writing Papers in the Biological Sciences, 3rd ed. Bedford/St. Martin’s,
Boston, 207 pp.
V.
Special Requirements of the Course
Six field trips to nearby natural areas.
VI.
General Methodology Used in Conducting the Course
Lecture, laboratory and field exercises
VII.
Course Objectives
Students will be able to:
a. Gain an understanding of such basic ecological concepts as trophic structure, succession,
competition, and soil formation.
b. Acquire applied laboratory field experience which complements the lecture topics.
c. Develop skills in utilizing quantitative group data from the laboratory experience and
write short synopses of an analytical nature.
d. Explore abstract concepts such as interspecific population interactions using computer
programs to simulate field situations.
e. Develop an understanding the importance of species diversity to the stability of
community structure.
f. Develop an understanding of environmental impact assessment.
VIII.
Course Outline - Lecture
No. of Weeks
1 1/2
1 1/2
1
1/2
2 1/2
3
1/2
1/2
1 1/2
1
1/2
Topic
Introduction: History of Ecology
Barriers to Species Distribution
Patterns of Energy Flow in Ecosystems
Biogeochemical Cycles
Population Dynamics
Take Home Exam
Community Structure: Diversity & Development
Community Structure & Diversity: Species Diversity
Island Biogeography
Community Change: Patterns of Succession
Ecosystem Development
Paleoecology
Global Distribution of Biomes
Aquatic Ecosystems: Bogs/Swamps/Marshes
Aquatic Ecosystems: Wildlife Management
Environmental Impact Assessment
Final Exam
Course Outline - Laboratory
Week
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Topic
Overview of Habitat Types/Succession Patterns: Veit's Woods and Old Field
Old Field Biomass
Veit's Old Field
Forest Mensuration: Point Quarter Method
Cathedral Woodlot
Statistics Lab
Dispersion Sampling: Poisson and Similarity Index
Field Collection of Data
(Inside if Rain) Lab Calculations
Soils Lab/Plant Growth Factors - Greenhouse
Population Dynamics: Mark/Capture/Recapture
Indoor Exercise
Population Dynamics: Models-Affecting Population Size
Indoor Exercise
Biology Computer Room
Dendroclimatology: Climographs and Weather Patterns
Chippewa Watershed Study
Mt. Pleasant Waste Treatment Facility
Paleoecology
Indoor Exercise
IX.
Evaluation
Lecture - 75%
a.
2 essay exams
-take home mid-term
-in class final
b.
Weekly quizzes
Lab - 25%
a.
Mid-term and final lab exam
b.
Hand in assignments
X.
Bibliography
Begon, M., Harper, J.L., and Townsend, C.R. 1990. Ecology: Individuals, Populations and
Communities. Blackwell Scientific.
Brewer, R. 1988. The Science of Ecology. Saunders College Publ.
Boughey, A.S. 1973. Ecology of Populations. 3rd ed. MacMillan.
Collinvaux, P. 1993. Ecology 2. Wiley
Hynes, H.B.N. 1970. The Ecology of Running Waters. U. of Toronto
Kendeigh, S.C. 1974. Ecology. Benjamin Cummings.
Krebs, C.J. 2001. Ecology, 5th ed. Harper and Row.
Odum, E.P. 1971. Fundamentals of Ecology. 3rd ed. W.B. Saunders
Ranwell, D.S. 1972. Ecology of Salt Marshes and Sand Dunes. Chapman and Hall.
Remmert, H. 1980. Ecology. Springer-Verlag.
Smith, R.L. 1991. Elements of Ecology. 3rd ed. Harper Collins.
Townsend, C.R., Harper, J.L., and Begon, M. 2000. Essentials of Ecology. Blackwell
Science, Inc.
Syllabus Prepared By:
Robert E. Bailey
Name
Signature
3/31/03
Date