UPDATED 3/30/10
GEOG 3800-01W: Biogeography
Spring 2010
Instructor: Dr. Georgina DeWeese
Office: 250 Callaway Annex
Office Hours: 1100-noon TTh, or by appointment
Phone: 678-839-4065
Email: gdeweese@westga.edu
Website: www.westga.edu/~gdeweese
Classes will meet in 146 Callaway Annex, 200-315 TTh. Attendance is mandatory.
Course Description: Biogeography is the subdiscipline of Geography that deals with the distribution,
ranges, and limits of plants and animals over space and time. This class will focus on the processes and
patterns of plant distribution in the contemporary landscape, stressing the development of North American
vegetation. The course will covers topics in evolution as it relates to Quaternary migration and
distribution, North American biomes, disturbance ecology, invasive species, environmental stewardship,
climate change, and field methods.
Course Outcomes: Students completing this course will have a broad understanding of North American
vegetation through space and time. Students will be able to identify important local plant species and
invasive species. Anthropogenic influences over North American vegetation will also be understood
through human manipulation of vegetation distribution, disturbance ecology, and climate change. This
course will produce students better equipped to be functional land owners, land managers, planners,
politicians, teachers, business leaders, and citizens.
This is a DSW (Discipline Specific Writing) course (formerly WAC). There will be several written
assignments that will be evaluated for grammar, spelling, content, and organization. Some assignments
are designed to promote writing to learn (WTL), which are generally shorter and less time intensive. More
formal writing to communicate (WTC) assignments are designed to promote knowledge and
communication skills.
Required Texts:
MacDonald, G. (2003) Biogeography: Space, Time and Life. John Wiley
Petrides, GA and J Wehr. (1998) Peterson Field Guide to Eastern Trees. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Maimon, EP, JH Peritz, and KB Yancey. (2007). A Writer’s Resource: A Handbook for Writing and
Research. McGraw-Hill.
Grading:
Grading Scale: A:90-100% B:80-89% C:70-79% D:60-69% F:<60%
Exam 1: 100 pts
Exam 2: 100 pts
Exam 3: 100 pts
Lab Reports: 40 pts
Reflective Journal: 50 pts
Final Paper: 100 pts
Total: 490 pts
All exams will be in short answer/essay format (WTL). We will conduct 4 in-class labs on topics
including tree identification, vegetation inventory, use of proxy data, disturbance ecology, and climate
change scenarios. Students will be required to submit lab reports for each completed lab which will be due
at the beginning of the next class period (WTL). A journal will also be kept by students where they
summarize and reflect upon required readings provided during class (WTL). The final paper is required to
be 5-7 pages of text (additional pages of figures and tables are allowed), 12 pt font, 1 in margins, and on a
pre-approved biogeographic topic (WTC).
WTL – denotes Writing To Learn requirement of DSW courses
WTC – denotes Writing To Communicate requirement of DSW courses
There will be no extra credit opportunities in this course. There will be no make up exams given in this
course. If you miss an exam you MUST contact the instructor the day of the missed exam. Cheating of
any kind will not be tolerated and will result in a grade of 0 on the assignment.
Writing Center: 839-6513
Biogeography Course Outline:
Reading:
Course Mechanics and Introduction
Date:
Thurs, Jan 7
The Scope and History of Biogeography
The Physical Environment
Chpts 1 & 2
Chpt 3
Tues, Jan 12
Thurs, Jan 14
Biological Interactions and Distribution
Biological Interactions and Distribution
Chpt 4
Tues, Jan 19
Thurs, Jan 21
Disturbance Ecology
Disturbance Ecology
Chpt 5
Tues, Jan 26
Thurs, Jan 28
In class Lab: Disturbance Ecology
Exam 1
Tues, Feb 2
Thurs, Feb 4
Individuals and Communities
Individuals and Communities
Chpt 6
Tues, Feb 9
Thurs, Feb 11
Changing Continents and Climates
Changing Continents and Climates
Chpt 7
Tues, Feb 16
Thurs, Feb 18
In class Lab: Proxy Data
Dispersal, Colonization, and Invasion
Chpt 8
Tues, Feb 23
Thurs, Feb 25
Dispersal, Colonization, and Invasion
Dispersal, Colonization, and Invasion
Chpt 8
Tues, Mar 2
Thurs, Mar 4
Dispersal, Colonization, and Invasion
Exam 2
Tues, Mar 9
Thurs, Mar 11
Evolution, Speciation, and Extinction
Evolution, Speciation, and Extinction
Chpt 9
Chpt 9
Spring Break
Spring Break
Tues, Mar 16
Thurs, Mar 18
Tues, Mar 23
Thurs, Mar 25
No class
Biogeographic Realms
Chpt 10
Tues, Mar 30
Thurs, Apr 1
Biogeography and Human Evolution
Humans as an Evolutionary Force
Chpt 11
Chpt 12
Tues, Apr 6
Thurs, Apr 8
Biogeographic Distributions
In class lab: Tree Identification
Chpt 13
Tues, Apr 13
Thurs, Apr 15
Geography of Biological Diversity
Toxic Agents
Chpt 14
Movie
Tues, Apr 20
Thurs, Apr 22
Geography of Biological Diversity
*Final Papers due Apr 29th*
Chpt 14
Tues, Apr 27
Final Exam
Tues May 4th, 200–400pm