1
FALL 2015
BIOLOGY 2F03
FUNDAMENTAL & APPLIED ECOLOGY
PROFESSOR
Dr. Lovaye Kajiura
Assistant Professor
McMaster University, Department of Biology
LSB, Office 426
E-mail: kajiura@mcmaster.ca
Office Hours: -Scheduled by appointment via email.
INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANT
Mr. Marvin Gunderman
McMaster University, Department of Biology
LSB, Office 116
Email: gundermn@mcmaster.ca
*Email Marvin regarding lab section changes, permission for missing coursework & the midterm test, and
tutorial/lab-related questions.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
An introduction to fundamental ecological principles and illustration of these are applied to current
environmental problems at the level of organisms, populations, communities, and ecosystems.
BIOLOGY 2F03 COURSE OBJECTIVE
Understand basic ecological concepts and current problems in biodiversity loss, explore reasons that
threaten biodiversity in Canada and in the world, and become familiar with possible solutions; develop
communication skills (lab discussions) and independent analytical skills by completing independent
computer exercises.
BIOLOGY 2F03 LECTURES
Please refer to the Fall/Winter McMaster University Undergraduate Master Course 2015-2016
Timetables posted on the McMaster University website. Lectures will be held on Tuesday evenings
7:00 to 10:00 pm in TSH 120. Refer to Lecture Schedule posted on the Biology 2F03 Avenue
website.
The Biology 2F03 lectures will be a synthesis of several sources (the required course
textbook, primary scientific literature, such as journal articles, current research, and guest
speakers). Lecture informaiton will be posted on the Biology 2F03 Avenue website.
Note that the Biology 2F03 postings are NOT detailed lecture notes. Students are expected to
attend all lectures and to supplement the Biology 2F03 Avenue postings with their own written
or typed "in-class" lecture notes.
2
The Biology 2F03 Midterm Test & the Final Exam will include some concepts and
current experimental work, which are not covered in the textbook. These topics will
be discussed EXCLUSIVELY during in-lecture activities.
IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT THAT STUDENTS ATTEND ALL LECTURES.
The use of supplementary lecture resources will demonstrate how the concepts
covered in Biology 2F03 lead directly to recent work and to applied research.
**IMPORTANT ACADEMIC PROPERTY STATEMENT**
NO part of the BIOLOGY 2F03 lectures, in-class discussions, course information or resources
may be reproduced, in any form or by any means, without permission in writing by the
professor (L. Kajiura).
NO visual media, voice recordings, Powerpoint slides, MP3 media or lecture-related
information may be reproduced or communicated by any means.
Usage of cameras or video / camera-capable cellphones, smartphones or digital media are
NOT PERMITTED to be used during lectures.
REQUIRED BIOLOGY 2F03 TEXTBOOK
The require Biology 2F03 textbook is ECOLOGY – Concepts and Applications (3rd Edition) by
Molles & Cahill. The textbook is available for purchase at the McMaster Campus Store (bookstore).
Please do not buy an old edition, since it will lack the updated concepts and figures. Using an older
edition of the textbook will put students at a disadvantage.
REQUIRED SIMBIO SIMULATIONS
Two software modules (Population Growth, The Barnacle Zone) will be used in course.
iClickers (OPTIONAL)
iClickers (classroom response systems) are utilized in the lectures.
The iClicker questions will not be formally graded, however, they will serve to provide valuable
feedback regarding learned concepts. iClickers are available for purchase at the McMaster University
Bookstore/Campus Store/Titles.
3
TENTATIVE LECTURE SCHEDULE
WEEKS
DATES
1
Sept. 8
2
Sept. 15
3
4
5
th
th
Sept. 22
nd
th
Sept. 29
Oct. 6
th
TEXTBOOK SECTIONS
TEXTBOOK CHAPTERS
Introduction
Chapter 1 Introduction to Ecology
Section 1 Natural History & Evolution
Chapter 2 Life on Land
Section 1 Natural History & Evolution
Chapter 3 Life in Water
Section 2 Individuals
Chapter 5 Temperature Relations
Section 2 Individuals
Chapter 6 Water Relations
Section 2 Individuals
Chapter 7 Energy & Nutrient Relations
Section 3 Population Ecology
Chapter10 Distribution & Abundance of
Populations & Species
Section 3 Population Ecology
Chapter 11 Population Structure
Section 3 Population Ecology
Chapter 12 Population Dynamics
th
No Lecture – Enjoy the Midterm Recess!
th
MIDTERM TEST
6
Oct. 13
7
Oct. 20
Marvin will also present a lecture related to
Insects.
8
9
10
Oct. 27
Nov. 3
th
rd
Nov. 10
th
Section 4 Interactions
Chapter 13 Competition
Section 4 Interactions
Chapter 14 Herbivory & Predation
Section 4 Interactions
Chapter15 Mutualism, Parasitism, & Disease
Section 5 Communities & Ecosystems
Chapter 16 Community Structure & Function
Section 5 Communities & Ecosystems
Chapter 17 Species Interactions & Community
Structure
Section 5 Communities & Ecosystems
Chapter. 18 Disturbance, Succession, &
Stability
11
12
Nov. 17
Nov. 24
13
Dec. 1
14
Dec. 8
th
th
st
th
Section 5 Communities & Ecosystems
Chapter 19 Production & Energy Flow
Section 5 Communities & Ecosystems
Chapter 20 Nutrient & Elemental Cycling
Section 6 Large-Scale Ecology
Chapter 21 Landscape Ecology
Section 6 Large-Scale Ecology
Chapter 22 Macroecology
Section 6 Large-Scale Ecology
Chapter 23. Global Ecology
FINAL EXAM REVIEW SESSION
4
BIOLOGY 2F03 TUTORIALS (aka LABS)
Please refer to the Fall/Winter 2015‐2016 McMaster University Undergraduate Master Course
Timetables posted on the McMaster University website. Refer to the following information & schedule
listed in this document and on the Biology 2F03 Avenue website.
Students will participate in biweekly 3 hour Field Trips, Lab Discussions, and Computer Exercises.
HIKES AND TUTORIALS (aka Labs) SCHEDULE
SECTION
Hike Dates
Oil Sands Discussion
Fresh Water Discussion
E-waste Discussion
1
Sep 14-24
Oct 19 9:30am BSB-105
Nov 2 9:30am BSB-105
Nov 16 9:30am BSB-105
2
Sep 14-24
Oct 26 9:30am BSB-105
Nov 9 9:30am BSB-105
Nov 23 9:30am BSB-105
3
Sep 14-24
Oct 19 2:30pm KTH-B107
Nov 2 2:30pm KTH-B107
Nov 16 2:30pm KTH-B107
4
Sep 14-24
Oct 26 2:30pm KTH-B107
Nov 9 2:30pm KTH-B107
Nov 23 2:30pm KTH-B107
5
Sep 14-24
Oct 20 8:30am KTH-105
Nov 3 8:30am KTH-105
Nov 17 8:30am KTH-105
6
Sep 14-24
Oct 27 8:30am KTH-105
Nov 10 8:30am KTH-105
Nov 24 8:30am KTH-105
7
Sep 14-24
Oct 20 2:30pm KTH-105
Nov 3 2:30pm KTH-105
Nov 17 2:30pm KTH-105
8
Sep 14-24
Oct 27 2:30pm KTH-105
Nov 10 2:30pm KTH-105
Nov 24 2:30pm KTH-105
9
Sep 14-24
Oct 21 9:30am BSB-B140
Nov 4 9:30am BSB-B140
Nov 18 9:30am BSB-B140
11
Sep 14-24
Oct 21 2:30pm BSB-B138
Nov 4 2:30pm BSB-B138
Nov 18 2:30pm BSB-B138
12
Sep 14-24
Oct 28 2:30pm BSB-B138
Nov 11 2:30pm BSB-B138
Nov 25 2:30pm BSB-B138
13
Sep 14-24
Oct 22 8:30am KTH-105
Nov 5 8:30am KTH-105
Nov 19 8:30am KTH-105
15
Sep 14-24
Oct 22 2:30pm KTH-105
Nov 5 2:30pm KTH-105
Nov 19 2:30pm KTH-105
16
Sep 14-24
Oct 29 2:30pm KTH-105
Nov 12 2:30pm KTH-105
Nov 26 2:30pm KTH-105
17
Sep 14-24
Oct 23 11:30am BSB-B154
Nov 6 11:30am BSB-B154
Nov 20 11:30am BSB-B154
NOTE 1: The hikes are open. That means you can show up on any day between the dates of
Sep 14-24 at 2:30pm in front of the LSB. Look for details in the Biology 2F03 Avenue
“News” section. There will be no hikes on Sep 15 and 16. Rain dates are set for Sep
28-30 if needed. Cootes Paradise assignment is due Monday, Oct 5th at 4 pm for
the entire class.
NOTE 2: SimBio Assignment 1 (Population Growth) is due on Friday, October 2 nd for the
entire class.
NOTE 3: SimBio Assignment 2 (Barnacle Zone) is due Friday, October 23 rd for the entire class.
5
HOW TO LOG INTO THE BIOLOGY 2F03 AVENUE SITE
1. Start your web browser and go to: http://avenue.mcmaster.ca
2. USER ID: Type in the first part (in lower case letters) of your McMaster MUSS e‐mail address
(Your
MAC
ID).
For
example:
if
your
McMaster
e‐mail
address
is
janedoe@muss.cis.mcmaster.ca, then your Avenue User ID is janedoe.
3. PASSWORD: Type in your McMaster Modem / Printing / CIS Lab Access /Proxy Services
password.
4. Then click on the Login button.
You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader (this is freeware) to read the Biology 1P03 pdf files. Most
computers have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed as standard software. If your computer does not
have
it,
you
may
download
it
from
the
Adobe
website:
http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html
Note: In this course, we will be using Avenue for some assessments. Students should be aware that
when they access the electronic components of this course, private information, including first and
last names, user names for the McMaster University e‐mail accounts, and program affiliations may
become apparent to others participating in the course. Continuation in this course will be deemed as
consent to this disclosure. If you have any questions or concerns about such disclosure, please
discuss them with the professor and instructional assistant of this course.
GRADING
Biology 2F03 grades will be determined by the following evaluations:
VALUE
MIDTERM TEST, Tuesday October 20th
25%
LABS
40%
Participation 10%
Leading Lab Discussions 15%
Assignments (5% each, Cootes & 2 Simbio Reports)
CUMULATIVE FINAL EXAM (TBA December)
35%
Final marks for the course are based on a total assessment of each student's record. It is a student's
responsibility to make sure that his/her marks are complete and correct. Grade adjustment
techniques may be used. However, marks will NOT be bell‐curved at any point in the term.
The Professor and the Instructional Assistant reserve the right to change or revise information
contained in this course outline. The professor and university reserve the right to modify elements of
the course during the term. The university may change the dates and deadlines for any or all courses
in extreme circumstances. If either type of modification becomes necessary, students will be given
reasonable notice with an explanation and an opportunity to comment on changes.
It is the responsibility of the student to check their McMaster email and course websites weekly during
the term and to note any changes. Marks will be calculated according to the above grading scheme in
order to be consistent with previous years. The Biology Department does not approve of altering
marks arbitrarily at a student's request.
6
BIOLOGY 2F03 IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
1. AVENUE TO LEARN will be used to communicate with students in this course. Lecture
supplements may be downloaded from Avenue. Please consult this regularly (daily) to keep
up with updates. You are also encouraged to use this to further your class discussions with
classmates and the Biology 2F03 Team. Students should be aware that, when they access the
electronic components of this course, private information such as first and last names, user
names for the McMaster e-mail accounts, and program affiliation may become apparent to all
other students in the same course. The available information is dependent on the technology
used. Continuation in this course will be deemed consent to this disclosure. If you have any
questions or concerns about such disclosure please discuss this with the course professor.
2. TUTORIALS (LABS). Please refer to the schedule that posted on Avenue in the
LAB INFORMATION section. It is the student’s responsibility to attend and
complete the tutorials (labs).
3. TEACHING PHILOSOPHY. This course aims to foster independent and
collaborative academic and research skills. To achieve this aim, students will be
asked to take their own class notes, study material from the textbook to expand and
supplement the lectures and do so as they see necessary to firm up their knowledge
and understanding to develop judgment as to which facts and ideas are
indispensable, to engage in discussions of the material on Avenue, and to
collaborate in learning.
4. ACADEMIC DISHONESTY. You are expected to exhibit honesty and use ethical
behavior in all aspects of the learning process. Academic credentials you earn are
rooted in principles of honesty and academic integrity. Academic dishonesty is to
knowingly act or fail to act in a way that results or could result in unearned academic
credit or advantage. This behavior can lead to serious consequences, e.g. a grade of
zero on an assignment, loss of credit with a notation on the transcript (notation reads:
“Grade of F assigned for academic dishonesty”), and/or suspension or expulsion
from the university. It is your responsibility to understand what constitutes academic
dishonesty. For information on the various types of academic dishonesty please refer
to the Academic Integrity Policy, located at
http://www.mcmaster.ca/academicintegrity
The following descriptions some of the forms of academic dishonesty:
1. Plagiarism (the submission of work that is not a student’s own or for which other credit has
been obtained)
2. Improper collaboration in group work.
3. Copying or using unauthorized aids during tests and examinations.
In order to uphold the integrity of the Department of Biology at McMaster University, please
consult the Statement on Academic Ethics and the Senate Resolutions on Academic Dishonesty
stipulated in the Senate Policy Statements, presented at registration in the Senate Office,
accessible on the web, http://www.mcmaster.ca/univsec/policy/AcademicIntegrity.pdf
7
Any student who infringes one of these resolutions will be treated according to published
policy. The following are some pitfalls experienced by previous students:
• If you use any information from the internet, verbatim or paraphrased,
and you do not acknowledge the source, then you have plagiarized.
•
If you work with a classmate and have an identical written answer (i.e.,
sentences or phrases have the identical wording or phrasing), then you
have plagiarized.
•
If you copy a photograph or a graph from the internet and do not
acknowledge the source, you have plagiarized.
If you are found to have committed plagiarism, you will automatically
receive a grade of zero for the given assignment. There will not be any
exceptions to this rule.
5. All assignments are due by 5:00pm and must be deposited in the drop box labeled
with the appropriate course name outside of LSB 116.
6. Policy on missed work, extensions, late penalties and missed exams is simple:
• There will not be any deferred midterm tests or presentations.
•
The final mark will be based on the grading scheme outlined in this course
outline.
•
The calculation of all completed, eligible work that leads to the highest mark
will be used.
7. Only McMaster-approved calculators (Casio FX-991) are allowed for midterms and
final exams. This does not apply to the course as we will not be doing any calculations
that require technical aids.
8. The professor and university reserve the right to modify elements of the course
during the term. The university may change the dates and deadlines for any or all
courses in extreme circumstances. If either type of modification becomes necessary,
reasonable notice and communication with the students will be given with explanation
and the opportunity to comment on changes. It is the responsibility of the student to
check their McMaster email and course websites weekly during the term and to note any
changes.
9. CHANGES TO MSAF
This message is to inform students of changes made to the McMaster Student Absence Form
(MSAF) policy beginning in the Fall 2015 term, most notably:
 The timeframe within which the MSAF is valid has been reduced from 5 days to 3 days.
8
 The upper limit for which an MSAF can be submitted has been reduced from ‘less than 30%’
to ‘less than 25%’ of the course weight.
The entire MSAF policy is available in the Undergraduate Calendar 2015-16 (Fall/Winter)
>General Academic Regulations>Requests for Relief for Missed Academic Term work. Please
review the entire policy prior to submitting any requests.
http://academiccalendars.romcmaster.ca/content.php?catoid=13&navoid=2208#Requests_for_
Relief_for_Missed_Academic_Term_Work .
REQUESTS FOR RELIEF FOR MISSED ACADEMIC TERM WORK
The University recognizes that students periodically require relief from academic work for medical or
other personal situations. This academic regulation aims to manage these requests by taking into
account the needs and obligations of students, instructors and administrators. It is the prerogative of
the instructor of the course to determine the appropriate relief for missed term work in his/her course.
Any concerns regarding the granting of relief should be directed to the respective Faculty Office.
Requests for relief should be made with a commitment to academic integrity in mind. Requests that
deviate from this commitment will be handled under the Academic Integrity Policy and Student Code
of Conduct, where appropriate.
Relief for missed academic work worth less than 25% of the final grade resulting from medical
or personal situations lasting up to three calendar days:







Use the McMaster Student Absence Form (MSAF) on-line self-reporting tool. No further
documentation is required.
Students may submit requests for relief using the MSAF once per term.
An automated email will be sent to the course instructor, who will determine the
appropriate relief. Students must immediately follow up with their instructors. Failure to
do so may negate the opportunity for relief.
The MSAF cannot be used to meet a religious obligation or to celebrate an important
religious holiday.
The MSAF cannot be used for academic work that has already been completed/
attempted.
An MSAF applies only to work that is due within the period for which the MSAF applies,
i.e. the 3-day period that is specified in the MSAF; however, all work due in that period
can be covered by one MSAF.
The MSAF cannot be used to apply for relief for any final examination or its equivalent.
See Petitions for Special Consideration above.
9
For medical or personal situations lasting more than three calendar days, and/or for missed
academic work worth 25% or more of the final grade, and/or for any request for relief in a term
where the MSAF has been used previously in that term:


Students must report to their Faculty Office to discuss their situation and will be required
to provide appropriate supporting documentation (see Documentation Requirements
below).
If warranted, the Faculty Office will approve the absence, and the instructor will
determine appropriate relief.
DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS
If the reason for a request for relief is medical, the approved McMaster University Medical Form
covering the relevant dates must be submitted. The student must be seen by a doctor at the earliest
possible date, normally on or before the date of the missed work and the doctor must verify the
duration of the illness.
If the reason is non-medical, appropriate documentation with verifiable origin covering the relevant
dates must be submitted, normally within three working days.
In some circumstances, students may be advised to submit a Petition for Special Consideration
(Form A) seeking relief for missed academic work. In deciding whether or not to grant a petition,
adequacy of the supporting documentation, including the timing in relation to the due date of the
missed work and the degree of the student’s incapacitation, may be taken into account. Failure to do
so may negate the opportunity for relief.
If the petition is approved, the Faculty Office will notify the instructor(s) recommending relief. It is the
prerogative of the instructor of the course to determine the appropriate relief for missed term work in
his/her course.
10.STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT ‐ APPENDIX D
Major Offences include, but are not limited to: (h) engaging in disruptive behaviour. Disruptive
behaviour is behaviour in class or out of class which involves substantial disorder and/or disrupts the
operation of the University (j) engaging in verbal or non‐verbal behaviour or communication toward an
individual or group which is considered to be intimidating, harassing and/or discriminatory
11.BIOLOGY 2F03 MIDTERM TEST AND FINAL EXAMINATION FORMAT
Biology 2F03 Midterm Test will consist of multiple choice questions that may assess descriptive,
conceptual, and applied knowledge and will be held during the lecture timeslot in TSH 120. For
multiple choice questions, each question is worth 1 mark, no partial marks will be awarded.
The Final Exam will consist of multiple choice questions only. The Final Exam is cumulative and will
evaluate information covered during the entire academic term. The location of the Final Exam will be
scheduled by the Office of the Registrar, with dates & times to be announced.
10
MISSED FINAL EXAM
Students who miss the Biology 2F03 Final Exam for a valid reason may apply to the Associate Dean
of their respective faculty for permission to write a Deferred Final Exam to be written during the
Deferred Final Exam period. The student must submit a completed McMaster University Medical
Certificate and the completed application for the deferred Final Exam to the Office of the Associate
Dean within one week of the Final Examination period.
McMASTER UNIVERSITY GRADING SCHEME
Grades obtained for Biology 2F03 will be converted according to the following scheme, which is the
one in general use at McMaster University.
90‐100%
85‐89%
80‐84%
77‐79%
73‐76%
70‐72%
67‐69%
63‐66%
60‐62%
57‐59%
53‐56%
50‐52%
0‐49%
A+
A
A‐
B+
B
B‐
C+
C
C‐
D+
D
D‐
F
th
REVISED: September 8 2015 © Kajiura, Department of Biology, McMaster University