Ecology Laboratory
Biol 326
Lecture /Discussion: M 1:00-1:50, BI 354
Lab: W 1:00-4:50, BI 139
Fall 2009
Instructor: Merrill Peterson
Office: Biology 312
Phone: 650-3636
Email: peterson@biol.wwu.edu
Office Hours: M11-12, F12-1, and by appt.
Graduate TA: Mike Levine Office: Biology 336 Email: levinem3@students.wwu.edu
Office Hours:
Web site: http://www.biol.wwu.edu/peterson/courses.html
COURSE GOALS AND LEARNING OBJECTIVES
1. Understand and practice the scientific method in the context of ecology, including:
a. Defining testable hypotheses;
b. Designing and carrying out experiments;
c. Learning and applying quantitative skills to data analysis;
d. Learning and applying critical thinking to the interpretation of results.
e. Integrating experimental results with knowledge of ecological principles and the literature.
2. Learn field and lab methods related to a variety of ecological measurements.
3. Learn computer skills applicable across all biological disciplines.
4. Develop skills in scientific writing and report preparation.
5. Develop skills in oral presentation of research results.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
1. Many labs are in the field and all involve the risk of getting dirty. Dress appropriately. On field days (Sept. 23,
30; Oct. 21, 28; Nov. 4, 11), always bring raingear and footwear that will keep your feet dry and comfortable,
no matter what the day looks like in the morning. Weather can change quickly in the fall. Extra layers (e.g.,
sweaters, pile jackets), hat, and gloves are also important, especially later in the quarter. Blue jeans are NOT
recommended, as they take a long time to dry once wet.
2. For many of our lab exercises, we will spend time working on computers to do analyses and make figures. For
every lab, bring a thumb drive on which you can store any files that you create. In addition, make sure that you
are familiar with navigating to your U: drive, which will serve as the backup for your files.
COURSE GRADE:
1. Your grade will be based on a total of 420 possible points:
Stream Ecology, Literature search
Stream Lab quiz
Stream Ecology, first draft of Intro, Methods
Stream Ecology data sheets
Stream Ecology, first draft of entire paper
Stream Ecology, final draft
Group project idea, experimental design and expected results
Group Project Proposal (description of question, motivation,
methods, equipment)
Data, summary stats, figs. & tables for group projects
Group Project presentations
Participation
Total:
10
10
30
10
60
100
30
40
20
100
20
430
2. Be sure to refer to the lab report handout for specific instructions on writing lab reports. Failure to follow the
assigned format will cost you points!
3. Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Assignments with plagiarism problems can result in no credit,
failing the class, or expulsion from the university. Questions about plagiarism? Ask me, the TA, and/or see
Western’s web site: http://www.library.wwu.edu/ref/plagiarism.html.
Ecology Lab, BI 326
2
4 Late Assignments will lose 5% per day late (i.e., a half of a grade per day), unless you have received permission
for an extension from me before the due date.
5. Your final grade will be determined as a percentage of the 430 point total, and is independent of your grade in
BIOL 325 (if you are taking that):
B+
87-89.9
C+
77-79.9
D+
67-69.9
F
0-59.9
A
93-100
B
83-86.9
C
73-76.9
D
63-66.9
A90-92.9
B80-82.9
C70-72.9
D60-62.9
SCHEDULE
Dates
Laboratory Topics
Sept. 23 (lab 1) in field Introduction to the course; Preliminary observations of stream ecosystems
Sept. 28 (lecture/disc.) Introduction to stream ecology and stream assessment with ecological indices; methods
for mining the literature and how to cite it.
Sept. 30 (lab 2) in field Stream ecology I: Invertebrate sampling and stream characterization
QUIZ: Stream lab
DUE: Literature search results
Oct. 5 (lecture/disc.)
Literature discussion (Hachmöller et al.; Morley & Karr); scientific writing and
experimental designs. Read both papers before class!
Oct. 7 (lab 3)
Stream ecology II: Sort invertebrate samples
DUE: First draft of intro & methods for Stream Ecology lab report, (returned 10/12)
Oct. 9 (Fri.)
DUE: Completed data sheets (with invertebrate & stream characterization data), by
4pm
Oct. 12 (lecture/disc.) Discuss first draft of stream ecology papers
Oct. 14 (lab 4)
Stream ecology III: Computer lab
1. Intro to Excel and Systat
2. Analyze stream data
Oct. 19 (lecture/disc.) Discuss ecological methods of analysis
Oct. 21 (lab 5) in field Group Projects I: Make observations, develop testable question & methods to answer it
DUE: Revised Introduction and Methods, plus first draft of Title, Abstract, Results,
Discussion, and Literature Cited for Stream Ecology lab report, (returned 11/2)
Oct. 26 (lecture/disc.) Group project brainstorming & literature search; discuss proposal preparation
Oct. 28 (lab 6) in field Group Projects II: Gather equipment, get training, begin collecting data
DUE: Brief statement of group project idea (question, system, hypotheses),
experimental design and examples of expected results
Nov. 2 (lecture/disc.)
Discuss second draft of stream ecology papers; discuss experimental design for group
projects
Nov. 4 (lab 7) in field Group Projects III: Refine methods, collect data
DUE Tuesday (11/3) by noon: Group project proposal
Nov. 9 (lecture/disc.)
Check in re: group projects; troubleshoot/revise methods?
Nov. 11 (lab 8) in field Group Projects IV: Collect data, take photos of field site, organisms
DUE: Final draft of entire Stream Ecology report
Nov. 16 (lecture/disc.) Prepare for data analyses (bring your data to class)
Nov. 18 (9) lab day
Group Projects V: Computer lab (analyze data, produce figures & tables), equipment
check-in, mock talks
DUE: Group project data, summary statistics, figures/tables for group projects
Nov. 23 (lecture/disc.) How to develop an effective research presentation
Nov. 30 (lecture/disc.) Check in re: group presentations
DUE: Copy of Powerpoint presentation
Dec. 2 (10) lab day
Group Projects VI: Practice Powerpoint presentations
Dec. 8 (Tues.)
DUE – by 9 a.m.: Copy of Powerpoint presentation
Dec. 9 (Finals week)
Group Projects VII: Final Powerpoint presentations, at regular lab time