Saint Leo University
Department of Math and Science
BIO 325 CA01 and CA02: Ecology
Term: Fall 2009
Instructor: Christopher Miller
Lab Instructors: Michael Wilder; Alex Collazos (see separate lab syllabus from your lab
instructor)
Course Meeting Times:
BIO 325 CA01: MWF, 10:30-11:20
BIO 325 CA02: MWF, 11:30-12:20
Office Hours: 3:00-5:00, MW; 9:30-11, TR
Course website: http://bio325ecology.pbworks.com/
This will have information posted to it such as the syllabus, reading assignments, Power
point presentations, and study guides for tests.
Contact information: office phone (352) 588-8335
Text: one of the following texts is suitable for the course:
Ecology: Concepts and Applications, 4th or 5th edition by Manuel Molles. McGraw Hill.
There is no laboratory manual. Labs are handed out by your lab instructor.
Course Description: This course discusses the principles of ecology and heavily
emphasizes community relationships. The major portion of the course will cover the
interactions of plants within communities, the interactions of animals within
communities, and the interactions of plants and animals within communities. There are
three hours of lectures per week. This course is offered in fall semesters. All students
registered for this course must also be registered for BIO 325L. BIO 325 is a major
required course for Biology and Environmental Science majors.
Course Objective: to instill and understanding and appreciation of ecological systems
and the role humans play in these systems.
Course Outcomes and Benedictine Values: Various course outcomes of this class are
testaments to the Saint Leo Benedictine Values. The following outcomes will be
addressed in this course; each value is boldfaced:
1. A basic understanding of and appreciation for science and the goals of science
(prediction and understanding); and the scientific method and reasoning,
especially as it applies to holistic, systems thinking. Excellence.
2. In conjunction with 1., above, develop problem solving skills and collaboration as
it applies to team projects in both the field and laboratory. Excellence.
3. Learn and understand the basic vocabulary for understanding ecological
principles.
4. Further understand environmental problems that affect the biosphere and humans
that live in the global ecosystem. Understand how individuals may make a
positive impact on the environment. Integrity.
5. Understand the economic, aesthetic, intrinsic, and ecosystem values of life on
earth. Responsible Stewardship and Community.
6. An understanding of the structure and function of ecosystems from which humans derive
life support and ecosystem services. Responsible Stewardship
7. An awareness of how humans impact these environments and what we can do to lessen
our impacts and live in a more sustainable manner within these ecosystems. Responsible
Stewardship and Personal Development
8. instill in students a sense of respect for the environment and how that respect may lead to
action on their part. Integrity and Personal Development
9. Understand the economic, aesthetic, intrinsic, and ecosystem values of life on
earth.
Course Objectives: Upon completion of BIO 325, you should be able to demonstrate a
basic understanding of the following:
1. Systems and holistic thinking, modeling, scale, and hierarchies.
2. Fundamental principles of ecology at various scales.
3. Ecological concepts such as niche, laws of thermodynamics, food chains and webs,
organismal/environmental interactions, diversity, evolution, succession, nutrient cycles,
and environmental processes.
4.The importance of ecology to everyday life. The application of ecological principles to
a system of ethics that includes other living entities.
Grading: Grades are based upon completion of the following:
3 Tests @ 100 points each
Are you prepared?@10 points
2 writing/reading Assignments
@ 20 points
Final Exam
Total
300
70
40
100
510
Tests: The tests are a composite of multiple choice; graphs, charts, and models; short
answer; fill-in-the-blank; and essay. They’re hard. I will have a study guide and review
session(s) for each test. You get the notes, Powerpoints, and book to help you—so no
excuses. You must prepare for them.
Are you prepared? Once a week on average we will have an unannounced in-class
activity that will be graded. You will not know when this activity will be held. This
activity might be one of the following:
-a quiz
-a ‘clicker’ quiz (to be explained)
-a short writing assignment (at the beginning of class typically)
-a picture/graph that you will have to identify or explain
The purpose of these activities is to ensure that you read the material and come to class
on a regular basis. If you do not keep up with the reading and attend class regularly
you won’t do well on these ‘are you prepared’ activities. It will help me assess your
commitment to the course material.
Final Exam: This is mandatory and semi-cumulative, meaning that you will be tested for
BIG concepts we covered during the semester. It will be short essay questions that you
will receive ahead of time and must prepare before the test. Details forthcoming.
Laboratory: Handouts will be given for the lab by your lab instructor. See your lab
syllabus. Lab grades are separate from lecture grades.
Participation:
A note on fieldwork (this applies to fieldtrips, as well): Most of the labs will require a
“visit to the field.” We will be going to local habitats in order to sample or conduct
experiments. Sometimes this may require working under adverse biotic (e.g. potentially
“unpleasant” life forms) and abiotic (potentially “unpleasant” weather, etc.) conditions.
Please do not complain about such conditions: THIS IS PART OF THE NATURAL
WORLD, THE SUBJECT OF THIS COURSE!!
Grade Scale will be as follows: A=479-510; A- =459-478; B+ =444-458; B = 428-443;
B- =408-427; C+ =393-407; C =377-392; C- =357-376; D+=342-356; D= 306-341; F
<306.
When all is said and done (i.e. at the end of the semester), I have very little leniency
and little mercy when it comes to grades. You get what you get and don’t make a
fit!!!
Attendance Policy: Regular attendance is expected and required. Students who miss a
class for any reason (excused or unexcused) will be held responsible for the material
covered in the missed class, and should notify the instructor ahead of time to arrange
make-ups. If an unforeseen emergency arises and a student misses class, the student
must make-up the assignment within one week. Permission to make up exams or
quizzes is at the discretion of the instructor. Missed labs cannot be made-up. Quizzes,
tests, laboratories or take home assignments missed due to unexcused absences will result
in the loss of points.
Attendance may be taken at the beginning of class time. If you are late you will be
marked absent. No more than three unexcused absences will be tolerated; more
than three unexcused absences will result in a loss of 2 points of the final grade per
absence!!!!
Talking policy: No talking is allowed during the class period, except:
1. During discussions, which we frequently will have.
2. If you have something to say to your neighbor about a relevant topic, I do not mind
pertinent discussion. However, talking about extra-course material may result in the
ejection of the student from class.
I very much encourage students to interject ideas, questions, postulations,
hypotheses, and personal experiences that relate to the material at hand.
ABSOLUTELY NO IDLE CHATTER, BANTER OR PERSIFLAGE OF
IRRELEVANCE, HOWEVER!!!!
TENTATIVE LECTURE SCHEDULE
Date
Topic
Reading
Systems and the Biosphere
August 26-28
(also discussed
in lab)
Introduction. What is Science and
the role of Science? What is ecology?
What are the Laws of Thermodynamics
What is Evolution & Natural Selection?
What is a system?
What is a Model? What is
Holism? What are scale and hierarchies?
Ecological vs. Evolutionary scale.
And just what the heck is life anyway?
Molles,
Chapter 1
August 31-September 2
Soils, Climate
Molles,
Chapter 2
Sept. 4-14
Biomes (terrestrial)
Molles,
Chapter 2
Reading #1: Ecological interactions paper Due September 14
Sept 16-23
Biomes (aquatic)
Sept 25
Test 1: Chapters 1-3
Molles,
Chapter 3
Landscape Ecology (real big stuff)
Sept 28-Oct. 2
Landscape Ecology
Molles,
Chapter 21
(and parts of
Chapter 23)
Oct 5-7
Island Biogeography
Molles
Chapter 22
October 9-16
Global Ecology
Molles,
Chapter 23
Monday Oct 12 Mid-Term grades posted
Ecosystem Ecology (big stuff)
Oct 19-21
Primary Productivity
Reading #2: due October 15
Oct 23-26
Nutrient Cycling
October 28-30
Succession
November 2
Test 2: Chapters 18-23
Molles,
Chapter 18
Molles,
Chapter 19
Molles,
Chapter 20
Community Ecology (sorta big)
November 4-6
Species Diversity
Molles,
Chapter 16
Reading #3: Invasive Species due November 4
November 9-13
Food Webs
Molles,
Chapter 17
Population Ecology (getting’ small)
November 16
Population distribution & dynamics
Molles,
Parts of
Chapters 9-10
November 18-20
Population growth
Molles, 11-12
November 23-27
Thanksgiving Break
November 30-December 4
TBA
Final Exam Schedule:
BIO 325 CA01 (MWF 10:30-11:20): Monday, December 7th, 10:10-11:50
BIO 325 CA02 (MWF 11:30-12:20): Wednesday, December 9th, 10:10-11:50
University Policies
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Saint Leo University is committed to policies which provide an equal opportunity for full participation of all qualified
individuals with disabilities. The University prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in admission or access to
its educational programs and associated activities. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal
antidiscrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other
things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for
reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. Students with documented disabilities who may need academic
accommodation(s) should contact Dr. Mary Sloan, Student Activities Center Bldg. B, Room 207 or call x8464. Email
contact is: mary.sloan@saintleo.edu.
Academic Honor Code
The Academic Honor Code is published in its entirety in the Saint Leo University Catalog.
The first paragraph is quoted below:
As members of an academic community that places a high value on truth and the pursuit of knowledge, Saint
Leo University students are expected to be honest in every phase of their academic life and present as their
own work only that which is genuinely theirs. Unless otherwise specified by the professor, students must
complete homework assignments by themselves (or if on a team assignment, with only their team members).
If they receive outside assistance of any kind, they are expected to cite the source and indicate the extent of
the assistance. Each student has the responsibility to maintain the highest standards of academic integrity
and to refrain from cheating, plagiarism, or any other forms of academic dishonesty.
The SLU Academic Honor Code will be STRICTLY enforced.
Withdrawal and Incompletes
To withdraw from the course the student must go to the Saint Leo University office to sign a withdrawal form. The
student is financially liable for the course and the Registrar will record a grade of “F” unless this procedure is followed.
Note that there is only a partial refund calculated on a percentage basis depending on the date of withdrawal. See the
university schedule online for these dates. “Incompletes” are not given for this course, the instructor will direct you to
the Registrar’s Office for withdrawal should the need arise.
University Calendar:
For holidays and add/drop deadlines and schedules please see:
http://www.saintleo.edu/schedule/schedule.aspx?pid=76
or search “schedule” on the Saint Leo University Website.
Course Policies (Determined by Instructor)
Attendance and Participation
Policy Regarding Late Work
Policy Regarding Drop/Add
(Example) Students adding the course after the first day of class are responsible for making up missed work. The last
day to drop this course is the Friday of the first week of class.
Changes to the Syllabus
(Example) Changes to this syllabus may be made at any time at the instructors’ discretion. Any changes made to the
syllabus will be announced with due notice during class time and/or through e-mail.
WebCT
This is a WebCT enhanced course. We will post materials and communicate with you via WebCT. You will need your
SLU student ID number to access WebCT. Please see me if you do not know this number.
Turnitin.com
This course may require the use of Turnitin.com on specific assignments. Students should be aware that the University
subscribes to Turnitin.com. This Website compares students’ written work with billions of pages of content on the
Internet. This course may require the use of Turnitin.com on specific assignments.
Cannon Memorial Library Services
Librarians are available during reference hours to answer questions concerning research strategies, database
searching, locating specific materials, and interlibrary loan (ILL). Contact them directly to arrange on-site
library/research instruction for your class. 352-588-8258 (This is the main phone number) or online. The library also
provides a 1-800 number and an email address for general reference services: 1-800-359-5945 or
reference.desk@saintleo.edu. Please check online for access to all online databases, training modules, and other
resources. http://www.saintleo.edu/library