BIOLOGY 208: PRINCIPLES OF ECOLOGY
WINTER TERM 2011
SECTION B01: MWF 1:00-1:50, ETL E1-001
Instructors:
Dr. John Gamon (Tory 3-115, phone 492-0345; gamon@ualberta.ca),
Office hours: By appointment. Call or email to set up time using “Biol208” in subject line.
Course Coordinator: Dr. Saewan Koh (CW-312E; 492-9597; s.koh@ualberta.ca)
Course Web Page: http://www.biology.ualberta.ca/courses/biol208/ (select “Winter 2011” for access to
course information). In some cases, access requires a username & password from the instructor.
Required Textbook: Molles, MC, and JC Cahill 2008. Ecology: Concepts and Applications, Canadian
Edition. McGraw-Hill Ryerson, Toronto, Canada. 642p. Available at the Student's Union Bookstore.
Laboratory Manual: Biology 208 Laboratory Manual - Winter Term 2011. Available from the Bookstore.
Course Description: BIOL 208 is designed to provide you with an understanding of the major concepts of
modern ecology at the individual, population, community, ecosystem, and global levels. The course provides a
comprehensive survey of general concepts that can stand alone or serve as preparation for advanced courses in
ecology. Labs emphasize collection, analysis, and interpretation of data from ecological experiments and field
studies to illustrate and complement lecture material. Examples are drawn from a broad range of organisms and
systems. Prerequisite: BIOL 108. Open to students in the BSc Forestry and BSc Forest Business Management
program once they have completed REN R 120 and ENCS 201.
Course Objectives:

To introduce major topics and subdisciplines within ecology.

To introduce and illustrate fundamental principles of how ecological systems are structured and how they
function at the levels of organisms, populations and communities

To introduce major selective forces, both living and nonliving, that challenge organisms, and illustrate how
organisms respond to these challenges on a short term and long term basis, and how these responses
contribute to the structure and function of ecological systems

To introduce the mechanisms of organic evolution in an ecological context

To provide exposure to and experience in the range of activities used by ecologists, including the collection
of data from laboratory and field studies, the use and interpretation of relevant scientific literature, and the
understanding and analysis of qualitative and quantitative information

To encourage the development of ecological literacy in topical local, regional, and global issues
Resource Room: G 107 BioSci; 492-9945; Email: resourceroom@biology.ualberta.ca.
The Resource Room is a drop-in centre for lab-related questions, and is open 9:30 - 3:30 Mon-Thursday.
Mark Distribution:
Midterms (1 of 2)
Wednesday, February 9th
& Wednesday, March 16th
20%
Final Exam
April 27, 2 pm
39%
Deferred Final
Date and time TBA
Laboratory
Labs begin week of Jan 17
(see lab manual)
41%
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Assignment of Grades: The University of Alberta uses a letter grading system with a four point scale of
numerical equivalents for calculating grade point averages. Final grades in this course will be determined from
the total marks obtained from all course requirements. Total marks will be converted to grades following
grading guidelines recommended by the University for second year courses.
Exams: Exams will be a mix of objective (e.g. multiple choice) and short answer questions. Sample questions
similar to those on exams will be made available during the lecture. Your student photo I.D. is required at
exams to verify your identity. Students will not be allowed to begin an examination after it has been in progress
for 30 minutes. Students must remain in the exam room for at least 30 minutes from the time the exam
commenced. Electronic equipment other than calculators is not to be brought to exam and hats must not be
worn.
Midterm Exams: The midterm score will be based on the best score of two midterms; the lowest score will be
dropped.
Missed Midterm Exams: No makeup midterms will be given. Since the midterm score will be based on the
best score of two midterms, your lowest score will be dropped without penalty. Students who miss both
midterm exams need to contact the instructor within 48 hours.
Missed Final Exam: A student who cannot write the final examination due to incapacitating illness, severe
domestic affliction or other compelling reasons can apply for a deferred final examination. Such an application
must be made to the student’s Faculty office within 48 hours of the missed examination and must be supported
by the appropriate documentation. Deferred examinations are a privilege and not a right; there is no guarantee
that a deferred examination will be granted. For further information, go to:
http://www.science.ualberta.ca/en/FacultyAndStaff/~/media/University%20of%20Alberta/Faculties/Science/Fac
ulty%20Site/Faculty%20And%20Staff/Documents/Deferred_Exam_Brochure_2010.ashx
Cell Phones: Cell phones, pagers, and other noise-generating devices are to be turned off during lectures, labs
and seminars. Cell phones must not be brought to exams.
Classroom Behaviour: Repeated distracting behaviour (e.g. talking or eating in the classroom) will not be
tolerated. Offenders will be asked to leave.
Code of Student Behaviour: The University of Alberta is committed to the highest standards of academic
integrity and honesty. Students are expected to be familiar with these standards regarding academic honesty and
to uphold the policies of the University in this respect. Students are particularly urged to familiarize themselves
with the provisions of the Code of Student Behaviour and to avoid any behaviour that could potentially result in
suspicions of cheating, plagiarism, misrepresentation of facts and/or participation in an offence. Academic
dishonesty is a serious offence and can, and most often does, result in suspension or expulsion from the
University. You must take this seriously in order to avoid poor decisions that could limit your future career
options. Whatever you do, do not be fooled into thinking that the university is such a big place that no one will
pay attention to transgressions of the Code of Student Behaviour by an individual student. Be assured that the
BIOL208 staff, the Department of Biological Sciences, and the Faculty of Science view transgressions of the
code very seriously, and the university administration treats them harshly. Further information on issues related
to academic honesty can be found at: http://www.uofaweb.ualberta.ca/TIE/index.cfm
Students with Disabilities: Students who require accommodation in this course due to a disability are advised
to discuss their needs with Specialized Support & Disability Services (2-800 Students’ Union Building).
Academic Support Centre: Students who require additional help in developing strategies for better time
management, study skills or examination skills should contact the Academic Support Centre, Room 2-703,
Students’ Union Building.
Supportive Lecture Material: Any supportive lecture materials provided will be announced in class.
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Disclaimer: Any typographical errors in this Course Outline are subject to change and will be announced in
class. The date of the final examination is set by the Registrar and takes precedence over the final examination
date reported in this syllabus. The exact order and content of lectures will deviate from what is listed below, and
changes will be announced in class.
Tentative Lecture Schedule – subject to change (any changes will be announced in class and on the web).
Date
Mon Jan 10
Wed Jan 12
Fri Jan 14
Mon Jan 17
Wed Jan 19
Fri Jan 21
Mon Jan 24
Wed Jan 26
Fri Jan 28
Mon Jan 31
Wed Feb 2
Fri Feb 4
Mon Feb 7
Wed Feb 9
Fri Feb 11
Mon Feb 14
Wed Feb 16
Fri Feb 18
Feb 21-25
Mon Feb 28
Wed Mar 2
Fri Mar 4
Mon Mar 7
Wed Mar 9
Fri Mar 11
Mon Mar 14
Wed Mar 16
Fri Mar 18
Mon Mar 21
Wed Mar 23
Fri Mar 25
Mon Mar 28
Wed Mar 30
Fri Apr 1
Mon Apr 4
Wed Apr 6
Fri Apr 8
Mon Apr 11
Wed Apr 13
Lecture Topic
Introduction to Course
Introduction to Ecology
Ecological Methods
Current Issues in Ecology - Guest lecture
Current Issues in Ecology - Guest lecture
Current Issues in Ecology - Guest lecture
Aquatic Biomes
Life in Extreme Environments
Evolution
Ecophysiology - Temperature Relations
Ecophysiology - Water relations
Ecophysiology - Nutrient Relations
Ecophysiology - Energy Relations
Reading
1
1
1
TBA
TBA
TBA
3
TBA
4
5
6
7
7
Midterm Exam I
Behavioral Ecology
Life History
Functional Types
Population Ecology - Population distribution
Holiday - Reading Week
Population Ecology - Population dynamics
Population Ecology - Population growth
Population Ecology - Competition
Population Ecology - Predation/Herbivory
Population Ecology - Mutualism/Parasitism
Biodiversity
Biodiversity
8
9
TBA
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
16
Midterm Exam II
Community Ecology - Interactions & Community Structure
Community Ecology - Succession & Stability
Ecosystem Ecology - Primary production
Ecosystem Ecology - Primary production
Ecosystem Ecology - Nutrient Cycling
Ecosystem Ecology - Nutrient Cycling
Landscape Ecology
Geographic Ecology (Biomes, Biogeography)
Geographic Ecology (Biomes, Biogeography)
Global Ecology
Global Ecology
Ecological Economics
17
18
19
19
20
20
21
2,22
2,22
23
23
TBA
3
4