BIOL 2410   (01)                      Field Ecology Laboratory                                      Spring 2008

Dr. John Campbell                                         Text: Brower, Zar and von Ende. 1998. Field and Laboratory Methods for General Ecology. McGraw-Hill

SM 254  Phone: 754-6140                              Credit hours: 1                        Lab Fee $15

Office Hours: 10:00 – 10:50 MTWThF          Class Meeting: 2:25-4:15 TH

The primary purpose of this laboratory course is to give the student practical experience in the methodology of field and laboratory techniques used in Ecology.  Emphasis is placed on techniques used to sample and analyze both plant and animal studies.  Students will also gain skills in experimental design, critical thinking, and scientific writing.

 

Learning Outcomes:

 By the end of this course you should be able to:

1. demonstrate an understanding of  major biological principles pertinent to Ecology

2. demonstrate sound scientific reasoning and use it to assess ecological issues.

3. be able to organize, analyze and interpret data.

4. demonstrate oral and written communication skills.

5. meet the Lab Science General Education Outcomes as listed in the College Catalog.

 

 

Grading will be based upon:

   Reports from laboratory exercises and projects                   80%

   Participation and classroom contribution                             20%         

 

Readings and materials for each lab will be presented ahead of time. Tentative order of labs:

 

Lab                         Topic                                                                                      Lab Manual Reading

 

Jan. 17             1.         Designing an Ecological Study                                               Unit 1-1a

                                    Experimental Design in Ecological Studies                                       

                                    Sampling Design in Ecological Studies                                 

 

Jan. 24             2.         Plant Competition (set up project)                                          4d

 

Jan. 31             3.         Quantitative Description                                                         1b

                                    Testing basic hypotheses about samples                                                                                                         Regression Correlation and ANOVA                                    

 

Feb. 7              4.         Mark and Recapture population estimates                              3f-3g

                                    Catch per unit effort population estimates                            

 

Feb. 14            5.         Vegetation Analysis                                                                3a-3b

 

Feb. 21            6.         Life Tables and Survivorship Curves                                      4a

 

Feb. 28            7.         Population Growth (Populus program)                                  4b + Provided in lab

 

March 6           8.         EcoLab Barnacles Lab                                                            Provided in lab

 

March 13         9.         Barn Owl Energetics                                                               Provided in lab                                   

                                               

March 20         10.       EcoLab computer exercise

 

 

                                   

March 27                     Spring Break – No Lab

 

April 3             11        Plant Competition (harvest of plants)                                     4d

 

April 10           12        Air Photo Interpretation                                                         Provided in lab           

                                                           

April 17           13.       Field Trip - Use of techniques                                                Various Lab Chapters

 

April 24           14        Field Trip - Use of techniques                                                Various Lab Chapters

           

May 1              15.       Field Trip - Use of techniques                                                Various Lab Chapters

 

 

Some labs may extend more than one lab period and some labs may require you to come in outside of the normal class period to complete them.

 

Late Work:  Work will be accepted after the due date, but will only receive 80% of the original credit.

 

Absence policy: Attendance is very important in this lab. Doing well in the lab is very difficult when you miss an exercise.  People involved in excused school activities should provide a written excuse prior to their absence, in addition to the note provided by your sponsor. There will be no make-up labs. 

 

Policy on Academic Integrity: You are expected to strictly observe NWC rules regarding academic honesty. These rules are detailed in your Student Handbook.  These rules require you to abstain from cheating on exams, properly reference published written and electronic material, and only submit work that is your own. If you have any questions regarding what behavior is proper, including what constitutes plagiarism, please do not hesitate to ask.

 

Students with Special Needs: Students who qualify for specific accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act should notify the instructor in the first week of class to ensure that their needs are met in a timely manner. It is the student’s responsibility to inform the instructor of his/her needs and to provide the necessary documentation to the Student Success Center before any classroom accommodations can be made. To contact the Director of the Student Success Center, call 754-6204 or stop by the Center located in the basement of Colter Hall.

 

Catalog Description: Gives students the opportunity to investigate natural communities and actively participate in study and analysis of water, soil, climate and organisms associate with characteristic habitats. Prerequisite: BIOL 2400 or concurrent enrollment (2 hrs lab)