Biology 327 - Ecology

GENERAL ECOLOGY

4 - SEMESTER HOURS:

(3 - LECTURE HOURS, 3 - LABORATORY HOURS)

Tentative Syllabus

Instructor:                  Dr. John G. Bartlett

Office:                         Room 211, L.H. Campbell Hall of Science

Phone:                         910-893-1731        

E-mail:                         bartlettj@campbell.edu

Office Hours:              TBA; open-door policy

Textbooks:                 Ricklefs, R.E. 2001: The Economy of Nature. (5^th Edition) Freeman, NY.

Leopold, A. 1966: A Sand County Almanac. Ballantine, NY.

Course Description:   This course provides an introduction to the ecology of organisms, populations, communities and ecosystems.  The course is divided into three basic parts: 1) physical environment and ecosystems, 2) organisms and populations, and 3) population interactions and communities, corresponding to the layout of the primary text for the course.  Part one introduces ecology as a science and surveys the physical components of ecosystems.  Parts two and three examine the ecology of populations, communities and biomes.

                                    The laboratory component of the course includes indoor and outdoor exercises, but primarily outdoor exercises.  Students will be required to: form into small groups (3 persons), gather and synthesize data in support of a comprehensive project, and analyze and summarize the results in a formal manner.  Each group will present their results to the class as a Powerpoint presentation.

Attendance Policy:     Campbell University institutes an attendance policy that may influence the final grade you receive in this course. Refer to your student handbook for details.  Any student absent from more than six lecture or two laboratory classes will receive a grade of WF or F for the course.  Be warned: I do take attendance!

Student Evaluation:    The final grade will be based on the student’s performance on: 1) homework assignments; 2) a group project; 3) 50-minute exams; 4) laboratory assignments; and 5) laboratory exams.  Students are expected to participate in outdoor exercises regardless of weather and to attend all class and laboratory sessions.  Each student's performance will be graded according to the following tentative outline:

Class Participation:               Your reading assignments are designed to help you keep up with the class.  My lectures are simply designed to highlight the most important material that you have already read and to facilitate further discussion about important concepts in the text. Each person brings special experiences, interests and gifts to the class and I hope and expect that everyone will participate in our discussions. 

Faculty Evaluation:                My office is always open but you will be given an opportunity to meet with me to discuss your performance in the class and to discuss my teaching effectiveness.  Each student must schedule one brief (10-15 minute) meeting with me during the semester – before mid-terms.  I want to make this course relevant and interesting for everyone, so please feel free to comment on your needs, interests and educational goals at any time.

Emergency Situations:           Attendance for scheduled exam dates is expected.  Documented exceptions are permitted.  All homework and lab exercises will be turned in on their respective due dates at the beginning of class; documented exceptions permitted.  Late assignments will be collected but a 10 point-per day deduction will be added to your grade for that assignment.  I do permit students to re-do assignments if their grades are very low (on a case-by-case basis).  However, 25 points are automatically deducted from all re-do assignments.

Student Conduct:                   I expect students to be respectful and courteous during class time.  Please turn off cell phones and beepers during class.  Please do not talk during class.  Please be on time for class, but if you come in late, please do not walk in front of the class – simply find a seat in one of the side rows.  Plagiarism is a serious violation of the Campbell University Honor Code.  I do not tolerate any form of plagiarism – 1^st offense = 0 for that assignment, 2^nd offense = automatic expulsion from the class and a grade of ‘F-X’ for the course.

Grading Scale:                         90-100 = A;  80-89 = B; 70-79 = C; 60-69% = D; < 60 % = F

Special Needs:                        Please let me know if you have special needs.  This course is field-intensive (hiking, walking, etc…) and requires some physical exertion. 

Lecture Format:                     Students will be given chapter outlines prior to the beginning of each new section.  These outlines should be used as a study guide for the exams.  I usually provide a study session prior to each exam; attendance is voluntary.

Field Exercises:                     Most of our labs will be outdoors in the cold - please dress appropriately!  Raven Rock State Park will host most of our field exercises but your group exercise may include other locations.  Please be on-time for all labs or you will get left behind!

  CLASS & LABORATORY SCHEDULE