Course Syllabus
Course: BIOL 2220
Division: Natural Science and Math
Department: Biology
Title: General Ecology for Life Science Majors
Semester Approved: Fall 2022
Five-Year Review Semester: Fall 2027
End Semester: Summer 2028
Catalog Description: Study of the interrelationships among organisms and their abiotic environments, addressing where and how organisms live. Adaptation, population growth, species interactions, biodiversity, and ecosystem function are explored for a wide variety of organisms and ecosystems.
Semesters Offered: Spring
Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 3; Lecture: 3; Lab: 0
Prerequisites: BIOL 1610 or permission of instructor
Corequisites: BIOL 2225
Justification: General Ecology for Life Science Majors is a basic ecology course for life science majors. This course is now a state requirement of all sophomore biology and natural resource majors. This course closely matches the 2000 and 3000 level ecology courses at Utah State University, University of Utah, Weber State University, Southern Utah University, Brigham Young University, Utah Valley University and Dixie State University.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Students will understand how actions, reactions and coactions relate to the individual organism as well as how they affect the structure and function of an ecosystem. Students will be assessed through exams and revisions on exams.
Students will understand how ecosystems are structured and what affects diversity within the community. Students will be assessed through exams and revisions on exams.
Students will understand how energy and important chemicals move through an ecosystem and their effects on ecosystems and individuals. Students will be assessed through exams and revisions on exams.
Students will understand the factors that cause biome formation and persistence throughout the world. Students will be assessed through exams and revisions on exams.
Students will be able to conduct research on an ecological topic and write an appropriate scientific research paper. Students will be assessed through writing and revising a scientific research paper
Content:
Students will learn the following concepts through lectures, current scientific literature readings, and use of case studies: Ecology as a science; Ecology of individual organisms; Abiotic Factors; Population Growth and Regulation; Community Organization and Evolution; Herbivory and Predation; Competition; Amensalism and Allelopathy; Mutualism; Community Structure and Diversity; Energy; Reactions and Biogeochemistry; Community Change; Biomes; Temperate Deciduous Forest; Southern Evergreen Forest; Biomes of High Latitudes and Elevations; Grasslands; Deserts; Tropical Biomes; Aquatic Ecosystems; Writing of scientific research papers.
In this course students are introduced to a number of ecological issues and how they relate to environmental law and ethics. With each of these topics, students are taught to separate science from the political and ethical issues. Current scientific literature on the topic is reviewed as well as a variety of different interpretations of law and ethical viewpoints. Students then discuss how legal and ethical viewpoints fit with the current scientific knowledge on the topic.
Key Performance Indicators:
The following assessment methods will be used in this course: sections exams, final exam and term research paper. Emphasis will be placed on learning and the writing process; therefore, the revised term paper and exams will be the most beneficial method of assessment.
A term research paper will be required of each student. 15 to 25%
Four exams will be given which include matching, short answer, and short essay questions 50 to 70%
A comprehensive take home final will be given which includes long essay questions 15 to 25%
Representative Text and/or Supplies:
The Science of Ecology by Brewer current edition. Saunders College Publishing
Current scientific research papers.
Pedagogy Statement:
Course content will be delivered through short lectures, class discussions, and writing assignments to ensure an engaged and interactive classroom. Accountability for reading will be established through participation in discussions. Critical thinking will be emphasized through readings, discussions and writing. Students will read materials that represent a wide array of opinions in law, ethically and scientifically. Students will also be required to consider multiple viewpoints and be inclusive while writing papers and in discussions.
Instructional Mediums:
Lecture
Maximum Class Size: 24
Optimum Class Size: 24
