BIOL 217 - Ecology

(NSLD)

Study of the relationships of organisms to their environment, with emphasis on classic studies and on recent advances in the field. Topics include evolutionary ecology, population growth and regulation, interspecific relationships (e.g., competition, predation), behavioral ecology, community ecology, systems ecology (e.g., energy flow, biogeochemical cycles), and ecological effects of human activities. Students taking MATH 115A or MATH 117A must earn a grade of C or better before beginning this course. Assessment Level(s): ENGL 101 /ENGL 101A , MATH 110 or higher, READ 120 . Three hours lecture, three hours laboratory each week. Formerly BI 207.

4 semester hours

Course Outcomes:
Upon course completion, a student will be able to:

Analyze experimental data using simple statistical methods.
Formulate questions related to ecological research and test hypotheses by designing and executing controlled experiments.
Describe the key experiments that lead to the development of basic ecological principles.
Describe the major properties of populations, communities, and ecosystems.
Use quantitative techniques and/or models to measure or approximate properties of either populations or communities
Evaluate the appropriate use of ecological models and research tools to seek solutions to environmental challenges.

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