Ecology
PCB4043
Ecological science examines the integrated
workings of nature at all scales of life, from molecules to global cycles that
sustain life on earth. This course is designed in hierarchical fashion. First,
the ecology of individuals is examined, in the realm of physiological ecology
and the adaptations of organisms to the abiotic factors of the environment.
Populations of organisms are the next level of complexity, involving regulation
of population growth and population genetics. Populations comprise communities,
with community structure, diversity, stability, and change. From there the
study of nature from a systems point of view is examined, exploring ideas of
biomass and energy flow through ecosystems and the cycles of elements in the
biosphere. The course finishes by taking the information learned in the course
and applying it to conservation and pollution issues and the scientific
approaches to those problems. While the lecture focuses on the concepts and models
of ecological science, the lab is oriented towards field experience. Local
habitats are used to explore the concepts learned in the lecture with a mixture
of experimental analysis and natural history. A web site has been established
with descriptions of the local habitats and species lists of the dominant
animals and plants found there (the
Flora and Fauna of Northwest Florida).
Images of species are being constantly added, and the site should help in
studying the local flora and fauna in lab. Chemistry and Statistics are
prerequisites, and a good background in biological science is helpful.
The following items are available here or you
can visit the Library's course reserve materials site. Readings required for lab (listed with
the lab schedule) are also available at the course reserve site as downloadable
files. In addition, all reserve materials are accessible by walking into the
library and requesting the hard copies at the reserve desk.
from Taxonomy lab, courtesy of your classmate, Carla
Preston
Sample Multiple Choice Questions
(all)
Sample short answer
questions (new)
Instructions to Authors (a guide to writing your paper)Lab data
For further Information Contact:
Dr. Richard A. Snyder
CEDB-Biology
Bldg 58, Rm 62D
474-2806