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