Ecology (PCB 3043)          Web-CT/CE6 link

Summer 2008  T,R 12:30 - 3:15 pm in VH 131

Dr. Suzanne Koptur - Professor

 Roxaneh Khorsand - Teaching Assistant
OE 232, ph. 305-348-3103
 OE 270, ph. 305-348-3415
office hours: Wednesdays 9 am - 12 pm, and by appt.
 office hours:  M 2-4 pm
email:  in WebCT course or kopturs@fiu.edu - note on SUBJECT line PCB 3043 student
 email:  roxaneh.khorsand@fiu.edu

Course description:   The goal of this course is for you to understand ideas and concepts of ecology, and be able to integrate information to formulate solutions for ecological problems in modern life.  Assigned readings should always be done before the lecture for which they are assigned.  Material covered in lecture will supplement what you read in the text, and understanding the lecture will depend on your having read the chapter before class.  The best grades will be achieved by doing the reading, attending lecture, taking all exams, and turning in assignments on time. Classroom lectures and your textbook reading will be assisted with a course website in which you can review terminology, read more on subjects that interest you, do problem sets related to the topics we study, and take practice quizzes to help you master the material.  You will be required to use only some of these tools, but many students find that they all help in ways similar to study groups.  

There will be three exams and all are cumulative.  No make-up exams will be given, for any reason.  If you must miss an exam, the missing grade will be the average of your other two.  Keys will be posted on the course web page.  If you feel that an error was made in the grading of your exam, you may request in writing that your test be regraded, with an explanation. 

The writing component of this course has three parts:  pop quizzes (essays) in lecture, problem sets that involve some written responses, and a group project (called a jigsaw).  The five-minute essays will pop up in lectures throughout the semester, and the best 75% of them will be counted for a significant portion of your final grade. The data analysis modules (problem sets) are due on the day they appear in the syllabus, and will be graded (in class) with more emphasis on effort than getting the right answers, and will also count for a portion of the final grade. The jigsaw assignment will be made mid-course, and you will need time to work independently as well as with your group members.  We will have some training in library research to help you find references relevant to your topic.  Each group will present their results in class and also via a web page poster presentation, to be assessed by the other students and the instructors.  Plagiarism is unethical and will not be tolerated in this or any course activity.
 
Exams (20% each, a total of 2 midterms and 1 final) 60%
Best 75 % of "pop" essay grades 10%
Best 80 % of data analysis modules
 10%
Jigsaw assignment (group members share grade [15%] plus individual participation is rated by group [5%])
 20%


Syllabus for Ecology (PCB 3043) - Summer 2008

Textbook:  Ricklefs, R.C. 2007.  Economy of Nature, 5th edition, Data Analysis Update.  [note: the regular 5th edition is acceptable as Data Analysis Modules will be available on course website]
Necessary supplies:  Students should use carbonless copy paper (8-12 x 11") for in-class essays and other activities.  It is for sale at the FIU bookstore; please bring it to lecture every time.  You will need at least 12 sheets (you can use the leftovers of lab notebooks, etc.).
 
Date/ day Topic Readings - Ricklefs chapter
6 May T
 Introduction - The Physical Environment  1 & 2
8 May R
 Adaptation to Environments  and Biological Communities [Jigsaw assignment]  3 & 4
13 May T
 Energy in Ecosystems  [including library class in GL 280]  5 & 6  module 1
15 May R
 Elemental Cycles and Nutrient Flow  
  7 & 8  module 2
20 May T
 Exam 1

22 May R
 Adaptation and Natural Selection; Life History Strategies   9 & 10  module 3
27 May T
 Sex, Family, Society, Evolution, Population Genetics 11 & 12, 16  module 4
29 May R
 Population Biology:  Structure, Growth, Regulation, Dynamics  13, 14, & 15  module 5
3 Jun T
  Exam 2
  
5 Jun R
 Predation, Herbivory, Predator/prey [Jigsaw virtual posters must be ready by today - first presentations] 17 & 18  modules 8 & 9
10 Jun T
 Competition, Coevolution, and Mutualism  [Jigsaw 5-minute presentations continue each day, 6 groups per day] 19 & 20  module 11
12 Jun R
 Community Structure and Development
 21 & 22  module 10
17 Jun T
 Biodiversity and Conservation Biology [teaching evaluations today]
 23 & 25  module 12
19 Jun R
 Exam 3