BIOL 541 - General Ecology  -  Credits: 4.00
Physical and biological factors affecting distribution, abundance, and adaptations of organisms. Population, community, and ecosystem structure and function. Prereq: BIOL 411-412 or equivalent. Special fee. Lab.

 

Instructor:

Dr. Paul Johnson

Office: 258 Spaulding (SLS)

Phone: 862-1717

E-mail: pcj@cisunix.unh.edu

Office Hours:  TBA or By appointment.

 

Textbook:

Krebs, C. J. 2001. Ecology: The Experimental Analysis of Distribution and Abundance (5th edition). Benjamin Cummings, Boston, MA. 695 pp.

 

Prerequisites:  

BIOL 411-412 (Principles of Biology I and II, or equivalent)

 

Evaluation:

Point Scale                                                            Letter Grade Scale

                                                                                                A   ≥93%                     C   ≥73% <77%

Three mid-term exams (100 points each):          300 points        A- ≥90% <93%           C-  ≥70% <73%

Homework assignments:                                     50 points        B+ ≥87% <90%          D+ ≥67% <70%

Laboratory:                                                      150 points        B   ≥83% <87%           D   ≥63% <67%

                                                                                    B-  ≥80% <83%          D-  ≥60% <63%

Course total:                                                     500 points        C+ ≥77% <80%          F   <60%

                                                                                   

 

Your attendance, alertness, participation, and enthusiasm are expected. Please be punctual.

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES

 

1.      Increase knowledge of relevant topical issues in the field of ecology.

2.  Learn to implement hypothesis-oriented field experiments and observations.

3.  Become acquainted with standard methods in ecology.

4.  Enhance field and lab note-taking abilities.

5.  Learn to analyze experimental data.

6.      Develop skills in writing up experimental results in a scientific format.

 

Late Policy:

If you find that you have severe conflicts with turning an assignment in on time contact me to discuss the situation before the assignment is due.  Otherwise, assignments must be turned in on time.

 

 

Academic Integrity

UNH students are bound by an academic honor code that details rights and responsibilities for students. You should be aware that this code provides serious sanctions for academic dishonesty (including, but not limited to, plagiarism and cheating). I expect that you will follow the honor code.  If you have any questions about the honor code or about what constitutes plagiarism or cheating, please check your UNH Student Handbook.  This information is also available on-line at http://www.unh.edu/student/rights/rrrguts.pdf .

 

 

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

If you have an identified disability and will need accommodations, you should first the Access Office (mlittle@cisunix.unh.edu; 862-2648).  They will discuss the UNH process and work with you to access supportive services.  If you have a learning disability, the University will require you to provide supportive documentation and will develop an approved accommodation sheet for you.  Accommodations cannot be provided until the accommodation sheet is established and we have met to discuss its applicability to this course.  Accommodations cannot be provided retroactively.  All conversations will be strictly confidential.