Justin D. Yeakel bio photo

Fundamentals of Ecology

"The Earth is what we all have in common"
-Wendell Barry

Fundamentals of Ecology (BIO/ESS 148) :: Syllabus, Summer 2024

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  • Lecture Time: Tuesday and Thursdays, 8:30-11:15pm
  • Lecture Location: Remote and synchronous on Zoom
  • Discussion section time
    • 03D - Tuesday 11:30-1:20pm on Zoom (remote, synchronous)
    • 02D - Thursday 11:30-1:20pm on Zoom (remote, synchronous)
  • Instructor: Justin D. Yeakel; Office Hours: 9-10AM Wednesdays by ZOOM or by appointment.
  • Teaching Assistant: Francisco Gorrostieta Campos; Office Hours: 9-10 AM Mondays by ZOOM or by appointment.
  • Course Websites
    Everything that we do this this course will revolve around two principle websites. In some cases, information will be duplicated on both sites (link to readings), and I will attempt to cross-link as necessary.

    The CatCourse Website (Canvas): Turning in assignments, grades, lectures, links to readings
    The Ecology Course Website: Basic course information, discussion section activities, links to readings. This course site will have the up-to-date schedule information and links to discussion section and in-class activities.

  • Course Schedule:

    Course Schedule

  • Course Description

    This course fulfills an upper division requirement for the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB) emphasis track of the Biological Sciences Major, as well an upper division requirement for the Earth Systems Science Major. This course provides an introduction to ecology - the scientific study of how organisms interact with each other and their physical environment. Prerequisite: BIO 001 or BIO 005 or ESS 001 or ESS 005 or consent of instructor. Normal Letter Grade only.

  • Course Goals & Outcomes
    • Goals
      • Learn key concepts and major topics in ecology, including: how organisms interact with their environment; the dynamics and regulation of populations; the various types and character of the interactions among organisms; the nature, geography, and biodiversity of communities; the structure and function of ecosystems; and applied and large-scale ecological topics, such as conservation biology, landscape ecology and ecosystem management, and global change
      • Understand the linkages between ecology and the other subfields of the biological sciences and earth systems science
      • Understand the fundamentals of the methods used in ecological research
      • Appreciation for the positive and negative impacts of humans on ecological systems
      • Be able to communicate ecological knowledge to other scientists and laypersons, and apply basic concepts to comprehend and evaluate science in the popular press and in the primary scientific literature
    • Outcomes At the end of the course, students should be able to:
      • Explain the fundamental ecological principles that pertain to individual organisms, to populations, to communities, to ecosystems, to landscapes, and to the globe
      • Develop a broad appreciation of the linkages among ecology, evolution, and earth systems science
      • Describe and understand the various techniques used in ecology, from computation to experimental, and how these techniques are coupled with the scientific method to address ecological questions
      • Comprehend the practical applications of ecological principles in human society and the potential impacts of humans on ecological systems
      • Critically evaluate the scientific literature as well as the popular press, and take ownership of the course material to improve their functioning in society

  • Format & Procedures

    This course is structured as follows: two 165-minute lecture sessions and one 110-minute discussion section per week. Discussion sections will provide students an opportunity to discuss in more detail scientific findings from peer-reviewed publications and practice using the R programming langauge to confront ecological problems. Your participation in lectures and discussion sections is mandatory.

  • Course Requirements & Grading Procedures
    • Class Attendance and Participation Policy
      • This course is delivered synchronously over ZOOM The lecture & discussion attendance at the time of the lecture & discussion is required.
      • The 2 lowest lecture attendance scores will be dropped.
    • Required and Supplemental Readings
      • Required Textbook: W.D. Bowman, S.D. Hacker, and Cain, M.L. 2017. Ecology, 6th Edition. Sinauer Associates, Inc., Publishers. Sunderland, MA.
      • Everyone should have access to the e-book via the inclusive access program; if you do not want the e-book, you will need to OPT-OUT. See the Announcment on Canvas from the bookstore for details.
      • Access the ebook through redshelf
      • Readings will also be assigned for the Discussion section and instead of the book for some lectures. These are required and will be provided on the course website.
      • Note: earlier editions (1st, 2nd, 3rd) of this textbook may be used but are not recommended.
    • In-class laptops or tablets
      • Each student will be expected to have access to a laptop or tablet during lectures and discussion sections to explore ecological models. Any operating system will suffice, as will iPads or similar tablet-like devices. Smartphones are not recommended.
    • Course Assignments and Projects
      • Homework: Throughout the semester, homework assignments will be assigned, consisting of exercises provided by the Teaching Assistant/Instructor. Homework assignments will be delivered via Canvas
      • Discussion Activities: All students are required to go to their respective Discussion Sections and participate/engage in the discussions and activities conducted in the section. Your discussion grade will take into account both participation and responses to Discussion assignments. Discussion sections will take place via Zoom and are mandatory to attend synchronously.
      • Exams: There will be 2 “midterm” exams during the semester and 1 comprehensive final. There will be no make-up exams or early exams. If you are sick during an exam, you must supply a note from your doctor verifying your illness. Your grade for the missed exam will be based on your average score from the other exams. You cannot miss more than one exam for an excused illness and taking the final is mandatory in order to pass the course. Exams will be delivered remotely via Canvas.
      • Grading: Your final grade will be based on the following: lecture attendance: 10%; discussion section participation & activities: 20%; homework: 20%; midterms: 30% (two, 15% each); and comprehensive final exam: 20%.
      • Grades will be given using the approximate framework: A: 90 - 100%, B: 80 - 90%, C: 70 - 80%, D: 60 - 70%, F: < 60%. This framework is subject to change given the distribution of the final grades.
      • Late assignments (e.g., homework) will not be accepted.