Course Description
Factors affecting plant and animal distributions at scales from organisms to biomes. Influence of ecological factors and human activity on distributions, historical biogeography, and patterns of earth's biomes.
Athena Title
BIOGEOGRAPHY
Prerequisite
GEOG 1111 or GEOG 1112 or GEOG 2110H
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall and spring
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
Learning objectives for this course: To gain a basic understanding of physical and biological processes that influence vegetation and animal distributions at local and regional scales To gain an appreciation of the basic patterns of biotic variation at a global scale To develop an awareness of human influences on the biosphere To gain the scientific background and critical thought skills necessary to evaluate critical debates about societal issues that affect the biosphere To learn to conduct research on a particular topic and present the findings both in writing and verbally to an audience This course meets the following General Education Abilities by accomplishing the specific learning objectives listed below: Communicate effectively through writing. This is met by a series of writing assignments associated with supplemental reading and data analysis. Communicate effectively through speech. This is met by oral presentations, discussion leading, and classroom participation. Computer Literacy is addressed through course administration, student-faculty electronic interaction, and data analysis activities and assignments. Critical Thinking is central to the learning objectives of this class, and is developed through homework assignments, lecture, classroom discussion, and inquiry- based learning efforts. Moral Reasoning (Ethics) is an important element of this course, as it explores linkages among the physical environment, hazards, human health and welfare, and appropriate technologies. Moral reasoning is developed through lectures, writing assignments, classroom discussion, and inquiry-based learning activities.
Topical Outline
Basic Concept: Biological Organization Tolerance Ranges and Niches Genetic Variation and Natural Selection Environmental Effects: Light and Photosynthesis Temperature and Thermoregulation Water Supply Nutrients Biotic Effects: Population models Competition Predation Mutualism Historical Biogeography: Dispersal and Distribution Island Biogeography Plate Tectonics and Glaciation Biotic Diversity Vegetation Dynamics Earth’s Biomes: Rainforest and Savanna Desert and Grassland Forest and Tundra Conservation Themes: Threatened and Endangered Species Exotic Introductions