Population structure and dynamics, organization and classification of communities, and nutrient and energy flow in ecosystems.
Athena Title
Ecology Honors
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in ECOL 3500, FANR 3200W
Prerequisite
[BIOL 1104 or BIOL 1108 or (PBIO 1220 and PBIO 1220L)] and [(CHEM 1211 and CHEM 1211L) or (CHEM 1311H and CHEM 1311L)] and permission of Honors
Corequisite
ECOL 3505L or ECOL 3500L
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall and spring
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student Learning Outcomes
Students will understand the structure and function of natural systems from the perspective of scientific discipline, an introduction to selected scientists investigating natural systems, and the experimental design and results of their research.
Students will be able to define the domain of ecology, defining emergent principles at the hierarchical level.
Students will understand the role of man as a pervasive force within the natural environment, particularly the emerging discipline of landscape ecology and global conservation of species.
Students will understand environmental health and its inextricable involvement with human health
Topical Outline
Life and the Physical Environment:
-adaptation of life to water and nutrients
-adaptation of life to light, energy, and heat
-climate, water, and soil
-the biome concept
Organisms:
-evolution and adaptation
-life histories and evolutionary fitness
-sex and evolution
-family, society, and evolution
Populations:
-structure of populations
-growth and regulation of populations
-competition between species
-evolution of species interactions
Communities:
-community structure
-succession
-competition between species
-evolution of species interactions
Ecosystems:
-energy flow
-nutrient pathways and recycling
-nutrient regeneration
Ecological Applications:
-landscape ecology
-biodiversity, extinction, and conservation
-global ecology
