Course Description
Ecology Laboratory builds on lecture themes of population structure and dynamics, community organization and classification, and ecosystem nutrient and energy flows.
Athena Title
Ecology Laboratory
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in ECOL 3505L, FANR 3200L
Prerequisite
[(BIOL 1104 and BIOL 1104L) or (BIOL 1108 and BIOL 1108L) or (BIOL 2108H and BIOL 2108L)] and [(CHEM 1211 and CHEM 1211L) or (CHEM 1311H and CHEM 1311L)]
Corequisite
ECOL 3500
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall, spring and summer
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
This lab will help you improve your ability to observe the natural world, develop your scientific writing, and provide practice formulating hypotheses about how and why things occur in nature and testing those hypotheses using data. This course uses inquiry-based learning, which seeks to provide a realistic experience conducting ecological research. During a semester-long project, you will work in teams to design an original ecological study, collect and analyze data, and present your results. Specifically, this course is designed to provide you with experience in the following: Reinforcing ecological principles learned in lecture Communicating scientific knowledge and findings through writing Designing and implementing ecological studies Experiencing the benefits of collaboration and teamwork in science
Topical Outline
Labs will explore the following topics during the semester: Ecological observations Data analysis and interpretation Science of team science Experimental design Scientific writing and communication Trophic dynamics Stream ecology Population ecology Forest ecology Macrosystems ecology
Syllabus