Course Description

Students will learn research methods in population and community ecology, including field sampling techniques, experimental design, and data analysis. Students will develop analytical, written communication, and oral communication skills through laboratory activities.

Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Graduate students will be required to complete an additional writing and synthesis assignment.

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Athena Title

Population and Community Lab

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Prerequisite

[(ECOL 3500 and ECOL 3500L) or (ECOL 3505H and ECOL 3500L) or (ECOL 3505H and ECOL 3505L) or (FANR 3200W and FANR 3200L)] and (MATH 2250 or MATH 2250E)

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Corequisite

ECOL 4000/6000

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Semester Course Offered

Offered fall

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Grading System

A - F (Traditional)

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Student Learning Outcomes

• By the end of this course, students will be able to apply ecological methods for population and community data collection in field and laboratory settings.
• By the end of this course, students will be able to compare and contrast empirical results to predictions of ecological theory.
• By the end of this course, students will be able to formulate collaborative research questions and prepare team presentations of results.
• By the end of this course, students will be able to analyze ecological data using Excel and R.

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Topical Outline

• Unit 1: Populations Topic 1A: Exponential Population Growth Topic 1B: Logistic Population Growth Topic 1C: Project Identification
• Unit 2: Species Interactions Topic 2A: Competition Topic 2B: Predation Topic 2C: Project Analysis
• Unit 3: Communities Topic 3A: Measuring Biodiversity Topic 3B: Global Change Topic 3C: Project Presentation

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Institutional Competencies

Analytical Thinking

The ability to reason, interpret, analyze, and solve problems from a wide array of authentic contexts.

Critical Thinking

The ability to pursue and comprehensively evaluate information before accepting or establishing a conclusion, decision, or action.

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