BIOLOGY 244 PRINCIPLES OF ECOLOGY LAB

 

TEXTBOOK: Lab handouts

 

COURES DESCRIPTION: Laboratory studies of ecosystems to supplement lecture material presented in BIO-234 and illustrate techniques involved in current ecological studies. Laboratory exercises will combine studies of plant, animal, and environmental interactions with experimental manipulations of selected ecosystems.

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES: Students will

1. examine and compare terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

2. identify factors influencing ecosystem structure and function.

3. analyze population data.

4. calculate population parameters.

5. analyze parameters of ecosystems.

6. interpret organism interactions and their influence on community structure.

7. apply field techniques to the study of various types of populations.

8. identify parameters at various levels of ecological organization.

9. evaluate methodology for measuring primary production and nutrient flux.

10. identify and analyze ecological issues on the global level.

 

TOPICS COVERED:

• Experimental design and working with data
• Links of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems
• Parameters of aquatic ecosystems: Lakes and streams

Research project: proposals, timelines, equipment checks, literature review, data presentation, abstract writitng