Document Type

Syllabus

Publication Date

Fall 2023

Course Description

This upper-level course delves into the intricate interactions between organisms and their environment. Through a combination of theoretical concepts, fieldwork, and laboratory exercises, students will gain an in-depth understanding of ecological principles, processes, and applications. Topics covered include population dynamics, community ecology, ecosystem functioning, conservation biology, and the impact of human activities on ecosystems. The course will emphasize critical thinking, data analysis, and scientific communication skills. Expanding our ecological knowledge is critical to our future, given that some of the major current threats (climate change/global warming from fossil fuels, pollution, biodiversity loss, deforestation, etc.) confronting humankind are environmental in nature. Thus, ecology will continue to be a relevant scientific discipline needed to understand how ecological systems function and crucial to our ability to deal with prevalent environmental problems.

Student Outcomes

Students Outcomes
Students will be able to:

  1. Develop a comprehensive understanding of ecological theories, concepts, and models, and that events in natural world are interconnected.
  2. Analyze and interpret ecological data using appropriate field and statistical methods.
  3. Understand the impacts of human activities on ecosystems and propose sustainable solutions and examine the principles and practices of conservation biology.
  4. Develop as a scholar independently by reading from the textbook and the scientific literature.
  5. Enhance critical thinking skills through problem-solving exercises, case studies and group discussions.
  6. Improve scientific communication skills through group-based research, written reports, presentations, and discussions.

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