Biol 291, Ecology (3 credits)
Dr. Deborah Waller (MGB 302B, 757-683-3601, dwaller@odu.edu)
Text: "Ecology, Concepts and Applications" by M.C. Molles, Jr.
Leaf-cutter ants harvest leaves to grow a symbiotic fungus.Minim workers hitchhike a ride on leaves carried
by their sister foragers.
Ecology provides a broad overview of the patterns governing how organisms interact with their environment, along with an understanding of the tools and processes that scientists use to uncover these patterns.This course spans all levels of ecological organization, including population, community, ecosystem, landscape, geographic and global ecology.The challenges posed by terrestrial and aquatic environments are explored along with the life history strategies that evolved in response to these challenges.Processes of energy flow, nutrient cycling and succession are examined along with the effects of human impacts on these processes.
The text is supplemented with assigned scientific articles that students must locate in the scientific literature, read and summarize.These assignments help students learn library skills as well as reading comprehension and writing skills.Student performance in the course is also assessed using biweekly lecture quizzes, in-class assignments and a cumulative final exam.
