BIO 295 - General Ecology and Lab

1. Understand the concept of ecology.
   1. Explain the definition and derivation of ecology
   2. Explain the modern definition of ecology
   3. Characterize an ecological system
   4. Identify the structural levels of biological organization and research specialties.
2. Describe the historical development of modern ecology
3. Explain how ecology is a science
   1. Characterize the scientific process
   2. Explain the philosophy and development of scientific thinking.
   3. Explain scientific theory
   4. Describe and use the scientific method
4. Explain the concepts of evolution and adaptation
   1. Explain how and why organisms fit into habitat and niche so precisely.
   2. Explain the concept of species
   3. Describe adaptation and illustrate with several examples
   4. Explain the theoretical development and process of biological evolution.
   5. Describe the process of speciation - creation of new species.
   6. Explain how population genetics are involved in evolution.
   7. Explain how species are classified using systematic.
5. Describe the physical environment
   1. Explain the factors that affect the earths climate
   2. Describe the earth’s regional climates
   3. Explain the factors that determine weather
   4. Describe the abiotic factors
6. Characterize organisms
   1. Describe the structural hierarchy of life
   2. Explain the differences in nutritional mode
   3. Characterize anatomy/physiology
   4. Explain the factors that affect geographic distribution of organisms
   5. Explain the concept of habitat; where you live.
   6. Explain the concept of niche
   7. Characterize behavior
7. Characterize species and populations
   1. Define the terms species, population and metapopulations.
   2. explain population characteristics
   3. Explain the concept of population genetics
   4. Describe the characteristics of life history
   5. Describe species interactions
8. Characterize communities and ecosystems
   1. Define community and ecosystem
   2. Explain measures of community structure
   3. Describe the process of succession- changes in communities over time.
   4. Describe energy flow through ecosystems
   5. Describe the processes of matter cycling
9. Explain large-scale ecology
   1. Explain the concept of landscape ecology
   2. Explain conservation ecology
   3. Describe restoration ecology
10. Complete the following lab activities
    1. Hypothesis testing and statistical analysis
    2. Scientific writing - lab reports
    3. group field project
    4. Oral presentation based on group project
    5. Identification of birds in lab and field
    6. Identification of plants in lab and field
    7. Identification of aquatic invertebrates in lab and field.
    8. Use of various field sampling equipment
    9. Use of various field sampling methods
    10. Using computer simulations to model populations