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Course Information

BIOL 3021: Community and Ecosystem Ecology

This course is a survey of the theoretical development of community and ecosystem ecology as a science. Students examine the major influences on the organization and development of ecological communities, including physical constraints and processes, biological interactions within and among species, and the complex interaction of all these factors at varied spatial and temporal scales.

Course Details

• Delivery method: Online, self-paced
• Credits: 3.0
• Recommended requisite(s): 6 credits of introductory Biology
• Exclusions: BIOL 3020, BIOL 2170
• Course duration: 30 weeks

Learning Outcomes

• Discuss the major ecological factors that affect the distribution and abundance of organisms and how the interaction of physical and biotic factors organizes and structures ecological communities.
• Evaluate how specific research studies contribute to larger ecological theory.
• Recognize the influences of ecological processes on different temporal and spatial scales.
• Integrate independent observations with existing ecology theory.
• Critically evaluate the peer-reviewed ecological literature and understand the process of peer review.
• Develop and evaluate a testable ecological hypothesis from field observations.
• Design and implement an observational study using established principles of experimental and sampling design.
• Communicate ecological knowledge and results effectively, using both written text and tables and/or figures.
• Appreciate the process of ecological enquiry, including its limitations and opportunities.
• Reflect on how the science of ecology affects your understanding of the natural world.

Course Topics

1. Course Introduction
2. Ecology as Science
3. Environmental Influences
4. Biomes and Ecozones
5. Species Interactions I
6. Species Interactions II
7. Community Structure
8. Disturbance and Succession
9. Biogeography and Biodiversity
10. Ecological Energetics
11. Conservation and Landscape Ecology
12. Global and Canadian Ecology

Required Text and Materials

• Bowman, W. D., & Hacker, S. D. (2023). Ecology (6th ed.). Oxford University Press.

Assessments

• Quiz 1: Chapter 1 (2%)
• Quiz 2: Chapter 2/Chapter 9 (3%)
• Module 4 Questions (5%)
• Module 5 Questions (5%)
• Quiz 3: Chapter 3/Chapter 12/Chapter 13/Chapter 14/Chapter 15 (5%)
• Module 7 Questions (5%)
• Module 8 Questions (5%)
• Quiz 4: Chapter 16/Chapter 17/Chapter 18/Chapter 19 (5%)
• Quiz 5: Chapter 20/Chapter 21/Chapter 22 (5%)
• Module 11 Questions (5%)
• Quiz 6: Chapter 23/Chapter 24/Chapter 25/Wild Species 2020 (5%)
• Mandatory Final Project (50%)
• Total (100%)