BIO-221L Principles of Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology Lab

In this hands-on laboratory-based course, students will have the opportunity to conduct studies and perform experiments that enrich their knowledge and understanding of the scientific concepts learned in the lecture portion of CON-202/BIO-221 Principles of Terrestrial/Aquatic Ecology. Laboratory exercises will include a combination of field trips and observational and experimental studies as well as in-classes exercises aimed at preparing students for upper level coursework in the field of ecology (e.g. reading scientific papers, presenting data, interpreting graphs).

Credits

1

Cross Listed Courses

CON-202L

Prerequisite

ENG-101, BIO-121 and BIO-122 or BIO-125

Corequisite

BIO-221

Department

• Science & Technology

For more detailed course information view the Course Outline

BIO 221L: Principles of Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology Lab

Department

Science and Technology

Course Description

In this hands-on laboratory-based course, students will have the opportunity to conduct studies and perform experiments that enrich their knowledge and understanding of the scientific concepts learned in the lecture portion of CON-202/BIO-221 Principles of Terrestrial/Aquatic Ecology. Laboratory exercises will include a combination of field trips and observational and experimental studies as well as in-classes exercises aimed at preparing students for upper level coursework in the field of ecology (e.g. reading scientific papers, presenting data, interpreting graphs).

Credit Hours

1

Contact Hours

Lecture	0
Lab	2
Other	0

Grading Scheme

Letter

Prerequisites

ENG-101, BIO-121 and BIO-122 or BIO-125

Corequisites

BIO-221

Course Learning Outcomes

1. Exercise the steps of scientific method from the initial stages of collecting observations, to building hypotheses and analyzing results
2. Review, interpret, evaluate, and analyze peer-reviewed scientific studies that are related to laboratory exercises
3. Execute standard ecological sampling procedures, calculate and analyze data, and compare these results to those published in peer-reviewed, scientific papers

Topic Outline

1. Population Ecology 
   1. Population Dynamic Studies (e.g. life history / cohort tables, mark-recapture experiments, dendrochronology studies, intra-specific competition experiments) 
2. Community Ecology
   1. Field Sampling of Different Communities 
   2. Species Interaction Experiments (e.g. interspecific competition experiments, predator-prey studies)
   3. Species Richness / Biodiversity Sampling 
3. Ecosystem Ecology
   1. Biogeochemical Studies (e.g. carbon flow experiments, nutrient cycling studies)