San José State University Biological Science BIOL/BOT 160

San José State University
Biological Science
BIOL/BOT 160, Ecology, Fall 2014
Contact Information
Instructor:
Dr. Shannon Bros-Seemann
Office Location:
DH 548
Telephone:
(408) 924-4896
Email:
[email protected]
Office Hours:
M 11-12p, T, TH & Fr 9-10a and by appt
Lect. Class Days/Time:
Sec 01: TTh 10:30a-11:45a
Lect. Classroom:
DH 350
Lab Class Days/Time:
Sec 11: Th 2:30p-5:20p: Instructor TBA
Sec 12: Fr 10:30a-1:20p: Instructor TBA
Lab Classroom:
DH 341
Prerequisites:
All Core GE courses, a passing WST score, upper division
standing, BIOL 1A, 1B; and (BIOL 155 or BIOL 156 or
equivalent biostatistics course). Note BIOL 156 can be taken as
a co requisite.
GE/SJSU Studies Category:
Some Area R learning outcomes are met by this course
Course Fees:
BIOL 1A; 1B; BIOL 155 or BIOL 156 or equivalent biostatistics
course. Note BIOL 156 can be taken as a co requisite.
Courses to meet Areas R, S, and V of SJSU Studies must be taken from
three different departments, or distinct academic units.
Faculty Web Page
Copies of the course materials such as the syllabus, major assignment handouts, etc. may
be found on the course web site at https://sjsu.instructure.com.
Turnitin.com
All project writing assignments must be uploaded to Turnitin.com. Our course site
information is: Class ID=XXXXXX, Enrollment Password =XXXXXX. Papers not
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submitted to Turnitin.com will receive 0 points as will any assignments exhibiting
plagiarism.
Course Description
Ecology is a fascinating area of science because it is here that we study how structural,
functional and behavioral adaptations come together to allow organisms to live and
reproduce in the many, varied environments of the Earth. This course is an introduction
to that science, taught by means of two 75-minute lecture/discussions and one three-hour
lab/field experience per week. It is cross-listed as Biology and Botany to allow for
greater flexibility in scheduling and, for some students, taking ecology with a botany
prefix gives them sufficient units to qualify for certain government jobs in conservation.
Course Goals and Learning Objectives
GE Learning Outcomes (GELO)
Area R Student Learning Objectives
2. Distinguish science from pseudoscience;
3. Apply a scientific approach to answer
questions about the earth and
environment.
Assignments that address this SLO
Assignment 1 (Scientific Literature)
Lab exercise (Apply Quadrat and Plotless sampling
techniques)
Assignment 2 (Compare and contrast Quadrat and
Plotless sampling techniques)
Lab Exercise (Corridor and Stepping Stones)
Assignment 3 (Recommendation for Corridor and
Stepping Stone exercise)
Summary of Required Writing
Total writing will include a minimum of 3000 words, and include substantive feedback,
addressing the quality and form of writing.
Paper: Compare and contrast scientific sources
Paper: Compare and contrast Quadrat and
Plotless sampling techniques
Paper: Recommendation for Corridor and
Stepping Stone
Total
1000 words not counting references or figures
1000 words not counting references or figures
1000 words not counting references or figures
3000 words
“A minimum aggregate GPA of 2.0 SJSU Studies (R, S, & V) shall be required of all
students as a graduation requirement.” To see full text, review at
http://www.sjsu.edu/senate/docs/S11-3.pdf.
Course Learning Outcomes (CLO)
1. Develop an understanding of ecological concepts and processes. These include the
eco-physiological basis for the distribution of living things, the factors governing the
abundance of populations, and interactions within communities. Many of these
Ecology, BIOL/BOT 160, Fall 2014
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have practical and immediate applications to human welfare. Know how to collect
data for a particular situation.
2. Gain an understanding of scientific, social, political and economic aspects of
ecological and global environmental issues
3. Understand how ecological constraints shape the daily lives of all organisms.
4. Use maps, compass and GPS to navigate and understand the terrain.
5. Understand how data are collected for addressing ecological issues. You will learn
how to collect quantitative data and use that information.
6. Improve your problem solving abilities and communication skills; skills that are
essential for future success, whether you go on to professional school, graduate
studies or work in government and industry.
7. Work effective in groups.
8. Learn to ask and answer questions in lecture and the laboratory.
9. Learn to be an active participant in discussions.
10. Learn from your mistakes
11. Understand how to effectively present ideas
Course Requirements and Assignments
SJSU classes are designed such that in order to be successful, it is expected that students
will spend a minimum of forty-five hours for each unit of credit (normally three hours per
unit per week), including preparing for class, participating in course activities,
completing assignments, and so on. More details about student workload can be found in
University Policy S12-3 at http://www.sjsu.edu/senate/docs/S12-3.pdf.
Grading Policy
Evaluation: The final grade will be based on a percentage of the total
accumulated number of points and assigned a letter grade according to the
standard University grading system:
% of Points 98 91 89 87 81 Letter grade A+ A A‐ B+ B % of Points 79 77 71 69 67 Activity
Lab exams – Two @ 100pts each
Mid-term exams – Two @ 100 pts each
Final exam
Classroom participation
Assignments
Presentation
Ecology, BIOL/BOT 160, Fall 2014
Letter grade B‐ C+ C C‐ D+ % of Points 61 59 >59 Letter grade D D‐ F Learning Objectives
Pts
1, 4-10
1-3,6-10
1, 4-10
8,9
See GE Learning
Outcomes
11
200
200
100
50
210
80
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TOTAL
840
Attendance per se shall not be used as a criterion for grading according to Academic
Policy F-69-24.
“A minimum aggregate GPA of 2.0 SJSU Studies (R, S, & V) shall be required of all
students as a graduation requirement.” To see full text, review University Policy S11-3
at http://www.sjsu.edu/senate/docs/S11-3.pdf.
Lab Exams – Lab exams will test your ability to make quantitative measurements,
analyze data, perform techniques taught in field and lab exercises. Because of
logistic issues for the technical staff, it is not possible to make up a lab exam.
Mid-term Exams and Final Exam – Mid-term exams will test student knowledge and
application of concepts covered in the lecture portion of the class. The tests will
consist of multiple choice, short answer and short essay questions.
Classroom participation – Classroom participation is a very important component of
the course. There are three ways in which each student participate: 1) answer
questions posed by the instructor to randomly selected students, 2) pose insightful
questions, 3) participate in the group discussions and activities.
Presentation – Students will work in groups to develop a theme for a group
presentation. Each group presentation will consist of individual PowerpointTM
presentations 8 minutes in duration that all fit within the group theme.
Assignment 1- Scientific Literature (70 pts) – Your will read two documents and
examine two websites that will be chosen by your instructor. You will compare and
contrast the quality of the sources and then specify criteria that would provide
credibility to a source (1000 words).
Assignment 2 – Compare and contrast Quadrat and Plotless sampling techniques (70
pts). In lab you will learn how to determine tree density using two different
sampling techniques, Quadrat and Plotless. In this assignment you will compare the
two techniques with respect to how densities are computed and discuss strengths
and weaknesses of each technique. Then you will make recommendations for when
to use each (1000 words).
Assignment 3 – Recommendation for Corridor and Stepping Stone Exercise (70 pts).
In lab, you will work in a group using a computer simulation to determine an
optimum strategy for preserving the Fender’s Blue butterflies. Each group will be
required to give a PowerpointTM presentation explaining their strategy with each
group member participating. Each individual will then make a written evaluation
of each of the strategies you tested and then present final recommendations (1000
words).
University Policy S90-2 requires that courses to meet Areas R, S, and V of SJSU
Studies must be taken from three different departments or distinct academic units.
University policy F69-24 states, “Students should attend all meetings of their classes,
not only because they are responsible for material discussed therein, but because active
participation is frequently essential to insure maximum benefit for all members of the
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class. Attendance per se shall not be used as a criterion for grading.
Texts/Readings
Textbook: SimbioTM online
Lab Manuel: online at Canvas
Library Liaison
Dr. Emily Chan Email: [email protected]; phone (408) 808-2044.
Classroom Protocol
Participation and attendance: You will be expected to attend and participate in every
class and lab or field exercise. Missing class or lab will make it more difficult for you
to succeed in the course.
Lecture Exams. If you anticipate that you will miss a lecture exam, please inform the
instructor before the exam so that you will have an opportunity to take the exam. If
you need to use alternative facilities (e.g. DRC), you need to let the instructor know
at the beginning of the semester. You will have one week to complete the PointsBack exercise (see Course Learning Objective #7 above) for an exam; late PointsBack exercises will not be accepted.
Lab Exams: Unfortunately it is not possible to have a make-up lab exam because of
the difficulty in recreating the exam.
University Policies
Dropping and Adding
Students are responsible for understanding the policies and procedures about
add/drop, grade forgiveness, etc. Refer to the current semester’s Catalog Policies
section at http://info.sjsu.edu/static/catalog/policies.html. Add/drop deadlines can be
found on the current academic year calendars document on the Academic Calendars
webpage at http://www.sjsu.edu/provost/services/academic_calendars/. The Late
Drop Policy is available at http://www.sjsu.edu/aars/policies/latedrops/policy/.
Students should be aware of the current deadlines and penalties for dropping classes.
Information about the latest changes and news is available at the Advising Hub at
http://www.sjsu.edu/advising/.
Consent for Recording of Class and Public Sharing of Instructor Material
University Policy S12-7, http://www.sjsu.edu/senate/docs/S12-7.pdf, requires
students to obtain instructor’s permission to record the course.

“Common courtesy and professional behavior dictate that you notify
someone when you are recording him/her. You must obtain the instructor’s
Ecology, BIOL/BOT 160, Fall 2014
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
permission to make audio or video recordings in this class. Such permission
allows the recordings to be used for your private, study purposes only. The
recordings are the intellectual property of the instructor; you have not been
given any rights to reproduce or distribute the material.”
o It is suggested that the greensheet include the instructor’s process for
granting permission, whether in writing or orally and whether for the
whole semester or on a class by class basis.
o In classes where active participation of students or guests may be on
the recording, permission of those students or guests should be
obtained as well.
“Course material developed by the instructor is the intellectual property of
the instructor and cannot be shared publicly without his/her approval. You
may not publicly share or upload instructor generated material for this
course such as exam questions, lecture notes, or homework solutions without
instructor consent.”
Academic integrity
Your commitment as a student to learning is evidenced by your enrollment at San
Jose State University. The University Academic Integrity Policy S07-2 at
http://www.sjsu.edu/senate/docs/S07-2.pdf requires you to be honest in all your
academic course work. Faculty members are required to report all infractions to the
office of Student Conduct and Ethical Development. The Student Conduct and
Ethical Development website is available at http://www.sjsu.edu/studentconduct/.
Campus Policy in Compliance with the American Disabilities Act
If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, or if you
need to make special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please
make an appointment with me as soon as possible, or see me during office hours.
Presidential Directive 97-03 at
http://www.sjsu.edu/president/docs/directives/PD_1997-03.pdf requires that
students with disabilities requesting accommodations must register with the
Accessible Education Center (AEC) at http://www.sjsu.edu/aec to establish a record
of their disability.
In 2013, the Disability Resource Center changed its name to be known as the
Accessible Education Center, to incorporate a philosophy of accessible education for
students with disabilities. The new name change reflects the broad scope of
attention and support to SJSU students with disabilities and the University's
continued advocacy and commitment to increasing accessibility and inclusivity on
campus.
Student Technology Resources
Computer labs for student use are available in DH 350 and at the Academic Success
Center at http://www.sjsu.edu/at/asc/ located on the 1st floor of Clark Hall and in
the Associated Students Lab on the 2nd floor of the Student Union. Additional
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computer labs may be available in your department/college. Computers are also
available in the Martin Luther King Library.
A wide variety of audio-visual equipment is available for student checkout from
Media Services located in IRC 112. These items include DV and HD digital
camcorders; digital still cameras; video, slide and overhead projectors; DVD, CD,
and audiotape players; sound systems, wireless microphones, projection screens and
monitors.
SJSU Peer Connections
Peer Connections, a campus-wide resource for mentoring and tutoring, strives to
inspire students to develop their potential as independent learners while they learn
to successfully navigate through their university experience. You are encouraged to
take advantage of their services which include course-content based tutoring,
enhanced study and time management skills, more effective critical thinking
strategies, decision making and problem-solving abilities, and campus resource
referrals.
In addition to offering small group, individual, and drop-in tutoring for a number of
undergraduate courses, consultation with mentors is available on a drop-in or by
appointment basis. Workshops are offered on a wide variety of topics including
preparing for the Writing Skills Test (WST), improving your learning and memory,
alleviating procrastination, surviving your first semester at SJSU, and other related
topics. A computer lab and study space are also available for student use in Room
600 of Student Services Center (SSC).
Peer Connections is located in three locations: SSC, Room 600 (10th Street Garage
on the corner of 10th and San Fernando Street), at the 1st floor entrance of Clark
Hall, and in the Living Learning Center (LLC) in Campus Village Housing Building
B. Visit Peer Connections website at http://peerconnections.sjsu.edu for more
information.
SJSU Writing Center
The SJSU Writing Center is located in Clark Hall, Suite 126. All Writing Specialists
have gone through a rigorous hiring process, and they are well trained to assist all
students at all levels within all disciplines to become better writers. In addition to
one-on-one tutoring services, the Writing Center also offers workshops every
semester on a variety of writing topics. To make an appointment or to refer to the
numerous online resources offered through the Writing Center, visit the Writing
Center website at http://www.sjsu.edu/writingcenter. For additional resources and
updated information, follow the Writing Center on Twitter and become a fan of the
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SJSU Writing Center on acebook. (Note: You need to have a QR Reader to scan this
code.)
SJSU Counseling Services
The SJSU Counseling Services is located on the corner of 7th Street and San
Fernando Street, in Room 201, Administration Building. Professional psychologists,
social workers, and counselors are available to provide consultations on issues of
student mental health, campus climate or psychological and academic issues on an
individual, couple, or group basis. To schedule an appointment or learn more
information, visit Counseling Services website at http://www.sjsu.edu/counseling.
Ecology, BIOL/BOT 160, Fall 2014
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Ecology, BIOL/BOT 160, Fall 2014
Lecture Schedule
Note that the schedule is subject to change. Any changes will be announced via the
Canvas website.
Date
Aug
Topic
22 Introduction
27
29
Sep
3
5
10
12
17
19
24
26
Oct
Nov
1
3
8
10
15
17
22
24
29
31
5
7
12
14
19
21
26
28
Physiological Ecology
Marine environment and adaptations
Estuarine/Fresh water environments
and adaptations
Terrestrial Adaptations
Other physical environmental factors
Population Ecology
Primary Population characteristics
Primary Population characteristics
Population growth and regulation
Population growth and regulation
LECT EXAM 1
Metapopulations
Life history
Community Ecology
Competition
Competition
Predation
Predation
Parasitism/mutualism
Community structure
Community change
Community change
LECT EXAM 2
Landscape Ecology
Biogeography
Ecosystem Ecology
Productivity/ energy flow
Nutrient Cycling
Biodiversity Patterns
Conservation
Sustainability
Thanksgiving Break
Student -Talks
Ecology, BIOL/BOT 160, Fall 2014
Readings in Simbio
Evolution for Ecology Physiological
Ecology,
Population Growth
Life History
Competition
Predation, Herbivory and Parasitism
Decomposition
Nutrient Cycling
Ecosystem Ecology
Climate Change
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Dec
3 Student -Talks
5 Student -Talks
11 FINAL EXAM 9:45a-noon in DH 351
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BIOL/BOT 160 – Ecology Lab Schedule Fall 2013
Lab sections: Sec 11: TH 1430-1720, Sec 12: F 1430-1720
Month
Day
Topic
Aug
22, 23 Navigation Introduction ,
Sept
29, 30 Map reading and Sample Site
Selection
5, 6 Water relations
12, 13 Populations
19, 20 Quadrat sampling
26, 27 Quadrat Analysis/ Tracking
Oct
3, 4 LAB EXAM 1
10, 11 Tracking practice
17, 18 Population Density – LincolnPeterson method
24, 25 Population Density – Catch per
Unit Effort
Oct/Nov 31, 1 Corridors
Nov
Dec
7, 8 Intrapopulation Dispersion
Type (L=Lab,
F=Field)
L
Readings in Lab
Manual
Chap 1-2
L
Chap 3
L
L
F meet in DH
parking lot
L
Chap 4
Chap 5
Chap 6
Chap 7
L
F meet in DH
parking lot
L
Chap 8
L
Chap 11
Chap 10
Chap 13
Chap 12
14, 15 Intrapopulation Disperson
F meet in DH
parking lot
L
analysis (bring calculator)
21, 22 LAB EXAM 2
28, 29 Thanksgiving
5, 6 TBA
L
L
Handout
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