Biology 229: Ecology Lab Syllabus, Spring 2008

Readings are from "Field and Laboratory Methods for General Ecology" by Brower, Zar and von Ende

Tentative Schedule:

Date	Topic	Reading
16-Jan	Introduction, Tree id, GIS basics	2a
23-Jan	Experimental analysis of population growth (Lemna)	4b, 4d
30-Jan	Comparison of sampling methods for forests	3a, 3b, 3c
6-Feb	Bird feeding adaptations - bird identification	handout
13-Feb	Predator-prey coevolution simulation	handout
20-Feb	Forest evaluation I - Miller Observatory Trail, Gambier
27-Feb	Lab notebook preliminary evaluation
27-Feb	Population growth, analysis & modeling	handout
19-Mar	Forest evaluation II - riparian reforestation area
19-Mar	short lab report due- Lemna study
26-Mar	Fire management - BFEC prairie soils, arthropods	2c, 3d
2-Apr	Point sampling for bird diversity and density	3h
9-Apr	Data analysis: GIS and forest structure	5a-d
16-Apr	Feeding preferences by birds on goldenrod galls	Abrahamson
	Short lab reports - results for short projects
23-Apr	Structure of forest litter communities - Forest Analysis Paper due
30-Apr	Optional field trip to observe migratory birds, BFEC 7:00 am
30-Apr	Wildflower diversity & distribution: Field Trip to Mohican State Park
2-May	Field Notebooks due

Class overview and student responsibilities

This course is an introduction to the study of ecology through observation and experimentation. We will emphasize the formulation of hypotheses, the design of experiments, and the use of appropriate techniques to test these hypothesis. Several classes will involve field work. Please be sure to come prepared for the weather. Cold temperatures, snow, or rain usually will not prevent us from going outside.

Because of the possibility of inclement weather, this syllabus is tentative. Some experiments depend on the weather, others depend on the availability (and cooperation) of animals, neither of which can be guaranteed. The sequence of topics may evolve through the semester.

Grading in Biology 229 will be based on the following:

35% Short lab reports

25% Lab notebook. Carefully follow the instructions that were provided the first day of class; if you have lost these instructions they are available on the course web site. Notebooks will be Lab notes submitted at the last week of February, and at the end of the semester. Lab notes should be kept in a 3-ring binder; they can be hand-written or word-processed. Within the notebook, your notes should be organized by project. For each project you should have notes, when appropriate, on:

- background provided in class
- hypothesis and predictions
- description of study site
- experimental design and methods
- data tables
- notes about data analysis
- observations
- future questions

30% Final lab paper (Forest Analysis)

10% Attendance and participation

You will be collaborating with other members of the class on many labs. The design, execution, and data collection will be collaborative but data interpretation and writing should be done independently.