Biology 535 Spring 2010
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BIOLOGY 535 – PLANT ECOLOGY
GENERAL COURSE INFORMATION
Instructor Dr. Douglas Deutschman, Professor of Biology
Contact Information
Office: PS-150A (Physical Sciences Bldg) Phone: 594-5391 Email: [email protected]
Office Hours Tuesdays 1230 to 130 Thursdays 930 to 1030
Course Description
Plant adaptation and response to living and non-living environment including aspects of plant evolution, demography, ecophysiology community and ecosystem dynamics and soil-plant relationships. Terrestrial systems emphasized.
Meeting Times
and Classrooms
4 units: 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab
Lecture: T/Th 1100–1215 LS 134 Lab: Th 1230-1510 LS 126
Prerequisites Biology 203, 203L, 204, 204L.
Strongly recommended: Biology 215, 354.
Textbook Gurevitch, Scheiner and Fox. The Ecology of Plants, 2nd edition. Published in 2006 by Sinauer Associates, Inc.
COURSE GOALS AND LEARNING OBJECTIVES This course is an introduction to plant ecology. We will be studying the role of plants communities in the structure and function of the ecosystem across a fragmented landscape. Through the lectures, readings, assignments, group presentations, field trips, and computer labs you will gain a broader understanding of the key concepts in plant ecology and get experience in applying these concepts by collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data from several local plant communities.
At the end of the course students will be able to: Understand the key principles of plants’ interactions with abiotic and biotic components of
ecosystems Observe natural systems and take detailed field notes about plants within their habitats Plan and execute a survey of a vegetation community Learn, use, and apply statistical software to enter data, graph and analyze data, test hypotheses, and
interpret results from data collected in the field. Read, evaluate and communicate scientific information (data and research papers) in a critical
manner
Over the course of the semester, students will learn: Major concepts in modern plant ecology from the response of individual plants to their local
environment to the role of plants in ecosystems and the global climate system How to search for, select, read, and synthesize information from the primary literature in plant
ecology How to design, carryout, and analyze data from studies of plant communities How to present and evaluate scientific findings
Biology 535 Spring 2010
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GRADING AND ASSIGNMENTS
Assessment of learning will consist of two exams, a group projects and many smaller writing assignments, homework, and quizzes. Participation in lab and field exercises is crucial and will count toward your final grade.
Final Grades will be calculated out of 500 points using the following:
Major Exams (250 points) Group Project (150 points) Other Work (100 points) Midterm Exam – 100 pts Presentation 1 – 50 pts Quizzes, Homework – 50 pts Final Exam – 150 pts Final Presentation – 100 pts Participation – 50 pts
MISSED ASSIGNMENTS AND EXAMS If illness or other serious problem beyond your control prevents you from completing an assignment or exam on time, you are expected to provide some kind of verification of the reason, such as a note from student health services.
STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES I expect all students to adhere to the university guidelines for responsible behavior and good citizenship. For more information on the standards for student conduct, visit the center for student rights and responsibilities at www.sa.sdsu.edu/srr/conduct1.html . The center for student rights and responsibilities also explains the student has a right to expect professional conduct from faculty in the assignment and grading of work and provides a process for grievances (www.sa.sdsu.edu/srr/rights2.html)
CSU FURLOUGH INFORMATION
The California State University (CSU) defines a “furlough” as “a mandated period of time off without pay.” As a result of devastating California state budget cuts, faculty and staff at SDSU are prohibited from working on two days per month (and a total of 4 days in one single month) during the 2009-10 academic year. The faculty furlough plan prohibits professors from teaching, being on campus, and consulting with students during furlough days. Exact dates designated as “furlough days” vary from person to person. During the Spring 2010 semester, the furlough days for Dr. Deutschman are:
Jan: 28 Feb: 12, 15 Mar: 8, 24 Apr: 14, 23 May: 11, 21
Note: classroom days which are cancelled due to furlough are underlined
Biology 535 Spring 2010
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TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
Any changes to this Syllabus will be announced in class and updated on the Class Syllabus in Blackboard
Tue Topic Thu Topic Lab Topic Activity
19-Jan No Class 21-JanWelcome, Introduction to
Plant Ecology21-Jan
Introduction to Plant
Ecology Lab, Exercises
26-Jan Photosynthesis and Light 28-JanDeutschman on Furlough,
Lecture Cancelled28-Jan
Deutschman on Furlough,
Lab Cancelled
2-Feb Water and Energy 4-FebSoils, Nutrients and
Belowgound Processes4-Feb
Analysis of Data: Salt,
inundation
9-FebSalt and Inundation -
Tijuana Estuary11-Feb Field Trip 1 - Tijuana Estuary 11-Feb Field Trip 1 - Tijuana Estuary
16-Feb Population Modeling 18-Feb Simple Population Models 18-Feb Leslie Matrices
23-FebDemography of long-lived
plants - Torrey Pine25-Feb Field Trip 2 - Torrey Pines 25-Feb Field Trip 2 - Torrey Pines
2-MarReproduction and
Recruitment4-Mar Midterm Exam 4-Mar Lab Cancelled
9-Mar Invasion and Non-natives 11-MarIntroduction to Group 3 -
CSS and Chaparral11-Mar Field Trip 3 - MTRP (I)
16-MarVeg. comm: richness,
eveness, physiognomy18-Mar
Competition, Herbivory,
and Pathogens18-Mar Field Trip 3 - MTRP (II)
23-Mar Disturbance and Succession 25-MarFire in Vegetation
Communities25-Mar
Group Presentations
(Literature Review)
30-Mar Spring Break 1-Apr Spring Break 1-Apr Spring Break
6-Apr Ecosyste Processes 8-Apr Communities in Landscapes 8-AprSpatial Ecology - Measuring
Spatial Pattern
13-Apr Landscape Ecology 15-Apr Climate and Biomes 15-AprSpatial Ecology - Describing
Spatial Pattern
20-AprRegional and Global
Diversity22-Apr
Biodiversity and Ecosystem
Function22-Apr
Silwood Biodiversity - Data
Analysis
27-AprPaleoecology
(Schellenberg?)29-Apr Global Climate Change 29-Apr
Group Projects - Data
Analysis and Powerpoint
4-May Discussion 6-May Review for Final Exam 6-MayGroup Presentations -
PARTY
11-MayDeutschman on Furlough,
Lecture Cancelled
20-May Final Exam: 10:30 to 12:30