Biology 110--Ecology and the Human Environment

Department of Biology
Four credit hours
Prerequisite: none
Dr. Stine
kstine@ashland.edu

Course description: In this course we will address four major questions: What is life?, What is biodiversity and how did it arise?, What is an ecosystem and how does it work?, and How do human activities impact ecosystems? In the process of answering these questions we will study the structure of matter and the function of cells, and the way in which traits are passed on from generation to generation. We will survey the different types of life found on earth, and study how populations, communities, and ecosystems work. Finally, we will examine current issues such as deforestation, pollution, the greenhouse effect, and conservation of endangered species.

Course objectives: To present students with basic concepts and practical applications of ecology as it relates to man and his environment.

Content of course: See attached schedule

Instructional approach: Lecture and laboratory.   Almost all test material will come from your class notes, and we will regularly discuss topics which are not covered in your textbook. Also we will do in-class projects in both lecture and lab which often cannot be "made up". Do not rely on "getting the notes from someone" on a regular basis--it will make things much more difficult for you when studying for tests, and you will miss points given for in-class work.

Evaluative criteria: There will usually be four tests during the semester, each worth 100 points. There will also be a cumulative final exam worth 200 points.

Tests are an important part of this course and it is your responsibility to be in class on test days. If you are ill or have another valid excuse, you must notify me prior to the scheduled test to arrange how it will be made up. Otherwise you will receive a zero for that test. Make-up tests will generally be either an essay type or oral exam.

In addition to tests, you will usually be responsible for keeping a class/lab notebook in which you will do lab exercises, written assignments, and other short projects. The notebooks will be collected and checked on each test day (not including the final exam). Each time you turn in your notebook you will receive up to 25 points for your work. Thus, the notebook work will be worth 100 points total.

Grades will be figured on the basis of total points:

• 95-100% = A, 90-94% = A-
• 87-89% = B+, 83-86% = B, 80-82% = B-
• 77-79% = C+, 73-76% = C, 70-72% = C-
• 67-69% = D+, 63-66% = D, 60-62% = D-
• 59% and below = F.

Resource materials: The textbooks I have used most recently are:

• Biology The Web of Life, Volume III by Chiras
• The Illustrated Five Kingdoms by Margulis, Schwartz, and Dolan
• Environmental Science: Biological Resources Volume II by Morgan, Moran andWiersma

Reading assignments will be given regularly throughout the course. It is useful to bring the book we are currently working in to class.

If you have problems or questions, I encourage you to come by my office during office hours, or call to make an appointment for other times. During office hours I will be either in my office OR somewhere nearby (in the labs upstairs, for example). I usually try to leave a note on my door when I have to step out for longer than just a moment, so if there's no note I'll probably be back within a few minutes. You can wait briefly, or leave a message with the secretary in the main office and I will get back with you as soon as possible. Likewise, if you call during office hours and I'm not there to answer my phone, it will ring in the main office. They can either track me down or take a message. Also meetings and other conflicts occasionally require me to change or cancel office hours. I will do my best to notify you in advance, if possible, or at least to have a note posted explaining the circumstances.

Office: 207 Kettering
Office hours: see my home page for current office hours

Typical Class and Lab Schedule

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