BIOL 2225 General Ecology for Life Science Majors Lab
- Division: Natural Science and Math
- Department: Biology
- Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 1; Lecture: 0; Lab: 3
- Corequisites: BIOL 2220
- Semesters Offered: Spring
- Semester Approved: Fall 2022
- Five-Year Review Semester: Fall 2027
- End Semester: Summer 2028
- Optimum Class Size: 24
- Maximum Class Size: 24
Course Description
Basic concepts of ecology will be studied in the field. The students will also be introduced to some of the field techniques used by ecologists. The course will require participation in a four-day field trip. Students will also be participating in a service-learning project. This course is designed for life science majors. (Lab fee required to pay for the field trip)
Justification
General Ecology for Life Science Majors Lab is a basic field ecology course for life science majors. An ecology laboratory class is required as part of the curriculum for biology and natural resource students at all colleges in the state. This course will transfer to Utah State University, Southern Utah University, Utah Valley University, Dixie State University and Weber State University. Southern Utah University and Weber State University require the lab be taken concurrently with the ecology course (Biol 2220).
Student Learning Outcomes
- Students will learn how to make observations and ask appropriate questions to understand ecosystems.
- Students will learn different field techniques that can be used to understand processes that are occurring in ecosystems.
- Students will learn how to identify different ecosystems and ecotypic variations within ecosystems.
- Students will learn how to analyze data that is collected on the field trip.
Course Content
Content: General observations made throughout the field trip; Sampling Aquatic Communities; Measuring the physical environment, sampling biological populations; Intraspecific Competition; Vegetation Sampling; Measurements and terms used in vegetation analysis, plot method, line intercept method; Population Dispersion; Terrestrial Vertebrate Sampling; Foliage Invertebrates; Species Diversity; Community Similarity; Service-Learning ComponentThroughout the field trip students will be involved in discussions to help them understand multiple viewpoints and different conclusions that could result from decisions made from scientific, political and ethical viewpoints.
Key Performance Indicators: Progress of the students in achieving the course objectives will be measured by oral questions and answers during the field trip. Students will take notes and data during the field trip. After the field trip students will be required to analyze data and write a report on principles learned and results of sampling. Students are graded on participation in the oral discussions and questions, and the quality of their report.Report on field trip 60 to 80%Report on Service Learning Project 20 to 30%Participation in oral questions and discussions 5 to 15%Representative Text and/or Supplies: Laboratory manual prepared by A. R. StevensPrevious reports that students have made to State and Institutional Trust Lands Administration and Utah Division of Wildlife ResourcesPedagogy Statement: Instructional Mediums: Lab