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Bio 149: Ecology - Syllabus and Course Information

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Instructor:  Sue Kloss

Office:  D-100, Next to the biology lab

Office Hours: M, W 4:30 – 6 pm; T, Th 9-10 am, and by appointment

Email: kloss@ltcc.edu   Make sure to put your full name and Bio 149 in the subject line!!!

Website: http://www.ltcconline.net/kloss/bio149/index.htm

Final Exam:  Dec. 8 – 11 am  - 1 pm!

Text:  Ecology.  4th edition. by Manuel Molles, McGraw Hill Publishers

Course Requirements for Ecology:     

Exams:  There will be three exams in this course, two midterms and a final.  You are responsible for all material covered in lectures, discussions and readings.  Midterm 1 is worth 15%, Midterm 2 is worth 20%, and the Final is worth 25% of your course grade. 

In-class/homework assignments:   There will be several in-class/homework assignments for you to complete during the course.  No makeups for any reason! These assignments are worth 10% of the course grade. 

Lab reports:  Your lab reports account for 10% of your grade for the course, and labs are incredibly important!  You may make up only 1 missed lab or 1 field trip.  You will be given an assignment for makeup.  You must attend AT LEAST ONE of the 2 field trips.  Each field trip counts as 2 labs. 

Presentations – Land Use History:  Please see the handout on presentations.  Worth 10%. 

Participation:  Being on time, participating, for the whole time, (and awake!) gets you all your possible 10%.  Absences from lab will affect your lab notebook grade and your participation grade.  You don’t lose too much for one absence (especially if you do a make up) but if you miss a second lab you lose 20% of your participation grade for each absence.  If you have excessive absences from lab (more than 3) you will be dropped from the course.  Spot checking will be used to monitor attendance in lectures and labs.  If you arrive late to lab or leave early, you will not receive full credit.

Exam Reschedules: You may reschedule an exam only by discussing it with me in advance.  (Emails and phone messages do not satisfy this requirement).  If you take the exam within 2 working days of when it was originally scheduled, you lose 8 %.  If you complete the exam within 10 days you lose 30 %.  You may not take an exam more than 10 days after the scheduled original.  If you miss a lab practical you will take it in alternate format, subject to late penalties.  No late work of other types will be accepted. 

Attendance Policy:  Make every effort to attend! It is very important to me that students come to class, on time, for the entire time scheduled. Turn off all electronic equip, please!   NO ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT MAY BE USED DURING CLASSES OR EXAMS.  Please make every effort to arrive on time for class.  If you arrive after class has started, it is very disruptive to other students.  If you do miss class or any part of one, you are responsible for material covered.  You may make up only one missed lab or field trip.  No electronic submission of any assignment will be accepted.

Study Buddies: Choose 2 or 3 people for your study buddies.  These are the people who will pick up handouts for you if you are absent, and who will share notes with you for the class you missed. With your study buddies, you can ask about material you don’t understand, divvy up study chores, prepare for exams, etc.  Learning cooperatively is wonderful, but it doesn’t work if every one doesn’t do an equal share of the work.  Take good care of your buddies!  Do not take advantage of them! You may always discuss course information and assignments together (except on exams), but all answers must be your own.  Do not use the same wording as anyone else on any assignment.  When you use someone else’s idea, be sure to provide a citation.  This class will abide by the student honor code. 

 Grading summary:                                                                               Grading Scale:

15% - Midterm I                                                                         A = 90 -100

20% - Midterm 2                                                                         B = 80 - 89

25% - Final Exam                                                                        C = 70 - 79

10% – in class/homework assignments                                           D = 60 - 69

10% - Land use history presentation                                              F = below 60

10% - Lab reports

10% - Participation

100% total

Student Learning Outcomes
1. Describe or draw basic structure, function, and dynamics of biotic and abiotic components of natural systems.
2. Relate organismic structure and function to elements in the abiotic environment and to relationships; identify resulting key adaptations.
3. Interpret data and information to evaluate local and global ecological characteristics and issues.
4. Illustrate and communicate the interdependencies of natural and human-created systems by using modeling techniques.

* Any students needing accommodations should inform the instructor.

Students with disabilities who may need accommodations for this class are encouraged to notify the instructor and contact the Disability Resource Center (DRC) early in the quarter so that reasonable accommodations may be implemented as soon as possible.  Students may contact the DRC by visiting the Center (located in room A205) or by phoning 541-4660, ext. 249 (voice) or 542-1870 (TTY for deaf students).  All information will remain confidential.