Overview of Lab

Forrest Dillemuth, fdille1@lsu.edu
Elizabeth Jackson, sjack27@lsu.edu
Meghan Radtke, mradkt1@lsu.edu

Course overview: This course is oriented toward the study of natural populations and communities. It is a hands-on course in which students will participate in the application of a number of ecological techniques to the study of these systems. Throughout the semester we will go on field trips to the various habitats found around Baton Rouge, including old-field, riparian, pond, and deciduous forest habitats. Each field trip will involve studying a different ecological problem. Over the course of this semester, we will estimate the abundance and dominance of forest tree species, determine the diversity of insect communities, use mark-recapture experiments to estimate fish and/or amphibian population size and dispersal, study the effects of water quality on aquatic zooplankton communities, examine the demography of human populations, and quantify the wind-aided dispersal ability of seeds. Along the way, the students will learn how to perform basic statistical tests, analyze and interpret the data collected and present their results. Overall, it is our hope that these field trips and lab exercises will provide students with an enjoyable and informative introduction to the study of ecology.

Optional Text: Molles, Manuel C., Jr. (2004). Ecology: Concepts and Applications, 3rd edition. McGraw-Hill.

Grading:

Statistics/graphing homework: 5%
Research reports (5 at 5% each): 25%
Quizzes (4 at 5% each): 20%
Oral presentation (1): 20%
Participation: 10%
Final Exam: 20%

Research reports: There are six different research projects that we will focus on during the semester. Students will either work together as a class, or in groups of 2-3 during the collection of data. However, at the end of each project, students will work individually to summarize their results and answer questions related to the subject. Note: students working on an oral presentation (see below) are not responsible for a research report on that same topic.

Quizzes: There will be four quizzes interspersed throughout the semester. They may be scheduled or unannounced. The choice is up to your instructor. You may be quizzed on your reading assignments, statistical and graphical prowess, homework assignments, etc.

Oral Presentations: During the first day of class, we will divide the students into 6 groups, each assigned to one of the six laboratory projects. At the end of the semester, we will have a mini symposium in which each lab group will give an oral presentation describing its laboratory project and findings. All students in each group will participate in the presentation and it will be graded by your fellow classmates and lab instructor. Presentations will be given using Microsoft PowerPoint. During the semester, your lab instructor will advise you on how to give an effective oral presentation using audio-visual tools.

Late Assignments: Assignments are expected to be turned in on time. You will be penalized 10% of the assignment grade for each day that it is late.

Final Exam: The final exam will cover all six laboratory projects and will consist of short answer and essay questions. The poster session on the last day of class will help you to review for the final.

Attendance: Your presence and participation in lab is mandatory. There is limited opportunity to make up a missed laboratory or field trip. If you are unable to attend a class, it will be your responsibility to obtain permission to make it up (a valid excuse must be approved by your instructor). Although there are multiple sections for this course, you are expected to attend the lab section in which you enrolled. You may attend an alternate lab only if you are given prior permission to do so. If you are unable to attend a lab, you will be assigned a library research paper on a relevant topic. It will be to your benefit to notify your lab instructor as soon as possible so that arrangements can be made.

Principles of Ecology Laboratory

BIOL 4254 (Laboratory)