BIOL 203(F) Ecology (Same as Environmental Studies 203)

This course combines lectures with field and indoor laboratory exercises to explore factors that determine the distribution and abundance of plants and animals in natural systems. The course begins with an overall view of global patterns and then builds from the population to the ecosystem level. An emphasis is given to basic ecological principles and relates them to current environmental issues. Selected topics include population dynamics (competition, predation, co-evolution); community interactions (succession, food chains and diversity) and ecosystem function (biogeochemical cycles, energy flow). Evaluation will be based on lab reports, hour exams, and a final exam. Lecture and laboratory: six hours a week. Prerequisites: Biology 101 and 102 or Environmental Studies 101 or 102 or permission of the department. Required course in the Environmental Studies Program. Satisfies distribution requirement in major.

Hour: J. EDWARDS