BIOL 301 - Ecology and Evolution - Summer 2007
Instructor: Dr. Erik P. Scully                Office Hours: immediately after class.
E-mail: escully@towson.edu             Phone: 410-704-3012
UMBC, Biological Sciences Phone: 410-455-2261
 
Date:    Topics (reading assignments in Ricklefs (2001); (Chap.:pp.)
5/29     Introduction to the course: Biology, Ecology and Evolution (1:1-22; 9:180-189)
5/31     Fundamental Principles of Population Genetics and Selection (16:311-328)
6/5       Sexual Selection, Social Evolution, and Speciation (11:229-235; 12:237-247; 24:464-478)
6/7       Life History Patterns, Sex & Evolution (10:199-217; 11:218-229)
6/12     Population Dynamics (14:269-289; 15: 293-302)
6/14     Review, Discussion, and Mid-term Exam
6/19     Populations in Space; Competition (13:253-267; 15:302-309; 19:364-379)
6/21     Predation, Parasitism and Mutualism (17:329-344; 18:346-363; 20:381-397; 8:165-166)
6/26    Community Structure (21:399-413)
6/28     Flow of Energy & Nutrients (6:125-140; 7:142-159);
7/3       Community Development & Biogeography (21:414-419; 22:421-439; 23:440-458)
7/5       Review, Discussion, and Final Examination
           
 
Textbook: Ricklefs, R. E., 2001. The Economy of Nature, 5th edition.  New York: W. H. Freeman.
 
Textbook Web Site: http://www.whfreeman.com/ricklefs5e/
 
Course Web Site: http://www.towson.edu/~scully/biol301.html

BlackBoard Site: http://blackboard.umbc.edu; BIOL301_6060_SU2007: BIOL 301 Ecology and Evolution SU2007
 
E-mail account: If you don't have an active E-mail account already, please make an effort to obtain one.  E-mail will be used between class meetings for announcements, distribution of study guides, and answering questions.
 
Populus: This course will introduce you to a number of basic mathematical models in Ecology and Population Genetics.  If you are interested in exploring these models through computer simulations, I recommend that you download a copy of Populus from the University of Minnesota (see below).  Populus is available in DOS and Java versions for PCs, and there are Mac and Linux versions.  I recommend version 5.3 of the program.
 
Populus Home Page: http://www.cbs.umn.edu/populus/


BIOL 301 - Ecology & Evolution
Comments and Policies - Summer 2007
 
Introduction: Ecology and Evolution (BIOL 301) is designed to offer Biology majors and majors in other disciplines a thorough introduction to the two complementary fields that provide a context for understanding all aspects of Biology.  This is because ecological interactions and their evolutionary consequences have been the principal factors that have shaped life on this planet.  The population geneticist Theodosius Dobzhansky once said, "Nothing in Biology makes sense except in the light of Evolution".  He could have added that we must study Evolution within an ecological framework.
 
The course will begin with an overview of the basic concepts in evolutionary biology and population genetics.  These principles will then be applied throughout the course.  Please note that your textbook (Ricklefs, 2001) has some coverage of these areas, but I will be providing you with handouts and study guides.
 
Your textbook (Ricklefs, 2001) offers you a concise presentation of the major topics in Ecology and the basic principles of Evolutionary Biology.  It does so with a strong emphasis on the experimental approach in Ecology, and discusses studies that have been conducted over the last 20 years.  Much of this is accomplished through discussion of various examples.  I will tell you which examples to know for each examination.
 
Finally, a few comments about mathematical models: Ecology and evolutionary biology are inherently quantitative and deal with complex systems.  Often, the best way to study these systems is though the use of mathematical models.  We will be discussing a number of classical models.  You are expected to understand the biological principles associated with these models.  You will not be expected to perform rigorous mathematical analyses on these models.
 
Grading: There will be two examinations.  The mid-term examination will be worth 45% of your final grade and the end-term examination will be 55% of your grade.  The end-term examination will include some comprehensive elements.  The examination format will be short essay, definition, and fill-in-the blank questions.
 
Policies: You are expected to attend all meetings of this course.  It is your responsibility to get the notes from someone if you miss a lecture.  You will also be expected to adhere to all of the principles of Academic Integrity that govern conduct in courses offered at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.  For additional details on the University's Academic Integrity policies, see  http://www.umbc.edu/integrity/acc_policy/