STANDARD COMPETENCIES:

 

 I.      Recognize terminology, specific facts, experimental methodologies, and general concepts related to ecology;

 II.     Apply the concepts learned to interpret new situations;

 III.    Perform standard laboratory techniques utilizing standard laboratory equipment safely and properly;

 IV.     Interpret ecological data in a variety of formats, such as graphs, tables, and charts;

 V.      Employ the Scientific Method to the extent of formulating a hypothesis, designing an investigation complete with controls and manipulation of variables, analyzing results, deriving conclusions and successfully communicating this information in a formal laboratory report.

 TOPICAL OUTLINE:

 

 I.      Introduction and Community Ecology

         A.      Ecology Overview

         B.      Experimentation and Models

         C.      Community Structure

         D.      Disturbance

         E.      Succession

 II.     Ecosystem Ecology

         A.      Ecosystem Concept

         B.      Ecosystem Energetics

         C.      Biogeochemical Cycles

 III.    The Organism and Its Environment

         A.      Adaptation

         B.      Climate

         C.      Water

         D.      Thermal Balance

         E.      Light

         F.      Biological Cycles

         G.      Nutrients

         H.      Soils

 IV.     Population Ecology

         A.      Properties of Populations

         B.      Population Growth and Regulation