Course Units include:

• Introduction: What is Ecology?
  • ecology & environmentalism
  • history of ecology
  • applying the scientific method in ecology
  • the processes of evolution
    
    
• The Physical Environment
  • weather & climate
  • light and the water cycle
  • temperature and moisture
  • "Nutrients & Soils - Not Dirty Words Any More"
    
    
• The Organism and Its Environment
  • the many "flavors" of photosynthesis
  • cellular respiration
  • decomposition: "the worms crawl in; the worms crawl out, eating your guts and spitting them out"
  • how animals and plants are adapted for hot, cold, wet, dry, bright, dark environments
  • "Tick - toc: biological clocks" and periodicity
    
    
• Populations
  • abundant, common or rare?
  • sexual relationships in Nature
  • raising your young
  • "Biodiversity: Extinctions Are Forever"
    
    
• Communities
  • "The Alien Invaders Among Us - Exotic Plants & Animals in South Florida "
  • "Parasites We Love To Hate"
  • "Interspecifc Relationships - Can They Find True Love?"
  • "Niches of the Ecologically Rich and Famous"
  • How fast food restaurants act like living species
  • "What Would Happen If You Never Mowed Your Lawn Again - Ever?"
    
    
• Ecosystems
  • ecosystems and energy flow
  • "What eats what"
  • biogeochemical cycles: "Where on Earth is "Carbon San Diego?"
    
    
• Biogeography and Biodiversity
  • South Florida's Unique Plant Communities
    • Mangrove Swamps
    • Everglades Wetlands
    • Pine Rocklands
    • Tropical Hardwood Hammocks
  • The World Tour: Biogeographical Realms & Biomes
    • Tundra
    • Taiga
    • Boreal Forests
    • Deciduous Forests
    • Savannahs
    • Deserts
    • Tropical Forests
    • Aquatic Systems
      

• understand how organisms are adapted to survive, grow and reproduce
• understand the tremendous diversity of how organisms interact with one another
• understand how the forces of natural selection and ecological succession shape populations and communities
• understand how populations, communities and ecosystems are structured and how they work
• understand the uniqueness of our South Florida ecosystem
• have a greater appreciation of the beauty and amazing complexity of the natural world

• Be an enthusiastic learner about Nature.
  
• Read a little each day to keep up with the assigned readings.
  
  • Elements of Ecology / 6th Edition by Smith & Smith
    
• Attend class regularly and take notes on your Power Point outlines.
• Participate in each day's class discussions.
  
• Complete the online practice quizzes (for points and knowledge)
• Attend as many of the weekend fieldtrips as you can.
  
• Study and then take 6 quizzes (keep your best 5 scores).
  
• Complete the in-class writing assignments with your partners and
  your solo out-of-class assignments from the tasty menu of choices.
  
• Take advantage of all extra credit opportunities.
  
• Have fun!