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Today’s Outline
Ecology (BIOL 250)
Lecture 1: An Introduction
Announcements
Class procedures
Class Grading
What is ecology?
What do ecologists do?
We start lab nex t week
(Albers 202)
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Class Procedures
Textbook
Ecology: Concepts and Applications, Molles 2006 (4 th ed)
Lectures, Discussions etc.
Lectures
Articles
Figure Sets
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Grading
A total of 500 possible points
Tests = 300 pts (4 x 75)
Assignments = 150 pts (50 lecture & 100 lab)
Participation = 50 pts
Includes attendance & quizes during discussions.
Late penalty
assignments need to be on time unless we have a prearranged
agreement otherwise
Course grade is on a standard scale
(e.g. 80-82% = B-; 83-86% = B; 87-89 = B+)
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Overview of Ecology
Ecology: Study of relationships between
organisms and the environment.
Simple definition does not convey the extreme
breadth of this discipline.
Ecosystem: Includes all organisms living in
an area, and the physical environment
with which these organisms interact.
Biosphere: Highest level of ecological
organization.
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Scales of Ecological Organization
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