Biology 535 Spring 2010 BIOLOGY 535 PLANT ECOLOGY GENERAL COURSE INFORMATION Instructor Contact Information Office Hours Dr Douglas Deutschman Professor of Biology Office PS 150A Physical Sciences Bldg Phone 594 5391 Email ddeutschman sciences sdsu edu Tuesdays 1230 to 130 Thursdays 930 to 1030 Course Description Plant adaptation and response to living and non living environment including aspects of plant evolution demography ecophysiology community and ecosystem dynamics and soil plant relationships Terrestrial systems emphasized Meeting Times and Classrooms 4 units 3 hours lecture 3 hours lab Lecture T Th 1100 1215 Lab Th 1230 1510 Prerequisites Textbook LS 134 LS 126 Biology 203 203L 204 204L Strongly recommended Biology 215 354 Gurevitch Scheiner and Fox The Ecology of Plants 2nd edition Published in 2006 by Sinauer Associates Inc COURSE GOALS AND LEARNING OBJECTIVES This course is an introduction to plant ecology We will be studying the role of plants communities in the structure and function of the ecosystem across a fragmented landscape Through the lectures readings assignments group presentations field trips and computer labs you will gain a broader understanding of the key concepts in plant ecology and get experience in applying these concepts by collecting analyzing and interpreting data from several local plant communities At the end of the course students will be able to Understand the key principles of plants interactions with abiotic and biotic components of ecosystems Observe natural systems and take detailed field notes about plants within their habitats Plan and execute a survey of a vegetation community Learn use and apply statistical software to enter data graph and analyze data test hypotheses and interpret results from data collected in the field Read evaluate and communicate scientific information data and research papers in a critical manner Over the course of the semester students will learn Major concepts in modern plant ecology from the response of individual plants to their local environment to the role of plants in ecosystems and the global climate system How to search for select read and synthesize information from the primary literature in plant ecology How to design carryout and analyze data from studies of plant communities How to present and evaluate scientific findings Page 1 of 3 Biology 535 Spring 2010 GRADING AND ASSIGNMENTS Assessment of learning will consist of two exams a group projects and many smaller writing assignments homework and quizzes Participation in lab and field exercises is crucial and will count toward your final grade Final Grades will be calculated out of 500 points using the following Major Exams 250 points Midterm Exam 100 pts Final Exam 150 pts Group Project 150 points Presentation 1 50 pts Final Presentation 100 pts Other Work 100 points Quizzes Homework 50 pts Participation 50 pts MISSED ASSIGNMENTS AND EXAMS If illness or other serious problem beyond your control prevents you from completing an assignment or exam on time you are expected to provide some kind of verification of the reason such as a note from student health services STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES I expect all students to adhere to the university guidelines for responsible behavior and good citizenship For more information on the standards for student conduct visit the center for student rights and responsibilities at www sa sdsu edu srr conduct1 html The center for student rights and responsibilities also explains the student has a right to expect professional conduct from faculty in the assignment and grading of work and provides a process for grievances www sa sdsu edu srr rights2 html CSU FURLOUGH INFORMATION The California State University CSU defines a furlough as a mandated period of time off without pay As a result of devastating California state budget cuts faculty and staff at SDSU are prohibited from working on two days per month and a total of 4 days in one single month during the 200910 academic year The faculty furlough plan prohibits professors from teaching being on campus and consulting with students during furlough days Exact dates designated as furlough days vary from person to person During the Spring 2010 semester the furlough days for Dr Deutschman are Jan 28 Feb 12 15 Mar 8 24 Apr 14 23 May 11 21 Note classroom days which are cancelled due to furlough are underlined Page 2 of 3 Biology 535 Spring 2010 TENTATIVE SCHEDULE Tue Topic Thu Topic Lab Topic Activity 19 Jan No Class 21 Jan Welcome Introduction to Plant Ecology 21 Jan Introduction to Plant Ecology Lab Exercises 26 Jan Photosynthesis and Light 28 Jan Deutschman on Furlough Lecture Cancelled 28 Jan Deutschman on Furlough Lab Cancelled 2 Feb Water and Energy 4 Feb Soils Nutrients and Belowgound Processes 4 Feb Analysis of Data Salt inundation 9 Feb Salt and Inundation Tijuana Estuary 11 Feb Field Trip 1 Tijuana Estuary 11 Feb Field Trip 1 Tijuana Estuary 16 Feb Population Modeling 18 Feb Simple Population Models 18 Feb Leslie Matrices 23 Feb Demography of long lived plants Torrey Pine 25 Feb Field Trip 2 Torrey Pines 25 Feb Field Trip 2 Torrey Pines 2 Mar Reproduction and Recruitment 4 Mar Midterm Exam 4 Mar Lab Cancelled 9 Mar Invasion and Non natives 11 Mar Introduction to Group 3 CSS and Chaparral 11 Mar Field Trip 3 MTRP I 16 Mar Veg comm richness eveness physiognomy 18 Mar Competition Herbivory and Pathogens 18 Mar Field Trip 3 MTRP II 23 Mar Disturbance and Succession 25 Mar Fire in Vegetation Communities 25 Mar Group Presentations Literature Review 30 Mar Spring Break 1 Apr Spring Break 1 Apr Spring Break 6 Apr Ecosyste Processes 8 Apr Communities in Landscapes 8 Apr Spatial Ecology Measuring Spatial Pattern 13 Apr Landscape Ecology 15 Apr Climate and Biomes 15 Apr Spatial Ecology Describing Spatial Pattern 20 Apr Regional and Global Diversity 22 Apr Biodiversity and Ecosystem Function 22 Apr Silwood Biodiversity Data Analysis 27 Apr Paleoecology Schellenberg 29 Apr Global Climate Change 29 Apr Group Projects Data Analysis and Powerpoint 4 May Discussion 6 May Review for Final Exam 6 May Group Presentations PARTY 11 May Deutschman on Furlough Lecture Cancelled 20 May Final Exam 10 30 to 12 30 Any changes to this Syllabus will be announced in class and updated on the Class Syllabus in Blackboard Page 3 of 3