20806282General Ecology
Course Information
Description
Ecology is the study of the complex relationships among living organisms and between organisms and their environment. We explore the application of ecological principles to individuals, populations, biological communities, ecosystems, and the biosphere.
Total Credits
3
Course Competencies
  1. Explain ecological terminology
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product, Quiz, and/or Exam
    Criteria
    Ecological terms chosen are accurate
    Ecological terms effectively align with the context and/or situation
    Differentiate ecological terms
    Define ecological terms

  2. Apply the major ecological principles, concepts, and classical and contemporary hypotheses dominating the field of ecology
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product, Quiz, and/or Exam
    Criteria
    Identify ecological principles, concepts, and hypotheses
    Explain the relevance of ecological principles, concepts, and hypotheses to ecological questions
    Apply ecological principles, concepts, and hypotheses to support answers to ecological questions

  3. Analyze ecological processes at the level of whole organisms, populations, biological communities, ecosystems, and the biosphere
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product, Quiz, and/or Exam
    Criteria
    Define the concepts of organisms, populations, biological communities, ecosystems, and the biosphere
    Differentiate between examples of organisms, populations, species, communities, ecosystems, and the biosphere
    Compare ecological processes between and among organisms, populations, species, biological communities, and the biosphere

  4. Determine the scale at which to address different ecological questions
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product, Quiz, and/or Exam
    Criteria
    Explain the importance of scale to ecological processes
    Predict differences in results of an ecological process when viewed at different scales
    Justify the choice of scale to answer an ecological question

  5. Describe ecological research techniques and determine when they are correctly used
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product, Quiz, and/or Exam
    Criteria
    Compare different ecological research techniques and methods
    Choose ecologically appropriate research techniques and methods
    Critique ecological research techniques or methods used in example studies

  6. Use ecological principles to explain ecological scenarios and questions
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product, Quiz, and/or Exam
    Criteria
    Apply ecological principles to specific ecological scenarios and questions
    Develop plausible hypotheses to answer ecological scenarios and questions
    Justify choices

  7. Design a study to test a hypothesis about ecological processes or answer a question related to ecology
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product, Quiz, and/or Exam
    Criteria
    Develop ecologically appropriate protocols or techniques to test a hypothesis or answer an ecological question
    Prioritize research methods and measurement techniques to test a hypothesis or answer an ecological question
    Propose likely results of a hypothesis or ecological question
    Justify choices

  8. Apply ecological principles to conservation and management issues
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product, Quiz, and/or Exam
    Criteria
    Predict the conservation or management outcomes of specific ecological scenarios
    Determine management techniques appropriate to the scale, taxa, and context of the issue
    Critique the methods used in prior conservation or management projects

  9. Demonstrate the scientific process and its application to ecological questions
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product, Quiz, and/or Exam
    Criteria
    Propose testable hypotheses to answer pertinent ecological questions
    Justify choices
    Predict likely results of hypotheses
    Critique prior studies or experiments
    Discuss the importance of replication and generalizability

  10. Evaluate the importance of science and ecology to understand problems in our current world
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product, Quiz, and/or Exam
    Criteria
    Critique statements based on their veracity and relevance
    Solve quantitative problems in ecology
    Discuss the application of science in general and ecology in particular to solving societal problems

  11. Use critical thinking and quantitative reasoning to answer ecological questions
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product, Quiz, and/or Exam
    Criteria
    Identify credible sources of ecological data
    Evaluate arguments
    Respond to arguments
    Assess alternative viewpoints
    Test hypotheses against relevant criteria

  12. Explain the role of evolution by natural selection in ecological relationships
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product, Quiz, and/or Exam
    Criteria
    Explain the principles of evolution by natural selection
    Develop evolutionary explanations for ecological phenomena
    Apply evolutionary explanations to ecological questions