Colman, Benjamin P

English

University of Montana

University of MontanaScholarWorks at University of MontanaSyllabi Course SyllabiSpring 2-1-2018BIOE 447.01: Terrestrial Ecosystem EcologyBenjamin P. ColmanUniversity of Montana, MissoulaLet us know how access to this document benefits you.Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/syllabiThis Syllabus is brought to you for free and open access by the Course Syllabi at ScholarWorks at University of Montana. It has been accepted forinclusion in Syllabi by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at University of Montana. For more information, please contactscholarworks@mso.umt.edu.Recommended CitationColman, Benjamin P., "BIOE 447.01: Terrestrial Ecosystem Ecology" (2018). Syllabi. 7521.https://scholarworks.umt.edu/syllabi/75211  Syllabus BIOE 447: Terrestrial Ecosystem Ecology Spring 2018: Tues/Thurs, 12:30 PM-1:50 PM, CHCB 452  Instructor information: • Instructor: Ben Colman • Email: ben.colman@umontana.edu  • Phone: (406) 243-6315 • Office Hours: Monday 5 PM-6 PM, Thursday 2 PM-3 PM, Clapp 449  Overview: In this course on Ecosystem Ecology, I will provide an introduction to: systems thinking; the “ecosystem” concept; water, energy, carbon, and nutrient cycling; the role of disturbance in ecosystems; trophic dynamics; and species effects on ecosystem function. All concepts will be explored across both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems by using a blend of readings, lectures, discussions, problem-solving, and field trips. Outcomes: 1. For an ecosystem, students will be able to identify its structure, function, dynamics, and controls 2. Students will be able to compare top down and bottom up controls on ecosystem structure and function 3. Students will be able to construct a mass balance of nutrients and water of an ecosystem given basic information on ecosystem pools and fluxes 4. Students will be able to compare and contrast energy and nutrient cycling in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems Class format: The class will be conducted largely through regularly scheduled class periods and supplemented with two integrative field trips. Assignments must be submitted through the Moodle learning management software interface. Moodle will also be used for distribution of feedback on assignments, distribution of supplemental reading assignments, and documenting modifications to the course. If you have any questions about how to use Moodle, it is your responsibility to ask me or call/email the UM Online help staff. There will be two field trips during the semester. Due to the nature of spring in Montana, these trips will necessarily be pushed into April, will be all day, and will require some flexibility on the part of students and the instructor. Assessments: There are several types of assessments and assignments in this class, including quizzes on assigned readings (in class), field journals, and a synthesis project. Detailed descriptions of expectations and rubrics for grading these assignments will be posted on the Moodle site for this course. Assignments must be turned in before the start of class by using Moodle. Syllabus, BIOE 447, Terrestrial Ecosystem Ecology 2  Course guidelines and policies: Grading: Rubrics for each assignment will be posted along with the descriptions of those assignments on Moodle. The overall distribution of points is summarized in the table below. My goal will be to return all assignments and quizzes no later than the next class period. Assignment Total Points Description Field journals 30 2 points for each field journal entry, 13 regular, 2 field trip Quizzes 30 12 quizzes, 2.5 points each  Synthesis project 40 Paper proposal, annotated bib (5 ea.); rough draft & final draft (15 ea.) Attendance and participation 10 10 points for attendance, 10 points for participation  Academic Honesty: All students must practice academic honesty. Academic misconduct is subject to an academic penalty by the course instructor and/or a disciplinary sanction by the University. I can honestly say that if you email me and tell me about a time that you were honest, and put “honest” as the subject, I will give you a point of extra credit. All students should read and be familiar with the policies contained in the Student Conduct Code (http://www.umt.edu/vpsa/policies/student_conduct.php). Adjustments for Students with Disabilities: Students with disabilities may request reasonable modifications by contacting me. The University of Montana assures equal access to instruction through collaboration between students with disabilities, instructors, and Disability Services for Students. “Reasonable” means the University permits no fundamental alterations of academic standards or retroactive modifications. Disability Services for Students (http://life.umt.edu/dss) will assist in the accommodation process. Communication:   All course communications outside of class will be sent to students’ University of Montana email accounts. It is your responsibility to regularly check your University account. Beware:  If your email account is full, you will not be able to send messages (but Griz mail will not tell you that the message has not been sent). In general, my policy is to respond to email within 24 hours (except on the weekend).  Illness policy: If you come down with symptoms including either fever or vomiting, please do not come to class unless you are free of fever or vomiting for 24 hours before class time. Do email me, as per the schedule and attendance policy.   Syllabus, BIOE 447, Terrestrial Ecosystem Ecology 3  Schedule and attendance policy: We will meet every Tuesday/Thursday from 12:30-1:50. Because of the nature of this class, attendance is mandatory, and points will be deducted for absences. I may excuse brief and occasional absences for reasons of illness, injury, family emergency, religious observance, or participation in a University-sponsored activity. (University sponsored activities include, for example, field trips, ASUM service, music or drama performances, and intercollegiate athletics.) I will also excuse absences for reasons of military service or mandatory public service. Requests for excused absences require an email before class with “BIOE 447 absence request” in the email subject, and a description of why you will be absent. Wk Date Readings Assignments Class 1 Jan 23 None  Overview, introductions 1 Jan 26 Ch 1  Ecosystem concept and history 2 Jan 30 Ch 2 Field journal 1 Primary producers I, Reading primary lit 2 Feb 1 Paper 1  Primary producers II, Quiz 1 3 Feb 6 Ch 3 Field journal 2 Secondary production 3 Feb 8   Consumer energetics and importance, Quiz 2 4 Feb 13 Ch 4 Field journal 3 Organic matter decomposition 4 Feb 15 Ch 5  Element cycling, Quiz 3 5 Feb 20 Ch 6 Field journal 4 The carbon cycle I 5 Feb 22 Paper 2  The carbon cycle II, Quiz 4  6 Feb 27  Field journal 5 The carbon cycle III 6 Mar 1 Ch 7  The N cycle I, Quiz 5 7 Mar 6 Paper 3 Field journal 6 The N cycle II 7 Mar 8 Ch 8  The P cycle I, Quiz 6 8 Mar 13  Field journal 7, Synth prop The P cycle II 8 Mar 15 Ch 9  Revisiting the Ecosystem concept, Quiz 7 9 Mar 20 Ch 10 Field journal 8 Ecosystems in a heterogeneous world 9 Mar 22 Ch 11-12 Anno bib Ecosystem Structure, function, and sustainability, Quiz 8 10 Mar 27   Spring Break! 10 Mar 29   Spring Break! 11 Apr 3 Ch 13-16 Field journal 9 Four case studies 11 Apr 5 Ch 17 Meet with instructor by Fri Frontiers in ecosystem science, Quiz 9 12 Apr 10 Paper 4  Field journal 10 Biodiversity and ecosystem function 12 Apr 12 Paper 5  Biodiversity and ecosystem function II, Quiz 10 13 Apr 17 Paper 6 Rough draft Disturbance, resistance, resilience 13 Apr 19 Paper 7 Field journal 11 Disturbance, resistance, resilience II, Quiz 11 14 Apr 24 Paper 8 Field journal 12 Revisiting nutrient limitation 14 Apr 26 Paper 9 Field trip journals 1 and 2 Revisiting nutrient limitation II, Quiz 12 15 May 1  Field journal 13 Final presentations 15 May 3  Final draft Final presentations  

BIOE 447.01: Terrestrial Ecosystem Ecology

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BIOE 447.01: Terrestrial Ecosystem Ecology

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