Colman, Benjamin P

English

University of Montana

University of MontanaScholarWorks at University of MontanaSyllabi Course SyllabiSpring 2-1-2019BIOE 447.01: 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: Ecosystem Ecology" (2019). Syllabi. 9247.https://scholarworks.umt.edu/syllabi/92471  Syllabus BIOE 447: Ecosystem Ecology Spring 2019: Tues/Thurs, 12:30 PM-1:50 PM, LA 243 Instructor information:  Instructor: Ben Colman  Email: ben.colman@umontana.edu   Phone: (406) 243-6315  Office Hours, Clapp 449: W, 9-10 am; Th, 2-3 pm; or by appointment  Overview: In this course on Ecosystem Ecology, we will explore: 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 for 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: Class will be conducted largely through regularly scheduled class periods and supplemented with two integrative field trips in late March/early-April (dates TBD in class). 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 any are required. If you have any questions about how to use Moodle, it is your responsibility to ask me, your colleagues, or call/email the UM Online help staff. There will be two fieldtrips during the course of the semester, one focusing on factors driving the structure and function in aquatic ecosystems, and one focusing on the same in terrestrial ecosystems. Due to the nature of spring in Montana, these trips will necessarily be pushed into April, will be full day trips, and will require some flexibility on the part of students and the instructor. Attendance for field trips is advisable, but optional. That being said, students will be responsible for making up field trips independently. Assessments: There are several types of assessments and assignments in this class, including quizzes on assigned readings and lectures, field journals, and a review paper. Detailed descriptions of expectations and Syllabus, BIOE 447, Ecosystem Ecology 2  rubrics for grading these assignments will be posted on the Moodle site for this course, and a detailed assignment description and rubric will be handed out in class for the review paper. Assignments must be turned in prior to the start of class by using Moodle. Course guidelines and policies: Grading: Rubrics for each assignment will be discussed in class and posted on Moodle along with the descriptions of those assignments. The overall distribution of points is summarized in the table below. My goal will be to return all assignments and quizzes no later than a week after receiving them. Assignment Points Description Field journals 30 4 points for each of 5 regular FJs, 5 points for 2 field trip FJs Quizzes 30 6 quizzes, five points each Synthesis project 30 Paper proposal, annotated bib (3 ea.); rough draft & final draft (9 ea.), peer review (6) Attendance & participation 10 Be present and you will participate 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 of a time that you were honest, and put “honest” as the subject, I will give you a point in extra credit. All students should read and be familiar with the policies contained in the Student Conduct Code. Adjustments for Students with Disabilities: Students with disabilities may request reasonable modifications by contacting me; know that I required modifications when I was in college. 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 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. In an average semester, I get around 100 emails a day with over half requiring replies. If you do not hear from me within 24 hours (except on the weekend) feel free to email again, or call me in my office.  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 prior to class time. Do email me, as per the schedule and attendance policy.   Syllabus, BIOE 447, 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 matters, religious observance, or participation in a University or community 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” in the email subject, and a description of why you will be absent. Wk Date Readings Assignments Class 1 Jan 10 None  Overview, introductions 2 Jan 15 Ch 1 Field journal 1 Ecosystem concept and history 2 Jan 17 Ch 2  Primary producers I, Reading primary lit 3 Jan 22 Paper 1  Primary producers II 3 Jan 24 Ch 3 Quiz 1 Secondary production, bibliography software 4 Jan 29  Field journal 2 Consumer energetics and importance 4 Jan 31 Ch 4  Organic matter decomposition 5 Feb 5 Ch 5 Paper proposal due Element cycling 5 Feb 7 Ch 6 Quiz 2 The carbon cycle I 6 Feb 12 Paper 2 Field journal 3 The carbon cycle II  6 Feb 14 Paper 3  The carbon cycle II 7 Feb 19 Ch 7 Annotated bibliography due The N cycle I 7 Feb 21 Paper 4 Quiz 3 The N cycle II 8 Feb 26 Ch 8 Field journal 4 The P cycle I 8 Feb 28 Paper 5  The P cycle II 9 Mar 5 Ch 9 Rough draft of paper due Revisiting the Ecosystem concept 9 Mar 7 Ch 10 Quiz 4 Ecosystems in a heterogeneous world 10 Mar 12 Ch 11-12 Field journal 5 Ecosystem Structure, function, sustainability 10 Mar 14 Ch 13-16 Peer review of paper due Four case studies 11 Mar 19 Ch 17  Frontiers in ecosystem science 11 Mar 21 Paper 6 Quiz 5 Biodiversity and ecosystem function Nope Mar 26 None Spring break! Spring Break! Nope Mar 28 None Spring break! Spring Break! 12 Apr 2 Paper 7  Disturbance, resistance, resilience 12 Apr 4 Paper 8  FIRE!  13 Apr 9 Paper 9  Stream continuum concept 13 Apr 11 Paper 10 Quiz 6 Floodplain mosaic 14 Apr 16 Paper 11 Field (trip) journal 6 Revisiting nutrient limitation 14 Apr 18 Paper 12  Revisiting the state factor model 15 Apr 24  Final draft of paper due Final presentations 15 Apr 25  Field (trip) journal 7 Final presentations  

BIOE 447.01: Ecosystem Ecology

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BIOE 447.01: Ecosystem Ecology

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