Summer 2006 BIOLOGY 4620:
ADVANCED TOPICS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
Dr. Dirnberger
338 Science Bldg.
e-mail: ; 423-6546 (office), 499-3231 (lab)
The ocean covers 71% of the Earth’s surface, contains a large proportion of the Earth’s biodiversity, and is a critical component of global climate regulation, yet we are still learning the basics about how this enormous system operates. This course will investigate aspects of geology, physics, chemistry, environmental science and biology as they apply to marine systems. Emphasis will be on the influence of physical processes on ecological interactions, particularly within coastal systems. Students will examine these influences across a transect from freshwater to brackish water to offshore environments.
The fieldtrip!
There is a required fieldtrip (from the July 6 to the evening of July 9) that includes an offshore research cruise on the R.V. Savannah and a trip to Sapelo Island. This is the centerpiece of the course, and if you cannot attend this fieldtrip, please consider dropping the course so that another can add. There will be a cost for lodging and for most meals. This trip is an extraordinary opportunity, and you will need to take it seriously and work hard. We will be staying on board the ship one night, so no alcohol consumption, etc. The schedule will be fairly demanding, so don’t take your lounge chair and plan to sip boat drinks on the beach.
The Research Paper
The research paper will be based on data collected during the semester. In this paper you will examine and explain biological/ecological responses to physical and chemical gradients. During our field sampling we should encounter several such gradients. Your field journal will be critical in supplying the information you need to write this paper! You will address three such gradients (one of my choosing and two of your choosing). You must cite at least three sources from referred journals (I will provide a list of articles and you will find at least two additional sources). More details will be provided at a future date.
The field Journal
You will record observations (writings and drawings) and data collected in the field in this notebook (as well as lab data collection). The key to (and the purpose of) the field journal is to make careful observation during our field and lab experiences. These will be critical in writing your paper. The notebook should be sturdy, bound, and hard-covered; it maybe lined or un-lined depending on your preference. Bookstores and art supply stores sell blank journals and ledgers. You may also want to carry a small pocket-sized notebook for times in the field as soon as it is inconvient to carry the larger notebook. More details will be provided at a future date.
The Lab Practical
As we identify and enumerate in lab organisms collected during the fieldtrip, we will set aside specimens as a reference collection. Specimens for the lab practical will be taken from this collection.
The lab assignments
Throughout the semester, there will be several short lab assignments. These will be done as group work and will be due at the end of that lab.
Required book:
Oceanography: Invitation to Marine Science. Tom Garrison
class web page:
http://science.kennesaw.edu/~jdirnber/oceanography
This will link you to lecture outlines and to other resources. While these outlines are detailed, they are not complete lecture notes (i.e. this is not an online course).
Grades:
Exam I – 20 June 100 pts
Exam II - 13 July 100 pts
Final - 27 July, 11:30am 100 pts
Lab practical (marine diversity) 50 pts
Paper 100 pts
Field Journal 80 pts
Field Journal checks (10 pts each) 20 pts
Lab Assignments 75 pts
Literature Review 25 pts
650 pts
A= 90% pts. ; B= 80% pts ; C= 70% pts; D= 60% pts
pRerequistes:
Evolution (Biol 3380) or Ecology (Biol 3370)
Office hours:
Tuesday/Thursday before or after class
If you cannot make it during these times, I will be glad to make an appointment with you. If you are having any problems with the material, please come by and see me. Don't put it off until it is too late.
POLICIES
· Late papers will result in a 5% reduction per class period. The penalty is initiated at the beginning of each class/lab period (i.e. if the paper is not turned in at the start of class on the day it is due, 5% is taken off).
· Keep all of your returned, graded work (exams and lab reports). You must have these materials if you decide to contest your final course grade.
· Do not turn assignments in by e-mail or other electronic formats. Hard copies only.
NEW ACADEMIC WITHDRAWAL POLICY
EFFECTIVE FALL SEMESTER 2004
Students may withdraw from one or more courses anytime before the last three weeks of the semester. However, as of Fall 2004, students will be allowed a maximum of eight total withdrawals if the enter KSU as a freshman. Transfer students will be allowed one withdrawal per fifteen credit hours attempted, for a maximum of eight. Students who choose to pursue a second degree at KSU will be allowed two additional withdrawals. Students who entered KSU before the Fall of 2004 will be allowed one withdrawal per fifteen credit hours attempted for a maximum of eight. To withdraw, the student should complete an official withdrawal form in the Office of the Registrar. Students who officially withdraw from courses on or before the last day to withdraw without academic penalty will receive a “W”. Students who officially withdraw after the last day to withdraw without academic penalty (and before the last three weeks of the semester) will receive a “WF”, which will be counted as an “F” in calculation of their grade point average.
The only exceptions to these withdrawal regulations will be for instances involving unusual circumstances, which are fully documented. Students may appeal to the academic standing committee for consideration of unusual circumstances.
LAST DATE TO WITHDRAW WITHOUT ACADEMIC PENALTY
June 28
http://www.kennesaw.edu/registrar/Summer2005/new_withdrawal.shtml
Academic Integrity
Every KSU student is responsible for upholding the provisions of the Student code of Conduct, as published in the Undergraduate and Graduate catalogs. Section II of the Student Code of Conduct addresses the University’s policy on academic honesty, including provisions regarding plagiarism and cheating, unauthorized access to University materials, misrepresentation/falsification of University records or academic malicious/intentional misuses of computer facilities and/or services, and misuse of student identification cards. Incidents of alleged academic misconduct will be handled through the established procedures of the University Judiciary Program, which includes either an “Informal” resolution by a faculty member, resulting in a grade adjustment, or a formal hearing procedure, which may subject a student to the Code of Conduct’s minimum one semester suspension requirement.