Course Specification of Basic Ecology

Total credit hours / Credit hours / Code/no. / Course title
2(2,0,0) / training / Practical / Theoretical / BIO 2610 / Basic Ecology
0 / 0 / 2
There is no / Pre-requisites for this course
Course: Basic Ecology
Compulsory[ √ ]
Elective [ ]
Course Description:
Introduction tothe knowledge of theenvironment – the conceptof environment -the relationshipwithother science ecology- the role ofArab and Muslim scholars in ecology- the components ofthe ecosystem– the types ofecosystems-environmental consequences-theflow of energy in the ecosystem-biological cycles-the distribution oforganisms- biologicalrelationshipswithin the environment–the identification thedifferent environmentsin Saudi Arabia.
Departments and Colleges required this course: Biology department - College of Science and Humanities
Course objectives:
1 - The course aims to familiarize students with the knowledge of the environment and the relationship of ecology to other sciences
2 - The course aims to give students the background knowledge of the components of the ecosystem
3 - The course aims to introduce students to the biological cycles
4 - The course aims to introduce students to the different environments in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Scientific contents
1 - Introduction to Ecology, the concept of environment, ecology and relationship to other sciences
2 -Ecosystem components
3 - The flow of energy in the ecosystem
4 - Biogeochemical cycles
5 - Environmental factors and the distribution of organisms
6 - Changes in ecological communities
7 - The diversity of biological communities
8 - Different environments in Saudi Arabia
Course Outcomes:
a- Knowledge
- Knowledge of students to the essential attributes of ecology.
- Students understand the basic information on the vegetation.
- Understanding the climate and plant configurations.
- The ability to differentiate between the different chains succession.
- The ability to observe mutations in dry, aquatic and marine plants,
- Full knowledge about the basic information for the installation physical and chemical properties of soil.
b- Cognitive Skills
- Analysis of scientific rationale for the environmental problems.
- Comparison between different plant communities.
- Distinguish between the effects of climate impact on vegetation.
- Determination of water percentage and types in the soil solution.
c- Interpersonal skills and responsibilities
- Work in a team and getting better through the communication skills and organization.
- Work individually on research and improved through the self-management skills and accountability.
d- Analysis and communication
- Evaluating the students by introducing the notes on the ongoing process to teaching staff.
- Evaluating the students with revising of professor continuously.
Assessment Methods:
- Discussions during the lecture time
- Quarterly tests
- Research discussion and evaluation
- Explanations and examples in the lecture
- Assess the ability to work in groups to discourage the practical lessons.
- Assess the ability to self-study work in the note process.
- Evaluating the students by introducing the notes on the ongoing process in teaching staff.
- Evaluating the students with revising of professor continuously
Text book and essential references
Ecology and Control of Introduced plants, Judith H. Myers, Dawn Bazely,2003,(Ecology, Biodiversity and Conservation) Cambridge University Press .
Other Information Resources
- Ecology,2nd edition ,by RobetrE.Ricklefs, Thomas Nelson and Sons, Ltd. Great, Britain 1980.
-Tropical Ecology,byD.D. Pomeroy and M.W.Service Longman Scientific and Technical,1986.
- The Economy of Nature, a Textbook in basic ecology,2ndedition, by Robert E.RickIefs,Chiron Press, Inc. London 1983.
Timetable for thedistribution of theoretical course content
Week / Theoretical content / Observations
1 / Introduction to Ecology - environmental concept - relationship of ecology to other sciences
2 / The role of Arab and Muslim scientists in the Ecology
3 / Components of the ecosystem (non-living components of the ecosystem, light, heat)
4 / Continued non-living components of the ecosystem, water as an environmental factor
5 / Continued non-living components of the ecosystem,wind as an environmental factor
6 / Continued non-living components of the ecosystem, soil as an environmental factor
7 / Living components of the ecosystem
8 / Types of ecosystem
9 / Environmental successions
10 / Energy flow in the ecosystem
11 / Distribution of organisms
12 / Biological relationships within the ecosystem
13 / Identify the different environments in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
14 / Continued to identify the different environments in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
15 / A comprehensive review
Final exam