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BIOSCI 111: Living Ecology.

Spring 2007

No prerequisites

Course Summary. Our earth is rapidly changing and it would appear this change is not for the better. Population growth and the economics derived from that growth are thought to be reasons for these changes. Traditional thinking places ecological concerns for our changing earth into direct conflict with economic development. The objective of this course, is through an understanding of how our earth is structured and how it functions to demonstrate that economic interests are dependent on healthy functioning ecosystems and as a species we need these systems to remain as such for survival. Course topics include; 1) An analysis of how human behaviour has brought us to this ecological point in time, 2) Ecosystem structure and function and how we are changing them, 3) How we can use science to enable us to take advantage of ecosystem services without disruption to the ecosystem on which we depend and, 4) How science is used to prevent us from changing our patterns of ecosystem use.

Assessment:

Two 50 minute midterms; the first worth 30% and the second 40%. Midterms are 5 short essay questions of equal value.

Ecological Diary; 30%. You will be required, throughout the term, to maintain an “Ecological Diary”. The objective of this diary is to document examples of current environmental issues and how these issues are being addressed by the “industry” and by the “environmentalist”.

Learning outcomes: By the end of this course you should have some working knowledge and understanding of:

1) How human behaviour has brought us to where we are now with respect to global change.

2) So, where are we? Just what have we done, and just how did we get here? A study of ecosystem structure and function. Geochemical cycles (e.g., water, carbon, nitrogen), what makes up diversity and why is diversity important.

3) Scientific enablers; How can we use our science to manage our earth better.

4) Scientific resistors; How is science being used to prevent us from better managing our ecosystems.