NWCCD 2020-21 Catalog 
    
    Mar 29, 2024  
NWCCD 2020-21 Catalog [This is an Archived Catalog.]

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BIOL 2400 - General Ecology


This course provides an introduction to the science of ecology, exploring basic concepts and techniques while examining the interactions of organisms and their environment.  The course explores four main topics: Physiological Ecology, Populations, Communities, and Ecosystem Ecology.  The course emphasizes ecological patterns and their underlying mechanisms, functioning of natural ecological systems, and how humans alter these systems.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites:
BIOL 1010 General Biology I

Co-requisites:
BIOL 2410 Field Ecology

Minimum Student Competencies
Upon completion of BIOL 2400 General Ecology, the student will:

  1. Apply scientific inquiry to the field of ecology.
  2. Evaluate hypotheses using ecological data presented in tables or figures.
  3. Discuss the central role of physiological tolerance in ecology.
  4. Describe the abiotic factors of the environment and how they may influence biotic factors.
  5. Explain adaptations of plants and animals to extreme environments.
  6. Describe differences among the three photosynthetic pathways.
  7. Analyze data in life tables to estimate population growth rates.
  8. Describe competition, predation, and mutualism in the context of natural communities.
  9. Explain hypotheses for invasive species success.
  10. Discuss biome and species distribution patterns on global and regional scales.
  11. Evaluate general ecological principles and global change issues




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