Evolutionary Ecology - PCB 4673/5687 – Fall 2011

Lecture:  M,W,F 11 am in GL 132    

Moodlelink

Course description:

We will examine the adaptations organisms make to their environments (all levels, from the individual, through the population, to the community).  Students will explore physiological and biological stresses and the subsequent adaptations of organisms under these forces.  Life history strategies, breeding systems, and multitrophic interactions will be given special attention.  A general background in ecology is assumed and knowledge of genetics will be reviewed (Prerequisite: PCB 3043, PCB 3063, or permission of instructor).  Basic principles and foundations of the field will be considered as well as current research.   Readings will come from a textbook (see syllabus that follows) and from books and articles from the older and current literature to expand the topics.  Lectures will be interspersed with group and discussion activities to maximize student participation in the learning process.

Each student will write three (5-8 pg.) papers (library research, with original synthesis, on topics chosen by mutual consent of student and professor; one of these may be a review of a classic book) during the semester, and participate in one or more group projects.  Papers and projects must be turned in by their due dates to receive credit, so plan accordingly.  There will be three exams during the semester and a final exam.  Grades will be determined as follows:  first three exams 10% each (30%), final exam 20%, each paper 10% (30%), project 10%, and class participation (in-class work and participating in discussions) 10%.  

All students are expected to do original work.  Plagiarism of any type will not be tolerated and will be basis for failing the course.  If you are unsure of what plagiarism is, and how to correctly use and cite reference materials, please check out the links on our library web page (my favorite is from Canada:   http://library.acadiau.ca/tutorials/plagiarism/ ).  We will be using the services of "TurnItIn" to check the proper use of materials in papers written for this course, as well as to provide feedback and peer review.

Course Policies: You are expected to be on time to class, and to stay the full period. You are expected to maintain high standards of academic honesty. Any student found in violation of these standards will earn an automatic F and be reported to the Deans Office, no exceptions made. In accordance with FIU's policy on academic honesty, as set forth in Section 2.44 of the Academic Affairs Policies and Procedures Manual (http://academic.fiu.edu/docs/aapolicies.htm), it is expected that students in Evolutionary Ecology will not submit the academic work of another as their own. Additional discussion of academic honesty and integrity may be found in the Manual of Student Conduct.

 Textbook:  Mayhew, Peter.  2006.  Discovering Evolutionary Ecology – bringing together ecology and evolution.  Oxford University Press (paperback).

Evolutionary Ecology Schedule of Events