INSTRUCTOR
Dr. Todd Scarlett                             Office hours:     Monday         1:30-3:00
Office: 214 Bradley                                                 Wednesday     9:00-11:00 & 1:30-3:00   
Phone: 803-313-7031                
Email: tlscarle@mailbox.sc.edu       

TEXTS
 Essentials of Ecology. By Miller & Spoolman, 2009, 5th edition, Brooks/Cole.

CLASS MEETING INFORMATION
Time:   9:30-10:45 pm
Day:   Tuesday & Thursday
Place:    Bradley 207

COURSE OBJECTIVES
The first objective of this course is to introduce basic ecological principles that will allow students to understand the complex nature of ecosystems. Many environmental issues arise or become contentious because basic ecological processes are misunderstood. My goal is for the student to gain a background in ecology that will allow them to understand environmental issues they will face during their lifetimes.

The second objective is to examine the major environmental issues facing the world today, emphasizing those of local importance. We will examine all sides of the issues and students will seek solutions that bring opposing sides together to achieve common goals.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon completing BIOL 270, students will be able to do the following:

• recognize and describe major ecologcial patterns and processes
  
• explain how human activity has impacted ecological patterns and processes
  
• critically evaluate information from the media for bias and validity
  
• engage in public discussion on environmental issues, demonstrating an underdstanding of how the issue affects all of the stakeholders
  

ATTENDANCE
Excused and unexcused absences of more than 10% of the scheduled lecture or lab meetings is excessive and will result in the assignment of a grade penalty of one letter grade deficit at the end of the semester. Thus, if a student misses more than 3 lectures their semester grade will drop one letter. Being more than 10 minutes late to class or leaving class early will count as an absence and being late 3 times will count as one absence.

CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR
Students are expected to be respectful and considerate to their classmates and professor. Students exhibiting rude or inconsiderate behavior will be told to leave the classroom. If the behavior is repeated the student will be dropped from the course. Appropriate behavior is particularly important in the laboratory due to the potential hazards inherant in laboratory activities (ie, exposure to chemicals, use of glass containers and hot materials) Inappropriate behaviors include, but are not limited to, use of cell phones or pagers, eating, sleeping, excessive arguing or complaining, insulting or offensive remarks, physical aggression, repeated tardiness, unsafe behaviors. Cell phones, pagers, etc, should be turned off before class. Students sending or receiving calls or messages in the classroom or lab will be told to leave. Students sending or receiving messages during an exam will receive a 0 for that exam.

IMPORTANT DATES
 

January 9	Classes Begin
January 16	MLK Day (no classes)
February 27	Last day to drop without a WF
March 4-11	Spring Break (no classes)
April 23	Last day of classes
May 1	BIOL 270 Lecture Final 9:30-12:00

STUDENT EVALUATION
Exams
There will be three lecture exams during the semester. All will be non-comprehensive, covering only the material since the previous exam.

Quizzes & Discussions
Quizzes will be given on each chapter covered in the text and on each discussion day. We will be having discussions throughout the semester and you will receive a grade for your participation in the discussion.

Project
At the end of the semester students will complete a project. The class will take an active roll in determining the subject of the project and how the project is carried out.

Point Breakdown
3 Lecture Exams	60%
Quizzes & Discussions	20%
Project	20%

Grading Scale

90-100 %	A
80-89%	B
70-79%	C
60-69%	D
Below 60%	F

Texts:
Essentials of Ecology. By Miller & Spoolman, 2009, 5th edition, Brooks/Cole.

Note: Reading assignments may be modified during the course of the semester. Changes will be announced in lecture.
 
 

Lecture Topic	Reading Assignment
Environmental Problems, Science and Critical Thinking	Ch. 1 & Ch. 2, pp. 28-34
Ecosystems	Chapter 3
Climate & Biomes	Chapter 7
Discussion - Effects of Climate Change	TBA
Exam 1
Community Ecology	Chapter 5
Discussion - Invasive Species	TBA
Population Ecology	Chapter 5
Discussion - Control of Wildlife Populations	TBA
Human Populations	Chapter 6
Discussion - Human Impacts on Ecosystems	TBA
Exam 2
Aquatic Ecosystems	Chapter 8
Discussion - Water Resources	TBA
Biodiversity	Chapters 9-11
Discussion - Fisheries Management	TBA
Exam 3
Project presentations