EEB 2244/W - General Ecology Discussion
Fall 2008
Discussion leaders:
Susan Herrick Kellie Kuhn Tsitsi McPherson TLS 379A TLS 375 TLS 375 486-5434 486-0858 486-0858 Office hours by appointment Office hours by appointment Office hours by appointment susan.herrick@uconn.edu kellie.kuhn@uconn.edu tsitsi.mcpherson@uconn.edu Discussion coordinator:
Jennifer Murphy TLS 372 486-3644 jennifer.murphy@uconn.edu Click here to make an appointment with Jennifer.
Discussion Section Information
Section # |
Day of Week |
Time |
Discussion Leader |
1 |
Monday |
9:00 - 11:00 |
|
2 |
Monday |
11:00 - 1:00 |
|
3 |
Monday |
1:00 - 3:00 |
|
4 |
Monday |
3:00 - 5:00 |
|
5 |
Tuesday |
1:30 - 3:30 |
|
6 |
Tuesday |
3:30 - 5:30 |
|
7 |
Wednesday |
9:00 - 11:00 |
|
8 |
Wednesday |
11:00 - 1:00 |
|
9 |
Wednesday |
1:00 - 3:00 |
|
10 |
Wednesday |
3:00 - 5:00 |
|
11 |
Thursday |
1:30 - 3:30 |
|
12 |
Thursday |
3:30 - 5:30 |
The goal of these sections is to expose you to the field observation, experimentation, and modeling that are key components of the science of ecology.
There is a required discussion manual available at the Co-Op. Please bring it to discussion each week.
Basis of Grading:
Sections are worth 60 points. The grading for the discussion sections will include attendance, participation and assignments.
- Attendance at discussion sections is required. Missing more than four discussion sections will result in failing the entire course. If you miss a discussion section due to illness, etc. then you need to contact you TA first before attending another section.
If you come prepared to discussion section, you participate in and contribute to discussions and activities, and you help to solve problems and suggest solutions, you should receive full credit.
Participation includes:
- writing answers in the lab manual to all questions posed, filling all tables with data collected and writing down the names of group members if you work in groups.
- completing ALL Preparation Assignments before class (including reading the appropriate section in the lab manual).
This is a discussion class - you need to have the information to be able to discuss it!! Your discussion leader will give you feedback throughout the semester about how well you are doing.
We have a mix of types of sessions planned, including some time outside and in the greenhouse, introduction to computer programs and models useful for understanding ecological concepts, introduction to modern equipment used in ecology, and assigned reading and discussions/presentations from those readings by the entire group. Each section has 16 or fewer students in it, so we will have a small group atmosphere that will be conducive to asking and answering questions about ideas.
Discussion Schedule
Tree Identification (outdoors)
Note: Monday labs will meet on Friday this week.
none...you lucky, lucky person!
CO2 Cycling
Global Warming
Read : "The other global pollutant"
Planet Under Pressure: complete quiz: "Do you know your pollution?"
Sampling Distributions of Organisms (outdoors)
Conservation International: RAP: choose a study from the past 3 years, browse the corresponding RAP bulletin (in pdf), note what methods are used in their sampling.
EcoBeaker: Life Tables and Population Projection BBC: read "Energy Crisis will limit Births" and "World Population Growth 'falling'"
Read Human Impacts on Owls within the US
See images of and hear calls from owls
Ecological Significance of Leaf Form (outdoors) Read: "Energy, Plants, and Ecology" and "A study of the lobing of sun and shade leaves"
Understanding Statistics
Conservation Biology Conservation Biology
Plant Form and Function Visit: EEB Plant Growth Facilities, try finding some of the plants named in our manual, try doing an image search on Google
An article of interest on Window Plants
Stella
Biodiversity (outdoors) MAKE SURE YOU WEAR APPROPRIATE SHOES FOR THIS WEEK'S SECTION. THE AREA IS MUDDY!!!
Browse the IUCN's page on Bryophytes (go to "why threatened")
Thanksgiving Break
Thanksgiving Break
Island Biogeography Read about I.B. and its application to conservation
The final is coming up-- find questions to ask your TA!!
Some Helpful Links
ECOLOGY
- Ecological Society of America - Careers in Ecology
LIFE TABLES
- Owl's Life - Excel exercise from discussion
LEAF ANATOMY
- Manual of Leaf Anatomy (pdf)
UCONN
- ECOHUSKY
- UConn Plant Database and Walks
- UConn Student Success Program - offers assistance in study and test taking skills
POPULATION CYCLING
MISCELLANEOUS