Functional Ecology of Plants (EEB
5360) Spring 2009
This is a 3-credit, graduate-level
course. Prerequisites are an undergraduate course in ecology. Some knowledge of
plant physiology is helpful, but no formal coursework is required.
Course time: Tuesday/Thursday
2:00-3:15pm
Location: Torrey Life Science 301
Professor Dr. Robin L. Chazdon
The best way to reach me is through
e-mail:
E-mail: chazdon@uconn.edu
voice/msg: (860) 486-4057
office: Bio/Pharmacy 205C
45 min lecture
(background and recent literature), 20-30 min discussion focussed on assigned
reading. Students will lead class discussions on a rotational basis. Be
prepared!! We will also hold three classroom forums involving 15-min
presentations by students based on 2-3 papers (each student must participate in
one forum). I will provide references in advance for the forums.
Assigned readings
include chapters from the textbook (Larcher, Physiological Plant Ecology) and articles from recent literature.
Read before class and be prepared to discuss. The Larcher book is intended for
general background; Class disucssions will focus on the literature reading.
Check the course website
on HuskyCT frequently for lecture schedule, calendar, updates on lecture
schedule, for research links to lecture material, reading assignments,
reference lists, and related lectures or other activities.
Grade will be based on term paper (40%),
final exam (40%), and class participation (20%). Students are expected to
contribute to discussions during every class session.
One 10-12 term paper is required on a
topic related to this course. Paper should include scholarly literature review,
relationship to broader issues in plant functional ecology, and an original
synthesis of your selected topic. Topic must be approved by Professor Chazdon
before you begin selecting articles.
17 March: Term paper topic must be approved by
Professor Chazdon
2 April: Outline
of paper and preliminary reference list
16 April: Term paper due