IEP 260: Systems Ecology is an introduction to the science of ecology, building on concepts and information introduced in ENVR 160, 161 and other first year ENVR courses. Emphasis is placed on the basics of ecology, and will focus on the structure and function of various communities including alpine, subalpine, wetland, and riparian ecosystems. The labs will explore various methods of sampling, analyzing and reporting on the physical site factors, vegetation and wildlife components of these communities.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of first year ENVR.
Corequisite: None
Crosslisted: None
Accessibility Services Notice
Students who would like an academic accommodation and who have a documented disability should contact Accessibility Services, if they have not already done so.Course Details| Total number of weeks | 15 |
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| Total Credits | 3.00 |
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| Total Hours | 75 |
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Typical hours per week breakdown| Lecture | 2 |
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| Lab (lab, field, computer) | 3 |
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Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the learner will be able to:
- classify wetlands and assess their ecological function;
- communicate scientific findings in oral and written formats for both a public and professional audience;
- apply methods for sampling the subalpine environment and monitoring forest health;
- apply methods for sampling riparian health and evaluate the use of riparian legislation in both urban and rural environments;
- describe human-modified systems in the region and analyze whether current management practices are sustainable;
- conduct preliminary screenings and environmental field assessments to be used for the impact assessment process;
- integrate ecological knowledge into GIS and rural/ urban planning projects;
- apply adaptive models to restoration case studies; and
- integrate community ecology, ecosystem and climate change knowledge to help predict ecosystem responses.
Grading Table
| Percentage |
Letter Grade |
GPA |
| 90-100 |
A+ |
4.33 |
| 85-89 |
A |
4.00 |
| 80-84 |
A- |
3.67 |
| 76-79 |
B+ |
3.33 |
| 72-75 |
B |
3.00 |
| 68-71 |
B- |
2.67 |
| 64-67 |
C+ |
2.33 |
| 60-63 |
C |
2.00 |
| 55-59 |
C- |
1.67 |
| 50-54 |
P |
1.00 |
| 0-49 |
F |
0.00 |
| |
DNW |
0.00 |
See the Academic Calendar for General Information including how to withdraw from course(s) and other regulations.
Disclaimer
Information contained in this course outline is correct at the time of publication. Content of the course is revised on an ongoing basis to ensure relevance to changing educational, employment and market needs. The instructor will endeavor to provide notice of changes to students as soon as possible. The instructor reserves the right to add or delete material from courses.