Principles of Ecology

Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:

Students successfully completing this course will be able to:

• Recognize the approaches scientists’ use to study ecological processes.
• Grasp concepts underlying the ways that organisms interact with each other and their environment.
• Identify ways in which multiple disciplines are integrated in the study of ecology including the connections between ecology and human health.
• Grasp ways that humans and other organisms modify the environment and the consequences of changes they drive.
• Analyze scientific figures, graphs and tables related to ecological data and concepts.

Course Grading Information:

Activity/Performance Measure	Percentage/Points
Attendance	10%
Pre-Class Quiz/Preparedness	3%
Achieve Homework	23%
In-Class Quizzes	13%
Exams (4 exams, each worth 12%)	48%
Reflections/Checkpoint Surveys	3%

Extra Credit may be given during the semester to count towards up to a maximum addition to your final grade of 1.0%.

Grading Scale

Percentage	Letter Grade
>93%	A
90%	A-
88%	B+
83%	B
80%	B-
78%	C+
73%	C
70%	C-
68%	D+
60%	D
<60%	F

Attendance/Participation:

Attendance - 10%

Pre-Class Quiz/Preparedness- 3% since the purpose of these is to get you ready for class, it is unlikely I will let students make these up or extend time unless for truly extenuating circumstances.

Course Materials Purchased by the Students:

Achieve for Ecology: Relyea, R. 2025. Ecology: The Economy of Nature (10th Edition). Please note that course is using the e-book which includes access to Achieve and to iClicker. It is available with first-day complete.