Ecology and Evolution Laboratory

Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:

Students successfully completing this course will be able to:

• Critically read, analyze, and synthesize scientific literature in Ecology and Evolution
• Interpret theoretical models in ecology and evolution and deduce hypotheses and predictions for particular study systems
• Design an observational or experimental study that will test these predictions
• Statistically analyze data and summarize it appropriately in forms of figures and tables
• Interpret results and draw appropriate conclusions
• Develop scientific writing skills enabling communication of their study in a format of a scientific article
• Collaborate with peers and provide constructive peer-review
• Summarize and synthesize information from primary literature
• Demonstrate proficiency in utilizing methods taught in class and labs
• Consolidate the scientific method as a framework for scientific investigation in ecology and evolution
• Present scientific data in front of live peer audience

Writing Intensive (WI) Student Learning Outcomes

• Recognize and write in genres appropriate to the disciplines of the primary subject matter of the course
• Use informal and formal approaches to writing and multiple drafts to deepen mastery of the subject

Course Grading Information:

Activity/Performance Measure	Percentage/Points
Final Grade	Not specified.

Grading Scale

Percentage	Letter Grade
92.1–100%	A
90–92%	A-
88–89.9%	B+
82.1–87.9%	B
80–82%	B-
78–79.9%	C+
72.1–77.9%	C
70–72%	C-
68–69.9%	D+
62.1–67.9%	D
60–62%	D-
0–59.9%	F

Attendance/Participation:

Laboratory attendance is mandatory. A student CANNOT MISS more than ONE (1) laboratory session.

If you must miss a lab, please let the instructor know AS SOON AS YOU KNOW that you will be absent.

If you miss a laboratory meeting for any reason, you are still responsible for all of the materials covered, any announcements made, and any assignments given in your absence.

There are three (3) circumstances in which missing a lab session will possibly be excused, if you must miss a lab session due to one of these reasons, you must provide your instructor with appropriate documentation to explain your absence:

• An illness for which you receive medical attention
• Death of an immediate family member
• Participation on a UNCG athletic team - You need to let the instructor know at the BEGINNING of the semester when you will be absent/send a note from your coach confirming your absence

If you must miss a lab session for some reason other than those listed above, the validity of your absence will be determined by your lab instructor and/or the Director of the course.

Lab make-up is possible but ONLY on the same week of that lab and requires pre-approval (at least 1 day ahead) by the instructor of the lab section you plan to attend for the make-up as well as your assigned instructor. Step-in make-up is NOT allowed.

If you miss a lab and the absence is UNEXCUSED, then you will NOT be allowed to make it up and you will receive NO CREDIT for the assignments due at that time. Leaving lab before it is dismissed counts as an unexcused absence.

Students more than 10 minutes late will not be allowed in and will be considered absent.

Late assignments or other related materials will receive 20% off the grade for each calendar day past the due date.

Course Materials Purchased by the Students:

MICROSOFT OFFICE: You must have access to desktop versions of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint in order to complete lab assignments and activities. The online versions of Microsoft Office will not work, as they do not provide all the tools necessary for the statistics we do in lab. You may download Microsoft Office FOR FREE using your student log in credentials. Visit https://uncg.service-now.com/support?id=kb_article_view&sys_kb_id=db0e5d3b1bc62514989186e9cd4bcb13 for more information.