Ecology Lab

Course Description: Sampling and field methods of measurement of abiotic and biotic factors.

Course Objectives: Students will learn basic principles of data collection, analysis and presentation. Students will learn how ecological studies are structured and how hypotheses are tested using field data.

Field Work: We will be spending a number of lab periods in the field. Most of the field labs will take place either on campus or at the University’s nature preserve by the fire tower along Rte 6. Field research is usually dirty, sweaty work. All students are required to come dressed for the field. You will be required to wear closed-toe shoes. I strongly suggest long pants as well in case we run into briars and stinging insects. Keep a pair of shoes or boots and a pair of long pants in your car, or in a bag to bring to class. I suggest you also bring insect repellent and a rain poncho. We may have to work in rainy weather. If you have an allergy to insect bites, let me know before lab and be sure that you have an appropriate bee sting kit on hand. Transportation to field sites will be a combination of school van and carpooling.

Weekend Field Trip: We will have 2 Saturdays, the 5^th & 12^th of April, at the NSU’s Aquaculture Research Center in Marco. You will be conducting group research projects on wetland ecology at the center. All students are absolutely required to take part in at least one of these weekend field days. You don’t need to be there all day, but you need to contribute to your group’s research effort in the field. No exceptions, no excuses. Plan NOW to take part.

Staying in Touch: We will be using Blackboard and email for communication throughout the semester. I will regularly update the Blackboard course site with important supplementary information and Web links. I will also regularly use email to communicate with you. Therefore, you must check your email daily. Please make sure I have your primary email address. Please feel free to contact me using my email address above at any time.

Week	Lab Date	Lab Work	Assignment Due
1	15 Jan	In Lab: Intro to course, hand out paper for discussion.
2	22 Jan	In Lab: Paper discussion; basic principles of ecological research; Intro to sampling methods & equipment	Assignment 1: Hand in paper review.
3	29 Jan	In Lab: Intro to data entry, analysis, and presentation with Excel.
4	5 Feb	Mardi Gras! No lab
5	12 Feb	In the field: Grave Yard Lab	Assignment 2: Hand in data analysis lab report, submit graveyard data.
6	19 Feb	In Lab: Life history data analysis.
7	26 Feb	In the field at the nature preserve: Collect habitat data and set pitfall traps.	Assignment 3: Hand in life table lab report.
8	4 March	In the field at the nature preserve: Collect pit-fall traps and sort samples in lab.	Submit Excel files of vegetation data.
9	11 March	In lab: Finish sample sorting and data entry.	Submit Excel files of pitfall trap data
10	18 March	In the field: ARC site visit during lab	Research Report 1: Hand in nature preserve write-up
11	25 March	Spring Break!	No lab.
12	1 April	In lab: Finalize Research Proposals for ARC projects.	Assignment 4: Hand in proposal
	5 April	First Weekend Field Day at ARC
13	8 April	In lab: ARC sample sorting and data entry & analysis.
	12 April	Second Weekend Field Day at ARC
14	15 April	In lab: ARC sample sorting and data entry & analysis.
1 5	22 April	In lab: ARC sample sorting and data entry & analysis.	Research Report 2: Hand in final ARC write-up
16	29 April	No Lab

Attendance: Attendance is required for all labs. You cannot make up a laboratory experience! You will be docked 10% of your final lab grade for every unexcused absence from lab. I will grant excuse only for extreme and well-documented events. I will not accept excuses after the absence except in extraordinary circumstances. By ‘extraordinary’ I mean legal or medical emergencies.

Assignment	Contribution to final grade
4 lab reports	10% @ = 40%
Nature preserve research report	20%
ARC research report	40%

I will not curve the grades.

Classroom Civility Statement: Each NSU student is encouraged to help create an environment that promotes learning, dignity, and mutual respect for everyone in a learning environment. Students who speak at inappropriate times, take frequent breaks, interrupt the class by coming to class late or leaving early, engage in loud or distracting behaviors, use cell phones or pagers (other noise-making devices like watches with alarms), listen to headphones/CDs, play with a computers or hand held games, use inappropriate language, are verbally abusive, display defiance or disrespect to others, or behave aggressively toward others during the class period may be asked to leave the class and subjected to disciplinary action under the Code of Student Conduct and Sanctions (Article VII Sanctions). The instructor of a course may deem additional behaviors or actions inappropriate; these actions or behaviors will be outlined in the course syllabus. Copies of the infractions and sanctions are available on the NSU web site at http://www.nsula.edu/studenthandbook/page100.htm.

Student Academic Honesty Statement: You are responsible for completing and submitting your own course work and preparing your own lessons. All work submitted must be your own unless proper acknowledgment of outside material is provided. It is unacceptable to use the work of any other person or to allow work to be used by another student. Dishonesty of any kind will not be tolerated. Examinations must also represent your own work and must be completed without the assistance of books, notes, devices, or outside help, unless specified otherwise in the exam directions. Violation of this policy will result in forfeiture of all fees and a grade of F and may result in expulsion from the university. Please refer to the NSU Student Handbook for a complete articulation of policies regarding academic infractions.

Special Needs: It is the policy of Northwestern State University to accommodate students with disabilities, pursuant to federal law, state law, and the University’s commitment to equal educational opportunities. Any student with a disability who needs accommodation, for example, in seating placement or in arrangements for examinations, should inform the instructor at the beginning of the course. Students with disabilities are encouraged to contact the Office of Services of Students with Disabilities, which is located in Kyser Hall, Room 237, Telephone 357-6950 or (TTD) 357-4393). Or email at disability@nsula.edu

Assignment Due

In Lab: Intro to data entry, analysis, and presentation with Excel.

In lab: ARC sample sorting and data entry & analysis.

Second Weekend Field Day at ARC

In lab: ARC sample sorting and data entry & analysis.

In lab: ARC sample sorting and data entry & analysis.

Research Report 2: Hand in final ARC write-up

No Lab