Introduction to Biogeography

BIOL 3810 and 5810

GEOG 3810 and 5810

Lecturer

David L. Bechler, PhD

dbechler@valdosta.edu

Office:  Room  2030, Bailey Science Complex

Research laboratory: Room 2050, Bailey Science Complex

Phones: personal office 293-6063; main office 333-5759

Textbook

Cox, C.B. and P.D. Moore. 2005. Biogeography, an Ecological and Evolutionary Approach, 7^th Edition. Blackwell Publishing Co. Malden, MA. 428 pg.

Course Description

Prerequisites: Three of the following courses, GEOG 1112, GEOG 1113, BIOL 2010, BIOL 2230, BIOL 2270.  An overview of factors controlling the distribution of plants and animals on the earth.  Topics discussed will include ecological and evolutionary processes, geophysical and climatic phenomenon, and historical and anthropogenic events that have influenced current distributions.

Course Objectives

·        Develop in the student an appreciation for the wide array of factors and events that control the distribution of plants and animals on the surface of the earth.

·        Develop in the student an appreciation for how the inter-relationships of biological, geological and climatic factors influence an organisms distribution.

·        Develop in the student an appreciation of the impact human activities have had on past and present distributions of organisms, and what impact human activities may have on future distributions.

Topics and Subtopics

Connell Lecture

All undergraduate and graduate students will attend the Connell Lecture, 7:00 pm, 25 January 2007, in the Whitehead auditorium.  Undergraduates will write a paper as discussed below and in the handout on a topic related to the lecture.  Credit will be given for attending the lecture and for the paper.  Graduate students will be assigned activities associated with the lecture.

Tests, Papers and Presentations

·   Test will consist of fill-in the blank, short answers questions and essays.

·   Two regular tests and a comprehensive final will be given during the semester.

·   The final will not include full length essay questions, but will include short answer questions requiring one or two paragraphs.

·   Undergraduate paper—all students will attend the Connell Lecture on 25 January 2007.  After the lecture, undergraduates will develop an 8-10 page paper on the biology of polar bears as it relates to their biogeography, ecology, evolution and conservation.  For further details, please see Undergraduate Paper details.  Papers are due 1 April 2007.

·   Graduate students will be required to work as a team to develop a full length paper suitable for submission to a professional journal as well as present the information gathered in series of detailed 30 minute PowerPoint presentations as discussed in the Graduate Paper.  The presentations will be followed by a class discussion in which all class members will be expected to participate.  Presentations will be given during the last class days of the semester.

Grading Scale and Grade Determination

Scale:  A = 90-100, B = 80-89, C = 70-79, D = 60-69, F = 0-59.

Weight of tests and papers:

Semester tests                                      20% each

Final examination                                  35%

Paper and/or Presentation                     20%

Attendance at the Connell Lecture         5%

Note:  There will be no extra credit projects.

Class Materials

During the semester, figures and graphs will be displayed on the board that will come from sources other than your textbook.  Figures and graphs I have developed for the lecture can be accessed by clicking onto the web page "Biogeography Figures and Graphs Developed for Lecture".  Figures drawn from other web sites can be accessed by clicking onto Key Biogeography Web Sites.

General Information

Food and Drinks: Food and drinks are not allowed in the classrooms in this building.  Please do not bring drinks into the classroom.

Disabled Students:  Students requiring classroom accommodations or modifications because of documented disabilities should discuss their needs with me at the beginning of the semester.  Students requesting classroom accommodations or modifications because of a documented disability must contact the Access Office for Students with Disabilities located in room 1115 Nevins Hall. The phone numbers are 245-2498 (voice) and 219-1348 (tty).

Buckley Amendment or Privacy Act:  It is illegal to release to others personal information about an individual.  Therefore, grades, averages, and other personal information about an individual will not be released to anyone but that individual, posted, sent by e-mail or given over the phone.

Class Attendance and Behavior: When I am lecturing, I expect students to behave themselves and maintain silence; however, your questions are encouraged.  Students who repeatedly make noise and disrupt the class will be removed from the class and if necessary dropped from the course.  You are now preparing for your future, and successful completion of this course may determine your future job prospects.  Class disruption is rude and inconsiderate of others who are trying to learn.  Therefore, good behavior in class is expected, for you are now an adult and you should behave as such.

While class attendance is not formally taken each period, I will note when individuals are absent, and if absences are excessive I reserve the right to administratively drop a student from the course.  It is your responsibility to attend class regularly, arrive on time and get the notes and assignments as presented in class.

Cell phone use in class is not permitted, and they must be turned off.

Important Dates

15 January                    Martin Luther King Holiday

2 March                       * Midterm, last day to withdraw from class

12-16 March                Spring Break

2-4 May                       Finals

* No one will be dropped after the last drop date unless there are extenuating circumstances beyond your control. 

Dr. Bechler:

Office:  Room    BC 2030.

Office:  Phone:  293-6063

Generally, I will be available after class for consultation.  Other times can be arranged by appointment or you can take your chances and just drop by to see if I am in the office.  My spring 2007 teaching schedule is next to the door of my office.  I frequently have meetings in the afternoon so this time period will not be a good time for you to try and see me.  Please do not call me at home.  As a field biologist, I spend certain amounts of time in the field collecting data.  In spring 2007, most of my field work will take place on Thursdays and Fridays.  Once I leave the office and go home, my life belongs to my family and me.