Science
3103. Natural History for Middle
School Teachers
Room location: Lecture: 1023 BC
(Biology-Chemistry); Days and time: MW: 12:45-3:45 am. Lab:
10:00am-1:50pm TR. 6/11/08-7/29/08.
Instructor
information: Dr.
John B. Pascarella; Office hours are 11:30am-12:30 pm M and W or by appointment. Office is
BC 1097. Phone: 333-5766. E-mail: jbpascar@valdosta.edu;
Web page: http://chiron.valdosta.edu/jbpascar/
Text. Ecology, Concepts and
Applications, 4th edition, by Molles (ISBN
9780073309767), McGraw-Hill Publishers; and The Natural Environments of Georgia, by
Wharton. (ISBN 9780840000873). Available in campus bookstore.
Course
Objectives.
Survey of the biota of south Georgia and associated
biological processes. Using the biota of south Georgia
as a model, students will study basic ecological principles, population
structure and dynamics, life history patterns, and reproductive strategies and
behaviors common to living systems. Special topics covered in the course
include the biology of rare and endangered species and the importance of
biological resources to human society.
Attendance
and Behavior.
You are expected to attend all class sessions. Please be considerate of others
in the classroom and refrain from non-class related talking. Please turn off
all cellular phones, beepers, and other electronic communication devices. If a
repeated problem develops with noise or behavior in class, I will reduce your
grade by a letter grade. NO FOOD OR DRINK. Repeated offenses will
result in loss of a letter grade.
Grading.
Points are accumulated
in three ways: Lecture, Lab, and Oral presentation/Poster.
Lecture: There will be
four semester exams. Each exam will be worth 100 points. Make-up exams will be
given only with a valid excuse (medical, sports). You must notify me by the day
of the exam or the next academic day (Monday-Friday) regarding a missed exam.
Car broke down, slept in, and family problems are not valid excuses.
Your final grade will be calculated as the total points from the four exams.
Additional points may come from the following: in-class video worksheets,
assigned homework, in-class group activities, in-class pop quizzes, and random
attendance checks.
Lab: Attendance is
critical. No attendance = no points. Lab points come from attendance,
participation, and quality of lab reports. Attendance in the Sapelo lab is mandatory but exceptional circumstances will
be considered (ie., kids with no spouse to watch them). There is a $42 fee
associated with the Sapelo field trip that will cover
food, lodging, and transportation (Please note that this is a bargain-you
couldn’t drive to Sapelo for that amount these days
with gas costs!!).
Oral Presentation/Poster:
Each student will pick a topic of relevance to Georgia Natural History from the
list of topics (See list at end of syllabus). Only one topic per student per
class is allowed. Each student will prepare a 10 minute presentation on the topic
and a Display poster using PowerPoint.
Letter grades will
follow standard 10% levels (90,80,70,60, <60%) of
average points achieved by the class.
Cheating and
plagiarism:
Please refer to the VSU Student Handbook Code of Ethics for policies concerning
cheating and plagiarism. Or Don't Cheat!
Privacy Act: Please refer to the VSU Student
Handbook Code of Ethics for a statement on the Family Educational Rights and
Privacy Act. Under this act, it is illegal to release personal information
(grades) about an individual. Grades will not be posted or given out over the
phone or e-mail. To obtain your current or final grade during the course,
please speak to me during office hours.
Special Services: Students requiring classroom
accommodations or modifications because of a documented disability should
discuss this need with the instructor at the beginning of the semester.
Students not registered with the Special Services Program, should contact the
Special Services Office, Nevins Hall 1115 (phone: 245-2498).
Lecture and Test Schedule. This is a tentative schedule and may change.
|
Date |
Topic |
Readings |
Tests |
|
June 11 |
What is Ecology? |
Intro (p. 1-12) |
|
|
June 16 |
Life on Land (Climate) |
Ch. 2 |
|
|
June 18 |
Life on land-Biomes |
Ch. 2 |
|
|
June 23 |
Life in Water |
Ch. 3 |
Test 1 (1st
half); covers intro and Ch. 2 & 3 |
|
June 25 |
Population Ecology |
Ch. 9-10 |
|
|
June 30 |
Population Ecology,
Interactions |
Ch 11; Ch. 13-14 |
|
|
July 2 |
Interactions |
Ch. 15 |
Test 2 (2nd half); covers
Ch. 9-11; 13-15 |
|
July 7 |
Community Ecology |
Ch. 16-17 |
|
|
July 9 |
Succession |
Ch 20 |
|
|
July 14 |
|
|
|
|
July 16 |
|
|
Test 3 (1st
half); covers Ch. 16, 17 and 20 |
|
July 21 |
Ecosystem Ecology |
Ch 18-19 |
|
|
July 23 |
Global Ecology |
Ch. 23 |
|
|
July 28 |
|
|
Test 4 (2nd
half); covers Ch. 18, 19 and 23 |
Lab Schedule (Lab Section A)-Tuesday Lab, 10:00 am-1:50pm
|
Date |
Topic |
Location |
Cost |
|
June 17 |
Plant-pollinator
Interactions |
Lake Louise Field Station |
$0 |
|
June 24 |
Population Structure of
Endangered Baptisia arachnifera |
Lake Louise Field Station |
$0 |
|
July 1 |
Morphometrics of Hybridization of Baptisia plants |
Bailey Science Center Lab
Room 1043 |
$0 |
|
July 8 |
Comparison of Biomass of
Baptisia plants at End of Season |
Bailey Science Center Lab
Room 1043 |
$0 |
|
July 15 |
Field Trip (either Grand
Bay, Osceola National Forest, Reed Bingham, or Tall Timbers) |
To be determined |
$0 or $<5 |
|
July 18-20 (Friday-Sunday) |
Natural History of Georgia
Barrier Islands |
Sapelo Island, GA |
$25 for lodging, $2 for
ferry, $15 for food. Must be paid by July 7th. |
|
July 22 |
Freshwater Spring Ecology |
Madison Blue Springs State
Park, FL |
$0; BRING YOUR SWIMSUIT-WE
WILL GET WET! |
|
July 29 |
Oral presentation of topic
to class |
Bailey Science Center Lab
Room 1043 |
$0 |
Lab Schedule (Lab Section B)-Thursday lab 10:00am-1:50pm
|
Date |
Topic |
Location |
Cost |
|
June 12 |
Plant-pollinator
Interactions |
Lake Louise Field Station |
$0 |
|
June 19 |
Population Structure of
Endangered Baptisia arachnifera |
Lake Louise Field Station |
$0 |
|
June 26 |
Morphometrics of Hybridization of Baptisia plants |
Bailey Science Center Lab
Room 1043 |
$0 |
|
July 3 |
Comparison of Biomass of Baptisia plants at End of Season |
Bailey Science Center Lab
Room 1043 |
$0 |
|
July 10 |
Field Trip (either Grand
Bay, Osceola National Forest, Reed Bingham, or Tall Timbers) |
To be determined |
$0 or $<5 |
|
July 17 |
Freshwater Spring Ecology |
Madison Blue Springs State
Park, FL |
$0 BRING YOUR SWIMSUIT-WE
WILL GET WET! |
|
July 24 |
Oral presentation of topic
to class |
Bailey Science Center Lab
Room 1043 |
$0 |
|
July 25-27 (Friday-Sunday) |
Natural History of Georgia
Barrier Islands |
Sapelo Island, GA |
$25 for lodging, $2 for
ferry, $15 for food. Must be paid by July 7th. |
For all field trips, you must have signed the VSU release form. Any student not travelling in the VSU van assumes their own liability and entrance fees (if any).
As with all trips to natural areas, please use caution with regard to insects, brush, snakes, and other dangerous conditions. Please bring water to drink as dehydration is a concern. Snacks are allowed but you must pack out all trash. NO SMOKING/TOBACCO use of any kind is allowed and no alcohol is allowed on field trips.
Topics for Posters/Oral Presentations
Physical
Environment
Georgia Climate and Weather
Rocks of Georgia
Soils of Georgia
Fires in Georgia
Hurricanes in Georgia
Habitats in Georgia
Mountains
Piedmont
Coastal Plain
Freshwater Ecosystems
Saltwater Ecosystems
Barrier Islands and the Georgia Marsh
Longleaf Pine Savannah
Oak Barrens
Granite Outcrops
Biotic Environment
Snakes of Georgia
Birds of Georgia
Bats of Georgia
Mammals of Georgia
Fish of Georgia
Lizards of Georgia
Turtles of Georgia
Amphibians of Georgia
Insects of Georgia
Conservation
Rare and Endangered Plants in Georgia
Rare and Endangered Animals in Georgia
Protected Areas in Georgia (National and State Parks, Wildlife Refuges, etc)
Okefeenokee Swamp
Hunting Regulations and Laws
Human Use and
Conflict
Urban sprawl in Georgia
Agriculture and Farm Pollution
Forestry and Tree Harvests
Water Use
Carbon Emissions