ESCI 320 Ecosystem and Global Ecology
This course covers ecosystem theory, nutrient cycling, energy flow, and related global environmental topics including acid rain, greenhouse effect, climate change and mercury pollution. The content and methods of modern ecosystems research are emphasized. Lab activities may include field investigations, lab experiments, and computer modeling. Intended for biology, environmental science, and life sciences teaching majors and other qualified students.
First day attendance is mandatory.
Note: Enrollment limited to Biology, Environmental Science, and Life Science Teaching majors only, except by instructor permission. Overlap BIOL 320 Ecosystem and Global Ecology.
Prerequisites
Special information
Note: Enrollment limited to Biology, Environmental Science, and Life Science Teaching majors only, except by instructor permission. Overlap BIOL 320 Ecosystem and Global Ecology.
5 Undergraduate credits
Effective August 24, 2002 to present
Meets graduation requirements for
Learning outcomes
General
- Apply the experience with research methods in this field at the level necessary for success in senior undergraduate research.
- Articulate and defend the actions they would take on various environmental issues.
- Demonstrate quantitative reasoning skills and competency with algebra and statistics at a level appropriate for graduates of a bachelor's degree program in biology.
- Describe the basic institutional arrangements (social, legal, political, economic, religious) that are evolving to deal with environmental and natural resource challenges.
- Design, propose, conduct, interpret, and present the results of an independent laboratory or field experiment in this subject area.
- Evaluate critically environmental and natural resource issues in light of understandings about interrelationships, ecosystems, and institutions.
- Explain and apply scientific knowledge in ecosystem ecology, both theoretical and experimental, at the upper division level.
- Propose and assess alternative solutions to environmental problems.
- Read and interpret primary scientific literature in ecosystem and global ecology.
- Recall, explain and apply the concepts, knowledge and vocabulary of ecosystem ecology at the level necessary for success in graduate study in this field.
Minnesota Transfer Curriculum
Goal 3: Natural Sciences
- Demonstrate understanding of scientific theories.
- Formulate and test hypotheses by performing laboratory, simulation, or field experiments in at least two of the natural science disciplines. One of these experimental components should develop, in greater depth, students' laboratory experience in the collection of data, its statistical and graphical analysis, and an appreciation of its sources of error and uncertainty.
- Communicate their experimental findings, analyses, and interpretations both orally and in writing.
- Evaluate societal issues from a natural science perspective, ask questions about the evidence presented, and make informed judgments about science-related topics and policies.
Goal 10: People and the Environment
- Explain the basic structure and function of various natural ecosystems and of human adaptive strategies within those systems.
- Discern patterns and interrelationships of bio-physical and socio-cultural systems.
- Describe the basic institutional arrangements (social, legal, political, economic, religious) that are evolving to deal with environmental and natural resource challenges.
- Evaluate critically environmental and natural resource issues in light of understandings about interrelationships, ecosystems, and institutions.
- Propose and assess alternative solutions to environmental problems.
- Articulate and defend the actions they would take on various environmental issues.