Ecology: Theory and Practice

3 Credits · Level: Undergraduate

Welcome to Ecology: Theory and Practice! In this asynchronous online summer course, we will study the interactions between organisms and their environment across multiple ecological scales, including populations, communities, and ecosystems. In the first two modules, we’ll focus on the Physical Environment by surveying Earth’s terrestrial and aquatic environments, the physical forces that shape them, and the dynamics of energy and nutrient flow. In the next two modules, we’ll focus on Population Dynamics through qualitative and quantitative examination of population growth and fluctuations, with detailed consideration of interspecies interactions. In the final two modules, we’ll focus on Communities and Ecosystems by quantifying species diversity and community structure, considering community change through time, and brainstorming ways to address contemporary ecological challenges through collaboration. Throughout each module, we will explore numerous case studies of interest, practice communicating science to diverse audiences, and engage with the natural world by spending time in local natural spaces. Each of these activities is central to exploration and discovery in ecology and will provide opportunities for students to observe, understand, and ultimately protect the natural world and its marvelously diverse array of habitats and species. Restrictions: This course CANNOT be taken with the 4-credit Ecology ( BIOL 1800 ) lab course. Further, this course does NOT count towards the Environmental Biology major “Ecology” requirement, nor the Biology major “Populations” requirement. This course DOES count as a Biology of Global Health elective in the “Ecology and Evolution” cluster. Students in non-Biology majors are also welcome to register.