PLACE: 223 ENGEL TIME: T-TH-2-3:15 PROFESSOR: DR. J. A. CRANFORD OFFICE: DERRING 2091 PHONE: 231-5371 E-MAIL: cranford@vt.edu OFFICE HOURS: TUES. 3-4; WED. 10-11 OR AS ARRANGED TEXT: R. L. AND T. M. Smith 1998 Elements of Ecology 4th ed update. COURSE CONTENT: Review of fundamental concepts, principals and processes in ecology; including population, community, and ecosystem levels. EXAMS: Multiple choice, true-false, and matching forms will be used. Emphasis on class notes, understanding figures, and graphs from the textbook, lecture examples and handouts. Exam dates are firm, however content may vary from that in syllabus if all of the goals of a particular section are not complete prior to the exam date. Three exams will be given and each will account for 33% of your grade. Questions will be factual (terms and details) and synthetic (concepts and integration of information). Make-up exams only under the most extreme circumstances and they probably will be essay in form. Let me know in advance (24hrs.) if you are to miss an exam. Exams, keys and grades will be posted outside my office. Exams do not circulate and will not be returned. Questions about your grade must occur within 10 days of exam posting, after that they are official. HONOR SYSTEM: will be observed in all class activities, if you are not familiar with them please read the student handbook. HANDOUTS: Will be available prior to or in the class when used and thereafter only outside my office. ATTENDANCE in class is expected, material not in the text will be used and you are expected to know it. Attendance may be taken occasionally and unannounced quizzes may be given for which there will be no makeup’s QUESTIONS: If you have questions in lecture feel free to ask them, be patient and I will answer them at a point in the class where it will not disrupt the flow of information. If you have problems with material see me to get it clarified so you do not get behind. READING ASSIGNMENTS: The assigned readings should be done prior to the lecture that covers that area. That will be expected and will help you understand the presented material BEHAVIOR: If you are late, respect those who arrived on time and sit quietly and try to catch up. If you must leave early please inform me before class and sit next to the exit of the classroom. We are here to learn and that can occur in a learning atmosphere. Consumption of food and beverages will not occur in the classroom. The wearing of sunglasses and hats will not be permitted during any exams. If you do not behave in a way appropriate to maintaining the learning atmosphere then I will ask you to leave the class. COURSE OUTLINE:
MISSED EXAMS WILL BE RECORDED WITH A GRADE OF ZERO Grading Scale:
Exams will be curved if necessary to normalize the grade distribution to 74% as an average. Study Guides
1st Ecology 2000 Test (pdf version) Study Guide #1 (pdf version) Links: |
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