Reading & Discussion

Exams and Research

Writing and Presentation

Field Trips

Grading

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Readings & Discussion

• Reading: We will be using the textbook, Principles of Terrestrial Ecosystem Ecology, by Chapin, Matson, and Mooney (2002). Readings must be completed by the day indicated on the weekly schedule. DO NOT GET BEHIND! While reading, your job will be to write down 2 questions you have on concepts you don't understand. In addition, there will be several discussion questions assigned to you at the end of every lecture.

• In-Class Participation: Because this is a relatively small class, we'll be able to combine daily lectures with discussions. Please come PREPARED to share your ideas!

• Leading Discussion: Several times throughout the course, you and a partner will lead a discussion on an article that will be assigned to you. Your job will be to prenent the main themes of the article, and raisequestions, misconceptions, and insights.

 • Evening Informal Discussion Sections: Your homework will be to get together in groups each night to answer assigned discussion questions for the following morning. This homework will not be graded, but it will greatly assist you with your understanding of the material. We will reserve 1 hour each day of class to discuss each of your questions and answers.

Exams and Research Project

• Exams: You will be tested on lecture and field trip/laboratory material at the end of weeks 2 and 4. The exams will be in class, closed or open-book.

• Research Labs: Over the course of the class, you and a partner will be conducting several field projects using the concepts and skills you learn in class. At the beginning of each week, you will present your results from the prior week’s lab activites in an oral presentation and lab report.

• Lab Oral Presentation. At the beginning of each week, you will orally present your work to the class using Microsoft Powerpoint. The presentation must follow the guidelines described in detail on the course web page Guidelines for Research Presentations.

• Lab Written Report. At the beginning of each week, you will turn in a lab write up on the findings of your project. The paper must follow the guidelines described in detail on the course web page Guidelines for Research Papers.

Writing and Oral Presentation

• Clear and concise writing and oral presentation are essential tools to be an effective scientist or spokesperson for the environment. I strongly recomment that you use the CC Writing Center tutors and/or have your friends read your work for grammar, clarity, and style before you turn it in to me. I will pay close attention to your writing throughout the course and will grade accordingly.

Field Trips

• When and where: We will be conducting our field research in the montane ecosystems at The Catamount Institute in Woodland Park, CO. We will camp at Catamount the night of September 11. Consult the Daily Schedule to see when and where field trips will take place. At least 1 person should attend the Driver Certification course that is offered the first TUESDAY of the Block, Sept 4.

• Day and Overnight Gear: All students must supply their own gear for day hikes and camping gear, including appropriate clothing for warm and cold weather (maybe rain or snow!), water bottle, sunscreen, good walking shoes, packed lunch, notebook and pencil. If you are unsure about what to bring, please consult the web page under Assignments: What to Bring on a Field Trip.

Grading:

Grades will be assigned as follows:
90-100 A, 80-89 B, 70-79 C, 60-69 D, 0-59 forget it.