ENV 220 - Introduction to Ecological Principles

1. Describe the methods and tools of the science of ecology, its historic roots and its application to environmental issues.
2. Explain the evolutionary process in terms of its mechanisms and the resulting adaptations to various biotic and abiotic factors in an environment.
3. Describe a natural population in terms of survivorship density, distribution and differentiate various factors pertinent to growth and regulation of numbers in a population.
4. Distinguish between various symbiotic interactions occurring in nature and be able to predict both long and short term consequences for organisms.
5. Define and describe a natural community and ecosystems, and recognize signs of human disturbance.
6. Demonstrate familiarity with the major terrestrial, freshwater and marine biomes in terms of the both physical and biological factors.
7. Prepare a research paper on a topic of current ecological interest.
8. Present an oral summary of research finds which support the paper’s topic.