Fall 2023 - BISC 360W D100

Techniques in Ecology and Evolution (3)

Class Number: 1889

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 6 – Oct 6, 2023: Tue, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    Oct 11 – Dec 5, 2023: Tue, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    BISC 202, (BISC 204 or GEOG 215), and STAT 201, all with a minimum grade of C-.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

A practical lab- and field-based introduction to techniques in ecology and evolution. Students use experimental design and statistical methods to collect, analyze, and interpret data. Specific topics may include: sampling and describing communities, evaluating spatial patterns, investigating animal behaviour, population estimation, and estimating competition. Writing.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course is writing-intensive and some labs include an outdoor component, rain or shine.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Learning Objectives

This course aims to foster the following skills and qualities in students

   At a minimum, students should be able to:

Experimental design

  • design appropriate methods to collect observational or experimental data to address hypotheses
  • critique methods in published scientific papers

Interpretation of data

  • perform statistical analyses of observational and experimental studies
  • present results as tables or figures
  • interpret results of experiments

Reading skills

  • read and critically evaluate ecological studies in the primary literature
  • provide a synthesis of the results obtained from a number of separate studies

Writing skills

  • introduce a hypothesis to be tested, citing literature appropriately
  • interpret findings and compare them to existing literature

Grading

  • Paper 1 (Forest Communities, Methods & Results only 15%
  • Paper 2 (Clover Cyanogenesis, Results & Discussion only) 20%
  • Paper 3 (either Forest or Clover, Full report) 30%
  • Worksheets (5 x 7%) 35%

NOTES:

This course outline is tentative and subject to change.

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Students will be asked to bring a laptop computer or tablet (with Microsoft Excel and R) to some labs. Note: The SFU Library has laptops that students can sign out.

REQUIRED READING:

No textbook required. Readings from the primary literature will be made available on Canvas, and lab handouts will be provided as part of your course registration fee.


REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the semester are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.