This course is about the factors affecting the distribution and abundance of animals. We will discuss individuals in relation to their habitats and to each other. We will consider populations of animals - how they grow, how they interact, and how they are regulated. Then we will examine aspects of evolutionary and community ecology. Finally, we will examine the principles of ecology in relation to the global issues of human overpopulation, pollution and conservation.

Attendance of the lectures is strongly urged, but ultimately is at the discretion of the student. Missing lectures will hurt your course grade, not by direct penalization, but by compromising your comprehension of the material covered in class and on exams.

Final course grades will be based on three equal-weight exams (100 pts each). Each exam is a one hour test but you will have two hours to complete it.

1. Thursday, Sept. 28th First Exam

2. Tuesday, October 24th Second Exam

3. Friday, Nov. 17th, 2:30 Final Exam

Exams will consist of multiple choice questions and problems based on the lectures and the textbook chapters. The final exam will not be comprehensive. Letter grades will be A = 90%, B = 80%, C = 70%, D = 60%, F = below 60% of maximum total points (300). Plus (+) and minus (-) grades are be given where appropriate.

In the event of illness or other legitimate absence, written exams can be made up at a time convenient to the instructor and the student.

The OU Student Code of Conduct prohibits all forms of academic dishonesty including "cheating and plagerism". Academic misconduct (cheating or permitting another student to cheat) during exams will result in an F in the course and referral of the case to the Director of University Judiciaries with the possible penalty of dismissal from the University.

The following schedule is flexible. Topics may be truncated, expanded, added, or eliminated due to a variety of factors. Reading assignments from the text are indicated as chapter numbers in parentheses and indicate required reading for the lectures and exams.

Sept. 5: Introduction, Video: Assault on the Male (on environmental endocrine disruptors)

Sept. 7: Terrestrial environment and biomes (Ch. 1 & 2)

Sept. 12: Aquatic environment and biomes (Ch. 3).

Sept. 14: Temperature relations (Ch. 4).

Sept. 19: Water and energy relations (Ch. 5 & 6)

Sept. 21: Food webs, Primary production & energy flow (Ch. 14 & 15)

Sept. 26: Nutrient cycling and retention (Ch. 16 )

October. 3: Population structure & Life histories (Ch. 7)

October 5: Population growth (Ch 9)

October 10: Population dynamics, social behavior and regulation (Ch. 8 +++)

October 12: Population genetics, sex, relatedness and species interactions (+++)

October 17: Interactions: Resources and consumers. (Ch. 11), Video: Cane toads

October 19: Interactions: Competition. (Ch. 10) & Coevolution (+++)

October 26: Communities, structure, and development. (Ch. 13 & 17)

October 31: Biogeography and refuge design (Ch. 19 +++)

November 2: Biodiversity and extinction (+++)

November 7: Landscape and global ecology (Ch. 18 & 20)

November 9: Wetlands and Old Growth, Major global ecological problems

November 14: Video: Green Rolling Hills, discussion, letter day