ECOLAPP - ECOLGEN - T1 - AY - 23-24 (s-BJMA20230901)

De La Salle University
College of Science
Department
COURSE CODE: ECOLAPP, ECOLGEN

COURSE TITLE: General and Applied Ecology Lecture
Instructor: Dr. Wilfredo Licuanan and Dr. Wenchie Lumbera
Consultation hours: see in Canvas Contact details: see in Canvas
Term, AY: 1st Term AY 2023-2024 Class schedule: MH 9:15-10:45, 12:45-2:15; in-
person and online
Room/ Recurring Zoom link: see in Canvas but use Dr. Licuanan’s Zoom room as a default:
https://zoom.us/j/7865105242?pwd=UVVRcGpmM2E5SGV3ZWh2SHVGdVYvQT09
TYPE OF COURSE
Service learning1 X Hybrid Fully online In-person
GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION

This is an introductory course on basic scientific and ecological principles and their
applications to sampling, analyzing, and understanding critical environmental problems and
issues and how science can contribute to solving or managing these problems.
SPECIFIC COURSE DESCRIPTION
The lecture course emphasizes the application of the scientific method and reasoning in the
design of mensurative and manipulative experiments. Topics to be covered include sampling
and experimental design, evolutionary ecology, population ecology, and systems ecology as
applied to issues such as the biodiversity crisis, environmental pollution and degradation, and
over-exploitation of renewable resources. Emphasis is given to current issues and concerns,
especially in the Philippine context.
COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES (CLO)

On completion of this course, the student is expected to present the following learning
outcomes in line with the Expected Lasallian Graduate Attributes (ELGA)
ELGA Learning outcome:
1. Culturally Sensitive Critical Be able to design sound and robust ecological mensurative
and Creative Thinkers and manipulative experiments and interpret their results.
2. Effective communicator Be able to clearly and completely explain the findings of
scientific research and its implications.
3. Reflective Lifelong Learner Be able to formulate testable hypotheses, test these
and Competent Self-Nurturer hypotheses, and make recommendations for future work on
the same topic or area.
4. Engaged and Service-Driven Be able to apply basic analytical techniques for assessing
Citizen status and health of ecological populations, biotic
1
communities, and ecosystems and use the findings to guide
biodiversity conservation and resource management.
5. Virtue-Guided Decision- Be a responsible and competent scientist in terms of
Maker planning and implementation of scientific research
activities.
6. Technically Competent Be knowledgeable in the standard procedures involved in
Professional ecological research, capable in proper data analysis
procedures and interpretation, and competent in
communicating outcomes of scientific research.
FINAL COURSE OUTPUT

As evidence of attaining the above learning outcomes, the student is expected to perform well in
the following areas of assessment.
Learning Outcome Required Output Due date
LO #1: Be able to design sound and robust ecological • Long exam 1, October 5
mensurative and manipulative experiments and Final exam
interpret their results.
LO #2: Be able to clearly and completely explain the • Class In most synchronous
findings of scientific research and its implications. discussions sessions
LO #3: Be able to formulate testable hypotheses, test • Class In most synchronous

these hypotheses, and make recommendations for discussions sessions
future work on the same topic or area.
LO #4: Be able to apply basic analytical techniques • Long exams 2, October 16 or 21,
for assessing status and health of ecological 3, 4 and the November 6
populations, biotic communities, and ecosystems and Final exam November 27
use the findings to guide biodiversity conservation
and resource management.
LO #5: Be a responsible and competent scientist in • Long exam 1, October 5

terms of planning and implementation of scientific Final exam
research activities.
LO #6: Be knowledgeable in the standard procedures

involved in ecological research, capable in proper • Long exams 1, October 5
data analysis procedures and interpretation, and 2, 3, 4 and the October 16 or 21,
competent in communicating outcomes of scientific Final exam November 6
research. November 27
OTHER REQUIREMENTS AND ASSESSMENTS

The student is expected to:
q TAKE AND PASS ALL written assessments (quizzes and long exams).
q NO SPECIAL/MAKE-UP QUIZZES WILL BE ALLOWED under any circumstances.
q ACTIVELY participate in class discussions (recitation).
q NOT to incur more than 2.5 weeks of absences.
q NO special /alternative /make-up projects and activities will be allowed, provided.
2
GRADING
• Four long exams: 50% Scale:
• Quizzes (online/weekly & pop /unannounced): 10% 92-100% 4.0
• Discussions, class participation: 5% 86-91% 3.5
• Comprehensive Final Exam: 35% 80-85% 3.0
75-79% 2.5
TOTAL: 100% 70-74% 2.0
65-69% 1.5
(Passing Grade: 60%)
60-64% 1.0
<60. 0.0
LEARNING PLAN
Learning Topics in lecture Week Related learning
outcome # activities in
LBBBI14/LBBBIOH
Upon completion Introduction: Requirements and Grading 01
of the course, the Introduction: Scientific method 02 Accuracy and precision
student is exercises
expected to be Sampling: Replicates and subsamples; 03
able to articulate Data analysis
the general Long Exam 1- October 5, 2023**
concepts and Evolutionary Ecology (see Chapters 4 and 04 Predator-prey
principles in 13 of the textbook) Evolution and
ecology and adaptation
integrate these to Natural selection, the Niche 05-06
current Long Exam 2- October 16 or 21, 2023**
environment Populations Ecology (see Chapters 9 to 07
issues and 12) Properties of populations: Density,
practice so that distribution
students increase Properties of populations: Age, stage or 08
their awareness size structure; sex ratios
in his role in Population growth: Life tables, Mortality 10 Life tables
nature and to and survivorship curves; Extinction, r and
realize that with K selection
the special power Long Exam 3- November 9, 2023**
to alter the Systems Ecology (see Chapters 18 and 19) 11
biosphere comes Systems thinking; Ecosystem energetics
the recognition of 12
Biogeochemical cycles, limiting nutrients
accountability to
Landscape dynamics 13
himself, society
Long Exam 4- November 30, 2023** 13
and nature.
Comprehensive final exams ** 14
**Note that all long exams and the
final exam are in-person
TEACHING STRATEGIES
Ecology lecture (ECOLGEN, ECOLAPP) and laboratory (LBBBI14, LBBBIOH) are tightly interlinked
such that all laboratory instructors attend lecture sessions to help assess student performance and address
their questions and concerns. In addition, some pre-laboratory instructions are given in lecture to ensure
synchrony and consistency.
3
Formative assessments are done in the form of discussions and quizzes every week. Students are
encouraged to ask and answer questions during class discussions to clarify misconceptions. Formative
quizzes are given weekly to test if students are able to grasp target concepts and help them prepare for
the long exams.
Summative assessments are done in the form of long exams and the final exam.
REFERENCES
Main text: Sher, A.A. and M.C. Molles Jr. 2023. Ecology: Concepts and Applications. 9th ed. 602 pp.
McGraw Hill LLC, New York.
Main journal article reading: Hurlbert, S.H., 1984. Pseudoreplication and the design of ecological field
experiments. Ecological Monographs 54(2):187-211.
ONLINE RESOURCES
See Canvas class pages
CLASS POLICIES
• Come to class fully equipped for class discussions.
• Make use of the Internet for immediate reference during discussions.
• Honesty and integrity are integral components of the academic process.
• Proper decorum is to be observed among peers in all activities.
• Absence and tardiness are strongly discouraged.
• Attentiveness and active participation are critical to successful learning.
• The policies on academic dishonesty, attendance, and behavior stipulated in your Student
Handbook are honored in this course.
Prepared by: Dr. Wilfredo Y. Licuanan, Hilarie Orario, and Mr. Dennis Dolojan
Approved by:
Dr. Billy Joel Almarinez

Chair, Department of Biology

ECOLAPP - ECOLGEN - T1 - AY - 23-24 (s-BJMA20230901)

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De La Salle University

COURSE CODE: ECOLAPP, ECOLGEN

Service learning1 X Hybrid Fully online In-person

GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES (CLO)

FINAL COURSE OUTPUT

Learning Outcome Required Output Due date

LO #3: Be able to formulate testable hypotheses, test • Class In most synchronous

LO #5: Be a responsible and competent scientist in • Long exam 1, October 5

LO #6: Be knowledgeable in the standard procedures

OTHER REQUIREMENTS AND ASSESSMENTS

Dr. Billy Joel Almarinez

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