معلومات المقرر
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
Understand fundamental ecological concepts.
Analyze the scales and factors influencing ecological systems.
Evaluate energy flow within ecosystems.
Interpret ecological pyramids and their implications.
Apply ecological knowledge to practical exercises and real-world scenarios.
Weekly Course Plan:
Week 1: Course Introduction and Objectives
Overview of course objectives and structure
Introduction to key ecological concepts
Reading: Course introduction and objectives (pages 3-4)
Activity: Introduction discussion forum
Week 2: What is Ecology?
Definition and scope of ecology
Historical context and importance of ecology
Reading: Chapter 1 (pages 6)
Assignment: Essay on the significance of ecology in modern science
Week 3: Scales of Ecology
Levels of ecological organization (individual, population, community, ecosystem, biosphere)
Spatial and temporal scales in ecology
Reading: Chapter III (pages 7)
Quiz: Quiz I on introductory concepts and scales of ecology
Week 4: Ecological Factors - Climatic Factors
Overview of climatic factors affecting ecosystems
Temperature, light, and precipitation
Reading: Chapter IV (pages 8-9)
Lab: Exercise 01 on measuring local climatic variables
Week 5: Ecological Factors - Climatic Factors (continued)
Additional climatic influences on ecosystems
Adaptations to climatic conditions
Reading: Continue Chapter IV (pages 8-9)
Lab: Exercise 02 on analyzing climatic data
Week 6: Ecological Factors - Environmental (Biotic) Factors
Introduction to biotic factors
Interactions among living organisms
Reading: Chapter V (pages 11)
Assignment: Report on local biotic interactions
Week 7: Energy Flow in the Ecosystem
Principles of energy flow
Primary productivity and energy transfer
Reading: Chapter V (pages 11-12)
Lab: Exercise 01 on measuring primary productivity
Week 8: Energy Flow in the Ecosystem (continued)
Energy flow through food chains and food webs
Trophic levels and energy efficiency
Reading: Continue Chapter V (pages 12-13)
Lab: Exercise 02 on constructing food webs
Week 9: Energy Flow in the Ecosystem (continued)
Case studies of energy flow in different ecosystems
Human impacts on energy flow
Reading: Continue Chapter V (pages 12-13)
Lab: Exercise 03 on analyzing energy flow case studies
Week 10: Midterm Review and Exam
Review of key concepts from Weeks 1-9
Week 11: The Ecological Pyramids
Structure and types of ecological pyramids (energy, biomass, numbers)
Interpretation and significance of ecological pyramids
Reading: Chapter VI (pages 15)
Lab: Exercise 01 on constructing ecological pyramids
Week 12: ThA casee Ecological Pyramids (continued)
Case studies and real-world examples of ecological pyramids
Analysis of pyramid data
Reading: Continue Chapter VI (pages 15)
Lab: Exercise 02 on analyzing ecological pyramid data
Week 13: Applied Ecology and Conservation
Application of ecological principles to conservation
Human impacts and sustainable practices
Reading: Supplementary material on conservation ecology
Assignment: Case study on a conservation project
Week 14: Behavioral Ecology
Behavioral adaptations in response to ecological factors
Foraging, mating, and social behaviors
Reading: Supplementary material on behavioral ecology
Observational study of animal behavior.
Directed studies Title: General Ecology DS
Credits: 02
Coefficient: 04
Duration: 15 weeks
Schedule: Thursday: 09:30-11:00
Classroom: D 09
Instructor: Dr. A.Y. ASLOUM
Contact: By email at
Availability:
Response on the forum: Any questions related to the course should be posted on the dedicated forum so that everyone can benefit from my response. I commit to answering questions posted within 48 hours.
By email: I commit to responding by email within 48 hours of receiving the message, except in unforeseen circumstances. Please note that the preferred communication channel is the forum; email is reserved for "emergencies" (in case of problems accessing the platform) and should be used judiciously.Course Description:
This course provides an introduction to the principles of ecology, focusing on the scales of ecology, ecological factors, energy flow, and ecological pyramids. Through a combination of theoretical concepts and practical exercises, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of ecological dynamics.