GENERAL ECOLOGY – Course Syllabus
For a pdf syllabus click HERE
Biology 463–Fall 2019 (3 credits)
Instructor: Dr. Matthew Ferrari
Email: mferrari@psu.edu or through the course Canvas site
Lectures: MWF 3:35-4:25 PM in 106 Forest Resources Building
Office Hours: Wednesday 2:30-3:30 PM 243W Millennium Science Complex or by appointment
Course Lecture Materials: The course lecture materials are available for download or online viewing at the following links:
These materials are updated frequently.
Text and Reading
Readings from the primary literature will be assigned to complement and supplement the lectures.
There is no required textbook. However, the course closely follows the structure in Townsend, Begon & Harper 2008 Essentials of Ecology (3rd Ed) Blackwell. This textbook provides conceptual detail and empirical examples that can be only summarized in lecture. For your reference, the course schedule indicates chapters in this text that follow the lectures.
Grading
– Your grade will be based on 500 points: three 100-point exams and four 50-point homework assignments.
– Exams will involve a combination of multiple choice, short answer and essay questions.
Attendance
Class attendance will not recorded for classroom lectures. However, lecture material will cover topics beyond those covered in the text. Thus, classroom attendance is strongly recommended. Excessive absence (>3 unexcused absences) will be grounds for loss of points.
Academic Integrity
Unless specifically directed otherwise, all assignments must be completed without assistance from others, except for guidance from Dr. Ferrari and/or guest instructors, and must represent your own work.
PSU’s Academic Integrity Policy is posted at http://www.science.psu.edu/academic/Integrity/Policy.htm
Our College has also adopted a “Code of Mutual Respect and Cooperation” It is available at