Introduction to Ecology and Wildlife
Biology 012-CRN 32033
Spring 2024
Welcome to Introduction to Ecology & Wildlife! As your instructor this semester, I am here to guide you through the wonderful world of Ecology. I am committed to helping you learn and succeed in this adventure. If you need help please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. You may contact me through the following:
Instructor: Leticia Gallardo
Email: [email protected]
Office: SM 55H Phone: 408-741-2416
Student Hours: M 1:00-2:00pm (Zoom); T 12:20-1:40pm (SM55); W 12:00-1:30pm (Zoom); by appointment
Web Page:instruct.westvalley.edu/gallardo/
Course: Biol 012- Introduction to Ecology and Wildlife - 4 units
Class Hrs: Lecture T 2:05-5:15 pm synchronous online and Lab Th 2:05-5:15 pm in person SM 56
Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for this course. However, students are expected to read and write at the college level and know sufficient mathematics to use and understand graphs and charts.
Required Texts & Materials:
- Elements of Ecology. 2015. Smith, Thomas M.,R.L. Smith. Pearson Publishing. San Francisco, California. ISBN:9780321934185.
- When Mountain Lions are Neighbors. 2016. Pratt-Bergstromm, Beth. Heyday, Berkeley, California. ISBN: 978-1597143462
The following are also required, HOWEVER to defray costs you will have the option to borrow from the Biology department:
In order to defray cost for students will have the option of either purchasing copies of these books OR they will also be available for check-out for the duration of the semester. Checked out items will need to be returned at the end of the semester. Any checked-out items that are not returned will be charged to your student account (Please note: this will result in a hold on your WVC account until the items are returned or the cost of the items are paid for).
- Sibley Birds West. 2015. Sibley, David A. Penguin Random House, LLC, New York, NY. ISBN: 978-0-307-95792-4
- Field Notebook. (Available for check out)
- 3 ring binder 5.5” X 8.5” OR 6 “X 9.5”
- Lined filler paper
- Binoculars
Transportation Requirement: Students responsible for transportation to field activities
General Course Description: Welcome to Introduction to Ecology and Wildlife– Biol 012! You are about to begin an exciting and wondrous adventure into the diversity of life on earth and how we study it. This non-major course is an introduction to the general ecological principles that integrate all life on earth, with special focus on wildlife populations and natural history. Energy and material flows are covered, along with animal biology, behavior, population dynamics and human impact and management. Laboratory and field exercises emphasize investigative techniques used in scientific studies.
This semester will undoubtedly be a journey filled with amazing observations. There will be much to learn with a lot of time, energy and effort expended in this process. For many of you this course will begin building the foundation for your careers. As such, the material will need to be learned, not merely memorized. Learning requires a high level of understanding and will allow you to not only know information but be able to apply your knowledge. The ability to do so will extend the value of this course far beyond the boundaries of your transcript and into your careers and lives. In this syllabus you will find descriptions of what you can expect from this course, from me as your instructor, and perhaps most importantly, what is expected of you. Please read through the following information carefully. Transfer: CSU/UC
Student Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of this course the student should be able to:
- Evaluate the role of a keystone species within a community
- Compare and contrast aquatic and terrestrial ecosystem food webs
- Identify and describe the impact of climate change on ecosystems
- Evaluate the role of abiotic factors in ecological systems.
- Identify and describe variables that influence the structure of a population.
- Apply scientific methodology to evaluate ecological patterns.
- Practice the ability to use scientific thinking and reasoning.
- Make biologically informed decisions regarding environmental/ecological and wildlife issues based on information learned in this course.
Course Expectations: This biology course meets for 6 hours per week, 3 hours scheduled of lecture & 3 hours scheduled of lab. In addition to the scheduled class meetings, plan on spending additional homework and research time. To get the most out of this class you should expect to devote study time outside of class. The amount of time you spend in and outside of class will, in a large part, determine how well you do in the course. Students are expected to attend and participate in all lectures and labs. Any student absent from 4 or more class sessions (lecture or lab) may be dropped from the course by the instructor. Students are encouraged to remain active participants in class. Class involvement will not only make the course more interesting, but will also facilitate student understanding, learning and retention. All students are expected to arrive to class on time, having read the related material relevant to lectures.
Conduct: Our course is a safe and respectful space for everyone. Please be respectful of the environment and of your classmates and instructor. Disruptive conduct in class will not be supported. In this spirit, please arrive on time, avoid disruptive or disrespectful talk, ringing cell phones, pagers and ipod use while in class. Disruptive students will be asked to leave and will lose participation points. Continued disruptive behavior will result in disciplinary action. Students violating conduct or academic integrity policies will lose any extra credit points offered/earned. Thank you for being respectful of our course community.
Code of conduct
- Safety is critical for the success of this course. Students will be responsible for following the safety guidelines provided by the instructor. Failure to do so will result in dismissal from the class with a failing grade
- Respect. Be respectful of the environment and of your classmates and instructor.
COVID-19 Safety: Part of creating a respectful and safe environment is to contribute and respect everyone’s health and safety. We will practice all West Valley College and Santa Clara County COVID-19 safety protocols in our classroom. Please review the COVID safety guidelines in the course module “WVC Biology Department COVID Information and Guidelines.”
Land Acknowledgment: We pause to acknowledge that West Valley College sits on the land of the Muwekma Ohlone. For thousands of years, these natives occupied this land and used this beautiful location as their home. Let us give an enormous debt of gratitude to the Muwekma Ohlone tribes. By offering this Land Acknowledgment, we remember that the Muwekma Ohlone people are still connected to this region.
WVC Non-discrimination Statement: The district, and each individual who represents the District, shall provide access to its services, courses, and programs without regard to national origin, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sex, race, ethnicity, color, medical condition, genetic information, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, or military and veteran status, or because he/she/they is perceived to have one or more of the foregoing characteristics, or based on association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.
Health/ Stress Management: All of us benefit from support during times of struggle. You are not alone. There are helpful resources available on campus and an important part of the college experience is learning how to ask for help. Asking for help is a smart and courageous, albeit sometimes difficult, thing to do- for yourself and for those who care about you. If you or anyone you know is experiencing any academic stress, difficult life events, or feelings like anxiety or depression, I strongly encourage you to seek support. You may reach out to your instructor for guidance to campus resources or contact West Valley College Health Services for free confidential personal counseling. Call 408-741-2027, drop by the Health Services office M-Th 9:00 am- 4:30 pm. http://www.westvalley.edu/services/counselingAdditionally, the Office of Student Needs offers student support in the form of the Computer Loan, Emergency Loans, Free Lunch & the Food Bank Programs. https://www.westvalley.edu/services/student-needs/
Special Accommodations: If you have a learning or physical need that will require special accommodations in this class you will need to notify me in writing of your accommodation needs. Please notify me following the first class if you require any special accommodations for learning or physical impairments. This will allow me to best meet your needs and allow us ample opportunity to provide suitable accommodations. West Valley College makes reasonableaccommodations for persons with documented disabilities. Students with DESP accommodations must adhere to guidelines set by their specified accommodation, which includes discussing and scheduling any accommodation with the instructor in advance (minimum of 48hrs). Depending on accommodation exams may be proctored live with DESP personnel and should be scheduled at the same time as scheduled for the class. DESP Rescheduling of exams and assignments remains in the purview of the instructor. College materials will be available in alternate formats (Braille, audio, electronic format, or large print) upon request. Please contact the Disability and Educational Support Program at (408) 741-2010 (voice) or (408) 741-2658 (TTY) for assistance.
Attendance: Attendance is mandatory for student success. State & district policy mandates that students missing more than 10% of class hours without a district approved documented absence will be dropped- this is roughly equivalent to 4 class periods. Missing this much class is very detrimental to success in the course, so it is not advised to miss this much class time if you would like to be successful. It is the student’s responsibility to attend ALL classes. Classes will start on time and will run the entire time. schedule doctor appointments, dental appointments, baby sitters etc. accordingly. If you are absent for any reason, please notify me as soon as possible. If a student misses a lecture, it is his/her/their responsibility to obtain any handouts and information provided. Again, if a student is absent from more than four class sessions he/she/they will be DROPPED from the course. A portion of your grade will be determined by your in-class participation, so it is important that you attend all class sessions to earn all possible points. Students repeatedly missing class forfeit any and all extra credit points.
Students report feeling like they have less time with a combination of online and in person courses due to transitioning to a variety of course modalities. Please be forewarned- on average, students need to spend 3 hours of class time weekly in person, as well as, time to participate in class discussions, assignments, reviewing Powerpoints, study guides, and the text, in addition to studying. Students repeatedly missing class forfeit any and all extra credit points.
Withdrawing from the Course: Anyone not present in the beginning of the semester will be dropped. After the first class it is the responsibility of the student who registered to withdraw, even if he/she/they has stopped attending class. Do not assume that if you stop coming to class that you will automatically be dropped. Students who fail to attend but do not inform the instructor and officially drop the course will receive a failing grade.
Websites: This course will have active website pages which can be used to review lecture schedule and general class policies throughout the semester. This section has an instructor webpage designed to provide students information relevant to the course. Instructor’s syllabus with polices and lecture PowerPoint presentations will be made available to students weekly. These materials are highly beneficial to focusing your study time and if used properly will aid in your success in this course. Please keep in mind these resources are a privilege and not a right and may be discontinued at the instructor’s discretion. Students are also responsible for logging into the Canvas webpage daily to complete any homework assignments and check for course announcements or email updates. You will need to login to Canvas using your username and password. Instructions for logging on are provided on the following webpage. https://wvm.instructure.com/login/canvas Supplemental course materials will be available on the instruct webpage http://instruct.westvalley.edu/leticia-gallardo/
Canvas: Students are also responsible for logging into the course learning management system- Canvas webpage to submit homework/ assignments, take exams, check announcements and email updates relevant to the course. It is advised that students check this webpage daily. You will need to login to Canvas using your username and password. Instructions for logging on are provided on the following webpage. https://wvm.instructure.com/login/canvas
Study Time: For each hour spent in class, students should expect to spend at least 2 to 3 hours outside of class studying in order to achieve an average grade (C). (Note this estimate is for the average student to earn an average grade for this class is 12 – 18 hours per week!) You should find yourself studying, reviewing and preparing for class and lab each day of the week!
Note: Be careful not to confuse quantity studying with quality study. Simply spending time with
your books and materials will not earn you a better grade. Only hours of directed, motivated
studying will work toward earning you a better grade! As you instructor, I am here to facilitate
your learning by presenting the material and assisting in your understanding. I will do as much
as I can to help you, but ultimately it is you who will earn your final grade!
AI Policy: Communication, analytical, and critical thinking skills are important elements of this course, and developing competencies in these areas will help prepare you for future coursework and in the workplace. Therefore, AI-generated submissions are not permitted and will be treated as a violation of the West Valley College Dishonesty Policy.
In submitting assignments, the student confirms that the work submitted is entirely their own work. As the instructor, I may follow up with a student on their submission of an assignment to verify authenticity.
Academic Integrity: Academic integrity is MANDATORY. The college policy on cheating is clearly spelled out in the college catalogue and will be strictly enforced. Use of any method other than your knowledge and memory (such as notes, looking on other student papers, communication between students, using internet browsing or AI software, etc.) to answer questions on an assignment/assessment/quiz constitutes cheating and will result in failure of the assignment/assessment/quiz. Dishonest behavior also includes: all forms of cheating, tampering, fabrication, plagiarism, and assisting on any assignment/assessment/quiz. This means that ALL YOUR WORK MUST BE IN YOUR OWN WORDS AND BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCE. Using artificial intelligence software or copying from Google, other students, textbooks, sites like Chegg or other internet or published sources are all considered dishonest behavior. Any student caught exhibiting dishonest behavior will be appropriately reprimanded. Therefore, be proactive; keep your work to yourself and be sure that all work is your own, and in your own words. This includes any assigned group activities, while you may be working as a team, you must all participate and summaries or reports must be completed individually, in your own words. Any students caught or implicated in dishonest behavior will be appropriately reprimanded. Students will receive an AUTOMATIC ZERO on that assignment/assessment/quiz and all dishonest behavior will be reported to the Vice President of Student Services and will undergo review by the Disciplinary Action/ CSSO Committee. Resulting disciplinary action may include one or more of the following: academic probation, suspension, expulsion from the district colleges, and academic dishonesty transcript notation. Testing procedures & policies are detailed below. Students violating conduct or academic integrity policies will lose any extra credit points offered/earned. Students caught cheating will also forfeit any and all extra credit points.
Due to several incidents of cheating very strict testing procedures will be enforced!
1. Students will NOT be allowed to leave the testing “room” for any reason once the assessment has been administered. This includes: using the restroom, answering cell phones, searching web browsers, etc.
2. If you must leave the room you must turn in your assessment and forfeit your remaining time. I will only grade the portion of the assessment that you have completed.
3. Be on time! Once the first person leaves the assessment room, no one arriving late will be allowed to start the assessment.
4. All notes, books, and personal belongings will be either left outside the room.
5. Internet browser/windows other than the assessment page must be closed. Any student logged for navigating away from the canvas assessment page will receive a zero on the assessment.
6. Cell phones/pagers must be turned off during the assessment and placed in backpacks or purses. Ringing cell phones and/or pagers during assessments may result in failure of the assessment. If, for any reason, you answer a cell phone or pager during an assessment you must turn in your assessment and forfeit your remaining time.
7. Absolutely no papers (other than those provided by the instructor) are allowed on or around the student’s workspace.
8. Cheating will result in a zero on the assessment and probable expulsion from the class. All extra credit points will be forfeited.
If circumstance precludes you from adhering to these policies you must speak to your instructor PRIOR to the assessments.
Lecture Format: Lectures will be used to present, clarify, and expand on information which is presented in your text and assigned articles and homework. Although we will follow a typical lecture format, class participation and involvement are encouraged. If, during lecture, you have a question raise your hand or send a chat and I will try to answer when appropriate. You are required to know all of the information presented in the class lectures whether the material is in the text or not. Lectures will be presented synchronously on ZOOM. Your attendance and participation are mandatory and you should plan your schedule accordingly.
Laboratory Format: Lab is an extremely important component of this course. Your hands-on exposure to materials is an invaluable experience that many of you would not get anywhere else! Working with a group or as an individual you will explore Ecology & Wildlife through the use of presentations and activities. Your experience & success will depend on your involvement and participation. Attendance and completion of laboratory exercises in class are required in order to earn lab points. Lab will be presented in a synchronous modality in combination with take home activities or observational work that will be completed independently. Most lab materials will be provided, however some fresh items may need to be purchased for select lab activities. If you have financial hardship that prevents you from purchasing these items, please contact me for a scholarship. Lab assignments will be completed, scanned and submitted on Canvas.
Field Trips: There are several field activities for the course. Students are responsible for completing field activities as a portion of their lab activities (i.e. worth points) that are an integral part of the class. Students are responsible for making appropriate plans- including determining an appropriate location- if different than what is suggested by the instructor. If you are unsure of an appropriate location please feel free to ask for my input. Students are responsible for arranging their own transportation to and from the field study sites.
Evaluation:
Participation/ Class Discussions: 5% of grade. Participation will be evaluated through attendance records and participation & performance in class meetings. Some ways in which to earn participation points are: 1) completing class activities; 2) attending class; 3) participation in discussions; 4) being preparation for in-class activities; 5) constructive behavior in class.
Assignments: 30% of grade. Students will receive supplemental assignments to reinforce concepts covered in class. The goal of these assignments is to enhance the student learning experience and promote outreach, scientific literacy, advocacy, responsible citizenship and gain interpretive skills. Assignments will include items such as supplemental readings, lab activities, podcasts, research, iNaturalist & Field Notebook entries, etc. You will be responsible for completing assignments independently according to the instructions provided during class Zoom meetings. Assignments and quizzes will be accessible on Canvas. You may be completing assignments directly on Canvas or write your responses on a document which you will submit on Canvas. Once completed you will be responsible for scanning any written assignments as a single document and submitting it through Canvas. You may need a scanning app such as “notes” or “genius scan” to scan hand written or drawn assignments. Students are responsible for checking the Canvas webpage for assignment updates. Students should expect a minimum of 10 homework assignments for the semester. Points will be allocated based on format, content, and completion of assignments. Late work will lose 10% of the point value per day (including weekends). Late work will be accepted for partial credit up to 5 days late. No late work will be accepted after the last day of active class.
COMPUTER PROBLEMS ARE NOT A REASONALBLE EXCUSE for not submitting assignments on time. You should use a reliable computer and Wifi when completing your assignments. Contact the office of student needs for assistance with obtaining reliable computer or internet access. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf3BteSB95bUOiGuUSSPijiAvoPqKmB66OE_Wd1A7HUyPID9Q/viewform
Assessments (65%): Assessments will comprise 65% of the student’s grade. Exams will be administered through Canvas. Students are responsible for all material presented in lecture, lab, & assignments. The exams will consist of a combination of matching, true/false, fill in the blank, identification, and short answer. Attendance of scheduled exams is mandatory. There are NO make-up exams. Missing an exam will result in a zero grade for the exam. Exams scores will not be dropped or substituted. Exams will begin promptly at the beginning of class meeting time (Regardless if you have extended time accommodations). Please arrive on time and note that you will not receive extra time to compensate a late arrival. All students must take the final exam during the assigned time period. Periodically I will post your grades. This gives you the opportunity to confirm where you stand in the course, if you are missing any work or if I have made any errors recording your grades. Be sure to look it over. If you have any questions regarding any grade you receive and/or the grading method please feel free to talk to me.
Capstone project: As part of your assessment grade you will be required to produce and present an outreach/interpretation project. The purpose of this assignment is to provide you the opportunity to reinforce the material you have learned in class, apply the concepts to a topic/subject we did not cover, and to practice your outreach/ interpretation skills. For this assignment you will choose a topic that relates to a class chosen California plant or animal species, a community or conservation issue. You will choose a study organism that is exciting to you- this is a REQUIREMENT! This project will fulfill the Capstone project requirement for students seeking California Naturalist certification. Capstone Projects will be presented at the CNPS Wildflower Show on April 22th and at the Earth Stewardship Symposium on April 19th.
Grading: A single 4- unit grade will be given for the course. You are not in competition with other students. Your course grade will be determined by the total number of points you earn. All points earned will be converted into a percentage score (pts earned ÷ pts possible).
Assessents ………………………………..…………………….…………………………….65%
Homework, labs & quizzes……………………………………………………….…..…30%
Participation………………………………………………………………………………….....5%
Total Lecture % 100%
*If complications in assigned point allocation arise, the percent scale of the remaining points will be used to calculate grades
Your final course grade will be based on the following scale:
A (90-100%), B (80-89%), C (65-79%), D (55-65%), F (below 55%)
Miscellaneous Notes: Due to the disruptive nature of cell phones and pagers all cell phones and pagers must be completely turned off while in lecture and lab. If for some reason you must leave your cell phone or pager on please switch it to silent mode and leave the room before answering it. Ringing cell phones and/or pagers during exams may result in failure of the exam. If you must leave your phone on during an exam please switch it to silent mode. If, for any reason, you answer a cell phone or pager during an exam you must turn in your exam and forfeit your remaining time. Disruptions of this nature will also result in the loss of participation points.
Places to seek Additional Help:
Gallardo Office Hours: M 1:00-2:00pm (Zoom); T 12:20-1:40pm (SM55); W 12:00-1:30pm (Zoom); by appointment
Form study groups: Your fellow classmates are a valuable resource
Support Services: Please take advantage of the support services on campus- They are here to help you! Services contact information is listed below
Tutoring: Tutorial Services: All students are eligible for free on campus tutoring. If you wish to get help you MUST make the commitment to attend any scheduled tutorial sessions. If any student misses 2 un-cancelled tutorial sessions they will be dropped from the program.
Important Phone Numbers:
Life threatening emergency- Campus phone…………………..9-911 Counseling Center…………………741-2009
Student Health Services on campus……… ……………………….741-2027 Bookstore………………………………741-2015
Safety Escort Service (Campus Police) ……………………….…741-2092 Technology Center……………….741-2666
Science and Math Division office ……………………………………741-2018 Success Center………..……….….741-2038
Extended Opportunity Programs & Service (EOPS)…….741-2023
Disability & Educational Support Program (DESP)……….741-2010
Important Dates Holidays:
Last day to Add……………………………….Feb 11 President’s Day………….. Feb 16-19
Last day to drop without a “W” ……. Feb 11 Caesar Chavez Day………Apr 1
Last day to drop with a “W”………….. Apr 26 Spring Break………………. Apr 1- 6
TENTATIVE Lecture & Lab Topics
Unit 1
- Scientific Inquiry
- Sampling techniques
- California biodiversity
- Interpretation
- Water properties & aquatic environments
- Bird identification
- Population ecology
Unit 2
- Evolution and natural selection
- Taxonomy
- Community ecology
- Diversity indexes
- Terrestrial environments
- Soil structure
- Ecosystem ecology
- Ecosystem services
- Behavioral ecology
