EXAMPLE LECTURE SYLLABUS

TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS

BIOLOGY 50103, Fall
11:00 — 12:30 p.m. TR

Coordinator: Dr. John Horner
Office — WSH 435   (817) 257-6181
   

Course Description:
 Concepts, principles, and mechanisms of the function of terrestrial ecosystems, including ecophysiology of component species, energy flow, nutrient cycling, disturbance and succession, ecosystem stability, and global ecology.
 
LECTURE SERIES
LECTURE TOPIC
1

Introduction
    Ecosystem Concept
    Structure of Ecosystems
2
 Overview of Energy Flow and Major Biogeochemical Cycles
    Energy Flow Through Ecosystems
    Major Biogeochemical Cycles
3
 Ecophysiology of Primary Producers
    Carbon Balance
    Water Relations
    Nutrient Relations
4
 Inputs to Ecosystems
EXAM I
5
 Ecosystem Function
    Intrasystem Cycling of Nutrients
        Nutrient Uptake, Accumulation, Storage, and Redistribution
        Leaching and Litter Production
        Nutrient-use Efficiency
        Decomposition/Mineralization
6
     Aspects of Energy Flow
        Belowground Production
    Heterotrophic Regulation of Ecosystem Function
EXAM II
7
 Outputs from Ecosystems
8
 Disturbance and Succession
    Types of Disturbance
    Changes during Succession
    Stability of Ecosystems
9
 Comparison of Ecosystems
10
 Regional Productivity; Landscape and Global Ecology
11
 Student Presentations Begin
12
 Review
  COMPREHENSIVE FINAL EXAM

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