Ecology

Recent course projects have included:

• Surveying plant diversity at a hillside prairie at Lake Katherine Nature Center
• Evaluating whether local populations of cattails are native, introduced, or hybrid
• Surveying campus for ash trees and documenting evidence of emerald ash borer

Course Description
Our study of ecology in this course provides the opportunity to explore how organisms interact 
with their biotic and abiotic environment at a range of scales—from chemical environments to 
population dynamics to interactions with other species. This course is a general survey of the theory and 
practice of ecology, which provides a foundation for more advanced study of ecology as well as a 
knowledge base for the teaching of biology. Laboratories will provide opportunity to engage in using 
the scientific method to assess ecological questions and to observe ecological interactions in the field. 
We will also seek to link our academic understanding of ecology to environmental issues through 
discussion and through a written assignment and to grow in our appreciation for the complex 
interactions found in God’s creation.