Southern Utah University

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Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2026

Ecology (Face-to-Face)

BIOL 3030-03

Course: BIOL 3030-03
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2026
Department: Biology
CRN: 30518

Course Description

Biological and physical mechanisms related to the distribution, abundance, and adaptations of organisms. Topics include ecosystem structure and function, physiological ecology, population ecology, life-history strategies, community ecology, and geographical ecology. Three (3) hours of lecture per week. A minimum grade of "C" (2.0 or above) must be earned in this course before it can be counted in a biological science major or minor or as a prerequisite for any other biology course. Students are encouraged to complete MATH 1040/2040 prior to taking this course. (Fall, Spring, Summer [As Needed]) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Co-requisite(s): BIOL 3035 Prerequisite(s): BIOL 1610 and BIOL 1615 and BIOL 1620 and BIOL 1625 - Prerequisite Min. Grade: C

Required Texts

The textbook is recommended but not required. We are using Ecology in a Changing World, 1st edition by Marchetti et al. If you don’t think you’ll want to hang onto the book long-term, you can currently rent the ebook for cheaper on various textbook websites.

Learning Outcomes

  • Learning the fundamental principles, generalizations, and theories related to the interactions, distribution, and abundance of organisms.
  • Learning to apply these facts, principles, theories to new information through analysis of scientific literature and problem solving.
  • Developing our innate sense of the value of biodiversity and the importance of conservation.
  • Developing skills necessary for a professional biologist, including scientific communication, experimental design, and data analysis.

Course Requirements

Flipped lectures:
I will be teaching this class in the “flipped” style rather than a traditional lecture format. The key elements of a flipped class are: 1) you prepare for class ahead of time by watching a video lecture or doing a reading, and 2) you spend time in class doing activities designed to clarify the concepts you covered before class. For a flipped class to really work, step 1 is very crucial; if you come to class without preparing, you will be very lost. 

Using Canvas:
I use Canvas to post supplementary readings, notify of due dates for homework assignments, and to make general announcements. Please check Canvas regularly to stay aware of what’s coming up in the course.

Assessment:
Your grade in Ecology lecture is based on:

Two midterm exams (100 pts) plus a “combo” final (new + cumulative; 150 pts)...350 pts
~30 daily lecture prep notes (5 points each, lowest 2 scores dropped)...150 pts
~30 brief in-class activities (3 points each, lowest 2 scores dropped)...90 pts 
10 weekly learning strategy assignments (5 points each)...50 pts
10 weekly ecology reflection assignments (5 points each)...50 pts
Total...690 pts

Exams:
Exams will be based primarily on the material covered in lecture. Exams will be a combination of multiple choice and short answer questions, and you will be asked to apply the knowledge you have learned to new situations and information. The final exam will be a cumulative review of the whole class. I schedule my exams at the Testing Center so you have flexibility on when you take it, as well as ample time to do so (180-minute time limit).

In-class activities:
There are a variety of learning styles and lecture is not always the best way to learn for all students. We will augment content learned in lecture with short in-class activities worth a few points. These brief activities may not seem like a lot but they do add up over the semester. The lowest three scores for the brief in-class activities will be dropped at the end of the semester. 

Weekly learning strategy and ecology reflection assignments:
These "meta" activities are designed to get you to think about how you learn and to apply material we are covering in class from the perspective of your own values. Assessment is based on the depth of thoughtfulness put into the assignment, rather than whether your answers are correct (since there isn't any such thing!).

Course Outline

Topics to be covered:
Introduction to ecology/Ecology in the Anthropocene
Evolution and speciation
Climate and biomes
Physiological ecology
Behavior
Population biology and modeling
Pairwise species interactions:
  • Competition
  • Exploitation
  • Mutualism/facilitation
Multispecies interactions and food webs
Biodiversity
Community ecology
Nutrient cycling
Climate change

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Late work is reduced by 10% of the total points possible for that assignment per day and will be considered late once the due date and time for the assignment as posted on Canvas has passed. Due dates/times for all assignments can be found on the syllabus calendar and will be posted on Canvas.

Attendance Policy

In-person attendance is required and expected. If you are unable to attend, please contact a classmate to request their notes. For the in-class activities, your lowest two scores are dropped, which gives a buffer for a couple of unplanned absences. If you exceed two missed days because of circumstances out of your control, contact me and we can work out a plan to make up missed assignments.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.