Experimental Ecology Laboratory

The goal of this course is to provide skills in the design, interpretation, and written presentation of ecological and evolutionary experiments, with emphasis on sampling methodology, hypothesis testing, and data analysis. A key objective of this course is to familiarize students with the importance of statistics and experimental design as unified tool, rather than two separate processes. We will practice how to abstract theories, hypotheses, and predictions mathematically, how to contrast them with data, and how to interpret the results. The course does not seek to be exhaustive of all experimental designs or statistical techniques, nor intensive in any given one. Rather, the focus is on providing the tools and concepts for the critical evaluation, choice, interpretation and further independent learning of the experimental methods and statistical tools needed for research. Practical analysis of data will be taught through class activities, but no prior knowledge is required. During the course students will be exposed to various ecological studies that will vary in system, scope, question, method, and complexity and will showcase different statistical concepts. Students will also plan and execute their own ecological studies, within the limitations of time and resources. Fridays will be spent at the Missouri Botanical Garden's Shaw Nature Reserve. Monday discussion will be held at Danforth Campus. This is a writing intensive course and grades are based in large part upon written assignments. This course fulfills the upper-level laboratory requirement for the following Biology major tracks: General Biology, Ecology and Evolution, and Environmental Biology Prereq: Permission of instructor and at least one of the following: Bio 3501, Bio 372, Bio 381, Bio 419, or Bio 472. Enrollment is limited to 15 students. Credit 4 units.
Course Attributes: FA NSM; AR NSM; AS NSM; AS WI I

Experimental Ecology Laboratory

BIOLOGY AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES 4193

Section 01