BIO 412 - General Ecology

1. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the abiotic and biotic environmental factors and interactions that determine the distribution and abundance of organisms, and how relationships (including predation, competition and mutualism) underlie their evolution.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of important ecological processes and emergent properties at population, community, ecosystem, landscape and global levels of organization.
3. Explain the processes by which scientists study ecological systems through observational and experimental approaches in both the laboratory and field and be able to communicate an understanding of those processes.
4. Apply the quantitative skills needed to construct working hypotheses and to statistically evaluate the outcome of ecological experiments.
5. Describe how ecological principles underlie modern aspects of natural resource management, and how human activities impact ecological processes, including negative effects on the health and stability of natural systems.