BIOL 302 Principles of Ecology

This course examines theories (including a variety of mathematical, verbal, and graphical models of important ecological processes), techniques of study (both laboratory and field-based), and natural history. The student explores: 1) various questions (in a broad sense) asked by ecologists; 2) ideas (theories, models) from which hypotheses are suggested to answer the questions; and 3) ways in which ecologists go about gathering data to refute or support the proposed hypotheses. Specific ecological studies are used to illustrate what has been learned about the natural world.