Biology 319 – Oceanic Island Ecology
1 credit – Spring 2011

Course Objectives:
BIO 319 examines the biogeography of marine and terrestrial plants and animals on oceanic islands and adjacent waters. Examples will be drawn from Bermuda, the Bahamas, the Galapagos, and Hawaii. Learning will be tested through weekly quizzes and a final exam*. This course is a prerequisite for BIO 320 Tropical Biology–San Salvador; students must pass BIO 319 with a grade of C- or better in order to participate in BIO 320 Tropical Biology–San Salvador. Students who plan to use the combination of BIO 319 and BIO 320 to fulfill an upper-level course requirement for the biology major (or minor) must pass both courses with a grade of C- or better.

*The final exam is optional for students daking BIO 319 as a one-credit elective (i.e., not using the BIO 319/320 combination for the Biology major or minor).

Pre/Co-requisites:
An introductory biology course is strongly recommended. Students who plan to use the combination of BIO 319 and BIO 320 to fulfill an upper-level course requirement for the biology major (or minor) must have completed the four biology major core courses (BIO 120, 130, 220, 230) by the end of the spring 2011 semester.

Class Meeting Times:
Mondays, March 28, April 4, 11, 18, 25, May 2, and 9 from 4:00 to 6:00 PM in Science 331. An additional class period will be scheduled for one of the reading days (May 12 or 13; the day and time will be announced in class).

Bio 319 Final Exam: May 16 4:00 - 6:00 PM Science 331 (optional for students taking the course as a one-credit elective).

Assigned Readings:
Carlquist, S. 1981. Chance dispersal. Scientific American. 69: 509-516.
Case, T.J. and M.L. Cody. 1987. Testing theories of island biogeography. Amer.Sci. 75: 402-411.
Goreau, T.F., N.I. Goreau, and T.J. Goreau. 1979. Corals and coral reefs. Sci. Amer. 241(2): 124-136.
Sealey, N. 2006. Bahamian landscapes. 3rd ed. Media Publishing, Nassau, Bahamas. Introduction (pp. viii-ix); Chapter 1 (pp. 1-13).

Discussion Topics:

March 28	Geological origin of oceanic islands. Download Slides (7.6 Mb)
April 4	Quiz 1. Structure and organization of coral reefs. Download Slides (31.9 Mb)
April 11	Quiz 2. Island biogeography; plant and animal dispersal mechanisms; colonization and establishment of pioneer populations. Download Slides (15 Mb)
April 18	Quiz 3. Continue discussion of Island Biogeography. Download Slides (15 Mb) View DVD episode on Galapagos Islands. Download Notes
April 25	Quiz 4a (Booth) and 4b (Koning). Origin of Hawaii. Review of Cladistics with Clade Critters. Evolution of organisms Hawaii (adaptive radiation, endemism, extinction). Download Slides (6.5 Mb)
May 2	Quiz 5. Formation of San Salvador Island: geology, meterology, and modes of transport of colonizers. Download Slides (13 Mb)
May 9	Quiz 6. Habitats of San Salvador Island: habitat diversity and abiotic and biotic factors in marine and shore habitats. Download Slides (61.4 Mb) View Steve Palumbi's The Sea is Green video.
Thu-May 12, 9-11 AM	Quiz 7. Habitats of San Salvador Island: terrestrial habitats. Preparation for field trip. Download Powerpoint (37.3 Mb).
Thu-May 12 11:30	Optional: ECSU pool session to try out your snorkeling gear and skills. Need to bring suit, gear, and ID with you for the pool.
Mon-May 16, 4-6PM	Comprehensive Final Exam. Last minute announcements for BIO 320 field trip to San Salvador Island, Bahamas.

Grading:
The course grade for BIO 319 will be based on participation (20%), quizzes (40%), and the final exam (40%). For students taking BIO 319 as a one-credit elective, the final exam is ptional; if you choose not to take the final exam, your course grade will be based on participation (20%) and the quizzes (80%).

Accessibility:
If you are a student with a disability and believe you will need accommodations for this class, it is your responsibility to contact the Office of AccessAbility Services at (860) 465-5573. To avoid any delay in the receipt of accommodations, you should contact the Office of AccessAbility Services as soon as possible. Please note that we cannot provide accommodations based upon disability until we have received an accommodation letter from the Office of AccessAbility Services. Your cooperation is appreciated.

This page © Ross E. Koning 1994.

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