575.615.81 - Ecology

Course Structure

Course Structure - The course materials are divided into 14 modules which can be accessed by clicking Course Modules on the left menu. A module will have several sections including the module-at-a-glance, readings, video lectures and related content, discussions, and assignments. Students should regularly check the Calendar and Announcements for assignment due dates. Modules begin on Tuesdays and complete on Mondays. 

Course Topics

• Introduction to the Field of Ecology
• Evolution and Biodiversity
• Niche, Competition, Population Changes, Human Population Issues
• Biodiversity Decline, Extinction, and Conservation
• Paleoecology and Historic Ecology
• Forest Ecology and Deforestation Impact
• Wetland Ecology, Conservation, and Restoration
• Upland Ecosystems - Grasslands, Serpentine Barrens, and Anthropogenic Habitats
• Community Succession, Stability, and Disturbance
• Eutrophication and Chesapeake Bay
• Island Biogeography
• Global Climate Change
• Course Term Paper Part 1
• Course Term Paper Part 2

Course Goals

To identify and describe the patterns and predictability of ecological processes and to apply that knowledge in approaching environmental engineering, restoration, and management issues.

Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)

• Describe the complexity of ecosystems, the relative problem of prediction in ecology, and the relevance of ecology to engineering and environmental management.
• Describe ecological and evolutionary processes as they apply to individuals, populations, birds, vegetation, habitats, landscapes and global level issues.
• Explain the impact of human activities on biodiversity, extinction, communities, landscapes, and the global atmosphere.
• Identify and contrast plant community patterns and hydrology in wetlands, uplands and forests.
• Describe conservation and restoration approaches to wetlands, uplands and forests.
• Apply analytical ecological approaches to an environmental problem.

Textbooks

Textbook - No required textbook. All course readings are available directly in eReserves 

Student Coursework Requirements

Student Coursework Requirements - It is expected that each module will take approximately 10-12 hours per week to complete. Here is an approximate breakdown: reading the assigned sections of the texts (approximately 5 hours per week) as well as some videos and instructional videos (2-3 hours), listening to the audio annotated slide presentations (approximately 1 hour per week), and writing assignments (approximately 2–3 hours per week). This course will consist of five basic student requirements: 1. Weekly assignments (35%) - The assignments consist of narrative questions where you are tasked to discuss and apply the content. The point value of each assignment is provided in the assignment itself. 2. Discussion board assignments (25% of final grade) - Weekly discussion board assignments require you to think about real-world applications for the concepts you will be learning. You are required to respond to each discussion prompt as well as respond to at least two other student’s post. A rubric for how discussion assignments will be evaluated by the instructor is posted in module 1. Each discussion is worth 10 points. 3. Independent Term Project/Field Study (40% of final grade) - In this project you will choose a field site that you can easily get to and engage in a detailed examination of an ecological issue, problem, or solution. Deliverables for the term project are due in modules 5, 7, 13, and 14. All details describing the requirements for the term project may be found in module 2 of the Black Board course site.

Grading Policy

Grading Guidelines and Policies - Assignments are due according to the dates posted in the Blackboard course site. Students may check these due dates in the Course Calendar or the Assignments in the corresponding modules. Every effort will be made to post grades no later than 2 weeks after assignment due dates. A grade of A indicates achievement of consistent excellence and distinction throughout the course—that is, conspicuous excellence in all aspects of assignments and discussion in every week. A grade of B indicates work that meets all course requirements on a level appropriate for graduate academic work. These criteria apply to both undergraduates and graduate students taking the course. The following grades are used for this course: A+, A, A– (excellent), B+, B, B– (good), C (unsatisfactory), F (failure), I (incomplete). A grade of F indicates the student’s failure to complete or comprehend the course work

Course Policies

Academic Integrity & Academic Misconduct Policy -  All students are required to read, know, and comply with the Johns Hopkins University Krieger School of Arts and Sciences (KSAS) / Whiting School of Engineering (WSE) Procedures for Handling Allegations of Misconduct by Full-Time and Part-Time Graduate Students. This policy prohibits academic misconduct, including but not limited to the following: cheating or facilitating cheating; plagiarism; reuse of assignments; unauthorized collaboration; alteration of graded assignments; and unfair competition. You may request a paper copy of this policy at this by contacting jhep@jhu.edu.

Academic Policies

Deadlines for Adding, Dropping and Withdrawing from Courses

Students may add a course up to one week after the start of the term for that particular course. Students may drop courses according to the drop deadlines outlined in the EP academic calendar (https://ep.jhu.edu/student-services/academic-calendar/). Between the 6th week of the class and prior to the final withdrawal deadline, a student may withdraw from a course with a W on their academic record. A record of the course will remain on the academic record with a W appearing in the grade column to indicate that the student registered and withdrew from the course.

Academic Misconduct Policy

All students are required to read, know, and comply with the Johns Hopkins University Krieger School of Arts and Sciences (KSAS) / Whiting School of Engineering (WSE) Procedures for Handling Allegations of Misconduct by Full-Time and Part-Time Graduate Students.

This policy prohibits academic misconduct, including but not limited to the following: cheating or facilitating cheating; plagiarism; reuse of assignments; unauthorized collaboration; alteration of graded assignments; and unfair competition. Course materials (old assignments, texts, or examinations, etc.) should not be shared unless authorized by the course instructor. Any questions related to this policy should be directed to EP’s academic integrity officer at ep-academic-integrity@jhu.edu.

Students with Disabilities - Accommodations and Accessibility

Johns Hopkins University values diversity and inclusion. We are committed to providing welcoming, equitable, and accessible educational experiences for all students. Students with disabilities (including those with psychological conditions, medical conditions and temporary disabilities) can request accommodations for this course by providing an Accommodation Letter issued by Student Disability Services (SDS). Please request accommodations for this course as early as possible to provide time for effective communication and arrangements.

For further information or to start the process of requesting accommodations, please contact Student Disability Services at Engineering for Professionals, ep-disability-svcs@jhu.edu.

Student Conduct Code

The fundamental purpose of the JHU regulation of student conduct is to promote and to protect the health, safety, welfare, property, and rights of all members of the University community as well as to promote the orderly operation of the University and to safeguard its property and facilities. As members of the University community, students accept certain responsibilities which support the educational mission and create an environment in which all students are afforded the same opportunity to succeed academically. 

For a full description of the code please visit the following website: https://studentaffairs.jhu.edu/policies-guidelines/student-code/

Classroom Climate

JHU is committed to creating a classroom environment that values the diversity of experiences and perspectives that all students bring. Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. Fostering an inclusive climate is important. Research and experience show that students who interact with peers who are different from themselves learn new things and experience tangible educational outcomes. At no time in this learning process should someone be singled out or treated unequally on the basis of any seen or unseen part of their identity. 
 
If you have concerns in this course about harassment, discrimination, or any unequal treatment, or if you seek accommodations or resources, please reach out to the course instructor directly. Reporting will never impact your course grade. You may also share concerns with your program chair, the Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion, or the Office of Institutional Equity. In handling reports, people will protect your privacy as much as possible, but faculty and staff are required to officially report information for some cases (e.g. sexual harassment).

Course Auditing

When a student enrolls in an EP course with “audit” status, the student must reach an understanding with the instructor as to what is required to earn the “audit.” If the student does not meet those expectations, the instructor must notify the EP Registration Team [EP-Registration@exchange.johnshopkins.edu] in order for the student to be retroactively dropped or withdrawn from the course (depending on when the "audit" was requested and in accordance with EP registration deadlines). All lecture content will remain accessible to auditing students, but access to all other course material is left to the discretion of the instructor.