Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources 216

(All 704 courses are now 216 courses, effective spring 2014.)

11:216:101 Introduction to Ecology and Evolution (3) This course provides the basic foundations for understanding evolutionary and ecological processes. The course covers natural selection, basic evolutionary theories, human evolution, population ecology, community ecology, biodiversity, biogeochemical cycling, global climate, and conservation biology. Two 80-min. lecs. This course meets the Core Curriculum requirement for natural sciences.

11:216:104 Topics in Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources (1) Seminar-type presentations by faculty members in the ecology and natural resources curriculum designed to introduce students to the curriculum's faculty and their areas of experience in conducting research and applying their research findings, and the importance of their research to society.
Not open to seniors. Open to ecology, evolution, and natural resources students only.

11:216:107 Evolution of Sex and Gender in the Animal Kingdom (3) This course will examine the biological basis of sex determination and resultant gendered behavior in all animals, including humans. We will discuss how and why sex evolved, how different organisms express, and often change, their gender and the selection pressures involved.

11:216:110 Evolution, Disease, and Medicine (3) Together with 01:119:101, this course will fulfill the nonscience majors SEBS life science requirement. Basic concepts in the theory of evolution will be introduced and applied in the context of discussion of human and animal disease and the medical treatment thereof.  The course will cover infectious and noninfectious diseases and real-world applications of evolutionary theory to the practice of medicine. One 80-min. lec. This course meets the Core Curriculum requirement for natural sciences.

11:216:211 The Natural Resources Professions (P/NC 1) Survey of the profession of wildlife, forestry, and fishery. Guest lectures, class discussion, and field experience. One 80-min. lec. Open only to students in professional resource management; others by permission of instructor.

11:216:240 Behavioral Biology (4) Basic principles of animal behavior, including social behavior, animal communication, and physiological mechanisms underlying behavior. Topics include ethology, aggression, displays and communication, territoriality, and ethological view of human behavior. Motion pictures observe the behavior of fish, birds, reptiles, and primates. Two 80-min. lecs. and one 80-min. rec. Prerequisite: 01:119:102 or 116.

11:216:251 Fundamentals of Evolution (3) The course will introduce students to the breadth of evolutionary biology, from micro to macroevolution, and cover topics from molecular evolution to the fossil record. Through lectures and readings, students will gain a basic and fundamental understanding of the evolutionary forces that have shaped all life on earth. Two 80-min. lecs. Prerequisite: 01:119:102 or 116.

11:216:252 Fundamentals of Evolution Lab (1) Provides students with hands-on experiences related to generation, analysis, and evaluation of evolutionary data, from populations to macroevolution. Skills developed in the lab include DNA extraction, PCR, sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis, DNA barcoding, population genetics calculations, and many other aspects of evolutionary research. One 3-hr. lab. Prerequisite: 01:119:102 or 116. Corequisite: 11:216:251.

11:216:269 Evolution of Animal Behavior (3) Broad exposure to evolutionary theory and natural selection using examples from animal behavior. Not intended to be comprehensive in either evolutionary theory or in animal behavior, but rather to engender understanding of the principles of evolution, the basic terms and concepts in animal behavior, and the evolutionary and ecological processes that shape it. One lec. 3 hrs. Prerequisites: 01:119:101,102 or 103 or 115-116 or 11:216:101.

11:216:272 Dendrology (4) Nomenclature, identification, ranges, and habitats of important native and naturalized trees of North America. Shrubs and vines important as wildlife food and cover. Forest regions and types, emphasizing the Middle Atlantic area. One 80-min. lec., one 280-min. lab. Not open to first-year students. Prerequisite: 01:119:102 or 116.

11:216:274 Field Techniques in Ecology and Natural Resources (4) One lecture per week followed by a two-week field course; the latter runs five days a week, all day for two weeks following the close of the spring semester (starting on a Monday). Students are immersed in two different ecosystems and learn fundamental aspects of forestry, field ecology, wildlife biology, entomology, remote sensing, and natural resource management. One 80-min. lec. and two weeks of fieldwork. Prerequisite: 11:216:272.

11:216:296 Honors Seminar (03 The topic for each semester addresses current issues from the perspectives of the humanities, sciences, and social sciences. Open only to honors students (SEBS Honors Program, SAS Honors Program, and Honors College) or by permission of instructor. 

11:216:302 Parasite Ecology (4) The ecology and evolution of animal parasites, focusing on the ecology of disease, transmission dynamics, and parasite roles in community regulation and conservation biology. Two 80-min. lecs. Prerequisite: 01:119:102 or 116.

11:216:315 Conservation Techniques (3) Introduction to the application of conservation and management theory. Online lecture material will present the principles and review the methods used for each approach. Case studies will illustrate how conservation actions were developed and applied. Discussions will evaluate the merits and limitations for each approach in theory and practice. Online course.

11:216:317 Conservation Ecology (3) Effects of technology and population growth on species, ecosystems, and human communities. Environmental impact of agricultural and industrial systems. Global environmental change. Biological and social underpinnings of conservation. Extensive scientific and nonscientific readings. Lec. 3 hrs. Prerequisites: 01:119:102 or 116 or equivalent, and permission of instructor.

11:216:320 Sustainable Environmental Management (3) Sustainable environmental management is the dominant economic, environmental, and social issue of the 21st century. This course will use online materials (articles, papers, podcasts, video, etc.) to examine controversial topics like climate change, natural gas drilling, renewable energy, and others. Discussions will provide a forum for debate and further examination of the issues. Online course.

11:216:323 Ornithology (4) The biology, ecology, and field identification of birds of the region. Weekly field trips and two all-day field trips. Two 80-min. lecs., lab. 3 hrs. Prerequisite: 01:119:102 or 116.

11:216:324 Invertebrate Zoology (4) Comparative study of some representative invertebrates as a basis for understanding the interrelationship between the physiological activity and the structure of organisms. Lec. 3 hrs., lab. 3 hrs. Prerequisite:  01:119:102 or 116.

11:216:325 Vertebrate Zoology (4) The classification, evolution, ecology, and life histories of the order and families of the vertebrates, especially of the eastern United States. Seven field trips required, including one two-day weekend trip and one evening trip. Two 80-min. lecs., lab. 3 hrs. Prerequisites: 01:119:102 or 116 and 117.

11:216:332 Plant Ecology (4) Study of plant life histories, populations, communities, and plant-animal interactions (pollination, dispersal, herbivory). Evolutionary basis for plant ecological traits. Weekly field trips to representative habitats in the state, including a weekend trip. Lab includes greenhouse, field experiments, and library reports. Lec. 3 hrs., lab. 3 hrs., field trips. Prerequisites: 01:119:102 or 116 and 117.

11:216:335 Limnology (4) Limnology is the study of inland waters including lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams. Theoretical and applied aspects of limnology will be covered through lectures, classroom exercises/case studies, and labs involving several field trips. Lec. 3 hrs., lab. 3 hrs. Prerequisite: 01:119:102 or 116.

11:216:351 Principles of Ecology (3) Concepts underlying the organization of living systems. Environmental adaptations of species, population, and community dynamics, energetics, nutrient flux. Practical applications of ecological concepts. Two 80-min. lecs. Prerequisite: 01:119:102 or 116 or equivalent.

11:216:352 Principles of Ecology Lab (1) This laboratory course is required for the 216 (Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources) and 628 (Marine Sciences) majors and is an option elective for all others. The laboratory course does not simply reinforce the lecture course but instead extends its scope. Principles of Ecology Lab incorporates critical analyses of seminal ecological publications and the collection, analysis, and graphical presentation of ecological data, both descriptive and experimental. Laboratory exercises will introduce students to observational and experimental methods and procedures in ecology. One 3-hr. lab. Prerequisite: 01:119:102 or 116 (117 can be taken concurrently). Corequisite: 11:216:351.

11:216:353 Experimental Evolution (4) Evolution in action: students are introduced to the vibrant field of experimental evolution while themselves evolving a bacterial virus (RNA phage phi6), sequencing the evolved populations, and presenting their results. Combined lecture/lab. Prerequisites: 01:119:102 or 01:119:116/117, and 01:447:380.

11:216:360 Animal Physiological Ecology (3) The course addresses physiological topics from the perspectives of comparative, ecological, environmental, evolutionary, integrative, and organismal issues. Objectives are to understand: the diversity of life, with a particular focus on physiological functions that allow animals to live and thrive in in a range of environments; the breadth of the discipline of physiology and the importance of integrating physiology with ecology and behavior, and with cellular and molecular biology; and that evolution is the fabric of biology. Two 80-min. lecs. Prerequisites: 11:119:102 or 116 and 117.   

11:216:365 Arboriculture (4) This course considers the relationship of tree biology and management of trees in the developed landscape. Field exercises will complement lectures for practical applications. We will discuss the theory and practice of managing individual trees in developed landscape and field assignments provide hands-on and realistic perspectives in the practice of professional tree care. Two 80-min. lecs, one 80-min lab. Taught in even-numbered years. Prerequisite: 01:119:102 or 116.

11:216:369 Analytical Methods Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources (3) Prerequiste: 01:960:401. Open only to ecology, evolution, and natural resources majors.

11:216:370 Freshwater Ecology (3) Freshwater Ecology is the study of inland waters including lakes, rivers, and streams. Foundational concepts will be covered through online lectures, exercises, discussion, and quizzes embedded in videos. Concepts will include how water bodies form, organisms that live in aquatic environments, and implications of policy and conservation decisions on water quality and quantity. Online. Prerequisite: 01:119:102 or 01:119:116.

11:216:371 Introductory Remote-Sensing Image Analysis (3) Interpretation and analysis of aerial photography and remotely-sensed imagery for environmental and natural resource management. Photogrammetry, mapping, geology, land forms, hydrology, soils, vegetation, and cultural features. Prerequisite: 11:573:232.

11:216:377 Practicum in Forest Management (BA) Practical experience in forest management under the direction of foresters working for private industry; local, state, and federal government agencies; and in consulting capacities for landowners. Graded on a P/NC basis. Open only to majors in ecology, evolution, and natural resources.

11:216:401 Evolution of Eukaryotes (3) This course will discuss the recent advances in our understanding of eukaryote origins and evolution. Phylogenetics, genomics, the role of horizontal gene transfers, and the endosymbiotic origin of mitochondrion and plastid are some of the issues that will be examined in detail as they relate to ecology and evolution of eukaryotic organisms. Two 80-min. lecs. Prerequisites: 01:119:102 or 116 and 11:216:251 or equivalent.

11:216:403 Urban Forestry (3) Benefits and costs of trees, planning and design, soils, tree selection and nursery stock, IPM, composting, removal, wildlife, laws, finance, inventories, maintenance scheduling, planting. Field trips. One 80-min. lec., one 180-min. lab. Prerequisite: 11:216:272 or permission of instructor.

11:216:405 Evolution of Infectious Disease (3) This course surveys how pathogenic microorganisms have evolved, with an emphasis on understanding how the same evolutionary principles that we infer from large eukaryotic species can be concretely observed in viruses, bacteria, and eukaryotic parasites. Two 80-min. lecs. Prerequisite: 01:447:380 or equivalent or permission of instructor.

11:216:411 Plant Diversity and Evolution (4) An overview of the evolution and diversity of vascular plants, from ferns to conifers and flowering plants. Field identification, morphology, principles of classification, and basic concepts in evolutionary research. Two 80-min. lecs., lab. 3 hrs. Prerequisites: 01:119:102 or 116.

11:216:416 Environmental Education (3) An opportunity to foster ideas and discussion about environmental and scientific literacy while developing plans to target and assess learning goals for all audiences. Lec. 3 hrs. Prerequisite: 01:119:102 or 116.

11:216:421 Wetland Ecology (3) An overview of the ecology, management, and function of wetlands. Current issues of wetland management and biological features of wetlands will be covered through classroom exercises and case studies. Lec. 3 hrs. Taught in odd-numbered years. Prerequisite: 11:216:351 or equivalent.

11:216:422 Soil Organismal Diversity (3) A hybrid course on soil biotic diversity and function. Students will attend lectures, read scientific articles, interpret data, and understand how soil biota relates to natural- and agro-ecosystem functioning. Prerequisite: 01:119:116.

11:216:428 Conversational Mathematical Modeling (3) This class is a very basic introduction to the tools and perspectives for students with little/no math background, but who aren't afraid of equations and want to see how applied math can be useful in research science. Lec. 3 hrs. Prerequisite: 01:119:102 or 116.

11:216:431 Fundamentals of Ecological and Environmental Modeling (4) This course will review the background mathematical and statistical tools necessary for students interested in pursuing ecological and environmental modeling, and will discuss general model formulation, validation, hypothesis testing, nonlinear phenomena, and forecasting. Topics include linear algebra, differential equations, statistical tools, regression and curve fitting, box models, and population dynamics models. General model formulation, validation, hypothesis testing, nonlinear phenomena, and forecasting. Review of necessary mathematical and statistical tools. Recommended for advanced ecosystem modeling courses. Two 80-min. lecs. Taught in odd-numbered years.  Prerequisites: CALC1, statistics, or permission of instructor.

11:216:440 Practical Experience in Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources (3) Practical Experience will be divided into Section 01 for hands-on experience in ecology, evolution, and natural resources under the guidance of faculty members. Section 02 is for student TAs who will assist/teach a lab section of a course under the guidance of faculty members. Prerequisite: Permission of faculty adviser.

11:216:441 Animal Behavior (3) Physiological foundations and principles of animal behavior, with particular emphasis on mechanisms underlying sexual behavior, feeding aggression, and behavioral development. Lec/rec. 3 hrs. Prerequisites:  01:119:102 or 116; a course in physiology, or permission of instructor.  Recommended: Vertebrate or invertebrate biology and ecology.

11:216:450 Landscape Ecology (3) Overview of the concepts, methods, and applications of landscape ecology; causes, development, and importance of spatial patterning; ecological and anthropogenic aspects of landscape pattern and change. Prerequisite: 11:216:351 or equivalent. Pre- or corequisite: 01:960:401.

11:216:451 Global Change Ecology (3) Analysis of the major global changes based on principles of ecosystems ecology; carbon, nutrient, and pollution cycling mechanisms and budgets; the methods used to study these phenomena. Lec. 3 hrs. Taught in even-numbered years. Prerequisite: 11:216:351 or equivalent.

11:216:454 Molecular Ecology (3) This course will explore how new tools from genetics and genomics are revolutionizing our understanding of ecology. We will learn how to use DNA to infer behavior, kinship, historical demography, dispersal patterns, natural selection, community composition, and conservation genetics, among other topics. The emphasis of the course will be on giving students the theoretical understanding and practical skills they need to apply these cutting-edge tools themselves. Two 80-min. lecs. Prerequisite: 01:119:102 or 116.

11:216:456 Trees and the Environment (3) This course explores the relationship of tree biology, anatomy, and morphology with consideration of the environmental factors influencing the occurrence, structure, and function of species and communities of trees. We will discuss implications for management, associated aspects of forest ecology, and linkages of major North American forest types to varied environmental loadings and climatic shifts over time. As much time as possible will be spent outside at varied sites around Rutgers University-New Brunswick. Lec. 3 hrs. Taught on odd-numbered year. Prerequiste: 11:216:272.

11:216:461 Field Ecology (2) Concepts of ecological organization developed through field experience in the principal habitat types of New Jersey. Emphasis on field application of ecological knowledge. One 320-min. lab. Prerequisite: 11:216:351.

11:216:464 Wildlife Ecology and Conservation (3)   Quantitative analysis and understanding of the ecology, management, and conservation of game and nongame wildlife (terrestrial and aquatic). Population censusing and dynamics, harvesting, habitat requirements and fragmentation, migration, conservation genetics, and managing protected areas. One 80-min. lec., one 280-min. lab. Prerequisite: 11:216:351.

11:216:465 Fundamentals of Genomics (3) The course will provide an introduction to genome science to undergraduate and graduate students with a variety of backgrounds such as microbiology, animal and plant science, and ecology/evolution who are confronted with the growing influence of this field in their work but may not be knowledgeable in its uses and limitations. The lectures will provide an overview of genomics technology and provide real-life examples in the life sciences with a particular focus on evolutionary biology. Two 80-min. lec. Prerequisites: 01:119:102 or 116 and 11:216:251 or 486 or 01:447:380 or 11:115:301 or 403 or 01:694:315 or 407.

11:216:466 Ecosystem Modeling and Management (4) Basic quantitative/computer skills for modeling major ecosystem processes: carbon, water, energy balance. Spatial modeling using remote sensing/GIS for management and global change. Two 80-min. lecs., one 3-hr. lab. Prerequisite: A semester of calculus, 11:216:351, or permission of instructor.

11:216:468 China and Its Environment (3) Focuses on major environmental and ecological issues in China in the past decades, such as pollution, soil erosion, deforestation/reforestation, desertification and urbanization, as well as strategies to deal with the challenges. Driving forces, such as population pressure, economic growth, globalization, climate change, and sociopolitical factors, will be examined through lectures and projects. The course will also introduce the growing opportunities (e.g., business, private industry, academia, and government agents) in environment and conservation areas. Two 80-min. lec.

11:216:469 Wildlife Diseases (3) In this course, the diseases of wildlife will be examined with emphasis on causes and mechanisms of disease, and epidemiology and population significance of disease. The goal of the class is to provide a comprehensive and up-to-date understanding of the causes and consequences of infectious disease at the levels of whole organisms, populations, communities, and ecosystems. Two 80-min. lec. Prerequisite: 01:119:102 or 116.

11:216:474 Advanced Remote-Sensing Analysis (3) Principles of satellite remote-sensing and digital image analysis for environmental and natural resource applications. Instruction in state-of-the-art digital image processing/analysis software. Prerequisites: 11:573:369 and 11:216:371.

11:216:475 Winter Field Ecology (P/NC, 1) A one-week, off-campus field experience in January, exploring the adaptations of temperate plants and animals to the harshness of winter. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.

11:216:476 Ecology: Natural, Shallow, Social, and Deep (3) A junior/senior colloquium. The goal of this course is to explore the relationships between scientific knowledge and social perceptions of the environment.

11:216:484 Research Problems in Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources (BA,BA) Research projects in applied ecology under the guidance of faculty members. Prerequisite: Permission of faculty adviser.

11:216:486 Principles of Evolution (3) Theories, principles, and mechanisms of the evolution of cellular and organismic systems, with some attention to human evolutionary studies. (Formerly 01:119:484). Prerequisites: 01:160:161-162; 01:447:280. Not open to students who have taken 01:119:485.

11:216:488 Restoration Ecology (4) Study of the ecological processes that underlie the re-creation of a natural community. Habitat characteristics, life histories, reproductive ecology, biological invasions, mutualism, societal laws, and attitudes toward restoration. Field trips to representative restored habitats. (Formerly 01:119:488). Lec. 3 hrs., lab. 3 hrs. Pre-or corequisites: 11:704:351 and one course in plant or animal organismic biology (e.g., mammology, principles of botany, insect biology, etc.).

11:216:499 Senior Capstone in Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources (1) This course will help students review, synthesize, and articulate their academic and professional experience. In addition, Senior Capstone will help prepare students for the transition into the real world of finding jobs and dealing with llfe after graduation.
One 80-min. lec.  Ecology, evolution, and natural resources students only.