Aquatic Ecology (5 credits) Instructor – Mr. David Werner

2009-2010

Overview of the course: Students identify what is meant by ecology and the relationships between living and nonliving components and the principles common to all ecosystems. Out of class preparation is a vital component of this course along with the ability to apply critical thinking skills. The student will compare and contrast the different types of freshwater ecosystems and the structure and function of various invertebrates, sponges, nematodes, segmented worms, water mites, and numerous crustaceans within them. Marine ecosystems are also studied, including abiotic and biotic factors. They will study geophysical properties, chemical properties, and biological indicators of water quality. This course is field-based. The course culminates with an analysis of problem-based learning, covering topics involving the effects of human activities on natural resources, relationships between technology and society in marine sciences, and pollution in the marine environment.

Course philosophy: This course is designed to give the MATES student body the knowledge they need to incorporate scientific and critical thinking skills. Emphasis will be placed on the collection and identification local freshwater and marine species in weekly field investigations. This course will be taught at an interdisciplinary level along with the awareness, connections, and relationships to the other subjects in the MATES program.

Course goals and objectives: Students will be exposed to four main conceptual themes throughout this course:

1. Exploring biological concepts and making connections to real-life situations.

2. Recognize and use the scientific method.3. Collecting and identifying local freshwater and marine species.

Students will meet the standards referenced in the scope and sequence guide from the New Jersey Core Content Standards.

Texts:Introduction to Limnology. Dodson, Stanley, McGraw-Hill, 2005. Field Manual for Water Quality Monitoring. Mitchell, Mark K. and William B. Stapp, Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company, 2000.

Instructor:MR. David Werner609-978-8439 extension 4003dwerner@mail.ocvts.orgdwerner_mates@hotmail.com

Website: http://www.ocvts.org/instructors/htm/dwerner/instructor_dwerner.htmPlease log on to the website to get class notes and announcements.

Attendance: Attendance and punctuality are mandatory. Failure to attend or makeup a lecture, a laboratory and field sessions will greatly affect your knowledge of the material and ultimately affect your final grade. It is always the students’ responsibility to check with the instructor to get all work missed and to be made up during your absence. Failure to make up missed assignments and tests may result in a zero for that assignment.

Grading & Grading Policies: Grades will be based on a point system. Each assignment, lab, quiz, and test will be worth a predetermined amount of total points. Students will earn a percentage based on the total correct out of the total amount of points possible. Example: if a particular test was worth a total of 70 points and the student earned 62 correct out of 70, we would divide 70 into 62 and multiply that number by 100. 62/70=.885 x 100 = 89%. Grades will be based on a variety of criteria including:

1. Performance-based projects2. Laboratory Activities and Reports3. Quizzes - both teacher-made and publisher-created4. Tests – both teacher-made and publisher-created5. Homework6. Class Participation7. Teacher Observation8. Field Journals9. Oral Presentations10. Online Student Folder Organization Checks

Class Preparation: Each student must come prepared to class every day. This means you must bring with you to class a pen and pencil, a notebook and class binder, appropriate handouts, due homework and assignments and textbook. Students will not be allowed to visit lockers during class time. Textbooks will also be checked randomly for book covers. You are also responsible for checking the website for up-to-date information.

Homework & In-class Assignments: Homework and in-class assignments will be either checked or placed in the basket at the beginning of the period the following day. If you are absent the day work is assigned you are responsible in getting the assignment when you return and handing it in the next day. If

you are absent the day the assignment is checked you are responsible for submitting it the day you return. LATE is a four-letter word. All assignments have deadlines that need to be met. If any assignment is placed in the basket late, this will be an automatic 10% deduction for each day late.

Labs: Each lab activity and write-up will be worth approximately 30-100 points. The lab grade will be based on data collection and techniques in the field and lab, as well as results, and analysis and completing questions from the lab data sheets. Exact due dates for each lab is on an individual basis and given in class. You will be given a lab rubric and checklist that will help guide you.

Research Article Investigations: Throughout the course you will be asked to read and discuss current peer review journal articles. Some of the articles will require a summary or personalized abstract.

Class Participation: Students may add points to their overall marking period averages through active class and field participation.

Class Folder: Organization of notes and class information is a valuable tool in successful learning and understanding of concepts in this course. Individual student folders on the school network will be randomly checked for complete, sequential, and neat content material. All class lecture and field notes, handouts, lab activities and drawings should be dated and be included in a particular folder. Periodic folder checks will be given.

Projects: There will be several projects each marking period. They will be either individual or group projects. Quizzes: A quiz may occur at any time whether announced in advance or unannounced. All quiz scores will have a certain point value, and you will receive a percentage based on how many correct responses you have earned out of the total point value for that particular quiz.

Tests: All tests will be announced at least 2-3 school days in advance. You will be responsible for bringing a pen and a #2 pencil with you for every test. If you are absent the day of a test you will be responsible for making that test up within one week. Tests will be given back to go over in class, but will be kept by the instructor for security reasons.

Mid-terms: The exam will cover all course class, lab, and field material presented from the first half of the course(s). Preparation and review sheets may be administered to each student prior to the exam. Extra help is always provided and encouraged on open lab days after school. At the teacher’s discretion, a mid-term project will be used in place of an exam.

Final Exams: The exam will cover all material from the second half of the course(s). Exam preparation and review sheets will be administered to each student prior to the exam. Extra help is always provided and encouraged on open lab days after school. At the teacher’s discretion, a final project may be used in place of a final exam.

Extra Help: Extra assistance is encouraged before major problems arise. Open lab days are TBA after school or during assigned lunch periods. Please be prepared to identify exact areas that you need further assistance. Students are welcomed to use the open lab times for computer use or for additional research time. Extra help on other days is available on an individual basis and by appointment only.

Important Other: Since part of your lab grade is physical participation in the field, activities, and lab participation and examinations of specimens, it is important to be actively involved. Passive learning can usually work to a point, but NOT in this course. This is a total immersion course. Students and staff need to work together in class, in lab, and in the field. It is important to reach out if you feel swamped with the material. Speaking to other students often helps keep you on track with the work. However, it is crucial to communicate with the instructor with any problems you may be having in class or outside of class that may be hindering your ability to function in and hopefully enjoy, an admittedly intensive educational experience given to you here at the Marine Academy.