Principles of Ecology

BIOL 200 Principles of Ecology provides an introduction to the major principles of ecology.  Ecology is the study of the interactions between organisms and their environment and how these interactions determine the distribution and abundance of organisms.  Interactions between biotic and abiotic systems are discussed as they apply to individuals, populations, communities, and ecosystems.  Topics include patterns in the physical environment, behavioural ecology, population dynamics, interactions between species, ecosystem energetics and global biodiversity.  In the laboratory, basic statistical methods for ecology are used to analyse data gathered in field and laboratory experiments.