CvSU Vision

The premier University in historic Cavite recognized for excellence in the development of globally competitive and morally upright individuals.

CAVITE STATE UNIVERSITY (CvSU)

CvSU Mission
Cavite State University shall provide excellent, equitable and relevant educational opportunities in the arts, sciences and technology through quality instruction and responsive research and developmental activities. It shall produce professional, skilled and morally upright individuals for global competitiveness.

Imus Campus

Department of Natural Sciences

COURSE SYLLABUS First Semester, School Year 2013-2014

Instructor: Ms. Shela Lebasnon and Mr. Ramer Cerillo Office Location: Cavite Civic Center Aguinaldo Highway, Imus, Cavite Office Phone Number: (046) 686-2349 Email Address: shela.lebasnon@gmail.com

Consultation Hours: Ms. Lebasnon (M 1:00-3:00); Mr. Cerillo (W/Th 10:00-11:00)

Course Code: ECOL 1 Course Title: General Ecology 1 Course Description: This course is designed to present general concepts and principles pertaining to the complex pattern of interactions between the physical environment and the communities on earth with emphasis on the current issues, especially in the Philippine context. Credit Unit: 3 Credit Hours: 5 hours/week Prerequisite: None Course Objectives: At the end of the semester students with 70% proficiency are expected to: 1. enumerate the general concepts and principles of ecology, 2. integrate the concepts and principles to environmental practices, and 3. correlate environmental issues and policies with practical approach to resource conservation.

Core Values Students are expected to live by and stand for the following University tenets: TRUTH is demonstrated by the students objectivity and honesty during examinations, class activities and the development of projects. EXCELLENCE is exhibited by the students self-confidence, punctuality, diligence and commitment in the assigned tasks, class performance and other course requirements. SERVICE is manifested by the students respect, rapport, fairness and cooperation in dealing with their peers and members of the community. In addition, they should exhibit love and respect for nature and support for the cause of humanity.

Course Content Number of Hours Lec Lab A. University Vision and Mission PART 1 INTRODUCTION 1. Ecology, overview/history 2. Relationship of Ecology to other Sciences 3. Subdivisions of Ecology 4. Effects of Scale 5. Evolutionary Ecology ***Short Quiz*** ECOSYSTEM: ITS ECOLOGICAL PRINCIPLES AND CONCEPT 1. Ecosystem and its Characteristics 2. Structural Components of an Ecosystem 3. Production and Consumption: Decomposition 4. Process in an ecosystem 5. Homeostasis Laboratory Exercise No.1: Organism and The Environment Activity 1: Preservation of Plants for Herbarium ***Long Quiz*** ENERGY IN ECOLOGICAL SYSTEM 1. Laws of Energy 2. Food Chain, Food Web and Tropic Levels 3. in an Ecosystem 4. Ecological Pyramid 5. Nutrient Cycling/Biogeochemical Cycles Laboratory Exercise No.2: The Flux of Energy through Communities Activity 1. Plant Liter Decomposition Laboratory Exercise No.3: Food Chain and Food web ***First Long Exam*** POPULATION ECOLOGY 1. Natural Selection/Speciation 2. Organization at Population Level 3. Properties of Population 4. Concepts of Population Carrying Capacity 5. Population Growth 6. Population Interaction Laboratory Exercise No.4: Population Ecology Laboratory Exercise No.5: Study of Plant Competition Laboratory Exercise No.6: Adaptation and Natural Selection *** Long Quiz*** COMMUNITY ECOLOGY A. Species Diversity and Community Stability B. Development of a Community C. Community Change D. Climax Community ***Mid-term Examination*** APPLIED ECOLOGY 1. The Effects of Human Intervention 2. Human Population Growth 3. Loss of Wildlife through Human Activity 4. Patterns of Resource Use a) Water Catchments Areas b) Forestry c) Agricultural Land 1 1

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d) The Sea PART 7 *** Second Long Exam*** THE BIOSPHERE 1. Biomes 2. Terrestrial Ecosystem 3. Aquatic Ecosystems Laboratory Exercise No.7: Terrestrial Ecosystem Activity 1. Grassland Activity 2. Forestry Laboratory Exercise No.8: Aquatic Ecosystems Activity 1. Stream Community Activity 2. Coastal Marine Community (Intertidal Zone) Laboratory Exercise No. 9: Terrarium *** Long Quiz*** ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES AND ISSUES ***Final Exam*** Teaching Methods/Learning Activities: Lecture/Discussion Group discussion Cooperative Learning Film showing (suggested for I, III, V, and VI) Exposure trips (suggested for II, VI) Brainstorming (suggested for IV, VII) Debate (suggested for VIII) Books, Case Studies, Research Studies, Powerpoint presentations, Hand-outs, Whiteboard, Visual aids Simon, E.J., Reece, J.B., Dickey, J.L. (2010) Campbell Essential Biology, 4th ed. Pearson Education Inc. Beckett, B.S. (1996) Biology: A Modern Introduction, GCSE ed. Oxfor University Press. Bernstein, R and S. Bernstein. (1996) Biology, W.C. Brown Publishers. Molles, C.M. Jr. (2006) Ecology: Concepts and Applications, 3rd ed. McGraw Hill Book Co. Inc. Odum, E. P. (1998) Fundamental s of Ecology, 3rd ed. W.B. Saunders Co., Philadelphia Reid, K. (1979) Natures Network. 2nd ed. The Natural History Press, Garden City, New York. Tayo, G.T., Gascon, C.N, Maglambayan, VB, Novicio, L.P. Viril, V.M., Environmental Science, cp. 2004 Trinitas Publishing, Inc. Supplementary Reading: Course Requirements: Journals Regular Attendance Laboratory Reports Practical Activities/Research Active Class Participation Oral and Written Examination Assignment Exercises 8

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Instructional Materials:

Textbooks/References:

Evaluation of Student Performance/Grading System: Highest Grade: 1.0 Lowest Grade: 3.0 Passing Grade: 70%
Laboratory (40%) Laboratory Reports Laboratory Exams Performance

Lecture (60%) Class Standing Quizzes (10%) Long Exams (20%) Class Participation (10%) Assignments (5%) Projects (20%) Attendance (5%) Comprehensive Exam Midterm/Final Exam

70%

40% 40% 20%

30%

Final Grade = Midterm Grade + Tentative Final Grade 2 Course Policies: A. Attendance Students are not allowed to have more than 20% absences of the total class hours; otherwise, they will be grades as follows: Dropped (if majority of the excessive absences are excused) Failed (if majority of the excessive absences are unexcused) B. Classroom Decorum Students are required to: - wear their identification cards and observe proper dress code at all times; - turn off or put in silent mode their cellular phones during class hours; - maintain cleanliness and orderliness of the room at all times; and - come to class on time. C. Examination/Evaluation 1. Quizzes may be announced or unannounced. 2. Long quizzes are always announced. 3. Cheating is strictly prohibited. A student who is caught cheating will be given a score of 0 for the first offense. For the second offense, he/she will automatically fail the subject. 4. Examination permits are required during midterm and final examination. 5. Students who missed exams may only be excused for any of the following reasons: - participation in a University/College approved field trip or activity (must be cleared one week in advance); - personal illness (must present medical certificate); and - death or serious illness in the immediate family (must present death or medical certificate).

Prepared by:

Recommended by:

Approved by:

Ms. SHELA B. LEBASNON Instructor Date: June 17, 2013

Mr. PEPITO O. SALIBA Department Head Date: June 17, 2013

Mr. GILCHOR P. CUBILLO Dean Date: June 17, 2013