Insect Ecology

ENTO 510

Spring 2009

SYLLABUS

TITLE:                                    Insect Ecology (ENTO 510)

INSTRUCTOR:                        Bob Peterson
OFFICE:                                12A Marsh Laboratory
                                             994-7927
                                             bpeterson@montana.edu

COURSE OFFICE HOURS:     Immediately after class, or by appointment

CREDIT:                                3 cr. (lecture)
TERM:                                   Spring semester 2009
TIME:                                    MW, 10:15-11:30 a.m.
LOCATION:                            Marsh Lab 60
COURSE WEB SITE:             http://entomology.montana.edu/People/RKDPeterson/ENTO510

TEXT:                                    None

The Lecture, Readings, and Assignment Library

Course Goal:
The course goal is to give students a theoretical and working knowledge of the ecology of insects.

Course Genealogy:
The genealogy of this course and the principal characters go something like this:  Dr. Pedigo (1966-2001) begat Dr. Higley (1989 - present), who begat Dr. Peterson (2002 - present).  This course is ultimately derived from Dr. Larry Pedigo, Iowa State University Professor of Entomology (1966-2001).  He taught insect ecology at ISU for many years.  His course was modified by his former student, Dr. Leon Higley, University of Nebraska Professor of Entomology (1989 - present).  Now, Dr. Higley's course has been modified by his former student—that's me—and offered at MSU.  

Course Activities:
Lecture, discussion, literature readings, written assignments, exercises, and exams.

Grading:
Exams:  Coverage will include all lecture material presented before the exam.  The final is not comprehensive.  Exams format will be short answer and essay.
Class assignments:  Several brief writing assignments and exercises will be required.

Points:
Class assignments* 100
Exams (3 exams, 100 pts/exam) 300
Participation ** 50
Total 450

*Points for class assignments are tentative, but these will total no more than 200.
** Participation means that you are expected to attend every class and engage in discussions.

Letter grades will be assigned based on a scale no harsher than straight percentages of 100-90% A range, 89-80% B range, etc.; however, I reserve the right to use a more lenient grading scale.

Students must:

  1. be prompt and regular in attending classes;
  2. be well prepared for classes;
  3. submit required assignments in a timely manner;
  4. take exams when scheduled;
  5. act in a respectful manner toward other students and the instructor and in a way that
    does not detract from the learning experience; and
  6. make and keep appointments when necessary to meet with the instructor.

The integrity of the academic process requires that credit be given where credit is due. Accordingly, it is academic misconduct to present the ideas or works of another as one's own work, or to permit another to present one's work without customary and proper acknowledgment of authorship. Students may collaborate with other students only as expressly permitted by the instructor. Students are responsible for the honest completion and representation of their work, the appropriate citation of sources and the respect and recognition of others' academic endeavors.

Course Schedule – Entomology 510 (topics and dates are tentative)

Month

Day

Topic

January

 14

Introduction to Insect Ecology; What is Science and How Does it Work?

  19 NO CLASS – M. L. King, Jr. Day

 

 21

The Importance of the Evolutionary Paradigm; Insect Size and Ecological Implications

 

 26 Insect Size and Ecological Implications

 

 28 Creature Feature - The Beginning of the End

 February

 2 Creature Feature - The Beginning of the End

4 Temperature
  9 Water and Humidity
  11 Migration
  16 NO CLASS – President's Day
  18 Dormancy and Diapause
  23 EXAM 1
  25 Populations; Dispersion, Density, Sampling
March 2 Dispersion, Density, Sampling (Discussion)
  4 Natality - Mating, Reproductive Strategies
  9 Natality - Mating, Reproductive Strategies
  11 Mortality
  16-20 NO CLASS – Spring Break
  23 Biotic Potential
25 NO CLASS
30 Age Structure, Age Grading
April 1 Population Analysis
  6 Population Analysis
  8 Population Analysis
  13 EXAM 2
  15 Population Regulation
  20 Population Regulation
  22 Insect-Plant Interactions
  27 Insect-Plant Interactions
  29 Insects and Organic Cycling
May 5 EXAM 3: 4 – 5:50 p.m.

Course Outline by Topic

The Lecture, Readings, and Assignment Library