BIOEE 4661

Physiological Ecology, Laboratory

Course Description

Course information provided by the Courses of Study 2019-2020.

Detailed survey of the physiological approaches used in understanding the relationships between organisms and their environment with a focus on plants and vertebrate animals. Laboratories apply physiological techniques to specific ecological problems and cover aspects of experimental design and computer-aided data analysis.

When Offered Spring (offered in alternate years).

Permission Note Enrollment limited to: 15 students.
Prerequisites/Corequisites Prerequisite or corequisite: BIOEE 4660.

Comments Most laboratories run past the three-hour period, with students spending an average of three hours per week in additional lab time for this course.

• Demonstrate a number of photosynthesis measurement methods, including gas exchange, porometry and Chlorophyll fluorescence.
• Manage and calculate photosynthetic data and use simple models to conceptualize the process.
• Describe basic methods of measuring plant water balance including potometry, lysimetry, and pressure chamber techniques.
• Measure plant and animal respiration.
• Analyze water status data from the field within an ecological context.
• Independently plan and conduct physiological ecological experiments.
• Lucidly present their research findings.
• Translate the methods and ideas covered in class to field and glasshouse experimental exercises.
• Statistically analyze their data.
• Structure and write scientific reports.

View Enrollment Information