UNIVERSITY OF GUAM
COURSE OUTLINE
Course Number: BI530 College (or sponsoring Unit): CAS
Course Title: Chemical Ecology
Credit Hours: 3
Date of Final Approval: Semester Offered: fall, odd years
Course counts as: elective
1. CATALOG DESCRIPTION:
This course focuses on the field of chemical ecology and examines some of
the differences in approach and results between terrestrial and marine studies.
Chemical ecology is an interdisciplinary subject concerned with the
biochemistry of plant and animal interactions. The course focuses on reading
and discussing current literature in terrestrial and marine chemical ecology
with an emphasis on such topics as plant-herbivore interactions, host choice,
allelopathy, chemical communication (pheromones, attractants) and other
behavioral and ecological interactions mediated by secondary chemistry.
Prerequisites: At least one course each in upper level undergraduate chemistry,
biology, and ecology, or consent of instructor.
2. COURSE CONTENT:
The major portion of the course focuses on reading and discussing
background material and current literature in terrestrial and marine chemical
ecology with an emphasis on such topics as plant-herbivore interactions,
allelopathy, chemical communication, and chemical defense. The class reads and
discusses studies of behavioral interactions mediated by secondary chemistry as
well as research in population and community ecology that relates to chemical
ecology.
3. RATIONALE FOR TIlE COURSE:
Chemical ecology is a modern interdisciplinary approach to the study of
biochemically mediated behavioral and ecological interactions among organisms.
Considerable research in marine chemical ecology is conducted at the University
of Guam Marine Laboratory, and this course provides students a background in
the field. Previous graduates of the MS. Biology program have requested a
course on this topic. This course was proposed in principal as part of the 1997
program review of the Biology MS. program.
4. SKILLS AND BACKGROUND REQUIRED OR EXPECTED:
This is a course for graduate students interested in marine biology,
ecology, or environmental studies. It integrates fundamentals of chemistry and
ecology in the study of interactions among organisms. Students are expected to
have an undergraduate background in organic chemistry, biology, and ecology.
5. TEAChING METHODOLOGIES AND ANTICIPATED CLASS SIZE:
J.B. Harborne's text "Introduction to Ecological Biochemistry will be used as a general introduction to the field of chemical ecology. Background material from the text is supplemented by review articles and current literature. For an introduction to the field of marine chemical ecology, students will read and discuss in class recent reviews of the marine literature. Lectures are designed to promote in-class discussion of a topic by 6-12 students. The course will include laboratory exercises designed to introduce students to methods in chemical ecology.
6. ADDITIONAL COURSE DESCRIPTORS:
None.
7. LEARNING OBJECTIVES FOR STUDENTS:
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to 1) demonstrate an understanding of and utilize current methods used in chemical ecology, and 2) read, critique, and discuss current literature in marine and terrestrial chemical ecology. This information will be integrated into a broader perspective of their research in marine biology and environmental science.
8. METHODS OF EVALUATION:
Methods of evaluation may include mid-term and final exams, presentation of recent papers from the current literature, participation in class discussion, a term paper or project, and a project report presented orally to the class.
9. REQUIRED AND RECOMM ENDED TEXTS AND/OR STUDY GUIDES:
Required text: Harborne, J B., 1993. Introduction to Ecological Biocherni.stry. Academic Press, London.
Recommended text: Paul, V.J. (ed.), 1992. Ecological Roles of Marine Natural Products. Comstock Publishing Associates, Ithaca, N.Y.
10. SUBSEQUENT COURSES:
None.