Meeting Times: Mondays and Wednesdays exact times and locations are TBD
Instructor: John F. Weishampel, Assistant Professor
Office: Room 140A Biological Sciences; 823-6634 (has voice mail);
e-mail: jweisham@pegasus.cc.ucf.edu
Home: 359-3750
Class Web Page: http://pegasus.cc.ucf.edu/~jweisham/pcb5485/pcb5485.html
Office Hours: It will be best to e-mail or call me to set a formal appointment. But I am generally available around my office (8:30-6:30) to answer any questions. However, we will need to schedule periodic appointments to discuss projects. Official drop-in office hours are Mondays and Wednesdays: 1:00 - 4:00.
Course Description: This course is designed to provide an introductory survey of how mathematical models are applied to ecological questions of both a theoretical and applied nature. The course covers some of the basics of systems analysis which have been used over the past 30 years and a few of the more avante-garde developments. The course will consist of lectures where certain modeling concepts (e.g., model formulation, model sensitivity, model testing) are described followed by examples from the literature. Though certain models have universal application, specific examples will be drawn from terrestrial and aquatic systems for both plant and animal species/communities depending on the constituency and interests of the class. However, my bias is towards terrestrial plant communities (i.e., forests).
Course Prerequisites: The student should have taken minimally the introductory ecology course and possess a basic understanding of calculus. Students should be familiar with and be able to use a computer. Additional courses in calculus, statistics, linear algebra, and computer programming are not necessary, but could be helpful. I will try to adjust the course to the level of the students' mathematical and computer backgrounds as long as they are below mine.
Course Objectives: Students will understand how models are used as tools to organize ecological thoughts, answer ecological questions, and make predictions. Students will be able to construct simple mathematical models using a simulation toolbox (i.e., Stella) or via less structured methods and apply these models to address ecological and environmental questions.
Course Outline* -
Ecological Modeling Basics
Weeks 1 & 2- Introduction to Ecological Modeling, Systems Ecology. What is a model? What are some types of models? Why and how are models applied in ecology? Model basics/terminology
Week 3- Formulating a simple dynamic model (compartment-flow model) using differential equations/population growth models and a modeling toolbox.
Week 4- Markov State Change Processes incorporated into Ecological Models/ successional models.
Week 5 - Sensitivity Analysis/Monte Carlo and Randomization techniques/Model Stability
Week 6 - Model Verification and Validation
Week 7 - Review/Midterm
Theoretical Topics in Ecological Modeling
Week 8 - Presence of Chaos/Complexity/Fractal Theory/Artificial Life
Week 9 - Introduction of spatial processes/cellular automata/SOC
Week 10 - Percolation models/migration/random walk models
Week 11 - Scale and hierarchy in ecosystem modeling
Applications of Modeling to Different Types of Ecological Questions (These topics below may change to better suit students' interests)
Week 12 - Individual organism based modeling
Week 13 - Application of models to biogeochemical cycles
Week 14 - Application of models to ecological management
Week 15 - Course Summary and Project presentations
Finals Week - Final Exam - December 10th 10:00 AM, Room 215
*The first half of the course which covers basic systems analysis techniques and standard model types is fairly static. The second half may be altered to coincide with your interests.
Student Responsibilities
Readings and Computer Assignments - No formal text. Weekly assignments will come mostly in the form of handouts, readings (1-3 per week mostly from primary literature) placed on library reserve and/or in folders outside the Biology Office (Room 210), and computer program assignments available on the Web and PC-LAN. A class e-mail account will be established to serve as a forum for questions concerning assignments or to post appropriate readings or web sites as well as for students to share thoughts and relevant references that they have discovered.
Research Project - will involve the development of a new model or adaptation of a previously published model to address one or more ecological questions. Depending on the class size and interests, students may be able to work alone or in groups. I will expect more (i.e., better quality) from groups. Gear the project towards your interests!! If you are unable to determine a viable modeling project, I will attempt to supply you with one. Projects will be written up to the specifications (content and format) of a relevant ecological journal (Length should be 12-20 pages of text not including figures and literature cited). Periodic assignments related to project (e.g., proposal of topic, model formulation, annotated bibliography) will be collected to ensure that the student/group is on track. Because projects make up the bulk of your grade, it is advised to get started on them ASAP.
Exams - will be designed to challenge you. The questions will
consist of applying your knowledge gained from lectures, assignments, readings,
to new situations. The questions will be problem-oriented. These
will be open-note (quasi-real world) exams. Copies of previous years' exams
will be available prior to the exam.
Performance Evaluation -
Project/Written (Due by finals) and Oral Presentations (week before finals) - 35%
Mid Term Examination - 25%
Final Examination - 25%
Assignments - 10% (1 or 2 points for each assignment)
Discretionary/Classroom Participation - 5%
Grading will most likely follow something akin to the 90-100=A, 80-90=B, 70-80=C, etc. scale.