Welcome to Biology 141 - Investigations in Ecology and Environmental Science

This course introduces students to the ways biologists pursue scientific questions in the context of ecology and environmental science. Three weekly lectures deliver much of the course content. In the laboratory for this course, student groups conduct original investigations of local ecological conditions.

This is one of three courses that make up the core of biology curriculum for majors (other are Biology 151, Investigations in Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, and Biology 200, Investigations in Cell and Molecular Biology). Biology 141 must be taken by all biology majors and is also an ideal course for those trying to decide whether they might like to major in biology. Biology 141 may also contribute towards a major in Environmental Studies.

Students enrolled in Biology 141 are presumed to have a serious interest in science (many have taken high school biology and chemistry and 4 years of high school mathematics). If you do not have this background, be prepared to work especially hard and to take advantage of the various kinds of support offered by the course staff.

Course goals

By the end of the course you should:

1) Have a good understanding of the scientific method and the way that biologists use it.

2) Understand the basic principles of ecology and they can be used to understand and solve environmental problems.

3) Better understand some of the global and regional environmental issues that we are currently facing.

4) Learn about the ways biologists analyze scientific data and write scientific reports.

5) Gain valuable experience working as a member of a laboratory group.