Course Syllabus

Credits: 2

Schedule: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 5^th period (11:45 am - 12:35 pm)

Location: CSE E222 [Tuesdays] & CSE E119 [Thursdays] (Computer Science)

 

Instructor: Dr. Nico Cellinese

354 Dickinson Hall, Florida Museum of Natural History
Museum Road & Newell Drive
Gainesville, FL 32611
TEL: (352) 273-1979
Email: ncellinese@flmnh.ufl.edu

Office hours: By appointment

 

Course description

This course examines patterns in the distribution of organisms around the earth and addresses

many of the factors that influence their spread. We will consider similarities of 

communities in different parts of the world as well as common distribution patterns

among individual taxa. Methods for inferring biogeographic history and

predicting future changes in the distribution of organisms will be discussed.

 

TEXTBOOK: Biogeography, 3rd ed, by Lomolino, Riddle, and Brown 2010. Sinauer

Associates, Inc., Publishers, ISBN 0-87893-062-0 (Recommended but not required); Ecology of World Vegetation, by Archibold, O.W., Chapman & Hall (Optional). Additional readings will be provided.

All readings and lectures for the course will be posted in the Files folder here on Canvas.

 

Objectives and basis for grading

Lectures

Lectures will provide an overview of major topics in plant geography. Students will be introduced to a broad variety of ideas and methods. Attendance will be taken into consideration for grading.

Exams

One mid-term exam and one final exam will test the student's understanding of course topics, as covered by lectures, in assigned reading and in some discussions. The exams will include multiple questions requiring short answers (not multiple choices).

 

Grading

% by activity

Activity	% of final grade
Mid-term exam	50
Final exam	50

 

94.0-100%                  A

90.0-93.9%                 A-
87.0-89.9%                 B+
84.0-86.9%                 B

80.0-83.9 %                B-
77.0-79.9%                 C+
74.0-76.9%                 C

70.0-73.9%                 C-
67.0-69.9%                 D+
64.0-66.9%                 D

60.0-63.9%                 D-
<60%                          E

Earning extra points: Participation in class discussions will gain you those extra points you may need to move from an A- to an A which is perhaps not as important as to move from a C+ to a B- or higher.  Your contribution to each discussion may earn you up to 0.25 point to go towards your mid-term or final exam grade.

 

Assignments and attendance policy

Attendance at class is expected, and students should be prepared to justify absences. Frequent absences will certainly result in the student being less able to effectively answer exam questions. No make-up exams will be given unless exceptional circumstances arise.

 

Lecture Topics (this sequence may vary slightly)

January 5                    Introduction to course and biogeography

January 7                    World climate and Vegetation Pt. 1

January 12                  World climate and Vegetation Pt. 2

January 14                  Major Biomes: Mediterranean habitats Pt. 1

January 19                  Major Biomes: Mediterranean habitats Pt. 2

January 21                  Major Biomes: Mediterranean habitats Pt. 3

January 26                  Major Biomes: The Tropics Pt. 1

January 28                  Major Biomes: The Tropics Pt. 2

February 2                  Major Biomes: The Tropics Pt. 3

February 4                  Major Biomes: Savannas

February 9                  Major Biomes: Deserts Pt. 1

February 11                Major Biomes: Deserts Pt. 2

February 16                Major Biomes: Temperate forests

February 18                Major Biomes: Temperate rainforests

February 23                Major Biomes: Boreal forests and Tundra

February 25                Major Biomes: Temperate Grasslands

Spring Break

March 8                      Mid-term exam

March 10                    Geological times and plate tectonics Pt. 1

March 15                    Geological times and plate tectonics Pt. 2

March 17                    Tree-Thinking and biogeography

March 22                    Evolution - principles Pt. 1

March 24                    Evolution - principles Pt. 2

March 29                    Evolution - principles Pt. 3

March 31                   Vicariance, dispersal, endemism and extinction

April 5                        Patterns of distribution and major disjunctions

April 7                        Island Biogeography Pt. 1

April 12                      Island Biogeography Pt. 2

April 14                      Island Biogeography Pt. 3

April 19                      Species/Area conservation

April 28                      Final Exam

 

Class Demeanor Expected by Instructor: Students should be considerate, polite, open-minded, objective and show interest in the work of others. UF rules prohibit having food or drinks in classrooms. Use of tobacco products (in any form) in the classroom is prohibited.

Additional General Information: The following information applies to all courses at the University of Florida.

We, the members of the University of Florida community, pledge to hold ourselves and our peers to the highest standard of honesty and integrity.

Academic Honesty: As a result of completing the registration form at the University of Florida, every student has signed the following statement: "I understand that the University of Florida expects its students to be honest in all their academic work. I agree to adhere to this commitment to academic honesty and understand that my failure to comply with this commitment may result in disciplinary action up to and including expulsion from the University."

Copyrighted Materials and Software Use: All students are required and expected to obey the laws and legal agreements governing copyrighted material and software use. Failure to do so can lead to monetary damages and/or criminal penalties for the individual violator. Because such violations are also against University policies and rules, disciplinary action will be taken as appropriate.

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities: Students requesting classroom accommodation must first register with the Dean of Students Office. The Dean of Students will provide documentation to the student who must then provide this documentation to the Instructor when requesting accommodation.

University Counseling Services: Resources are available on-campus for students having personal problems or lacking clear career and academic goals which interfere with their academic performance. These resources include:

1. University Counseling Center, 301 Peabody Hall, 392-1575, personal and career counseling;
   2. Student Mental Health, Student Health Care Center, 392-1171, personal counseling;
   3. Sexual Assault Recovery Services (SARS), Student Health Care Center, 392-1161, sexual counseling; and
   4. Career Resource Center, Reitz Union, 392-1601, career development assistance and counsel.