Course Goals: General Ecology, Study Abroad in Panama
Biology 341

The main objective of the lecture portion of this course is to gain a comprehensive understanding of ecological principles. One of the simplest definitions of ecology is “the study of the abundance and distribution of organisms.” In this course we will explore the physical conditions and the biological interactions that determine densities and distributions.

The lab portion of the course will expose students to a variety of marine and terrestrial habitats of northern and central Panama, introduce some basic ecological field techniques, require students to conduct independent research, foster scientific oral communication skills, and to hone quantitative skills (statistics and ecological modeling). In addition, students will learn to identify the more common Caribbean flora and fauna, and gain some exposure to Panamanian history and culture.