Time Schedule:
Robert L Edmonds
ESC 411
Seattle Campus
Soil organisms in forest ecosystems, decomposition, nutrient cycling. N transformation, mycorrhizae, effects of forest management. Recommended: ESC 210. Offered: even years; A.
Class Description
Students can expect to learn about soil organisms and their role in forest ecosystems, with particular emphasis on the Pacific Northwest. Organisms covered include fungi, bacteria and invertebrates. Many lab methods are demonstrated including the use of molecular techniques.
Three lectures each week with slides and overheads and one lab session. Exposure to different laboratory and field techniques for examining soil organisms and microbial processes. Students are required to conduct a research project and give a scientific meeting style oral presentation and paper. One field trip.
Recommended preparation
Students should have taken at least one natural science course in high school or college. ESC 210 is useful preparation.
Class Assignments and Grading
Assignments include detailed lab reports and a student specific research project and paper.
Midterm - 20%, lab reports - 15%, research project (paper and oral presentation) - 25%, final (comprehensive) - 40% of grade
