Time Schedule:
Robert L Edmonds
ESC 511
Seattle Campus
Detailed examination of microbial processes in forest ecosystems; types of organisms, biomass, decomposition and nutrient cycling, microbial transformations of N, impacts of management-clear-cutting, fertilization, pesticide addition. Graduate project required. Prerequisite: general biology, basic soils or permission of instructor. Offered: even years; A.
Class Description
Graduate students can expect to learn about soil organisms, including fungi, bacteria and invertebrates in Pacific Northwest and other forest ecosystems. They will also be exposed to a variety of lab methods, including molecular biology techniques. At least wto oral presentations are expected.
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. Designed for graduate students who are required to conduct a research project and give a scientific meeting style oral presentation and paper and present at least one full class lecture. One field trip.
Recommended preparation
Students should have taken at least one general biology course in high school or college. ESC 210 is useful preparation.
Class Assignments and Grading
Detailed lab reports, individual research project and paper and one 50 minute lecture on assigned topic.
Midterm - 15%, Lab reports - 15%, Research project (paper and presentation) - 20%, student lecture - 15%, final (comprehensive) - 35% of grade
