Plant Ecology in a Changing World
  • Topics
    • Topic Overview
    • Biomes and Climates in a Changing World >
      • Adaptation, biodiversity, and environment
      • Climate constrains plant distributions
      • Biome and climate relationships
      • Deserts
      • Grassland, savanna, and shrub biomes
      • Forest biomes
      • Alpine and tundra biomes
    • Plant adaptation >
      • Plant microclimate 1
      • Plant microclimate 2
      • Leaf energy budgets
      • Water movement through the soil-plant continuum
      • Principles of photosynthesis
      • Photosynthesis responses to light and temperature
      • Environmental stresses limit resource capture and use
      • Nutrients in the environment
      • Adaptation to environmental stress
    • Resource Allocation Changes with Environment >
      • Architecture and canopy processes
      • Plant phenology and resource allocation enhance performance
      • Leaf economic spectrum
      • Life history and reproduction
      • Defense against herbivory
      • Plant competition
    • Plant Responses to a Changing World >
      • Global changes occurring today
      • Invasive species
      • Atmospheric CO2 impacts plant
      • C3/C4 photosynthesis and climate
      • Climate change and the global carbon cycle
      • Climate warming and its impacts
    • Engineering Plant Communities >
      • Remember Utah's past and envision our future
      • Restoration ecology
      • Managed ecosystems
      • Utah urban ecology
      • Urban ecological futures
  • Assignments
    • Assignment Overview
    • Discussion
    • Problem sets
    • Ecology & Global Changes
    • Plant ecology policy
    • Defense of policy
    • Exam #1
    • Exam #2
  • Campus
    • Campus Overview
    • Grasses
    • Green infrastructure >
      • GI Overview
      • Stormwater >
        • GI 1
        • GI 2
        • GI 3
        • GI 4
        • GI 10
      • Green roof
      • Pollinator >
        • Pollinator species
    • Conifers
    • Deciduous
    • Invasives
  • Biomes
    • Biome Overview
    • Climate diagrams
    • Vegetation sight-seeing trip
    • Biome images
  • Models
  • Lab

Course Details

BIOL 5460 is an online course in plant ecology focusing on 28 topics related to biomes, plant adaptations, biotic interactions, life history, and the importance of plant ecology to understanding vegetation dynamics in our changing world.   

                            SYLLABUS

Picture
Online flipped class sessions via ZOOM; student participation is expected
section 1 meets on Tuesdays meets from 10:45 am - 12:05 pm
section 2 meets on Thursdays meets from 10:45 am - 12:05 pm

Optional on-campus walks focusing on vegetation and green infrastructure (meet at ASB outdoor patio)
Sign up via CANVAS; click here to campus walk details
​

Optional online discussion sessions - twice weekly TBD based on student preferences

Instructor:   
section 1   Jim Ehleringer (jim.ehleringer@utah.edu)
section 2  Steve Kannenberg (s.kannenberg@utah.edu)  and Jim Ehleringer
​
Office hours: you are able to meet with Jim or Steve to talk about the course almost anytime. 
ZOOM or SKYPE between 8-5 by prior arrangement

​
We expect active, engaging, and informative class discussions, with 
tolerance and mutual respect for all.
​Topics are presented as a series of multiple 6-minute videos. These video recordings are available on either Jim's YOUTUBE channel or on CANVAS. Assignments, exam materials, project papers, and tidbits are available both here and on UU Canvas. Lastly, click here to download the syllabus.
  1. Schedule of course topics
  2. Expected learning outcomes and expected professional development skills development
  3. Sexual discrimination, inclusivity, and accommodation information​
  4. Assessment guidelines
Jim Ehleringer, University of Utah