ENY 6209 -- CHEMICAL ECOLOGY OF INSECTS
MONDAY/WEDNESDAY/FRIDAY, Period 2 (8:30-9:20am)
Room 1031, Bldg. 970, Natural Area Drive
Instructor and Office Hours:
Dr. Heather McAuslane
Room 2109, Entomology-Nematology Bldg.
Bldg. 970, Natural Area Drive
P.O. Box 110620
TEL 352-392-1901 X119 (office); X188 (lab)
FAX 352-392-0190
hjmca
@ufl.edu
Office hours: Monday/Wednesday/Friday, 9:30-10:30 AM and at other times by appointment.
Course Description: This course is taught during the spring semester of even years, and is directed primarily at graduate students. Students will be introduced to the broad discipline of chemical ecology. The course will then focus on chemical ecology of insects and their interactions in managed and natural ecosystems. Ways of applying this knowledge for pest management will be discussed.
Objectives and Goals: Learn terminology used in chemical ecology; understand the chemical analytical techniques available for natural product separation, isolation, and identification in order to collaborate productively with natural products chemists; appreciate the importance of behavioral and physiological bioassays in determining the function of natural products; remember the multitrophic-level "big picture" while studying within trophic level communication.
Topics to be Covered
Prerequisites: Basic courses in organic chemistry, biochemistry, and entomology (ENY 3005) or invertebrate zoology (ZOO 3203).
Textbook: None
Assignments and Methods by which the Student will be Evaluated and Grades Determined: The major assignment for the semester is a term paper or, for students who wish to try their hand at grant writing, a grant proposal. I suggest that PhD students attempt a grant proposal. A term paper outline or grant preproposal are required and graded. The oral presentation should cover the topic of the term paper/grant proposal unless an additional topic interests you and you want to talk about that.
Grading:
Examination I = 25%
Term paper outline/Grant preproposal = 10%
Examination II = 25%
Oral presentation = 10%
Term paper/Grant proposal = 30%
There is no final examination.
Grading Scale:
A+ = 95-100%
A = 90-94%
B+ = 85-89%
B = 80-84%
C+ = 75-79%
C = 70-74%
D = 60-69%
F = <60
Critical Dates for Exams or Other Work: Please see the printed syllabus for scheduled dates of exams. Two 1.5 hr midterm exams will be held on regular class days, and will last from 8:00 till 9:30 am. There will be no final examination. Students will be expected to sign the following statement on all exams: "On my honor I pledge that I have neither given nor received assistance in the completion of this test."
Policy Related to Class Attendance: Attendance is not taken in class and is not required. However valuable information and discussion will be missed if the student does not attend class.
Policy Related to Make-Up Exams or Other Work: Missed exams cannot be made up except in the case of prior excused absence or family or medical emergencies. Late assignments will lose 10% of their value each day after 5:00 pm on the due date. Weekends count as one day. Late assignments will not be accepted more than one week after their due date.
Class Demeanor Expected by Instructor: Please be considerate of your classmates by not chatting during lecture. The banging of doors is very distracting to both students and professor, therefore please arrive on time and do not leave early. Turn off cell phones and beepers before coming into classroom. UF rules prohibit your 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 counseling.