Online Class: Ecology 101

This general ecology course will provide a solid foundation on fundamental ecology topics, which many students require for future studies in various fields

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  • 20
    Lessons
  • 42
    Exams &
    Assignments
  • 1,226
    Students
    have taken this course
  • 14
    Hours
    average time
  • 1.4
    CEUs
 
 

Course Description

A study of ecology is important to understand in today's world. Ecology is the study of the relationships between living organisms, including humans, and their physical environment; specifically, ecology identifies and explains the holism, or critical connections, between plants and animals and the world around them--and how those relationships affect the planet. Through this understanding, ecology provides information about how to use Earth's resources responsibly in order to leave a healthy environment for future generations.

The scope of ecology is as wide as the diversity of life on the planet. From bacteria in lakes to animals living in the arctic, ecologists study all types of environments, or ecosystems. Understanding all of these continually changing factors is overwhelming and difficult to grasp.

This general ecology course will provide a solid foundation on fundamental ecology topics, which many students require for future studies in various fields. This comprehensive course includes these topics:

  • Ecology and Evolution
  • Evolutionary Ecology
  • Interspecies and Intraspecies Relations
  • Biodiversity
  • Mass Extinctions
  • The World's Species
  • Biogeography
  • Geographical Information Systems
  • Landscape Ecology
  • Population Ecology
  • Community Ecology
  • Physiological Ecology
  • Ecosystem Ecology
  • Systems Ecology
  • Plant Ecology
  • Animal Ecology
  • Human Ecology
  • Natural Resource Management 
 
 
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Course Motivation


  • Completely Online
  • Self-Paced
  • 6 Months to Complete
  • 24/7 Availability
  • Start Anytime
  • PC & Mac Compatible
  • Android & iOS Friendly
  • Accredited CEUs
Universal Class is an IACET Accredited Provider
 

Course Lessons

Average Lesson Rating:
4.5 / 5 Stars (Average Rating)
"Extraordinarily Helpful"
(1,310 votes)

Lesson 1: Introduction to Ecology

This first lesson will introduce the study of Ecology and begin to touch on major theories about our environment that have evolved over time. Additional lesson topics: What Is Ecology? 40 Total Points
  • Lesson 1 Video
  • Lesson discussions: Ecology; Reasons for Taking this Course
  • Complete: Lesson 1 Assignment
  • Complete Assignment: An Introduction
  • Assessment: Lesson 1 Exam

Lesson 2: Ecology Basics

This lesson will provide a list of important ecological terms and processes that will serve as a vital foundation for the subsequent chapters. Additional lesson topics: Ecology Glossary; More Ecology Terms 35 Total Points
  • Lesson 2 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 2 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 2 Exam

Lesson 3: Ecology and Evolution

This lesson will explore the connection between Ecology and evolution. Ecology and evolution are intrinsically connected because an organism's environmental surroundings affect and direct its evolution. 34 Total Points
  • Complete: Lesson 3 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 3 Exam

Lesson 4: Evolutionary Ecology

This lesson will break down and examine the influences that scientist' study in Evolutionary Ecology. Additional lesson topics: Ecotypes; Sociobiology 35 Total Points
  • Lesson 4 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 4 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 4 Exam

Lesson 5: Interspecies and Intraspecies Relations

In addition to studying the influences of physical environment, ecology also encompasses the interaction between different organisms. Additional lesson topics: Ecosystems 35 Total Points
  • Lesson 5 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 5 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 5 Exam

Lesson 6: Biodiversity

Biodiversity refers to the variety of plants and animals on earth. Additional lesson topics: Biodiversity; Genetic Diversity 35 Total Points
  • Lesson 6 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 6 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 6 Exam

Lesson 7: Mass Extinctions

Species go extinct because of natural shifts in the environment that take place over very long periods of time, such as ice ages. Additional lesson topics: Mass Extinctions; Extinctions 35 Total Points
  • Lesson 7 Video
  • Lesson discussions: Extinctions
  • Complete: Lesson 7 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 7 Exam

Lesson 8: The World's Species

Scientists have no accurate way of determining exactly how many species have lived and gone extinct in the Earth's history. 35 Total Points
  • Lesson 8 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 8 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 8 Exam

Lesson 9: Biogeography

Biogeography studies the geographic distribution of past and present species and how the physical environment affects where species live. Additional lesson topics: Biogeography Overview; Biogeography 35 Total Points
  • Lesson 9 Video
  • Lesson discussions: Ecosystems
  • Complete: Lesson 9 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 9 Exam

Lesson 10: Geographical Information Systems

Researchers often use technologies such as remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to better understand the factors affecting current distribution as well as to suggest future trends in organism distribution. Additional lesson topics: National Park GIS; Geographical Information System 35 Total Points
  • Lesson 10 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 10 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 10 Exam

Lesson 11: Landscape Ecology

The changing distributions of plants, animals, and ecosystems, identified by biogeographical research can be applied to an assortment of conservation disciplines. Additional lesson topics: Landscape Ecology; Principles of Landscape Ecology 35 Total Points
  • Lesson 11 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 11 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 11 Exam

Lesson 12: Population Ecology

The term population can be defined and interpreted differently, depending on the scientific discipline doing the defining. Additional lesson topics: Population Ecology; Ecotopes 34 Total Points
  • Lesson 12 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 12 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 12 Exam

Lesson 13: Community Ecology

Species can have a direct and an indirect effect on other species in a community. Additional lesson topics: Community Ecology 34 Total Points
  • Lesson 13 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 13 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 13 Exam

Lesson 14: Physiological Ecology

Physiological ecology studies the interaction of organisms with their physical environment and the organisms' adaptations to that environment. Additional lesson topics: Physiological Ecology 35 Total Points
  • Lesson 14 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 14 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 14 Exam

Lesson 15: Ecosystem Ecology

An ecosystem includes all the organisms in a given area and the abiotic elements that affect them including sunlight, temperature, soil quality, and nutrients. Additional lesson topics: Ecosystem Ecology 35 Total Points
  • Lesson 15 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 15 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 15 Exam

Lesson 16: Systems Ecology

Systems ecology attempts to clarify the structure and function of ecosystems through the use of applied mathematics, mathematical models, and computer programs. Additional lesson topics: Systems Ecology 35 Total Points
  • Lesson 16 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 16 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 16 Exam

Lesson 17: Plant Ecology

Plant ecologists study the distribution and abundance of plants, the interactions between the members of plant species, and plants' interactions with their environment. Additional lesson topics: Plant Ecology; Ecological Succession 35 Total Points
  • Lesson 17 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 17 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 17 Exam

Lesson 18: Animal Ecology

Animal ecology adds the element of looking at how animals interact with one another. Additional lesson topics: Animal Ecology; Omnivore, Carnivore, Herbivore 35 Total Points
  • Lesson 18 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 18 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 18 Exam

Lesson 19: Human Ecology

Human ecology studies the relationships between people and their environment. Additional lesson topics: Introduction to Human Ecology 35 Total Points
  • Lesson 19 Video
  • Lesson discussions: Environmentally Friendly
  • Complete: Lesson 19 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 19 Exam

Lesson 20: Natural Resource Management

If we destroy enough ecosystems, human life will not be sustainable so it is imperative to our species to effectively manage our planet's resources. Additional lesson topics: Natural Resource Management; Kyoto Protocol 129 Total Points
  • Lesson 20 Video
  • Lesson discussions: What do you think about this course?; Program Evaluation Follow-up Survey (End of Course); Course Comments
  • Complete: Lesson 20 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 20 Exam
  • Assessment: The Final Exam
796
Total Course Points
 

Learning Outcomes

By successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
  • Introduction to Ecology
  • Ecology Basics
  • Ecology and Evolution
  • Evolutionary Ecology
  • Interspecies and Intraspecies Relations
  • Biodiversity
  • Mass Extinctions
  • The World's Species
  • Biogeography
  • Geographical Information Systems
  • Landscape Ecology
  • Population Ecology
  • Community Ecology
  • Physiological Ecology
  • Ecosystem Ecology
  • Systems Ecology
  • Plant Ecology
  • Animal Ecology
  • Human Ecology
  • Natural Resource Management
  • Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.
 

Additional Course Information

Online CEU Certificate
  • Document Your Lifelong Learning Achievements
  • Earn an Official Certificate Documenting Course Hours and CEUs
  • Verify Your Certificate with a Unique Serial Number Online
  • View and Share Your Certificate Online or Download/Print as PDF
  • Display Your Certificate on Your Resume and Promote Your Achievements Using Social Media
Document Your CEUs on Your Resume
 
Course Title: Ecology 101
Course Number: 7550579
Lessons Rating: 4.5 / 5 Stars (1,310 votes)
Languages: English - United States, Canada and other English speaking countries
Availability: This course is online and available in all 50 states including: California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Texas.
Last Updated: March 2022
Course Type: Self-Paced, Online Class
CEU Value: 1.4 IACET CEUs (Continuing Education Units)
CE Accreditation: Universal Class, Inc. has been accredited as an Authorized Provider by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET).
Grading Policy: Earn a final grade of 70% or higher to receive an online/downloadable CEU Certification documenting CEUs earned.
Assessment Method: Lesson assignments and review exams
Instructor: April Graves
Syllabus: View Syllabus
Course Fee: $95.00 U.S. dollars

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Student Testimonials

  • "Again, wonderful course, very interesting, covered a lot of subject matter, and I learned a lot. Thank you!" -- Kathleen S.
  • "The instructor obviously was an expert, and she truly seemed to enjoy her work as an instructor." -- Judith J.
  • "The reviews of each part of ecology really helped me categorize and will allow me to respond quicker to my students' questions." -- James S.
  • "I enjoyed the course and instructor. Most everything was helpful." -- Joel H.