The study of populations and communities of organisms and the interactions of organisms within their environment. Topics include ecosystem analysis, energy flow, nutrient cycles and limiting factors, community structure, biomes, associations, succession, adaptation, and niche analysis, population growth and structure, competition and predator prey relations. Considerations given to experimental investigations, including computer modeling. Students are expected to complete a field or laboratory project, or library report. Field trips and lab excercises comprise important components of this course. Offered every other year.