Teaching

ENVS510: Biometry, Fall Semester

This course is designed to develop students' skills in experimental design, sampling, and statistical analysis in Organismal and Environmental Biology. Students will gain experience 1) applying statistical tests to real biological datasets in a widely-used software program R, 2) identifying appropriate test(s) for a given set of data, and 3) evaluating the scientific merit of published literature.

BIOL495/495L: Community Ecology and Lab, Spring Semester

Study of the interactions among species that contribute to the structure and function of ecological communities and patterns of species coexistence, diversity, and evolution. Emphasis is placed on critical interpretation of recent and historical literature and schools of thought. Emphasis in lab is placed on application of lecture concepts, experimental design, and learning common methods in the field and lab to address community-level questions.

BIOL440/440L: Herpetology and Lab, Spring Semester

Study of amphibians and reptiles, with focus on their evolutionary history, taxonomy, ecology, and physiology. Emphasis in lab is placed on species identification and research experience via weekly field and lab-based projects, and participation in ongoing local research on snakes, lizards, and salamanders.

BIOL212: Principles of Biology II: Evolution, Diversity, and Ecology, Annual (fall, sometimes spring)

This introductory series course for biology majors covers key concepts in evolutionary biology and ecology, as well as a broad survey of the diversity of life on Earth.

BIOL212 Lab: Principles of Biology II: Evolution, Diversity, and Ecology Lab (Annual from 2014-2017)

This introductory series lab accompanies BIOL212 and emphasizes tree thinking, the organization of biodiversity, and a survey of representative members of major groups of prokaryotes and eukarotes. Course concludes with field labs designed to introduce ecological methods/practice.