BSC 480/580 Plant Ecology - This course will examine the ecology of plants at different levels of order: individual plants through biomes. Our focus will be on the interactions of plants with each other, with other organisms, and with their environment. A general background in ecology is assumed. Basic principles and foundations of the field will be considered as well as current research. Readings will come from the textbooks (see syllabus that follows) and articles from the literature to expand the topics. Lectures will be interspersed with discussion activities to maximize student participation in the learning process.
BSC 497/695 Disturbance Ecology - Disturbance regimes are changing rapidly in intensity and frequency across the globe. This is having profound effects at levels from individual species to whole ecosystems. But not all disturbances are negative and can aid in positive change. In this course we will explore the role disturbances and disturbance regimes play in shaping the Earth’s terrestrial systems. Specifically, students will become proficient in understanding how anthropogenic activities are leading to new disturbances and how this will produce new spatial patterns, altered disturbance regimes, novel trajectories of change, and surprises. In addition, future disturbances will continue to provide valuable opportunities for studying pattern–process interactions. The class will focus on the scientific methods through our discussion of primary literature. Students will also gain important experience in scientific writing and communication, and public speaking.
BSC 675 Global Change Biology - Students will take a detailed look at climate change across a variety of scales (species to biomes) using primary literature sources. Each student will lead a discussion in an area of climate change of their choice (e.g. climate change leading to disease, climate change and biological feed backs, alteration in climate and storm intensity, decline of amphibians); these topics need not be limited to biological subjects. Students will be expected to participate in critiques of primary literature, class discussions, and the development of an individual proposal (including preproposal, budgets, and panel discussions of funding).
BSC 695 Introduction to Graduate Studies - The topics to be presented in this course are designed to accelerate the progress of incoming and other early stage graduate students as they transition into graduate school or from a Master’s to PhD program. It is a career preparation course and will cover skills and concepts needed for career success. The central goal of the course is to give graduate students practical skills and tools that will be applicable throughout their careers, regardless of their areas of focus in the Department.
BSC 695 Scientific Writing and Data Presentation - The primary objectives of this course are to 1) give the students a comprehensive introduction to writing scientific proposals. 2) Introduce manuscript writing and preparation. 3) Increase students’ skills at reviewing and critiquing of primary literature (both good and bad). 4) Introduce students creating data presentations (both posters and talks). 5). Applying for research based positions (state and federal agencies and academic positions).
BSC 497/695 Disturbance Ecology - Disturbance regimes are changing rapidly in intensity and frequency across the globe. This is having profound effects at levels from individual species to whole ecosystems. But not all disturbances are negative and can aid in positive change. In this course we will explore the role disturbances and disturbance regimes play in shaping the Earth’s terrestrial systems. Specifically, students will become proficient in understanding how anthropogenic activities are leading to new disturbances and how this will produce new spatial patterns, altered disturbance regimes, novel trajectories of change, and surprises. In addition, future disturbances will continue to provide valuable opportunities for studying pattern–process interactions. The class will focus on the scientific methods through our discussion of primary literature. Students will also gain important experience in scientific writing and communication, and public speaking.
BSC 675 Global Change Biology - Students will take a detailed look at climate change across a variety of scales (species to biomes) using primary literature sources. Each student will lead a discussion in an area of climate change of their choice (e.g. climate change leading to disease, climate change and biological feed backs, alteration in climate and storm intensity, decline of amphibians); these topics need not be limited to biological subjects. Students will be expected to participate in critiques of primary literature, class discussions, and the development of an individual proposal (including preproposal, budgets, and panel discussions of funding).
BSC 695 Introduction to Graduate Studies - The topics to be presented in this course are designed to accelerate the progress of incoming and other early stage graduate students as they transition into graduate school or from a Master’s to PhD program. It is a career preparation course and will cover skills and concepts needed for career success. The central goal of the course is to give graduate students practical skills and tools that will be applicable throughout their careers, regardless of their areas of focus in the Department.
BSC 695 Scientific Writing and Data Presentation - The primary objectives of this course are to 1) give the students a comprehensive introduction to writing scientific proposals. 2) Introduce manuscript writing and preparation. 3) Increase students’ skills at reviewing and critiquing of primary literature (both good and bad). 4) Introduce students creating data presentations (both posters and talks). 5). Applying for research based positions (state and federal agencies and academic positions).