Courses I teach:
BIOL 211- Introduction to Field Research in Costa Rica
This course is an introductory experience in field-based research problems in biology. Students will work individually or in small teams to define appropriate questions, design research methods, collect and analyze data, and present oral and written reports. Emphasis is on the application of the scientific method to biological problem solving and the communication of findings to others as the end product of science. Areas of investigation vary with the interests of the students and instructors and with the availability of research organisms. Generally offered in January term. Field trip of 3-4 weeks to a tropical site, lately Costa Rica. Prerequisites: Open to biology majors or prospective majors. Preference is given to students in their first or second year of study in the discipline.
BIOL 349 - Comparative Anatomy and Physiology I: Locomotion and Systems Regulation
Examination of the functional morphology of the vertebrate skeletal, muscular, nervous, endocrine and reproductive systems. Emphasis will be placed upon the evolution, development and function of these systems as well as the control and integration of all organ systems in vertebrates. This course may be taken as part of a two-semester sequence with BIOL 350 but may also be taken alone. Four laboratory hours per week. Prerequisite: A minimum grade of C- in BIOL 209 or permission of instructor.
BIOL 350 - Comparative Anatomy and Physiology II: Energy Acquisition and Processing
An examination of the functional morphology of the vertebrate cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, and digestive systems, including control and integration of organ systems, adaptation to environment, and evolutionary development in vertebrates. Laboratory work will emphasize functional comparisons of vertebrate organ systems and an experimental approach to physiological problems. Four laboratory hours per week. Prerequisite: A minimum grade of C- in BIOL 209 or permission of instructor.
BIOL 375: Endocrinology
Introduction to the major endocrine systems of vertebrates and their involvement in the control of physiological functions in vertebrates. Major principles involved in signaling by hormones, the integration of hormonal mechanisms to maintain homeostasis, and the evolution of endocrine systems will be covered. Emphasis will be placed on similarities and differences among vertebrate groups to highlight the complexity of control of physiological functions by chemical signals such as hormones. Four laboratory hours per week. Prerequisite: A minimum grade of C- in BIOL 209 or permission of instructor.
BIOL 398 - Topics: Biology of Monsters
This course uses monsters as examples to explore basic principles of organismal biology, including topics such as (1) the influence of body size on form and function; (2) body shape patterning; (3) physiology of digestion, circulation, growth, and movement; (4) population biology; (5) energetics; (6) life history theory; and (7) evolutionary constraints. Monsters that are covered in the course will be drawn from popular media, including literature, movies, television, and the internet. Prerequisite: A minimum grade of C- in BIOL 209 or permission of instructor.
BIOL 489 - Topics: Stress Physiology
Modern life is full of a multitude of stressors, but the ways in which our bodies physiologically respond to it are ancient and adaptive. However, these mechanisms meant to protect us in potentially harmful circumstances can also be damaging, especially in cases of chronic stress. We will explore what stress is, the physiological responses to stress in the short- and long-term, and the effects of chronic stress on our health. The first portion of the course will be basic concepts, and the rest of the course will be readings of primary literature. Prerequisite: A minimum grade of C- in BIOL 209 + 2 300-level BIOL courses, or permission of instructor.
BIOL 396 - Topics: Health Misconceptions
Fad diets, federal nutrition guidelines, trendy exercise programs, weight-loss pills, and celebrities pushing their current moneymakers are increasingly common in the media. Despite access to more information in the digital age, it is more difficult to discern what is actually true when we face so much information. This course will address popular misconceptions about our health by fact-checking popular claims with primary scientific literature. We will articulate what is accurate, or not, about claims made in the media and identify gaps in our knowledge. Topics will depend on student interests and the most current available research, but will likely include examination of trends in exercise and diet, as well as the actions and effectiveness of new pharmaceuticals. Prerequisite: A minimum grade of C- in BIOL 209 or permission of instructor.
BIOL 275/SOCI 275 - Born this way?
While discussions of gender and its social construction have become common in our culture, there is less discussion of whether there are actually binary “biological sexes'' that impact those conversations. In addition, while we have made many inclusive efforts in understanding the LGBTQIA+ community, our larger society correlates sexual orientation to biology, leaving us to ask: are queer folks born that way and does it stay fixed throughout our lives? This course explores the convergence of sociology and biology in how we define gender, sex, sexual orientation, and sexual behavior as continua instead of binaries as once previously believed. Topics are examined in developmental order from conception to adulthood and include current issues relevant to the LGBTQIA+ community and society at-large. The course also considers these topics in non-human animals to ask ‘what is normal?’ in nature.
This course is an introductory experience in field-based research problems in biology. Students will work individually or in small teams to define appropriate questions, design research methods, collect and analyze data, and present oral and written reports. Emphasis is on the application of the scientific method to biological problem solving and the communication of findings to others as the end product of science. Areas of investigation vary with the interests of the students and instructors and with the availability of research organisms. Generally offered in January term. Field trip of 3-4 weeks to a tropical site, lately Costa Rica. Prerequisites: Open to biology majors or prospective majors. Preference is given to students in their first or second year of study in the discipline.
BIOL 349 - Comparative Anatomy and Physiology I: Locomotion and Systems Regulation
Examination of the functional morphology of the vertebrate skeletal, muscular, nervous, endocrine and reproductive systems. Emphasis will be placed upon the evolution, development and function of these systems as well as the control and integration of all organ systems in vertebrates. This course may be taken as part of a two-semester sequence with BIOL 350 but may also be taken alone. Four laboratory hours per week. Prerequisite: A minimum grade of C- in BIOL 209 or permission of instructor.
BIOL 350 - Comparative Anatomy and Physiology II: Energy Acquisition and Processing
An examination of the functional morphology of the vertebrate cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, and digestive systems, including control and integration of organ systems, adaptation to environment, and evolutionary development in vertebrates. Laboratory work will emphasize functional comparisons of vertebrate organ systems and an experimental approach to physiological problems. Four laboratory hours per week. Prerequisite: A minimum grade of C- in BIOL 209 or permission of instructor.
BIOL 375: Endocrinology
Introduction to the major endocrine systems of vertebrates and their involvement in the control of physiological functions in vertebrates. Major principles involved in signaling by hormones, the integration of hormonal mechanisms to maintain homeostasis, and the evolution of endocrine systems will be covered. Emphasis will be placed on similarities and differences among vertebrate groups to highlight the complexity of control of physiological functions by chemical signals such as hormones. Four laboratory hours per week. Prerequisite: A minimum grade of C- in BIOL 209 or permission of instructor.
BIOL 398 - Topics: Biology of Monsters
This course uses monsters as examples to explore basic principles of organismal biology, including topics such as (1) the influence of body size on form and function; (2) body shape patterning; (3) physiology of digestion, circulation, growth, and movement; (4) population biology; (5) energetics; (6) life history theory; and (7) evolutionary constraints. Monsters that are covered in the course will be drawn from popular media, including literature, movies, television, and the internet. Prerequisite: A minimum grade of C- in BIOL 209 or permission of instructor.
BIOL 489 - Topics: Stress Physiology
Modern life is full of a multitude of stressors, but the ways in which our bodies physiologically respond to it are ancient and adaptive. However, these mechanisms meant to protect us in potentially harmful circumstances can also be damaging, especially in cases of chronic stress. We will explore what stress is, the physiological responses to stress in the short- and long-term, and the effects of chronic stress on our health. The first portion of the course will be basic concepts, and the rest of the course will be readings of primary literature. Prerequisite: A minimum grade of C- in BIOL 209 + 2 300-level BIOL courses, or permission of instructor.
BIOL 396 - Topics: Health Misconceptions
Fad diets, federal nutrition guidelines, trendy exercise programs, weight-loss pills, and celebrities pushing their current moneymakers are increasingly common in the media. Despite access to more information in the digital age, it is more difficult to discern what is actually true when we face so much information. This course will address popular misconceptions about our health by fact-checking popular claims with primary scientific literature. We will articulate what is accurate, or not, about claims made in the media and identify gaps in our knowledge. Topics will depend on student interests and the most current available research, but will likely include examination of trends in exercise and diet, as well as the actions and effectiveness of new pharmaceuticals. Prerequisite: A minimum grade of C- in BIOL 209 or permission of instructor.
BIOL 275/SOCI 275 - Born this way?
While discussions of gender and its social construction have become common in our culture, there is less discussion of whether there are actually binary “biological sexes'' that impact those conversations. In addition, while we have made many inclusive efforts in understanding the LGBTQIA+ community, our larger society correlates sexual orientation to biology, leaving us to ask: are queer folks born that way and does it stay fixed throughout our lives? This course explores the convergence of sociology and biology in how we define gender, sex, sexual orientation, and sexual behavior as continua instead of binaries as once previously believed. Topics are examined in developmental order from conception to adulthood and include current issues relevant to the LGBTQIA+ community and society at-large. The course also considers these topics in non-human animals to ask ‘what is normal?’ in nature.