Recent Classes |
||
Fall 2009 “When we try to pick out anything by itself we find that it is bound fast by a thousand invisible cords that cannot be broken, to everything in the universe." This quote by the naturalist John Muir describes well the challenge facing an ecologist. At whatever level of organization we choose to look- organism, population, community, landscape, or ecosystem- we find an abundance of interactions to be studied. In this class, we will explore these interactions, with an emphasis on their evolutionary context. Through lectures, discussions, laboratory exercises, and field study, we will try to better understand the “invisible cords” that inextricably connect the biological world. For a complete syllabus, click here. |
|
|
|
Fall 2008 Evolution. The word can be polarizing. Evolution has been the topic of films, Supreme Court rulings, and a song by the rock group Pearl Jam. It also gives cohesion to the disparate fields of the biological sciences. To quote the geneticist Theodosius Dobzhansky, “Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution.” But what exactly is evolution? For a complete syllabus, click here. |
|
Spring 2008 “If there is magic on this planet, it is contained in water.” This quote from the naturalist Loren Eiseley captures the fascination with aquatic systems exhibited by both scientists and non-scientists alike. In this class we will explore the world of lakes and rivers, which despite their commonplace appearance represent only 1.5% of the total water on Earth. A combination of lectures, discussions, and field study will be used to explore the ecology of fresh waters. Topics for consideration will include the physical properties of aquatic systems, adaptations of aquatic organisms, aquatic communities, and freshwater fisheries. For a complete syllabus, click here. |
|
|
|
Spring 2008 Why do male frogs call loudly, potentially alerting a predator to their location? Why do some male birds exhibit tail feathers that hinder their flight rather than aid in the process? The answers to these questions are found in one of Darwin's many contributions to evolutionary biology- sexual selection. Sexual selection is the antidote to the efficiency of natural selection. It maintains features that would otherwise seem to be a disadvantage, such as the peacock's tail and the calls of frogs. In this seminar we will explore mate choice, sexual dimorphism, competition for mates, and mating strategies in animals, including humans. These topics will be considered in terms of genetics, anatomy, and behavior. For a complete syllabus, click here. |
|
