Teaching

Courses currently taught

Biology 312/512: Mycology  4 Credits. Broad taxonomic survey of fungi. Morphology, reproduction, physiology, genetics, evolution, and ecology. Role in nutrient cycling, plant disease, human welfare and biotechnology. Techniques in collection, identification, pure culture isolation, and nucleic acid applications.

Biology 322/522, Env Sci 322/522: Environmental Microbiology. 4 credits. This course will focus on the diversity and role of microorganisms in diverse and complex environments, including the use and management of these organisms for the benefit of ecosystems and society.

Biology 323 Principles of Microbiology. 3 Credits. Microorganisms and their activities; their form, structure, reproduction, physiology, metabolism, and identification; their distribution in nature and their relationship to each other and other living things.

Biology 324 Principles of Microbiology Laboratory. 1 Credit. Laboratory Course that accompanies BIOLOGY 323.

Env Sci 303: Environmental Sustainability. 3 Credits. Principles of environmental sustainability rooted in interdisciplinary and systems perspectives; sustainability of our natural resource system; natural chemical, physical and biological systems which affect and influence sustainable practices; politics and economics of environmental sustainability.

Courses previously taught

Biology 198: First Year Seminar: Our Life with Fungi 3 credits                              Fungi have a special and important role in human society and in nature. Humans rely on fungi for medicine, food, bread, beer and wine. Nature needs fungi to decompose plants and animals.  Fungi form many symbioses with animals, plants and insects in terrestrial and marine ecosystems. In this class we will explore the many ways we interact with fungi through readings, videos, and walks through the Cofrin Arboretum.

Biology 203: Principles of Biology: Organisms, Ecology, and Evolution. 3 Credits. Survey of the evolution and diversity of life, with focus on general biological principles, anatomy and physiology, and consideration of interactions from the cellular to organismal level.

Biology 204: Principles of Biology Lab: Organisms, Ecology, and Evolution. 1 Credit. Hands-on laboratory reinforcing material covered in BIOLOGY 203. Laboratory activities explore the structure of seed plants, comparative morphology of animal phyla, dichotomous taxonomic keys, phylogeny, and experimental approaches to plant and animal physiology. This writing emphasis course covers the process and techniques of scientific writing.

Env S&P 715: Graduate Seminar in Ecology and Evolution. 1 Credit. This graduate course provides a forum for discussion of contemporary ideas in ecology and evolution. Students and faculty discuss weekly readings in an informal atmosphere. Topics are chosen from the current scientific literature; examples from recent semesters include ecosystem stability, competition and coexistence, group selection, trophic dynamics, and complex species interactions