Courses

Undergraduate Courses, Fall 2025

Learn more about the teaching faculty here.

AEC 203 – An Introduction to the Honey Bee and Beekeeping

TR 11:45 a.m. -1:00 p.m.
David Tarpy

A GER course targeted towards non-science majors to provide an exploration into biology and science using honey bees as a charismatic vehicle. Provides an introduction to honey bee biology and management, as well as an examination of the relationships between honey bees and humans from prehistoric through modern times.

AEC 295 – Global Change Ecology

MW 1:30-2:45 p.m.
Skylar Hopkins

This course will help undergraduate students develop the tools to integrate interdisciplinary information, solve problems, and think critically about topics related to global change. By the end of the course, students will be able to compare and contrast the major drivers of historical, present, and future global change; explain how global change affects individuals, species, populations, communities, and ecosystems across space and time; communicate to a general audience how global ecological change affects human well-being; and apply their knowledge to critically evaluate management practices and policies for preventing and mitigating global ecological change. Throughout this course, students will also advance their abilities to find and evaluate scientific evidence, interpret figures, analyze models and data, collaborate with peers, and communicate ideas and scientific results. 

AEC 400 – Applied Ecology

TR 1:30-2:45 p.m.
Erin McKenney

Global climate change, over-harvesting, habitat loss, altered nutrient cycles, and the spread of invasive species are among the world’s pressing global environmental issues. Solutions to these problems are complex, but firmly rooted in the fundamental tenets of ecological theory. The field of applied ecology is premised on using these fundamental ecological principles to help solve the environmental challenges we face. This course will provide an overview of the field of applied ecology, based on a series of case studies. Working from the individual to global level, the course will provide a broad perspective on the field of applied ecology.

AEC 441/442/592 – Biology of Fishes 

TR 3:00-4:15 p.m. | F 12:50-3:35 p.m.
Ben Reading

Fishes are the largest and most diverse assemblage of vertebrates on the earth with nearly 30,000 described species. This undergraduate level course provides an overview of ichthyology including evolution, classification, and identification of fishes and a comparative examination of divergent fish behavior, physiology, and ecology. The content of the course will emphasize evolutionary relationships between fish groups and their adaptations for life in streams, lakes, and oceans. The course will be organized into three major segments: 1) taxonomy and systematics of fishes, 2) physiology and biology of fishes, and 3) ecology of fishes.

AEC 460 – Field Ecology 

T 8:30-9:45 a.m. | R 8:30 a.m.- 1:00 p.m.
Erin McKenney

Field Ecology and Methods will expose senior students with interests in Ecology and Evolution to the diverse field approaches used to address ecological questions. The course considers and implements a variety of field approaches ranging from microcosm experiments to global studies of patterns and diversity. Course is restricted to seniors.

Graduate Courses, Fall 2025

AEC 502 – Introduction to Biological Research

MW 8:30-9:20 a.m. | ONLINE
Brad Taylor

The main objectives of this course are to introduce and develop the tools and skills useful for excelling in graduate programs in Biology. Topics range from practical skills, such as selecting a committee, communication, data management, generating a thesis topic, and formulating hypotheses, to those that are more philosophical. There is a focus on scientific writing, especially grant proposals, and other professional skills, such as oral discussions of topics related to diversity and inclusivity, collaboration, publishing and reviewing, and developing professional skills and relationships that will be important throughout the graduate tenure of the students.

AEC 441/442/592 – Biology of Fishes 

TR 3:00-4:15 p.m. | F 12:50-3:35 p.m.
Ben Reading

Fishes are the largest and most diverse assemblage of vertebrates on the earth with nearly 30,000 described species. This undergraduate level course provides an overview of ichthyology including evolution, classification, and identification of fishes and a comparative examination of divergent fish behavior, physiology, and ecology. The content of the course will emphasize evolutionary relationships between fish groups and their adaptations for life in streams, lakes, and oceans. The course will be organized into three major segments: 1) taxonomy and systematics of fishes, 2) physiology and biology of fishes, and 3) ecology of fishes.

AEC 624 – Advanced Fisheries Science 

R 11:15am – 1:35pm
Jeffrey Buckel

This is a seminar style course where students and faculty discuss readings in advanced fisheries science. Students will learn both foundational and current research in fisheries science.

AEC 716 – Fish Population Dynamics

TR 10:15-11:30am
Jie Cao

This course is designed to introduce graduate students to quantitative fish population dynamics. Students will learn how to use appropriate quantitative methods in analyzing data collected from fisheries, to estimate vital parameters for fisheries, to describe quantitatively the dynamics of fish populations, to quantitatively evaluate current status of a fishery and alternative management strategies through formal stock assessment process, and to understand and interpret uncertainties associated with the assessment in managing fisheries resources.