Learn more about the teaching faculty here.
AEC 203 – An Introduction to the Honey Bee and Beekeeping
TR 11:45am-1:00pm
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 – Interplay of Religion and the Microbiome
W 10:15-11:30am
Aminah Al-Attas Bradford and Rob Dunn
Microbiome science is new, but the impact of microbes on the history of Christian thought and practice is as old as the religion itself. Using Christianity as a case study, this course explores the impact of microbiome science on how religions think about disease, decay, fermentation, race, the environment and the meaning of being human. It asks questions like, “How does microbiome science complicate classic Christian beliefs about evil and salvation? If Jesus had a microbiome does that make the Christian God microbial?? How can scientists communicate their research in ways that encourage ecological empathy and activism in religious communities? What is at stake as the lines between being human and being microbial fade away? How have religious beliefs about microbes influenced pandemic responses? ” Students need no previous experience with religious study or belief to participate.
AEC 295 – Global Change Ecology
MW 1:30-2:45pm
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 1:30-2:45pm
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 – Biology of Fishes
TR 3:00-4:15pm / F 12:50-3:35pm
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 8:30-9:45am R 8:30am-1:00pm
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.
AEC 470 – Urban Ecology
MW 11:45am-1:00pm
Elsa Youngsteadt
Developing design, conservation, and management strategies to serve humans and biodiversity in urban areas is an ongoing challenge. This course examines cities as unique physical environments and as social-ecological systems: How urban factors drive abundance and distribution of plants and animals, with consequences for biodiversity, ecosystem function, and human well-being. We will address the role of ecology in urban design and management, and emphasize the question of whether urban systems, and the role of humans therein, are adequately described by existing ecological theory.