Regular Courses
The courses that I teach are listed below. Besides my regular courses, I also lead two short-term Study Abroad programs to Ecuador. Please note that I don't teach all of these courses every year and that I am not the only instructor for some of these courses.
Evolution (BIO 235) - Sample Syllabus - Evolution is a 200 level course that introduces basic evolutionary principles. By the end of this course, students should have a clear understanding of why evolution matters and how it informs our understanding of the living world. The topics covered include an overview of the evidence for evolution, natural selection, mutation and genetic variation, genetic drift, gene flow, adaptation, phenotypic plasticity, sexual selection, speciation, and phylogenetics. Quantitative methods are emphasized throughout and students learn to create simple models in excel. Molecular methods including DNA extraction, PCR, gel electrophoresis, sequencing, and bioinformatics are emphasized in lab.
Concepts in Evolution (BIO 335/435) - Sample Syllabus - Concepts in Evolution is an upper level undergraduate/graduate course that covers advanced topics in evolutionary biology including the relationship between evolution and religion, human evolution, evolution and human health, genome evolution, Evo-Devo, contemporary evolution, speciation, and epigenetics. The course functions as a hybrid between a typical lecture course and a seminar with students leading discussion of scientific papers on many of the topics covered.
Molecular Methods in Ecology and Evolution (BIO 321/421) - Sample Syllabus - This course will provide hands-on experience in methods of detecting and analyzing molecular variation in nature. After learning basic lab methods in the first part of the course, students will work in groups to design and conduct original research experiments to answer questions about the ecology and evolution of organisms using DNA. Lab applications include DNA extraction and quantification, PCR, gel electrophoresis, restriction analysis, Sanger DNA sequencing, Nanopore DNA sequencing, DNA barcoding, and the analysis of environmental DNA (eDNA). Students will also apply basic computational methods to analyze large genomic data sets generated using Nanopore sequencing. Molecular Methods in Ecology and Evolution is a course-based research experience and runs in the spirit of a workshop for students seeking an entry to the use and analysis of DNA sequence data.
Biostatistics (BIO 206) - Sample Syllabus - Statistics are everywhere. Statements made about the food that you eat, the safety of the water that you drink, how great X or Y baseball player is, the results of a scientific experiment, etc., all have their foundations in statistics. Having a thorough understanding of the value and limitations of statistics is crucial for professional success and for making informed decisions as a citizen. In this course, we survey the most common statistical methods used in biology. By the end of the course, students should be familiar with basic descriptive and inferential statistics and be able to employ statistical methods to solve biological problems. Descriptive statistics that we cover include measures of central tendency (mean, median, mode), variation (range, inter-quartile range, standard deviation, variance, coefficient of variation), and z-score transformation. Graphical representation of data is also covered. Inferential statistical methods covered include the one-sample t test, independent-samples t test, paired-samples t test, Mann-Whitney U test, ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis test, Pearson product-moment correlation, Spearman rank correlation, regression, Chi2 test of independence, and Chi2 test of goodness of fit.
General Biology II (BIO 192) - Sample Syllabus - General Biology II is the second in the sequence of our introductory biology course for majors. It introduces students to basic evolutionary principles and processes, ecological principles and processes, and biological classification. The course ends with a survey of the Prokaryotes, Protista, and Fungi.
Evolution in Health and Medicine (BIO 110) - Sample Syllabus - Humans are part of the evolutionary tree of life and have a historical legacy that reflects their past evolution. This legacy can have serious implications for our health because evolution by natural selection has no foresight; the best available solution at a given time in a given environment is what is adopted. As a consequence, humans are not perfect. Our modern environment is also very different from that in which we evolved. Evolution in Health and Medicine examines how scientists are increasingly incorporating evolutionary thinking and research methods into better understanding the diseases that affect us. In the process, students reflect on how the scientific method works and how professional scientists go about answering pressing questions. Some of the questions asked will be very basic. Why do we get sick? Why do we age? Answering these questions properly requires a deep exploration of how our bodies work and where we came from. Students use a combination of resources to learn about evolution, health, and the cutting edge technologies that are allowing scientists to treat diseases in new ways. By the end of the course students will have expanded their perspective on the value of science, what it means to be human, and how our place in the natural world relates to the health challenges that we face.
Study Abroad Courses
Galapagos: Evolution and Society (BIO 104) - Sample Syllabus - This program is designed to help students understand the nature of evolution and how one of the greatest scientific theories of all time was developed. Through both coursework and direct observation, students will see how the organisms on
the Galapagos Islands have taught generations of scientists about the evolution of life on Earth. The program involves two courses (Evolution and Society and Natural History of the Galapagos) taken during the Spring quarter. Students will then travel to Ecuador for two weeks, splitting their time between coastal mainland Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. On the mainland, students will study the fauna and flora that are ancestral to the Galapagos species, followed by travel between the Galapagos islands to learn about the evolution, ecology, and biogeography there.
the Galapagos Islands have taught generations of scientists about the evolution of life on Earth. The program involves two courses (Evolution and Society and Natural History of the Galapagos) taken during the Spring quarter. Students will then travel to Ecuador for two weeks, splitting their time between coastal mainland Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. On the mainland, students will study the fauna and flora that are ancestral to the Galapagos species, followed by travel between the Galapagos islands to learn about the evolution, ecology, and biogeography there.
Biodiversity and the Modern Extinction Crisis (LSP 112) - Sample Syllabus - This Focal Point Seminar and First-Year Study Abroad program looks at the modern extinction crisis, examining it from biological, economic, and ethical perspectives. What is the nature of biodiversity? What economic factors are contributing to the destruction of the world's ecosystems? Can ethical considerations make a real impact on conservation efforts? By addressing these questions, students study the current impact human beings are having on the planet. During the travel to Ecuador, students visit three distinct ecosystems—the high-elevation páramo of the Andes Mountains, the Amazon rainforest, and the marine ecosystem of the Pacific coast. In each region, they observe diverse wildlife, study what makes that ecosystem unique, and learn about the major conservation challenges. Along the way, they hike,
snorkel, meet local experts, and learn about the culture of one of the most biologically diverse countries in the world.
snorkel, meet local experts, and learn about the culture of one of the most biologically diverse countries in the world.