Course Descriptions & Syllabi
Biodiversity
SYLLABUS: BIODIVERSITY (3-3; half-semester). Following a review of evolution and natural selection, this course surveys all domains of life. Emphasis is placed on how different organisms interact with their environment and with each other. The course includes a weekly laboratory session and night exams. The course is a foundation-building course required of biology majors. (Fall) (NSL)
Methods in Ecology & Evolution
SYLLABUS: METHODS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY (2-2; half- semester). This lecture/laboratory course is a foundation-building course that contains instruction on reading the primary literature in ecology and evolutionary biology, conducting literature searches, designing experiments, writing scientific papers, using quantitative methods, exercising critical thinking skills for data analyses, creating graphs, and developing specific laboratory and field research skills for ecology and evolutionary biology. Prerequisite: Biology 50-102, 112, 122, 162 and Mathematics 52-113. (Fall and Spring)(NSL)
Ecology
SYLLABUS: ECOLOGY (3-3). This class explores the interactions of organisms with their biotic and abiotic environment. In particular, the course looks at the influence of nutrients, climate, competition, predation and symbiotic relationships on individuals, populations and communities. This course includes a mandatory weekend field trip. Prerequisite: Biology 50-204 or 222. Mathematics 52-113 is recommended. Also Environmental Studies 49-434. (Spring) (NSL)
Invertebrate Ecology
SYLLABUS: INVERTEBRATE ECOLOGY (3-3). This class explores the amazing diversity found across marine, terrestrial and aquatic habitats. The lecture component involves taxonomic descriptors of different groups, but more specifically focuses on the ecology of these organisms through critical reading of the primary literature. Through the semester, the course confronts topics that impact many invertebrates, such as exotic species, habitat degradation, chemical communication, predator-prey interactions and competition. In weekly lab sessions, special emphasis is placed on conducting experiments, learning to identify organisms, and investigating the role of aquatic insects in ponds and streams through field work. Prerequisite: Biology 50-204 or 222. Biology 50-434 is recommended but not required. (Spring) (NSL).
Students can also to take a Capstone with this course, either in parallel (Syllabus) or with a "Teaching" option after they took the course (Syllabus).
Intro to Animal Behavior
SYLLABUS: INTRODUCTION TO ANIMAL BEHAVIOR. This course will introduce students to the major in Animal Behavior through reading, lecture and discussion of a wide range of topics related to the scientific study of animal behavior. Faculty members in the Animal Behavior program will present their various programs of research and students will read primary literature related to these presentations. Discussion will focus on these areas of research as well as the field of animal behavior. Must be taken P/D/F.
First Year Seminar: Chocolate
SYLLABUS: Southwestern
University's First Year Seminar Program aims to introduce
you (as a newcomer) to college while exposing
you to what it means to live and learn in a liberal arts based
academic environment. In general, an FYS develops your
abilities in the following
areas: reading, writing, critical thinking, research methods,
informed discussion and creativity. In this section
of FYS, you will read,
think and write about the importance of chocolate in both a biological
as well as societal context.
Why title this seminar "Multi-chocolated???" Nearly
everyone loves at least some kind of chocolate and I see it as the perfect
media
to integrate into a
FYS. The following are themes that we will explore in this
course:
1) Chocolate is multi-cultural;
2) Chocolate comes in multiple forms;
3) The # times average person encounters chocolate has multiplied;
4) Applications of chocolate are multi-faceted;
5) One can study chocolate using a multi-disciplinary approach.