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Courses

Regularly Taught Courses:

  • Biological Sciences (BIS) 002B: Introduction to Biology: Ecology and Evolution: Introduction to basic principles of ecology and evolutionary biology, focusing on the fundamental mechanisms that generate and maintain biological diversity across scales ranging from molecules and genes to global processes and patterns.  BIS 2B is offered every quarter (including both summer sessions) from a rotating cast of instructional teams; I generally teach BIS 2B in Fall Quarters and Spring Quarters of odd years (SQ19, SQ21, etc)
  • Evolution and Ecology (EVE) 016: Wild Davis: A CalNat Certification Course: Natural history and urban ecology of Davis. Basics of ecological observation, community science and service, and California’s unique natural communities. Completion of the course and payment of the course materials and service fee provides certification in the UC California Naturalist Program. Offered every spring quarter
  • Evolution and Ecology (EVE) 120: Global Change Ecology: Treatment of historical evolution of the biosphere resulting from physical, chemical, and biological influences. Special focus upon changes caused by humans. Topics pertain to biodiversity, resources, conservation, and ecosystem services. EVE 120 is taught in different quarters by different instructors; I teach this course in Spring Quarters of even years (SQ20, SQ22, etc)
  • Evolution and Ecology (EVE) 298: Biology Education Research and Evidence-based Teaching (BERET): this graduate-level seminar reviews pedagogical literature pertaining to college level biology education, including topics such as alternative instructional techniques (active learning, place-based learning, etc), strategies for student engagement, diversity/equity/inclusion in the classroom, curriculum design, etc. Currently offered every winter quarter.

Occasionally Taught Courses

  • Biosciences (BIS) 2C: Introduction to Biology: Biodiversity and the Tree of Life: Introduction to organismal diversity, using the phylogenetic tree of life as an organizing theme. Lectures and laboratories cover methods of phylogenetic reconstruction, current knowledge of the tree of life, and the evolution of life’s most important and interesting innovations.
  • Evolution and Ecology (EVE) 101: Introduction to Ecology: General survey of the principles of ecology