Joel D. Blum
Robyn Burnham
Christopher Dick
Thomas Duda Jr
George Estabrook
Johannes Foufopoulos
Deborah Goldberg
Mark Hunter
Inés Ibáñez
Aaron King
George Kling
Jo Kurdziel
John Lehman
Philip Myers
Knute Nadelhoffer
Ronald Nussbaum
Diarmaid O'Foighil
Barry OConnor
Annette Ostling
Mercedes Pascual
Robert Payne
Beverly Rathcke
John Vandermeer
Paul Webb
Earl Werner
Mark Wilson
Donald Zak |
EEB 315: Ecology and Evolution of Infectious Diseases
This course will provide an introduction to the ecological and evolutionary processes observed in parasites and other disease-causing organisms. You will be introduced to the wonderfully bizarre world of malaria, measles, fleas, tapeworms, HIV and anthrax. Topics examined will include the evolution of various life histories in human and wildlife parasites, spatial patterns of disease, host-parasite co-evolution and the role of disease throughout human history.
EEB 412: Molecular Ecology
Molecular Ecology is an academic discipline that links research in ecology and evolution through the use of DNA markers. This class surveys the most important DNA markers and analytical methods currently used in Molecular Ecology. Topics include population structure, kinship, parentage, community phylogeny, phylogeography, microbial ecology and species discovery.
EEB 424: Behavioral Ecology and Conservation Biology
This course will focus on the ways environments shape the behavior and life histories of animals. Because environments pose constraints, behaviors have "better" and "worse" impacts on an organism's survival and reproduction.
EEB 476: Ecosystem Ecology
Ecosystem Ecology is a lecture/discussion course that focuses on understanding the physical, chemical, and biological processes regulating the dynamics of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. We discuss classic and current topics in ecology that have built our understanding of ecosystem organization and function. The course integrates across disciplines of physiological, microbial, population, and community ecology to understand how and why ecosystems differ in composition, structure, and function, and how ecosystems change over time.
The scope of the course includes examples from terrestrial, marine, and freshwater ecosystems.
EEB 487: Ecology of Fishes
The three classes commonly called fishes include more species of vertebrates than all other classes combined. Fishes also have a higher rate of endangerment than all other classes of vertebrates, due to human use of aquatic resources. Ecology of Fishes is a course for juniors and seniors that focuses on the dramatic interaction between fishes and their habitats. The course covers: physiological, behavioral, and numerical responses of fishes to biotic and abiotic factors; the relationship between environmental factors and fish energetics, growth, survival, behavior, and reproduction; adaptations of fish for survival under different environmental constraints in major habitat types; and the role of humans in fishery declines and fish conservation. The lab uses field trips and lab experiments to elucidate the relationships between fishes and their habitats. At least five of the lab sections are typically completed on local lakes and streams.
EEB 489: Soil Ecology
Soils as central components of terrestrial ecosystems. Major emphasis is placed on physical, chemical, and biological properties and their relationships to plant growth and ecosystem processes. Understanding is developed using a combination of lectures, field- and lab-based exercises, and individual research.
This course centers on the overlap of soil science and ecology. Our goal is to understand: (1) how the interactions of landform, topography, climate, and biota result in patterns of soil development and the distribution of soils that we observe within the landscape; (2) how physical, chemical and biological properties of soils affect water and nutrient availability to plants; and (3) how nutrients are cycled within terrestrial ecosystems and how these processes are influenced by human activities. You will find it very helpful if you have had, or are currently enrolled in, Woody Plants (NRE 437).
EEB 498: The Ecology of Agroecosystems
An analysis of ecological principles as they apply to agricultural ecosystems, emphasizing theoretical aspects but also covering empirical results of critical experiments. While the emphasis is on principles, practical applicability is also explored where appropriate. Physical, biological, and social forces are integrated as necessary. Designed as preparation for active research in agroecosystem ecology.
EEB 581: Advanced Topics in Community Ecology
This course provides an in-depth examination of current theory and empirical research in community ecology. Topics include the mechanisms of species interactions, indirect effects, the influence of temporal and spatial heterogeneity, metacommunity ecology, and the consequences of community structure for ecosystem processes. It provides a venue for an in-depth exploration of the literature in community ecology, and for critically evaluating theoretical and empirical advances in this area.
EEB 585: Ecology of Streams and Rivers
Ecology of running water systems. Emphasis is placed on natural history, trophic relationships, population dynamics, and systematics of stream organisms. Aquatic plants, periphyton, insects, other invertebrates, and fish are examined in their relation to physical and chemical characters of streams in the vicinity of the Biological Station.
EEB 595: Tropical Biology: An Ecological Approach
Principles of tropical ecology. Lectures, seven weeks in the field for directed study, and individual research in contrasting tropical environments of Costa Rica.
EEB 685: Current Topics in Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology
Designed to acquaint students with a broad range of current topics in ecology, evolution, and organismal biology. Weekly lectures, each presented by a different member of the faculty, will introduce students both to specific research topics and to the broad conceptual framework that organizes a particular area of research. Readings will be assigned by each lecturer to provide both background material and specific examples of research approaches.
|
