BIOL 360: Ecology

This course provides an overview of current knowledge and techniques in the field of ecology, emphasizing interactions between organisms and their environments across a range of spatial scales.
Course Objectives:
  • Understand the ecological connections that structure natural systems and the patterns and processes that these connections produce
  • Apply the scientific process, field sampling techniques, and ecological inference to construct and address ecological research questions
  • Develop and apply quantitative reasoning and modeling techniques to address ecological problems
  • Evaluate contemporary issues in ecology and the environment from a perspective informed by scientific literacy, knowledge of ecological concepts, and a compassionate worldview

BIOL 390: Plant Biology

This course integrates the disciplines of plant physiology, plant systematics and plant ecology by surveying plant evolution and systematics, plant growth and development, plant physiology, and plant ecology.
Course Objectives:
  • Gain familiarity with current knowledge, advancements, and techniques in the fields of plant evolution and systematics, plant growth and development, plant physiology, and plant ecology
  • Enhance critical thinking, problem solving, and scientific thinking skills through engagement in a semester-long authentic inquiry-based research experience
  • Improve quantitative knowledge, data analysis skills, and confidence in applying quantitative methods to biological data
  • Enhance appreciation for the importance and value of plants

BIOL 120: Environmental Science

This course addresses the scientific concepts, practices, and motivations underlying natural resource availability and human resource use and management.
Course Objectives:
  • Acquire an understanding of and sensitivity to the environment, its process and functions, and associated environmental problems spanning local to global scales
  • Understand and apply the process of science to studying the environment, including developing ideas, testing ideas, and applying findings toward societal benefits and outcomes
  • Critically evaluate environmental problems and solutions from an informed, compassionate perspective

BIOL 485: Statistical Methods in Biology

This course focuses on realistic statistical analysis of biological data using core skills and techniques practiced by biologists across a range of sub-disciplines  including select topics in data exploration, probability, estimation, uncertainty, hypothesis testing, maximum likelihood, regression, and Bayesian modeling.
Course Objectives:
  • Understand the probabilistic and conceptual frameworks underlying statistical methods used in biology
  • Understand the importance of probability, statistics, and computation for general inference in biological studies across a diversity of sub-disciplines
  • Attain proficiency in computation and statistical analysis of diverse biological datasets

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