Fall Courses

Zool 400 - Professional Perspectives of Zoology (1 cr). Presentations by departmental faculty provide an informal overview of various zoological topics and professional opportunities. The course acquaints students with faculty, provides information on departmental research projects, and facilitates early research involvement for students. Required for all first-year Zoology majors.

Zool 412 - Biology of Animals (4 cr).Fundamentals of modern animal biology from cells to organisms, including structure, function, genetics, development, ecology, and the diversity produced by animal evolution. Weekly demonstrations and virtual e-labs provide a hands-on introduction to the animal kingdom.

General syllabus containing covered topics (pdf)

Spring Courses

Zool 628 - Marine Invertebrate Evolution and Ecology (5 cr). A course that stresses the rich diversity of marine invertebrates by integrating phylogenetic trends with physiological and behavioral adaptation, and with ecological and symbiotic interactions. Offers a comparative survey of invertebrates from protozoans to protochordates; deals with aspects of form and function, development, evolution, classification, ecology, and natural history. Students work with live and preserved animals. Extensive dissections and a field component are required. Prereq: BIOL 411-412. (Not offered every year.)

Zool 665 - Conservation Genetics (4 cr). Conservation genetics is the application of genetics to preserve species as dynamic entities capable of coping with environmental change. It includes genetic management of small populations, resolution of taxonomic uncertainties, defining management units within species, and the use of molecular genetic analyses to forensics and the understanding of the biology of species. Topics include: methods of measuring genetic diversity in populations, identification of the units of biodiversity to which conservation efforts are directed, genetics of population framentation, genetic management of wild and captive populations, reintroduction of organisms back into the wild, and the role of forensics in enforcement and development of species recovery plans. Intended Audience: students with little or no genetics background planning to work as conservation professionals, wildlife biologists, zoo staff involved in captive breeding programs, managers of National Parks, foresters, etc.

General syllabus containing covered topics (pdf)

Graduate Seminars

Periodically, I also offer graduate seminars in phylogenetics, systematics and taxonomy of invertebrates.