Links to individual department graduate course listings can be found through the Graduate and Professional Catalog.
| ANTH 601 | Biological Anthropology. Survey of the field of biological anthropology covering the principles of evolution, human evolution, human adaptation, human variation, primate diversity and evolution, osteology and bioarchaeology. Fall. Instructor varies. |
| ANTH 609 | Culture and Evolution. This seminar will seek to integrate the study of culture with the natural sciences. The foundation of the course is the assumption that culture is a biological adaptation and that we can examine it scientifically. Fall, odd years. Insructor: Alvard. |
| ANTH 625 | Zooarchaeology. Analysis of animal bones from archaeological sites; inference of how prehistoric peoples hunted, domesticated and used animals. Prerequisite: Basic knowledge of zoology and archaeology. Instructor: de Ruiter |
| ANTH 630 | Human Evolutionary Ecology. (3-0). Credit 3. Evolutionary ecology of human behavior and culture, including habitat choice and use of space, time allocation, resource acquisition and allocation, sex and reproduction, altruism and cooperation and the coevolution of genes and culture. Prerequisite: Graduate classification. Instructor: Alvard. |
| ANTH 631 | Primate Behavioral Ecology. (3-0). Credit 3. Survey the behavioral ecology of the nonhuman primates exploring topics such as their hunting behavior; sexual coercion; language capabilities; culture; tool use; homosexuality; dominance; parental care, ethics of field study and their conservation. Prerequisite: Graduate classification. Instructor: Gursky-Doyen |
| ANTH 643 | Australopithecine Paleoecology. (3-0). Credit 3. Principles and techniques used in the reconstruction of paleoecology and paleoenvironments associated with the African australopithecines; including taphonomy, faunal evolution, climate forcing analysis, habitat preference and land-use patterns; detailed overview of the australopithecine fossil record from the Miocene to the Pleistocene. Prerequisite: Graduate classification. Instructor: de Ruiter |
| BIOL 651 | Bioinformatics. (3-0). Credit 3. Introduction to applications related to information processing in biological research with practical training exercises; includes internet databases, sequence alignment, motif prediction, gene and prometer prediction, phylogenetic analysis, protein structure classification, analysis and prediction, genome annotation, assembly and comparative analysis, and proteomics analysis. Prerequisite: Graduate classification or approval of instructor. |
| BIOL 663 | Biology of the Crustacea. Course discusses basic anatomy, development and physiology of crustaceans, followed by coverage of the living taxa by lineages. The laboratory includes exercises involving living animals in aquaria and preserved material., including a collection of over 17,000 specimens of marine crustaceans from the Gulf of Mexico and adjacent oceanic areas. Fall/varies. Instructor: Wicksten |
| BIOL 665 | Biology of the Invertebrates. Course covers all living phyla of invertebrates, including anatomy, phylogeny, development, physiology and natural history. The laboratory includes exercises involving living animals in aquaria and terraria. Students will be expected to use keys to identify “unknowns” and complete exercises to acquaint them with the morphology and living behavior of the various taxa. Prerequisite is Invertebrate Zoology (BIOL 335) or equivalent, or consent of the instructor. This class can be “stacked” with ZOOL 335 in case a graduate student needs to take it during a semester in which it is not formally offered. Instructor: Wicksten |
| BIOL 689 | Special Topics: Ecological and Evolutionary Applications in Studies of Parasites and Pathogens. Parasite ecology and evolution. Spring. Instructor: Criscione |
| BIOL 698 | Special Topics: Behavior, Genes and Evolution. Fall. Instructor: Carney/Rosenthal |
| BOTN 620 | Field Systematic Botany. Spring, odd years. Instructor: Manhart, Wilson |
| ENTO 601 | Principles of Systematic Entomology. An introduction to the principles and theory of systematic zoology and comparative biology including species concepts and speciation; methods for higher classification including phylogenetic systematics, phenetics, and evolutionary taxonomy; and an introduction to zoological nomenclature. Fall, odd years. Instructor: Woolley |
| ENTO 606 | Quantitative Phylogenetics. See GENE/ENTO/WFSC 606. Fall. Instructor: Woolley |
| ENTO 612 | Insect Evolution. Designed to provide a solid grounding in the evolutionary history of insects and related hexapod groups and is appropriate for all graduate-level biologists (not just entomologists) who have an interest in the evolution and phylogeny of major animal groups. Spring. Instructor: Oswald |
| ENTO 621 | Biology and Systematics of Entomophagous Insects. Systematics and biology of entomophagous insects at the family level; collecting and rearing parasitoids from their hosts; emphasis on groups used in biological control; emphasis on parasitic Hymenoptera. Fall, even years. Instructor: Wharton |
| ENTO 681 | Insect-Plant Biology. Interactions between plants and insects and factors that influence reactions. Spring. Instructor: Behmer/Eubanks |
| ENTO 689 | Principles of Insect Pest Management. An introduction to Integrated Pest Management (IPM): IPM history, conceptual foundations and basic principles. Currently, several human practices are aimed to reduce human carbon and chemical footprints in our planet. IPM constitutes a series of pest control efforts toward a more sustainable agriculture. Fall. Instructor: Medina |
| ENTO 689 | Arthropods as Vector of Plant Pathogens. How insects transmit plant pathogens. Spring. Instructor: Tamborindeguy |
| ENTO/GEOG 625 | Landscape Ecology. Information about the course is posted at kelab.tamu.edu |
| ESSM 600 | Principles of Ecosystem Science and Management. This course reviews the principles of ecology that are fundamental to the development of sustainable land use systems, and examines contemporary land use practices and their ecological significance in the major ecosystems of the world. First, the importance of ecosystems and the services they provide to human society will be identified and discussed. Then, basic ecological principles critical to man’s sustainable use of ecosystems will be reviewed. Emphasis is placed on ecosystem processes that also have significance at landscape, regional, and global scales. Finally, current land use practices and issues in forests, rangelands, croplands, and wetlands will be covered. Instructor: Boutton |
| ESSM 601 | Current Issues in Ecosystem Science and Management. (2-0). Credit 2. Define the social and scientific context for ecosystem science and management; evaluate current social, economic and environmental issues confronting forest, rangeland, wetland and riparian ecosystems and implications for ecosystem services, resource management, research and policy; develop professional communication skills. Prerequisites: Graduate classification. Instructor: Tjoelker |
| ESSM 605 | The Research Process. Nature and objectives of graduate work, the scientific method and basic and applied research. Introduction to design of experiments and analysis of data; principles of organization of project proposals, theses and scientific reports. |
| ESSM 610 | Rangeland Resource Management. Basic concepts and theories of rangeland resource management; trends in range classification, grazing management and improvement practices. Prerequisite: Graduate classification in agriculture or related subject matter areas. |
| ESSM 611 | Grazing Management and Range Nutrition. Nutritional ecology of domestic and wild herbivores on rangelands; vegetation and animal response to various grazing management practices; diet selection, quality, intake and supplementation of herbivores. |
| ESSM 612 | Advances in Range Improvement Practices. Principles and recent advances in brush and weed control with mechanical, chemical, burning and biological methods; interrelationships of brush management with grazing, wildlife and watershed management; planning and economic analysis of range improvement practices. |
| ESSM 615 | Advanced Silviculture. |
| ESSM 616 | Arboriculture. Tree selection and planting to fit climatic, space and edaphic conditions, diagnosing tree abnormalities, and practicing intensive tree care; frequent field work and demonstrations; includes seminar classes involving discussions and presentations of current arboriculture research from peer- reviewed journals. |
| ESSM 617 | Urban Forestry. Conceptual role of trees in improving the urban environment; optimum use of existing forested areas and the establishment of trees in appropriate open spaces; tree ordinances, species evaluation, street tree planning and tree inventory systems; includes seminar classes involving discussions and presentations of current urban forestry research from peer-reviewed journals. |
| ESSM 620 | Plant and Range Ecology. Investigation of community/ecosystem/landscape distribution patterns, structure, spatial/temporal organization and function, paleoecology, ecological succession, disturbance regimes, ecological diversity and classification schemes. North American rangelands (grass- lands, shrublands, deserts, wetlands, etc.) stressed but world ecosystems reviewed. |
| ESSM 621 | Physiological Plant Ecology. Investigation of physiological mechanisms influencing eco-logical patterns and processes, including plant acclimation and adaptation in contrasting habitats, abiotic controls on species productivity and distribution, relevant conceptual and experimental approaches, and integration among ecological scales. |
| ESSM 622 | Biogeochemistry of Terrestrial Ecosystems. This course provides a framework for understanding biogeochemical cycles, their significance at both global and ecosystem levels of organization, and their contemporary relevance to ecosystem science and management. Instructor: Boutton |
| ESSM 624 | Terrestrial Ecosystems and Global Change. Identify the physical and biological principles governing the structure and function of terrestrial ecosystems in an earth-system context; analyze how plants and microorganisms respond to environmental change and affect global carbon, nutrient, and water cycles; evaluate ecosystem response to global change, including rising carbon dioxide, climate warming, and human impacts. Prerequisite: Graduate classification. Fall, even years. Instructor: Tjoelker |
| ESSM 626 | Fire and Natural Resources Management. Behavior and use of fire in the management of natural resources; principles underlying the role of weather, fuel characteristics and physical features of the environment related to development and implementation of fire plans. |
| ESSM 628 | Wetland Delineation. Application of the 1987 Wetland Delineation Manual in use by the Army Corps of Engineers; field indicators of hydrophytic vegetation, hydric soils, wetland hydrology, methods for making jurisdictional determination in non-disturbed and disturbed areas, recognition of problem wetlands and technical guidelines for wetlands. Prerequisite: Graduate classification or approval of instructor. |
| ESSM 630 | Restoration Ecology. Review and discuss fundamental concepts, current literature, and contemporary topics relating to ecological restoration. This includes the theoretical development of restoration ecology and its application. The relationship with conservation biology will be explored. The goal is to inform, exchange views, and develop critical thinking skills through case studies. Prerequisite: Graduate classification. |
| ESSM 631 | Ecological Restoration of Wetland and Riparian Systems. Steps in ecological restoration include problem identification, restoration design, implementation, and assessment; students in rangeland and other natural resources disciplines will relate fundamentals of ecology to steps in restoration of wetlands and riparian systems through interdisciplinary approaches, case studies, and field trips to restoration sites. Instructor: G. Moore |
| ESSM 635 | Ecohydrology. This course will provide a framework for understanding how plants and animals affect the water cycle; the water cycle in all of its aspects will be examined and explored with the idea of understanding how changes in land cover may influence the water cycle; implications for both upland and riparian systems will be examined. Prerequisite: Graduate classification. Cross-listed with GEOG 623. Instructor: Wilcox |
| ESSM 636 | Range and Forest Watershed Management. Management of range and forest water-sheds; influence of range and forest practices on runoff, interception, infiltration, erosion and water quality; current literature and research advances. |
| ESSM 644 | Plant Cell Culture in Genetic Improvement and Conservation. |
| ESSM 647 | Range Grasses and Grasslands. Basic concepts of grass structure and classification, recent advances in agrostological research, genetic and ecological basis for patterns of variation and evolution in grasses. Offered fall semester of odd numbered years. |
| ESSM 648 | Wetland Plant Taxonomy.Interpretation of plant morphologies for keying and the identification of wetland plants from prime habitats; plant communities including the plant’s adaptation to variation in salinity and soils; identification of inconspicuous flowered plant species including sedges, rushes and grasses. Prerequisite: ESSM 304 or approval of instructor. Offered fall semester of even numbered years. |
| ESSM 651 | Geographic Information Systems. Design, planning and implementation of geographic information systems; computer hardware and software evaluation; practical experience in data entry, analysis and update of spatial and characteristic data; linkages of GIS and artificial intelligence; use of maps and remotely sensed data as data inputs. Prerequisites: Graduate classification. Cross-listed with BAEN 651. |
| ESSM 652 | Advanced Topics in Geographic Information Systems. Advanced GIS topics with a focus on modeling actual GIS applications including relational and database theory, design and implementation and its connection to GIS; surface analysis with digital terrain models; and an introduction to spatial statistics. Prerequisite: ESSM 651 or BAEN 651. |
| ESSM 655 | Remote Sensing of the Environment. Remote sensing for the management of renewable natural resources; use of aerial photography and satellite imagery to detect, identify and monitor forest, range and agricultural resources; utilize remotely sensed data as input to computerized information management systems. |
| ESSM 656 | Advanced Remote Sensing. Advanced techniques for information extraction using airborne and satellite imagery; active and passive sensors characteristics; customizing and developing image processing tools for remote sensing applications for a broad range of sensors and applications. Prerequisites: ESSM 655, ESSM 444, GEOG 651, GEOG 661. |
| ESSM 660 | Landscape Analysis and Modeling. Introduction to quantitative methods of landscape analysis and modeling for applications in natural resource conservation and management; quantification of landscape composition and configuration; spatial statistical methods for characterizing landscape pattern; methods for hypothesis testing with spatial data; landscape modeling approaches and applications; current literature and software. Instructor: Wu |
| ESSM 663 | Applied Spatial Statistics. An introduction to the theory and practice of spatial statistics as applied to the natural resources. Spatial analyses focusing primarily on ordinary kriging, point processes, and lattice data. Prerequisites: MATH 141, 142; STAT 651; or equivalents; ESSM 651 preferred. Cross-listed with SCSC 663. |
| ESSM 665 | Computer Programming for Natural Resources Applications. An introduction to programming concepts and applications; elements of Visual Basic programming including data types, control and program structure; introduction to objects and object-oriented programming; macro and applications development; automation of GIS programming through the use of macros. Prerequisites: Approval of instructor. |
| ESSM 670 | Ecosystems and Markets. Concepts and analysis of supply chains for natural resource commodities and ecosystem services. Exploration of the economic uses of goods and services from ecosystems. |
| ESSM 671 | Ecological Economics. Study of the relationships between ecosystems and economic systems; understanding the effects of human economic endeavors on ecological systems and how the ecological benefits and costs of such activities can be quantified and internalized. Prerequisite: Graduate classification. Cross-listed with AGEC 659 and RENR 659. |
| ESSM 672 | Environmental Impact Analysis for Renewable Natural Resources. Analysis and critique of contemporary environmental analysis methods in current use; environmental impact statements; national policies; political, social and legal ramifications as related to development and use of renewable natural resources. Prerequisite: Graduate classification. Cross-listed with RENR 660. |
| ESSM 676 | Leadership Development and Management of Environmental NGO’s. Trends and increasing power of NGOs in environment and sustainable development; understanding of the organizational structures, functions, planning and management processes of environmental NGOs; technical skills and leadership qualities for careers with environmental NGOs. Prerequisite: Graduate classification. Cross-listed with RENR 650. |
| ESSM 681 | Seminar. Reviews and discussions of current topics and advances in Ecosystem Science and Management. |
| ESSM 684 | Professional Internship. On-the-job training in fields of ecosystem science and management. |
| ESSM 685 | Directed Studies. Investigations not included in student’s research forthesis or dissertation. |
| ESSM 689 | Isotopes in Ecology. Instructor: West, Vogel |
| ESSM 689 | Isotope Applications in Biosphere Science. Overview of isotopes and the controls on their flow and distribution. Instructor: Vogel, West, Hyodo, Boutton |
| ESSM 689 | Special Topics. Selected topics in an identified area of ecosystem science and management. May be repeated for credit. |
| ESSM 691 | Research. Research for thesis or dissertation. Prerequisite: Graduate majors in Ecosystem Science and Management. |
| GENE 489 | Analysis of Genomic Signals. Overview of current high throughput technology for data acquisition and analysis of genomic signals, e.g. mRNA or proteins. |
| GENE 681 | Evolutionary Genetics of Sex. Discussion of recent literature on molecular genetic and genomic studies of sex determination, sex chromosomes, sexual selection and conflict, evolution of sexual behavior, with an emphasis on animal genomes. Instructor: Murpy |
| GENE/ENTO/WFSC 606 | Quantitative Phylogenetics. Designed to provide students with the theory and tools required for inference of phylogenetic (evolutionary) relationships among biological taxa using various types of comparative data including morphological characters, biochemical and molecular characters, and DNA sequences; hands-on analysis of data using contemporary tools. Prerequisite: Entomology 601 or approval of instructor. Spring, even years. Instructor: Mateos, Woolley |
| GEOG 624 | Biogeography: Theory and Methods. Introduction to the theories and practice of biogeography. Emphasis on learning the basics of quantitative vegetation science with the goal of preparing students to begin doing independent biogeographical research. Topics that will be covered include the analysis of vegetation data, ecological ordination and classification techniques, and approaches to the study of landscape ecology. Current issues in biogeography will be addressed through the reading of primary literature. Instructor: Cairns |
| GEOG 624 | Plant Geography. Factors influencing spatial distributions of plants; quantifying vegetation. Instructor: Cairns |
| GEOG 625 | Landscape Ecology. Structure, function, and change in heterogeneous landscape composed of interacting ecosystems. |
| GEOG 635 | Advanced Biogeography. Spatial and temporal dynamics of vegetation; research seminar with emphasis on disturbance, succession, landscape patterns, etc. Instructor: Lafon |
| GEOL 650 | Paleoecology. The fossil record of ancient communities, using fossils to interpret ancient environments and climates, paleocommunities as biological entities, paleoproductivity, and the paleoecological implications of mass extinction. Spring, even years. Instructor: Raymond |
| GEOL 651 | Paleoecological Community Analysis. Learn how to quantitatively analyze community-type ecological and paleoecological data (i.e., lists and counts of taxa from multiple locations and/or times). Instructor: Olszewski |
| GEOL 652 | Biogeology. This course is designed to introduce early career graduate students to modern themes, theories, and conceptual tools in geobiology. Students are expected to have diverse backgrounds in the geosciences, biology, chemistry, and engineering. Instructor: Tice |
| GEOL 654 | Evolutionary Patterns and Processes. Evolutionary patterns and processes revealed in the fossil record: the timing and consequence of major innovations (eucaryotes, homeobox genes, multicellular organisms), speciation in the fossil record, evolutionary rates and mass extinction. Instructor: Raymond |
| GEOL 654 | Evolutionary Patterns and Processes. Discussion and writing course on patterns and processes of evolution as revealed by the fossil record. Instructor: Raymond |
| GEOL 689 | Paleocommunity Analysis. A course about multivariate analysis of ecological and paleoecological community data. The main aim of the course is for students to learn how to make use of the full potential of community-type ecological and paleoecological data. Fall, odd years. Instructor: Olszewski |
| MARB 689 | Special Topics: Evolutionary Biology. |
| MARB 689 | Coastal Plant Ecology, Distance Option. This course will cover several aspects of coastal plant ecology, including life histories, stress adaptations, competition, and trophic interactions. Students will learn the morphology, taxonomy, and ecology of higher plant species from local wetlands, dunes, and coastal marine habitats. We will discuss and analyze applied and management issues such as anthropogenic impacts, habitat restoration, and wetland delineation. Instructor: Armitage |
| MATH 669 | Seminar in Mathematical Biology. Problems, methods and recent developments in Mathematical Biology. Fall/Summer, odd years. Instructor: Walton |
| OCNG 622 | Analysis of Benthic Communities. Comprehensive study of marine benthos with principal emphasis upon Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea. Prerequisite: OCNG 620 or equivalent. Spring, odd years. Instructor: Thornton |
| OCNG 625 | Current Topics in Biological Oceanography. Areas of current research; plankton processes; microbial food web; benthic communities; fisheries; global change. May be taken up to three times. Prerequisite: OCNG 620 or approval of instructor. Instructor: Campbell |
| OCNG 627 | Ecology of the Continental Shelf. Environments, populations and communities of the continental shelf. Interactions of the shelf with the estuaries and the deep sea; mans impact on the shelf ecosystems. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor. Spring, even years. Instructor: Thornton |
| OCNG 652 | Sedimentary Biogeochemistry. Focus on benthic processes occurring near the sediment-water interface of marine sediments; interdisciplinary approach in examining complex interrelationships among organisms, pore waters and sedimentary minerals in different marine environments; laboratory methods taught and applied to field case studies in different marine environments. Prerequisites: OCNG 620 and 640 or approval of instructor. Fall, odd years. Instructor: Thornton, Morse |
| OCNG 654 | Plankton Ecology. Elective course, overview of phytoplankton and zooplankton; taxonomy; physiology; ecology; sampling design; current methods of investigation. Prerequisite: OCNG 620. Instructor: Campbell, Wormuth |
| OCNG/WFSC 650 | Aquatic Microbial Ecology. Microbes in natural environments, including both water and sediment habitats in marine, fresh and ground water systems; process studies of microbial foodwebs and biogeochemical cycling; current methods and research directions. Prerequisites: OCNG 620 and WFSC 414 or approval of instructor. Cross-listed with WFSC 650. Instructor: Mills |
| PHEB 600 | Fundamentals of Epidemiology. An overview intended to familiarize students with the basic principles and applications of epidemiological concepts in the study of disease occurrence in populations. |
| PHEB 602 | Biostatistics I. An introduction to statistical issues in public health including basic probability, significance levels and confidence intervals, interpretation of public health data, and specific statistical techniques such as regression, analysis of variance, nonparametric techniques and categorical data. |
| PHEB 603 | Fundamentals of Biostatistics. A second course in biostatistical methods that emphasizes linear models and designed experiments. Designed for students wishing a deeper understanding of topics introduced in PHEB 602. Prerequisite: PHEB 602. |
| PHEB 605 | Biostatistics II. The course includes the fundamentals of maximum likelihood estimation, hypothesis testing, confidence intervals and small sample inferences. Other topics include probability distributions, Bayes theorem and distributions of functions of random variables. Prerequisite: PHEB 602. |
| PHEB 610 | Epidemiologic Methods I. An intensive introduction to epidemiological concepts and methods for students in the epidemiology concentration and others who will collaborate in – or be required to – interpret the results of epidemiological studies. Emphasis is placed on calculation and interpretation of crude and adjusted data, measures of association, and study design. Prerequisite: PHEB 600 and STAT 652 or concurrent enrollment. |
| PHEB 611 | Epidemiologic Methods II. In-depth treatment of key methodological and analytic topics in epidemiology. Emphasis on study design and implications for data analysis, such as confounding, model selection and effect modification. Analytic techniques using logistic regression and stratified analysis will be emphasized. Prerequisite: PHEB 610 and STAT 652 or permission of instructor. |
| VIBS 689 | Evolutionary Bioinformatics. Principles and concepts in molecular evolution, population genetics, and evolutionary genomics; applications of quantitative approaches (computation, statistics, and mathematics) in analyzing large-scale and complex biological data sets; algorithm design and development of scientific software using high-level high-performance computer languages; emerging techniques for integrative data analysis, and the assumptions, advantages, and limitations of these techniques. Instructor: Cai |
| VTMI 615 | Immunogenetics and Comparative Immunology. Overview of molecular immunology. Receptor systems. Diversification mechanisms. Evolution of divergent immune systems in unusual life forms. Prerequisites: general immunology (VTPB 409) and genetics (GENE 320). Instructor: Criscitiello |
| WFSC 603 | Vertebrate Ecology. Provides an examination of the philosophical perspectives and ecological paradigms associated with modern animal ecology. Emphasis is placed on historical development the field, classic publications, the basics of population ecology, community ecology – including structure and organizing processes – and the theoretical foundation and applicability of various applications of ecology. Spring, odd years. Instructor: Peterson |
| WFSC 609 | Wildlife Research Methods. Upon course completion, students should understand and be able to rigorously apply the hypothetico-deductive scientific method as well as understand other approaches to knowledge. Specifically, students should be able to use a research library effectively, design a laboratory or field experiment appropriately, write effective research proposals that could be funded, prepare professional papers for refereed outlets, referee technical manuscripts, and give effective professional presentations. In sum, students should be prepared to succeed as wildlife professionals. Instructor: Peterson |
| WFSC 610 | Conservation Biology.Conservation Biology at the graduate level covers fundamental, must-know, paradigms in conservation biology: Ecological Functions and Biodiversity; Conservation Genetics; Metapopulations; Landscape Ecology; Ecosystem Management. The course is organized around modules: 1) Biodiversity Module – Classic patterns of Biodiversity; Speciation and Extinction; 2) Population Module – Conservation Genetics, Forms of Rarity, Metapopulations, Minimum Viable Populations; 3) Landscape Conservation Module – Landscape ecology, Reserve design, Ecosystem management; and 4) Sustainability Module – Sustainable use approaches to conservation, Community-based approaches. Instructor: Fitzgerald |
| WFSC 611 | Estuarine Ecology. Principles governing the relationships of estuarine organisms to their environment; productivity, adaptations to the environment, community structure and factors affecting the distribution and abundance of biota. Instructor: Roelke |
| WFSC 612 | Evolutionary Ecology. Evolutionary Ecology will survey the history and status of several paradigms in evolutionary ecology, such as incorporating phylogenies into comparative analyses, macroecology, and the roles of historical and local processes in determining species diversity. Class meetings are based on primary literature and organized like mini-workshops. The goal of the course is to learn a lot about theory and practice of some of the major paradigms in evolutionary ecology. Naturally, achieving this goal depends on how well I can orient the discussions and how prepared you are to ask questions about things we are learning. Instructor: Fitzgerald |
| WFSC 613 | Animal Ecology. Concepts of animal ecology which emerge at various levels of organization; the ecosystem, the community, the population and the individual; laboratories emphasis on the quantitative analysis of field data and the simulation of population dynamics. Prerequisites: WFSC201 and RENR 205 or approval of instructor; junior classification. Spring. Instructor: Gelwick |
| WFSC 620 | Vertebrate Ethology. Mechanisms and control of vertebrate behavior in an ecological context, as shaped by natural selection; classical and current theories regarding the genetic basis of development, specialized sensory systems and organization of responses in changing environments; laboratory emphasizes observational skills and quantitative analysis of behavior occurring in natural settings; lab is taught in the field during the week before classes start. Spring. Instructor: Packard |
| WFSC 621 | Aquatic Ecology. This course explores aquatic ecosystems from a system-level perspective by acquainting students with contemporary models of ecosystem structure and function. After an introduction to nonlinear dynamics and chaos theory, aquatic ecosystem behavior and predictability as a function of competition for resources, food-web interaction strength, and functional food-chain length are discussed. Instructor: Roelke |
| WFSC 622 | Behavioral Ecology. This course centers on several related themes: (1) theoretical and historical foundations of ethology, behavioral ecology and sociobiology, (2) mechanisms that underly behavior, and (3) adaptive value of behaviors. The latter is emphasized. I also emphasize analysis of behavioral issues using theoretical models and require some modeling or empirical work by students. Also taught online as a distance education course in SSI by J. Packard. Instructor: DeWitt |
| WFSC 624 | Dynamics of Population. See syllabus. Instructor: Fujiwara |
| WFSC 628 | Wetland Ecology. Wetlands as ecological systems that are prime habitat for wildlife and fish; geomorphology, hydrology, limnology, plant and animal communities, and human use and management. Prerequisite: WFSC 403 or RLEM 316 or equivalent. Field trips likely. Instructor: Davis |
| WFSC 633 | Conservation Genetics. The purpose of this course is to provide students with a review of Genetic concepts and techniques that are relevant to the management and conservation of biological diversity. After the course students are expected to critically examine research and conservation strategies within a conservation genetics framework. The format of the course includes lectures and student presentations and discussions. Instructor: Hurtado |
| WFSC 670 | Excel Biometry. This course centers on learning biometry through weekly practice and experimentation. The goal is to learn the rationale and mathematics behind upper level biometrical methods. We will construct spreadsheets and analyze a common data set each week. Students pick topics and serve as moderator for two or three discussions. Students end up with a portfolio of spreadsheets for most major methods in biometry. Instructor: DeWitt |
| WFSC 681 | Seminar in Ecology. Important current developments in wildlife or fisheries fields with special reference to literature. Students may register up to but no more than two sections of this course in the same semester. Instructor: Gelwick, Winemiller |
| WFSC 681/606 | Reading Recent Papers in Ecology. Discussion of recent papers in ecology. Instructor: Fujiwara |
| WFSC 681/623 | Phylogenetics Seminar. Paper reading group where we will critically review and critique peer-reviewed papers. Paper topics will include systematics, evolution, phylogenetics, population genetics, and molecular evolution. Instructor: Light |
| WFSC 689/ RPTS 689 | Applied Biodiversity Science I. Efforts to halt the loss of biodiversity must be based on integration between science and practice. Linking theory with real-world conservation requires the engagement of many different kinds of actors, including biologists and social scientists, universities and museums, governments and nongovernmental organizations, industries, interest groups, and communities. Such collaboration is critical for establishing conservation priorities, developing ecologically and socially acceptable management plans, building local capacity for stewardship, and guiding effective policy. Currently, a great deal of conservation research is based in universities with few linkages between scientists and practitioners, or between theory and practical strategies for conservation. Moreover, research on patterns and processes that underlie the loss of biodiversity are often conceptual and discipline specific, with few lessons shared among researchers from diverse disciplines. Instructor: Fitzgerald, Stronza |
| WFSC 689-643 | Community Ecology. Through lectures, readings and discussions, students will obtain an overview and achieve in-depth knowledge of the field of community ecology, including historical development of the discipline, current issues and methodologies, and practical applications in areas such as natural resource management, biological conservation, agriculture, and human health. Instructor: Winemiller |
| WFSC tba | Principles of Fisheries Management. Basic knowledge from ichthyology, biology of fishes and limnology related to applied aspects of freshwater and marine fishery science. Management techniques applicable to streams, ponds, reservoirs, estuaries and the oceans. Prerequisites: WFSC 311 and 414; STAT 302 or concurrent enrollment; or approval of instructor. Instructor: Gelwick |
| WFSC/GENE 648 | Molecular Evolution. Examine the theory and tools used in the analysis of molecular evolutionary patterns of DNA and protein sequences. Format combines lecture presentations by instructor, discussion of relevant scientific literature, computer exercises, preparation of research proposal or independent research project, and practice in peer-review process. Spring, odd years. Instructor: Mateos |
