Global Arc

An introduction to the concepts, approaches, and methods for studying complex ecological systems, from local to global scales. Students will examine nutrient cycling, energy flow, and evolutionary processes, with emphasis on experimental approaches and comparisons between terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems. Particular attention will be on effects of human activities, including climate change, biodiversity loss, eutrophication, and acid rain. Prerequisites: 210 or 211 or equivalent; CHM 301 or equivalent. Two 90-minute classes, one three-hour laboratory.

Methods of mathematical ecology. Biological topics will include populations and community ecology, and epidemiology. Emphasis on development of facility with mathematical methods sufficient to read current literature, and to carry out independent research. Dynamical systems, reaction-diffusion equations, game theory, probability and statistics. Facility with calculus and matrix algebra will be essential, and course is aimed at students in biology, applied mathematics, the physical sciences and engineering wanting an introduction to quantitative ecology. Prerequisite: One year of calculus.

This lecture and discussion course will combine topics from graphic novels and science fiction with biological and technological research to explore bizarre phenomena in the natural world and delve into basic scientific theory and principles. The range of topics covered will include evolution, genetics, physiology, biomechanics, brain-machine interfacing and artificial intelligence among others. Lectureswill serve to introduce each topic, merging science fiction with contemporary issues and theories in biology, while discussions will focus in depth exploration of scientific and sociocultural concepts through the reading and literary analysis.

Seminars review classic papers, combine concepts covered in separate courses, and intergrate ecology, evolution, and behavior. Here are examples: behavioral assessment and investment patterns affect optimal trade-off between fecundity and hardiness, which are criteria of evolution of species by natural selection. Sexual selection produces social systems, mediated by hormonal rhythms, that have implications for conservation. Evolution of efficiency in nutrient use sets ability of a community to respond to anthropogenic change. Exercises explore resources for design, execution, and analysis of observations or experiements in lab or field

Our options for controlling infectious disease are intimately linked to the epidemiological dynamics and evolution of pathogens and parasites. Mathematical models are a natural bridge between dynamics and policy, but they need to be rooted in epidemiological data and biological understanding of disease-causing agents. This course explores the links between data, theory, and policy via a series of case studies. We introduce a range of modeling and data analytical tools and apply them to policy issues via lectures and case studies. Applications include the control of infections like measles, influenza, and sexually-transmitted infections.

An examination of how life evolved and how organisms interact to shape the natural world. Why did the dinosaurs disappear? What mechanisms can produce the chameleon's camouflage or the giraffe's long neck? Why do ecosystems contain a wide diversity of species when competition between them should eliminate all but a few? How will life on earth change with increasing human domination of the planet? These and other questions related to the origin and future of life, conflict and cooperation between species, and dynamics of entire ecosystems will be explored. This course is required for EEB majors and fulfills a requirement for medical school.

Integrating knowledge from fields such as genetics and physiology, this course prepares students for advanced courses in ecology and evolution. Using an innovative teaching style, the instructors engage students in research projects that integrate lectures and labs. Four modules of three weeks each cover: molecular evolution in an ecological context; behavioral ecology; the genetic basis of phenotypic variation; and the physiology of life history. Students will conduct scientific experiments, using birds and mammals as experimental organisms in the ecological sections of the course, and their own genetic information in the genomics sections.

Students will use ecological principles and policy analysis to examine conflicts between human activities such as farming, forestry, and infrastructure development, and the conservation of species and ecosystem services. Two lectures, one preceptorial.

All life on Earth has evolved and continues to evolve. This course will explore evolution at both the molecular and organismal level. We will examine the features that are universal to all life and that document its descent from a common ancestor that lived over 3 billion years ago. Topics include the origin of life, the evidence for natural selection, methods for reconstructing evolutionary history using DNA, population genetics, genome evolution, speciation, extinction, and human origins. This course will provide you with the basic tools to understand how evolution works and can produce the incredible diversity of life on our planet.

An examination of the mechanisms and evolution of the behavior of humans and other animals. Topics include the sensory worlds of animals, the nature of instinct, neural mechanisms of perception, comparative studies of communication, learning, cognition, mate choice, and social behavior, and the biology of human development and language acquisition. Two 90-minute lectures, one preceptorial.