Human
Biology: BIO 4
For Non-majors; Co-taught with Dr. Clendening
I lecture the course in the spring, she lectures in the fall.
An introduction to the basic principles of human biology, from cells
to tissues to organ systems to whole body function. Human anatomy
and physiology are studied in lecture and laboratory. We focus on
the causes and treatments of major diseases and injuries, and more
generally discuss health and nutrition.
General Ecology: BIO
114
Taught in the fall semester
Lecture on the basic principles determining the distribution and
abundance of populations and species, including ecological tests
of adaptation. Structure and relationships at the population, community,
landscape, and biosphere levels. Emphasis on applied topics such
as pollution abatement, ancient and contemporary climate change,
pest and wildlife management, and human population growth. Several
homework assignments will be based on your work with the computer
program Ecobeaker. 3 hours lecture. Credit given for
this course or New College NBG 1, not both. Prerequisites: BIO
1, 2, or permission of instructor.
Conservation Biology:
BIO 115
Taught in the spring semester
Lecture and discussion of the basic principles of the conservation
of biological diversity. Review of the main causes of extinction
events past and present, sustainable development, and the importance
of zoos and laws to species conservation. 2 hours lecture. During
the semester you will be required to carry out an out-of-doors work
project for a conservation organization of your choice. We
will have one class out of doors. Prerequisites: either
BIO 3 and BIO 4 (non-majors) or BIO 1 and 2 (majors), or permission
of instructor.
Organic Evolution:
BIO 119
Taught both fall and spring.
The modern synthesis of evolutionary theory, including history
of evolutionary thought and controversies over supportive evidence.
Topics include tests of natural selection, population genetics,
speciation, the neutral theory of evolution, and phylogenetic reconstruction.
Emphasis on application of evolutionary theory to real-world problems
such as host-parasite evolution, antibiotic and pesticide resistance,
and the impact of humans on the evolution of other species. Two
homework assignments will be based on the computer program Ecobeaker.
3 hours lecture. Prerequisites: BIO 1, 2, or permission of instructor.
Field Ecology:
BIO 110A
plus grad level; next offering: January X-session 2005
The class will meet for two to three days on campus, then we will
Quito, Ecuador and spend the next week in the Galapagos Islands.
Many details have yet to be worked out, but we will be all
staying on a boat just for us and guides and crew, and we will visit
several islands. HU Geology Prof Bret Bennington will be with
us to keep us informed about the fascinating geology of this region,
and my focus will be on the wildlife and amazing historical importance
of the islands to the development of evolutionary thought. We
will also spend two to three days in the Ecuadorian rainforest.
Cost should be something around $3300 plus tuition.
Advanced Conservation
Biology: BIO 275
Taught in the spring
Lecture and discussion of the basic principles of the conservation
of biological diversity. Review of the main causes of extinction
events past and present, sustainable development, and the importance
of zoos and laws to species conservation. Computer simulations to
compare management/restoration strategies for endangered species
and ecological communities. Students submit a paper reviewing in
detail a specific problem in conservation biology. 2 hours lecture
and 1 hour laboratory/recitation. Prerequisites: BIO 1, 2.
Herpetology
NOT a Hofstra course but as a summer course at Stony Brook—visiting
students encouraged. It is a 4 credit, lecture/lab course, and available
as a master's level course too. Herpetology will be taught at the
luxurious Swan Lake Preserve near Brookhaven. Class days will be
divided into about 3 hours lecture and 5 hours lab, varying according
to weather. Some time will be spent in lab studying preserved specimens,
but most lab time will be spent in the field learning collection
and handling techniques. I see the course as an overview of the
vertebrate classes Amphibia and Reptilia, with emphasis on evolutionary
history, species diversity, ecology, morphology, and behavior. The
laboratories will expose students to worldwide species diversity
and the use of general keys, but will emphasize local species. Field
experiences will be used to demonstrate collecting and handling
techniques, as well as the habitats of local species. We will have
at least one trip to New York city (American Museum of Natural History,
and probably the Bronx Zoo too). |
