BIOLOGY 233: FRESHWATER ECOLOGY (Fall) -- Prof. Sobczak
Prerequisites: Biology 131 and 132. Some background in chemistry, ecology and statistics is helpful, but not required.
Freshwater Ecology provides students with a comprehensive introduction to the physical, chemical, and biological attributes of freshwater ecosystems. Field trips and exercises are designed to expose students to the importance and complexity of a wide diversity of aquatic ecosystems. My instruction covers the hydrology, chemistry, and ecological characteristics of streams, rivers, lakes, and wetlands, and provides students with a solid foundation in this complex multidisciplinary field of ecology.
BIOLOGY 280: GENERAL ECOLOGY (Fall) -- Prof. Bertin
Prerequisites: Biology 131. Ecology is the study of interactions between organisms and their environments. The levels of biological organization with which this subject deals are mainly the population, community, and ecosystem. Major topics include population growth and regulation, competition, predation, mutualism, community structure, succession, energy flow, nutrient cycling, and biogeography. We also review the major features of terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems. The laboratory involves both indoor work and field trips and is intended to 1) introduce you to several different habitat types, 2) familiarize you with various techniques commonly used in ecology, and 3) engage you in collecting, analyzing and evaluating ecological data. A paper and/or lab reports emphasize critical evaluation of ecological concepts and data, and effective scientific communication. Those students considering ecological research or graduate study in ecology should try to take this course as juniors.
BIOLOGY
283: EVOLUTION (Spring) --
Prof. Ober
Prerequisites: Introductory Biology (BIOL 131, 132)
This course is an introduction to the study of evolutionary processes. Students will examine the basic mechanisms for evolution, including processes that are adaptive and neutral with respect to adaptation. Evolution will be examined at a variety of scales, from molecular to ecological, and from changes in populations over a few generations to patterns over millennia. Natural selection is examined in detail and related to the evolution of such diverse phenomena as life history strategies, sex, altruism and human and cultural evolution. Along with these topics students will explore the ways that questions about evolution are answered. Students will be asked to read and evaluate original literature so that they have direct access to new developments in the field of evolution.
BIOLOGY 287: ETHOLOGY and BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY (Alternates in Spring with Conservation Biology) -- Dr. Prestwich
Prerequisites: Introductory Biology (BIOL 131, 132) or permission
We examine animal behavior in terms of its development, physiology and genetics and evolution. Emphasis throughout the course is on evolution. Topics include methodologies, behavioral genetics, neurobiological models of behavior, communication, economic decisions, competition and mating systems. Straight-forward mathematical modeling ( games and optimality theories) is introduced and used to examine the evolution of behavior. There is no formal lab but students complete a total of three lab/field projects.
Visit the Holy Cross game theory site
BIOLOGY 331: ECOSYSTEMS ECOLOGY (Spring) -- Prof. Sobczak
Prerequisites: Biology 131 and 132. Enrollment is limited to 2nd, 3rd and 4th year students. Some background in ecology is helpful but not required.
Ecosystem Ecology is the scientific study of the physical, chemical, and biological processes influencing the distribution and abundance of organisms, the interactions among organisms, and the interactions between organisms and the transformation and flux of energy and matter. This intensive, upper-level course will cover the concepts, theories and history of ecosystem ecology, biogeochemical cycles and budgets, ecosystem energetics and trophic structure, and the response of ecosystems to stress and disturbance. The course will emphasize contemporary research and scholarship that contributes to the conceptual framework underlying the restoration and conservation of diverse ecosystems.
The course will emphasize critical examination of ideas through extensive readings of primary literature and group discussions. Class size is limited to 12 students; thus, the class will require rigorous pre-class preparation and engaged participation.
BIOLOGY 381: CONSERVATION BIOLOGY (Alternates in Spring with Ethology and Behavioral Ecology) -- Dr. Prestwich
Prerequisites: Either Genetics (Biology 261 or 262) OR an approved ecology course (General Ecology, Biology 280, OR Freshwater Ecology, Biology 233, OR Ecosystems ecology, Biology 331) OR permission.
We will study of the effects of human activity on biological diversity at the population and system levels. Topics include the underlying philosophical approaches to conservation, techniques for measuring biological diversity, for assessing and predicting changes, the principles of management and restoration and the use of mathematical models in management. Our classes will be a mix of lecture on general principles plus student-led discussion of case studies and of the recent conservation literature.
Students interested in environmental biology, and veterinary medicine may find this course especially valuable.
Visit the Conservation Biology Class Website
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