Current Classes

BIO 370: Marine Biology

Fall Undergraduate Course (Even Years)

Earth is an Ocean Planet. Marine Biology will be a lecture-discussion forum for learning about the function, biodiversity and ecology of life in the ocean - the largest of Earth's ecosystems. Through sharing of personal experiences, a ship-board excursion into the Great Lakes and discussions of the literature, this course will seek to explore and understand the ecological principles and processes that underlie interconnected marine life.

ENS 310: How the Biosphere Works

Fall Undergraduate Course (Odd Years)

A forum for learning about the evolution, dynamics and change in Earth’s Biosphere, “How the Biosphere Works” will collaboratively explore the complex interplay between and among the major components of the Earth System and people for better understanding modern-day issues such as Global Change and Sustainability.

 

Past classes

BIO 530: Ecosystems Biogeochemistry

Fall Graduate Course (even years)

Text: "Biogeochemistry - An Analysis of Global Change" by William H. Schlesinger (1997)

Biogeochemistry is the integrative study of interactions between organisms and environment. Understanding ecosystem change requires knowledge of processes occurring in the atmosphere, oceans, land, ice, crustal minerals, and living organisms. This intensive lecture-discussion course will be a forum for learning about the cycles of life and elements within and among Earths major ecosystems.

 

BIO 535: Aquatic Microbial Ecology

Fall Graduate Course (odd years)

Text Book: "Marine Microbial Ecology" by David L. Kirchman, Wiley-Liss, 2008.

Inconspicuous microorganisms control many ecosystem level processes. This highly interactive lecture-discussion graduate course (open to qualified advanced undergraduate students) will explore the diversity, abundance, distribution and activities of microorganisms (e.g., virus, bacteria, protozoa, phytoplankton and zooplankton) in freshwater and marine ecosystems, by examining the role ubiquitous aquatic microbes play in food web processes and biogeochemical cycles.