BIOL 195 - Topics in Biology

Credits: 3 credits in Fall and Winter, 4 credits in Spring

Winter 2017, BIOL 195A-01: The Ecology of National Parks (3). An introduction to the ecology of the Earth’s national parks starting with the first national park, Yellowstone National Park (YNP). Students learn the ecology of the temperate ecosystem that is YNP from soils to top predators. The course covers modern molecular techniques in biology and classical ecological approaches for quantifying the connections that exist within intact and broken ecosystems. Using YNP as a model, students investigate five other national parks across the Earth and conduct assessments of their biological integrity. (SC) Hamilton.

Winter 2017, BIOL 195B-01: Breaking Bugs: Managing Insect Pests (4). All over the world, pest insects pose a huge threat to quality of life due to their impact on agriculture and human health. The constant struggle against pests has led historically to some desperate control strategies, such as mass spraying of DDT. Advances in our understanding of insects have led to novel and more responsible control techniques, but the troubled past of pest management has led to public distrust. As we explore the science, history, economics, and ethics of integrated pest management, students evaluate the issue from the perspectives of farmers, consumers, and global health. (SL) Pask.

Fall 2016, BIOL 195A-01: The Ecology of National Parks (3). An introduction to the ecology of the Earth’s national parks starting with the first national park, Yellowstone National Park (YNP). Students learn the ecology of the temperate ecosystem that is YNP from soils to top predators. The course covers modern molecular techniques in biology and classical ecological approaches for quantifying the connections that exist within intact and broken ecosystems. Using YNP as a model, students investigate five other national parks across the Earth and conduct assessments of their biological integrity. (SC) Hamilton.