BIOLOGY 108: Principles and Methods in Biology. Module 3 Metabolism & Physiology

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Biology 108 Requirements

1.     Concurrent enrollment in Biology 116 L

2.     Successful completion of Chemistry 105 & 105L

 

Introduces the biological sciences through an exploration of core themes and fundamental skills. Exposes students to biological theory and laboratory practice through integrated lecture and experiential learning modules. Learning objectives for the third module are: Understanding how animals use components of food to produce metabolic energy (ATP) under different conditions; Recognizing how animals are adapted to their environment and meet their energetic requirements in terms of the structure and function of their muscles, respiratory and cardiovascular systems; and developing, defending, and testing hypotheses related to energy demand and ATP production by measuring cardiorespiratory variables.

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BIOLOGY 481: Marine Biology

Capstone GER

Class is taught alternate years, typically in the fall

Course Requirements

1.     Completion of BIOL A271 or ENVI A202

2.     Upper division standing (Junior level or above)

3.     Completion of all GER Tier 1 courses (basic college-level skills) is required for GER Tier 3 credit.

 

Course Outline and Goals

This course provides an introduction to the marine habitat, with a focus on understanding the biological basis behind modern problems and issues in the marine sphere, particularly those in Alaska. The class is divided into 4 main sections. The first section will introduce you to the ocean as a physical habitat, and will cover topics such as ocean currents and structure, climate regimes and arctic warming. The second section introduces the organisms that form the base of the marine food web, and focuses on features that influence ocean productivity and food webs. With this understanding of abiotic and biotic features that influence communities in the open ocean, we will move into the third portion of the course, where we will discuss the challenges to life, and the diversity of life in several regions (benthos, deep sea, intertidal, estuarine). In each region we will focus on local Alaskan issues, and discuss potential threats and human impacts. Each section will have a reading and writing assignment taken from the primary literature. There will be one midterm, 4 case study assignments, and final exam. Guest speakers will present information on local Alaskan issues from a variety of perspectives. 

While lectures will be based from the textbook reading assignments, I will also include information from a wide variety of sources. Lectures are available on blackboard, but not all lecture material is detailed on the Powerpoint slides. The assignments are meant to support the lecture, but will often not cover all the information / detail presented in lecture. This means that it will be important to attend class and take good notes. You will be tested on reading assignments, material presented in class (by myself and guest speakers) and the homework assignments.

 

 

 

 

BIOLOGY 415/615: Comparative Animal Physiology / Adv. Comp. Animal Physiol.

Class is taught alternate years, typically in the spring

Biology 415 Requirements                                           Biology 615 Requirements

Completion of Biology 310                                           Graduate standing or instructor permission

                                                                                     Simultaneous enrollment in 615R

 

Course Outline & Goals:

This course presents the physiology of marine, freshwater, and terrestrial animals, with an emphasis on understanding how different species have adapted to their habitat.  As such we will approach most topics from a comparative perspective. In the class, students develop an understanding of how the environment that animals live in impacts their physiology and behavior. Initial lectures introduce students to the variety of challenges that animals face, and the basic physical laws that govern all physiological processes. Subsequent lectures compare how different species have adapted to particular physiological stresses imposed by unique habitats. Students then apply this knowledge to predict expected physiological mechanisms for animals in particular environments. Lectures approach problems experimentally and acquaint students with the techniques used to determine physiological status. Once students have achieved an understanding of the comparative approach to the study of animal physiology, they will be better able to understand animal behavior and ecology. Because I have yet to find a text book that contains all the information I want to teach, I will be lecturing from a variety of sources and texts. Your reading assignments will be from the main text (Hill) and from handouts provided in class or on blackboard. The assignments are meant to support the lecture, but often will not cover all the information / detail presented in lecture. This means that it will be important to attend class, and to take good notes. You will be tested on what is covered in class and the concepts in the reading assignments and problem sets

 In addition to meeting all requirements for Biol A415, graduate students enrolled in the course must attend a weekly discussion section where primary physiological literature will be discussed. Information covered in discussion section will be included on graduate exams. Undergraduate students are welcome to attend these discussions, but are not required to do so.  NOTE: This course will satisfy the physiology requirement for the B.A. and B.Sc. in Biology (i.e. this course can be used as a substitute for Biology 310 or Biology 361, by petition)

 

 

 

BIOLOGY 430/630: Marine Mammal Biology / Advanced Marine Mammal Biology

Class is taught alternate years, typically in the fall

 

Biology 430 Requirements                                             Biology 630 Requirements

Completion of Biology 272 (Ecology)                          Graduate standing or instructor permission

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Required Texts: Marine Mammals: Evolutionary Biology (Berta, Sumich, and Kovacs, 2006, Academic Press)

Recommended Texts:   Marine Mammals of Alaska (Kate Wynne) Alaska Sea Grant

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Course Outline & Goals:

This course is an introduction to the biology and ecology of marine mammals, with an emphasis on understanding how they are adapted to their habitat, and their role in the marine ecosystem. As such we will approach most topics from an evolutionary perspective. Students will develop an understanding of marine mammal evolution, and the physiological, reproductive and behavioral changes that resulted from their reentry into the marine habitat. Students will then apply what they know about basic biology in order to understand the role that marine mammals play in ocean ecosystems, and discover how researchers have applied tools from a number of disciplines in order to work on these large, elusive mammals. Once students have achieved an understanding of marine mammal ecology, and the limitations inherent to working with these animals, they will address issues such as population management and conservation using topics that are current in the popular and scientific press. They will then use their problem solving skills to derive biologically appropriate solutions to modern management issues. The lecture portion of the class will present relevant information contained in the text and other sources.   Graduate students must also attend a weekly discussion section, in which they will read, present, and review primary literature. 

 

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BIOLOGY 490: Antarctic Ecology 

Class is taught irregularly

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Requirements: Completion of Biology 272 (Ecology), Upper division Standing or Instructor Permission

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Required Texts: Antarctic Ecosystems: An extreme environment in a changing world. Alex D. Rogers (Editor), Nadine M. Johnston (Editor), Eugene J. Murphy (Editor), Andrew Clarke (Editor). Wiley-Blackwell. 2012. 

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Course Outline & Goals:

This course will explore the Antarctic terrestrial and marine ecosystems, with a focus on how species are adapted to their extreme habitat, and how climate changes and human activities are impacting biological systems. While a variety of habitats will be covered the emphasis will be on the marine and nearshore environments, particularly of the Ross Sea. While lectures will be based from the textbook reading assignments, I will also include information from a wide variety of sources. Lectures are available on blackboard, but not all lecture material is detailed on the PowerPoint slides. 

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Undergraduate Research

Undergraduate students interested in conducting research in my laboratory should contact me. We typically have 1-2 students working in the lab each semester. Students interested in conducting research should have a minimum of 8 hours per week to devote to their project.