Graduate Course Descriptions

The following directory lists the graduate courses which the University expects to offer, although the University in no way guarantees that all such courses will be offered in any given academic year, and reserves the right to alter the list if conditions warrant. Click on the links below for a list of courses in that subject area. You may then click “View Classes” to see scheduled classes for individual courses.

5050. Fundamentals of Ecological Modeling

4.00 credits

Prerequisites: STAT 1000Q or 1100Q or 3445 or 5005 or 5505; or equivalent with instructor consent.

Grading Basis: Graded

Quantitative inference from ecological and environmental data. Choosing modeling methods based on knowledge of biological processes. Frequentist and Bayesian approaches; analysis of real and simulated data sets.

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5100. Preparing for a Career in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

1.00 credits

Prerequisites: Open to first and second year graduate students in EEB, others with consent.

Grading Basis: Graded

Introduction to the design and execution of scientific research, career planning, communication of science to multiple audiences, and broader impacts of scientific work.

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5110. Writing Research Proposals and Fellowship Applications

2.00 credits | May be repeated for a total of 6 credits.

Prerequisites: Open to graduate students in EEB, others with consent.

Grading Basis: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

The craft of writing persuasive fellowship applications and funding proposals in ecology, evolutionary biology, systematics, and conservation biology. Students apply for financial support from agencies, foundations, and other sources. Includes peer review.

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5200. Biology of Fishes

4.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Introduction to the biology of fishes, with an emphasis on adaptation and evolutionary diversification. Topics include the evolution of major groups, morphology, physiology, behavior, and population and community ecology. Lectures, critical discussions of current journal articles, student presentations, and exercises in the field and laboratory. A research paper and class presentation are required on a topic pre-approved by the instructor.

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5203. Developmental Plant Morphology

4.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Exploration and analysis of diversity in plant form using basic principles of plant construction and development. A research paper is required, in which the principles learned in lecture are applied to the analysis of the development of a plant from seed through reproductive maturity.

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5204. Aquatic Plant Biology

4.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Field and laboratory-oriented study of the anatomy, morphology, ecology, physiology, systematics and evolution of vascular aquatic and wetland plants. A research paper and class presentation are required on a topic pre-approved by the instructor.

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5215. Physiological Ecology of Animals

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Physiology of animals in an evolutionary context. Lectures and critical discussions of current journal articles. A research paper and class presentation are required on a topic pre-approved by the instructor.

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5220. Evolution of Green Plants

4.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Evolution of morphological and genomic traits marking the conquest of land, the diversification of land plants, and the significance of plants in the evolution of life on earth, global climates and human civilizations. Laboratory session includes study of morphological and anatomical characters of extant and fossil plants, phylogenetic inference from morphological and molecular characters, and discussion of primary literature.

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5240. Biology of Bryophytes and Lichens

4.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Diversity, evolution, ecology, development and taxonomy of the bryophytes (mosses, liverworts, and hornworts) and lichen-forming fungi.

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5250. Biology of the Algae

4.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Laboratory and field-oriented study of the major groups of algae, emphasizing structure, function, systematics, and ecology.

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5254. Mammalogy

4.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Lectures cover diversity, natural history (including behavior, ecology, reproduction, etc.), and evolution of mammals; readings from original literature are included. Laboratories cover anatomy, systematics, and distribution of major groups of mammals.

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5265. Herpetology

4.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Lectures cover environmental physiology, ecology, and behavior of amphibians and reptiles. Emphasis is on readings from the original literature. Laboratories cover evolution, systematics, and distribution of major groups of the world.

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5271. Systematic Botany

4.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Classification, identification, economic importance, evolution and nomenclature of flowering plants. Laboratory compares vegetative and reproductive characteristics of major families. A research paper and class presentation are required on a topic pre-approved by the instructor.

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5300. Practical Genomics in Ecology and Evolution

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: Open to graduate students in biological sciences and related fields; others with permission.

Grading Basis: Graded

Computational biology skills. Focused training on analytical approaches for genomic data generated in ecology and evolutionary biology. Practical activities include writing basic scripts, accessing public data repositories, and analyzing genomic data with existing open source software to answer questions of biological interest.

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5301. Population and Community Ecology

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: Open to graduate students in EEB, others with consent.

Grading Basis: Graded

Overview of population and community ecology, including population regulation and dynamics, metapopulations, species interactions, biodiversity, community structure, and evolutionary ecology. Theoretical and case-history approaches, emphasizing plants, invertebrates, and vertebrates. Lecture, discussion, and exercises in analysis and modeling.

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5310. Conservation Biology

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Case studies and theoretical approaches to conservation of biological diversity, genetic resources, plant and animal communities, and ecosystem functions. Topics emphasize ecological and evolutionary principles that form the scientific basis of this emerging, interdisciplinary field, as well as socio-political, legal, economic, and ethical aspects of conservation.

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5347. Principles and Methods of Systematic Biology

4.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Basic concepts and modern procedures employed in systematic biology: literature retrieval, species description, phylogenetic inference, nomenclature, and current conceptual issues. Laboratories include computer techniques in phylogenetic analysis.

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5348. Population Genetics

4.00 credits

Prerequisites: Recommended preparation: EEB 2245 or equivalent, MCB 2400 or MCB 2410 or equivalent.

Grading Basis: Graded

Provides a theoretical background for studies in evolution. Emphasis on understanding the conceptual foundations of the field and on the application of these concepts to an understanding of the roles of mutation and evolution of populations.

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5349. Phylogenetics

4.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Estimation of genealogies at the level of species and above, and their application and relevance to systematics, population genetics, molecular evolution, and comparative biology. Emphasizes maximum likelihood and Bayesian approaches. Laboratory provides practical experience with modern phylogenetics software.

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5350. Molecular Systematics

2.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Exploration of key literature focusing on the practical aspects of incorporating knowledge of DNA sequence evolution into phylogenetic tree construction. Laboratory methods for collection of molecular data including management, extraction, amplification, and sequencing.

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5360. Physiological Ecology of Plants

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: Not open to students who have passed EEB 3360.

Grading Basis: Graded

The complex relationships between plants and their environment, with a focus on the unique physiological processes of plants that underlie their ecology. The impact of human-driven global change is a cross-cutting theme.

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5369. Current Topics in Biodiversity

1.00 credits | May be repeated for a total of 24 credits.

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Analysis and discussion of current literature on biodiversity.

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5370. Current Topics in Conservation Biology

1.00 credits | May be repeated for a total of 24 credits.

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Analysis and discussion of current literature on conservation.

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5449. Evolution

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

A review of our current understanding of the patterns and processes of organic evolution. Class periods will include discussion and critical analysis of primary literature.

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5480. Science Communication I: Speaking to Public Audiences

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: Instructor consent required. Intended for graduate students in a STEM field or advanced undergraduates with experience in STEM research or journalism.

Grading Basis: Graded

Readings from the primary literature on factors influencing the success of science communications, analysis of video examples of science communicators, and discussion of the relationship of scientists to the press, public and specialized audiences. Class exercises include video-recording mock interviews, working directly with journalists, writing social media posts, and exchanging constructive feedback with peers on speaking and interview skills.

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5482. Science Communication II: Writing for Public Audiences

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: Instructor consent required. Intended for graduate students in a STEM field or advanced undergraduates with experience in STEM research or journalism.

Grading Basis: Graded

Readings from the primary literature on factors influencing the success of science communications, analysis of science writings for public and specialized audiences, and discussion of the relationship of scientists to the public and specialized audiences. Class exercises include writing about science in a variety of styles accessible to non-scientists, including social media posts, developing graphical data illustrations, and exchanging constructive feedback with peers on writing skills.

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5500. Introduction to Natural History Collections

1.00 credits

Prerequisites: Open to graduate students in EEB, others with instructor consent.

Grading Basis: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Training required for work in the EEB Biodiversity Research Collections Facility. The uses of natural history collections; policies, resources, and databases of the Collection Facility; specimen preparation and labeling; legal and ethical issues; threats to natural history collections.

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5813. Evolutionary Ecology

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: Open only to graduate students in biological sciences and related fields, others with consent.

Grading Basis: Graded

Unifies ecological and evolutionary thinking about shared core ideas, including foundational concepts such as fitness, optimality, coexistence, speciation, dispersal, community assembly, and spatial and temporal scales. Discussions and lectures will explore each concept from ecological and evolutionary viewpoints and then seek to reconcile differences and find novel intersections. Format includes student-led discussions, modeling exercises, and both independent and group projects.

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5872. Environmental Risk Assessment

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: Open to students in the Team-TERRA program; others with consent.

Grading Basis: Graded

An overview of understanding risks to ecosystems and ecosystem services across landscape scales, including how to predict and manage risks to food, energy, water, and ecosystems in the face of global change. Topics include working with stakeholders, identifying risks and objectives, quantifying risks, creating alternative mitigation strategies, and communicating them with stakeholders and the public.

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5881. Internship in Ecology, Conservation, or Evolutionary Biology

Zero credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

An internship with a non-profit organization, a governmental agency, or a business under the supervision of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology faculty. Activities relevant to the practice of ecology, biodiversity science, evolutionary biology, or conservation biology will be planned and agreed upon in advance by the job site supervisor, the faculty coordinator, and the intern.

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5882. Environmental Risk Practicum

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: EEB 5872; others with consent.

Grading Basis: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Provides an opportunity for students to work together in diverse, interdisciplinary teams to conduct risk assessments for local partners. Student teams apply skills in stakeholder engagement and risk analysis, management, and communication from the Environmental Risk Assessment course to solve real-life problems through a service-learning component.

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5889. Research

1.00 - 6.00 credits | May be repeated for a total of 60 credits.

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Conferences and laboratory work covering selected fields of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology.

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5891. Internship in Ecology, Conservation, or Evolutionary Biology

1.00 - 9.00 credits | May be repeated for a total of 24 credits.

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

An internship with a non-profit organization, a governmental agency, or a business under the supervision of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology faculty. Activities relevant to the practice of ecology, biodiversity, evolutionary biology, or conservation biology will be planned and agreed upon in advance by the job site supervisor, the faculty coordinator, and the intern. One credit may be earned for each 42 hours of pre-approved activities up to a maximum of nine credits.

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5894. Seminar

1.00 - 3.00 credits | May be repeated for a total of 24 credits.

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Study and discussion of current researches, books and periodicals in the field of Biology. Subtopic designations: Ec, Ecology; M, Mammalogy; Mec, Marine Ecology; Pr, Parasitology; En, Entomology; Bi, Biogeography; Ev, Evolution; Sy, Systematics.

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5895. Investigation of Special Topics

1.00 - 6.00 credits | May be repeated for a total of 72 credits.

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Advanced study in a field within Ecology and Evolutionary Biology.

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5899. Independent Study

1.00 - 3.00 credits | May be repeated for a total of 6 credits.

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

A reading course for those wishing to pursue special work in biology. It may also be elected by undergraduate students preparing to be candidates for degrees with distinction.

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6480. Seminar in Vertebrate Biology

1.00 credits | May be repeated for a total of 24 credits.

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Analysis and discussion of current literature in vertebrate biology.

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6481. Seminar in Biodiversity

1.00 credits | May be repeated for a total of 24 credits.

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Provides the opportunity for students to present research plans, reports of work in progress, and full-length seminars on completed research projects in ecology, systematics, and evolutionary biology to a supportive but critical audience.

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6482. Seminar in Spatial Ecology

1.00 credits | May be repeated for a total of 24 credits.

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Analysis and discussion of current literature in spatial ecology.

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6483. Seminar in Marine Biology

1.00 credits | May be repeated for a total of 24 credits.

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Analysis and discussion of current literature in marine biology.

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6484. Seminar in Plant Ecology

1.00 credits | May be repeated for a total of 24 credits.

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Analysis and discussion of current literature in plant ecology.

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6485. Seminar in Comparative Biology

1.00 credits | May be repeated for a total of 24 credits.

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Analysis and discussion of current literature in evolution and comparative ecology.

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6486. Seminar in Systematics

1.00 credits | May be repeated for a total of 24 credits.

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Analysis and discussion of current literature in systematic biology.

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6487. Seminar in Parasitology

1.00 credits | May be repeated for a total of 24 credits.

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Analysis and discussion of current literature in parasitology.

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6490. Seminar in Behavioral Ecology

1.00 credits | May be repeated for a total of 24 credits.

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Analysis and discussion of current literature in behavioral ecology.

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