Teaching Focus
I teach a variety of classes that cover conservation biology, landscape ecology, population and wildlife biology.
Many of the general courses are undergraduate/graduate electives and the specialized topics are usually graduate seminars.
Undergrad/Grad Courses
Conservation Biology in Practice (BIOL 4100/5420)
The course covers a variety of conservation biology topics, including: how to protect vulnerable species using traditional reserves and alternatives, including stakeholders and human needs in the planning process, restoring and managing areas for conservation of threatened species and natural ecosystems, and the policy making process in which scientists increasingly participate. More details here
Landscape Ecology (BIOL 4160/5240)
We focus on the causes and consequences of spatial heterogeneity across a range of scales. The course covers a variety of landscape ecology topics, including a broad overview of landscape ecology, its development, the methods and techniques that are used, the major questions that are addressed and the insights that have been gained. More details here
Wildlife Biology (BIOL 4300/5300)
Introduction to the evolution, ecology and conservation of wildlife species, with an emphasis on terrestrial vertebrates. Course includes lectures, hands-on exercises, class discussions, critical writing and argument and an individual project. More details here
Graduate Seminars
Some recent examples
Advanced Ecology and Evolution
Graduate seminar on topics in ecology, evolution and conservation biology based on a textbook (An Introduction to Methods & Models in Ecology, Evolution, & Conservation Biology by S. Braude and B. Low) and primary literature and including hands-on exercises, class projects and discussions.
Conservation Behavior
Graduate seminar on the application of behavioral ecology methods to conservation biology, based on Primer of Conservation Behavior by Blumstein and Esteban Fernandez-Juricic, in a student-led discussion format.
Applied Population Ecology
Graduate seminar on the techniques used in demographic modeling and Population Viability Analysis. Students discuss the primary literature and work with real-data sets to complete several analyses.
Conservation Modeling
Graduate seminar on the techniques used in conservation biology especially Population Viability Analysis, Patch Modeling, Landscape Analysis and Habitat Suitability Analysis. Students discuss the primary literature and work with real-data sets to complete several analyses.
Reserve Design
Graduate seminar on the reserve design and planning based on primary literature, including hands-on exercises, class projects and discussions.