Courses Taught

This course provides an introduction to global biological diversity and current conservation issues. The first half of the course focuses on the patterns of biological diversity, including how it arises, how to measure it, and where it exists. In the second half, the focus is on why biodiversity is important, causes of extinction and population declines, and ways to maintain biodiversity. The lab portion of the course includes field research at the Westminster College Field Station and College Woods and at local PA State Game Lands. Students are also introduced to population modeling and statistical analysis.

Taught Fall semester, even years.

Photo: Class of 2012 Conducting a lab on forest ecology at a PA State Game Lands in Pulaski, PA

Biodiversity & Conservation

BIO 361

In this class, students will learn to assess a situation involving data analysis, state the nature of the biological question and the null and alternative hypotheses proposed, decide on the correct statistical procedure to test the null hypothesis and the assumptions of the test used, calculate the statistic, assess its statistical significance, and interpret the data in light of the calculated result.

Taught Fall semester

Biostatistics & Experimental Design

BIO 206

Introduction to the ecology of individuals, populations, communities, and ecosystems. Lectures cover environmental conditions, biomes, physiological adaptations, behavioral ecology, life history adaptations, population growth and regulation, species interactions, succession, community structure, ecosystem dynamics, and topics in applied ecology and conservation.

Photo by K. C. Duerr, near Death Valley National Park, January 2012.

Introduction to Ecology

BIO 360

This course provides an introduction to global biological diversity and current conservation issues. The first half of the course focuses on the patterns of biological diversity, including how it arises, how to measure it, and where it exists. In the second half, the focus is on why biodiversity is important, causes of extinction and population declines, and ways to maintain biodiversity. The lab portion of the course includes field research at the Westminster College Field Station and College Woods and at local PA State Game Lands. Students are also introduced to population modeling and statistical analysis.

Taught Spring semester

Evolution, Form, & Function

BIO 202

Taught Fall semester

Biodiversity & Ecology

BIO 203

Capstone Senior Research

BIO 601 & 602

Concepts of Biology

BIO 101