Courses
For up to date course information, please see the KSU Dynamic Schedule.
Current students: please refer to D2L for current course content.
BIOL 3110L: Directed Methods
Many students who work in my research lab also enroll for credit in BIOL 3110L. If you are interested in joining the lab reach out by email!
Prerequisite: BIOL 1107 and BIOL 1107L and permission of the instructor.
This course will allow students to gain in-depth skills with a specific set of research methodologies through direct involvement in faculty-led research or scholarship. Course content and instructional methodologies will be identified by the faculty’s needs and expectations.
BIOL 3310K: Invertebrate Zoology
During my first semester at KSU I taught a section of BIOL 3310K, Invertebrate Zoology, for reasons that are still unclear. The course is in much more capable hands now and I won't be teaching it for the foreseeable future.
Fall 2020 syllabus
Catalog description: This course is a survey of invertebrate animals. Students will explore the varied range of anatomical, physiological, and ecological relationships among these organisms in order to develop an understanding of evolutionary processes that brought about present day patterns in the biodiversity of animal phyla. In lab, students will collect, observe and identify common invertebrate taxa, and relate observed adaptations of form and function to habitat.
BIOL 4350K/6350: Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
The primary undergraduate course I teach is BIOL 4350K, Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy. It is usually taught in the Spring and Summer semesters, with 2 sections of 24 students during each semester; occasionally there will be a Fall semester section depending on demand.
This course is cross-leveled as BIOL 6350, which is the graduate-level version of the course. BIOL 6350 counts as an elective for the Master of Science in Integrative Biology (MSIB) program.
Fall 2023 syllabus
BIOL 4350K catalog description:
Prerequisite: (BIOL 1108 and BIOL 1108L) and (CHEM 1211 and CHEM 1211L)
Students will explore a survey of representative vertebrates and related chordates emphasizing phylogeny and anatomical adaptations. Students will investigate evolutionary trends in the context of large-scale environmental changes that have occurred over geologic time. Using a comparative, systems-based approach, students will explore the relationships between structure and function. In the lab, students will learn to dissect selected vertebrate organisms and study anatomical adaptations among these representative models to recognize the relationships between form and function.
BIOL 6350 catalog description:
Prerequisite: Admission and enrollment in the Master of Science in Integrative Biology program, or permission of the coordinator of the graduate program; BIOL 1108/1108L or equivalent.
A survey of representative vertebrates and related chordates emphasizing phylogeny and anatomical adaptations. Evolutionary trends are examined in the context of large-scale environmental changes that have occurred over geological time. Lab component will have students dissecting selected vertebrates organisms and experimentally determining the physical forces acting on the evolution of vertebrates.
BIOL 4400: Directed Study
This course is for students who want to conduct an independent research project within my lab, usually over the course of an entire academic year. Reach out to me by email if you are interested. Please note that I require potential Directed Study students to have taken at least 1 hour of BIOL 3110L or have similar demonstrated research experience.
Prerequisite: Approval of instructor, major area committee, and Biology/Physics Department Chair prior to registration.
Students will learn selected topics of an advanced nature and may include original research projects.
BIOL 6490: Special Topics - Applied Biological Data Analysis
The primary graduate course I teach is Applied Biological Data Analysis. It was taught as a "Special Topics" course in Fall 2021-2024. Starting in Fall 2025, this course will be officially in the catalog as BIOL 7410.
Fall 2023 syllabus
Click here for the course website with code and data examples (external).
Catalog description: This course is a survey of data analysis skills and statistical methods that are essential for modern biology. The course takes a holistic approach to the data analysis workflow in biology using the open source environment R, including data management, exploratory data analysis, data modeling, and reproducible science practices. Statistical topics covered include generalized linear models, mixed effects models, non-linear models, and ordination. Students are required to apply techniques learned in class to real or simulated biological datasets as a course project.
