Past Courses

It’s always sad to stop teaching a course that one has invested so much in, but these courses are in very capable hands…

BI 671 – Graduate Survey of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior — Grant Writing (Syllabus 2018)

The third graduate course that I have developed is the Graduate Survey of Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Marine Biology (EBEMB). The course is modeled on similar courses at major research institutions and is now required for our incoming graduate students. There are three main objectives of the course. First, I guide the students through the process of writing an NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program proposal (often their first major research proposal). The course is highly successful in this regard: of the 22 students that I have instructed, 12 have been PhD students eligible for the NSF GRFP, and 4 of those have received the award. That’s a 33% funding rate, when the NSF GRFP funding rate is 12% (http://www.nsfgrfp.org/). Second, the course facilitates the process of students getting to know each other’s research, learning to constructively critique each other’s research, and embrace constructive criticism of their own research. Finally, the course introduces students to faculty in EBEMB, providing insight into the kinds of research going on in each lab and a greater understanding of how faculty have carved out their careers. Aside from the satisfaction that comes from teaching students skills that will be critical to their long-term success, I find this course incredibly rewarding to teach because there is no other course where a good term paper is worth over $100K to the student.

Since 2020, this course has been taught by Dr. Sarah Davies
2018: Overall course rating = 4.7 / 5.0, Overall instructor rating = 4.8 / 5.0
2017: Overall course rating = 4.8 / 5.0, Overall instructor rating = 4.8 / 5.0
2015: Overall course rating = 4.9 / 5.0, Overall instructor rating = 5.0 / 5.0
2014: Overall course rating = 4.6 / 5.0, Overall instructor rating = 4.9 / 5.0
2012: Overall course rating = 5.0 / 5.0, Overall instructor rating = 5.0 / 5.0

BI579 – Graduate Progress in Ecology, Evolution and Behavior — Chalk Talks

The principal objective of this course is to provide a semi-formal environment in which students can present research ideas, preliminary data, and research-in-progress to all members of the Ecology, Behavior, Evolution, and Marine Biology Community. The intended functions of the course are: i) to have students think about how to present their ideas and data to a broader audience; ii) to have students think about and constructively critique ideas and data from all areas of EBEMB; and iii) to promote exchange of ideas and the potential for collaboration between labs. All graduate students are encouraged to attend and participate regularly, and present once per year. The course complements BI 671 and is considered a fundamental part of the graduate experience in the Department.

Since 2013, this course has been taught by Dr. Jenny Bhatnagar
2013: Overall course rating = 5.0 / 5.0, Overall instructor rating = 5.0 / 5.0
2012: Overall course rating = 4.8 / 5.0, Overall instructor rating = 5.0 / 5.0

BI 260 – Marine Biology

The principal objective of this course is to provide students with an introduction to marine life and the ocean environment. It’s a great course for anyone with an interest in the ocean, who has had Biology I (BI 107). This course is the prerequisite course for the BUMP Marine Semester, and a required course for Marine Science concentrators. The course begins by covering the basics of physical oceanography. That provides the context within which the ecology, evolution, behavior, conservation and management of marine organisms are considered. The course is aimed at sophomores in Biology and Marine Science, as well as other students interested in the relationship that humans have with the sea.

Since 2016, this course has been taught by Dr. Randi Rotjan
2016: Overall course rating = 4.0 / 5.0, Overall instructor rating = 4.2 / 5.0
2015: Overall course rating = 3.8 / 5.0, Overall instructor rating = 4.0 / 5.0
2014: Overall course rating = 4.3 / 5.0, Overall instructor rating = 4.5 / 5.0
2013: Overall course rating = 3.9 / 5.0, Overall instructor rating = 4.0 / 5.0
2012: Overall course rating = 3.9 / 5.0, Overall instructor rating = 4.0 / 5.0
2011: Overall course rating = 3.9 / 5.0, Overall instructor rating = 3.9 / 5.0