Ecology and the Environment

Explores interactions between the environment and organisms in the context of individuals, populations, communities, and ecosystems. Emphasizes basic ecological principles and processes intrinsic to understanding the world around us and in more advanced studies in the environmental sciences, including management-oriented disciplines. Major topics include adaptive strategies of organisms, population dynamics, species interactions, community structure and ecosystem function, biodiversity, biogeochemistry, productivity, human influences on ecosystems, and sustainable practices.

Herbivores and Plants: Chemical Ecology and Coevolution (also ENTOM 452)

Topics include significance of plant chemistry in mediating interactions between plants and herbivorous animals; mechanisms and strategies of plant finding and exploitation by animals, especially insects, and of defense and escape by plants; evolutionary hypotheses for ecological patterns of resistance and attack; and implications for human food and agriculture.

Current Topics in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

Critical evaluation and discussion of theory and research in ecology and evolutionary biology. Lectures by faculty and student-led discussions of topics in areas of current importance.