Genetics and Society (BIOL 1005). Lead Instructor, Fall 2020, 2021. Course Description:

This course designed for non-science majors focuses on the principles of genetics as applied to humans and to environments that affect humans and human societies. Topics include principles of inheritance, analyses of genetic traits, genetic diseases and genetic testing, DNA and forensics, genetic engineering, gene therapy, antibiotic resistance, genetically modified crops, development of pesticide and pest resistance in foods, innate and developed resistance to emerging diseases.  

Human Genetics (BIOL3030). Lead Instructor, Spring 2017 - 2018, 2020 – 2022. Course Description: This course will provide students with a foundation in human genetics. We will focus on application of genetic principles to humans, with an emphasis on population genetics, family studies, and the genetic basis for human characteristics. We will explore genetic analyses of naturally occurring variation in humans; the origins and consequences of mutation; the use of genetic information to study and understand human evolution; discovery and analysis of human disease genes; relevance of other species to analysis of human gene function; and social issues raised by progress in medical genetics.

Graduate Topics in Biology - Genetics of Adaptation (BIOL8053). Lead Instructor, Fall 2016, 2019, 2020. This course will provide structured and unstructured discussions of contemporary research and concepts under the broader theme of 'Genetics of Adaptation'. Course meetings with involve student-led presentations of contemporary research and/or techniques relevant to evolutionary genetics. Students will be expected to read and develop all materials in advance of course meetings and come prepared to discuss research findings in class. Each student will be responsible for producing a one-page popular description of a topic of interest, utilizing material discussed in class, which showcases genetics topics discussed throughout the semester.

Graduate Research (9001) Course Description: Continuation of research at the graduate level toward the MS or PhD degree. Students conduct independent, original research under the guidance of one or more faculty members of the department of biological sciences.

Undergraduate Research for Credit (BIOL4095) Course Description: The undergraduate research program offers students the opportunity to work in the laboratory with individuals actively engaged in research. Being engaged in a research problem gives students the opportunity to be involved in a totally different aspect of learning biology than is involved in the classroom experience. Students will be given a specific research problem, learn approaches to address the problem, learn how to collect and analyze data and learn how to present results. With a minimum of three semester hours, students may use undergraduate research as one upper level course including laboratory. To fulfill this requirement, a presentation of the research is required. Registration granted by permission from the instructor.

Capstone Experience for Undergraduates (BIOL5050) Provided continuous opportunities (56 enrollments) since 2016 through the formal course, Human Genetics (BIOL3030) and Undergraduate Research (BIOL4095). Course Description: This course is designed to be taken in conjunction with another activity through which the student will be able to demonstrate the core competencies of the general education program of the university. These activities may include undergraduate research, appropriate activities within designated capstone courses,or field experiences in biology. By permission.

Courses and Teaching