Geographic Information Systems for Conservation (GEOG 751)
Fundamentals of geographic information systems techniques and tools used in conservation biology. Understanding geospatial concepts in order to appropriately use and critically evaluate the use of these methods in conservation biology research. Programs used: ArcGIS Online, ArcCollector, QGIS.
University of Wisconsin-Stout; Online
Semesters Taught: Fall 2020
Science, The Environment, and Sustainability (BIO 111)
Relationship of humans to the natural environment with a focus on sustainable applications. Ecological principles in relation to global contemporary problems, such as resource utilization, species extinction, human population dynamics, and climate change, with an interdisciplinary approach to problem solving.
The purpose of this course is to provide students with the scientific principles and concepts required to understand the interrelationships of natural systems and how humans can alter those systems. In addition to lectures, this 4-credit course includes a weekly two-hour lab and a one-hour discussion period. During these sessions, current issues related to human population growth, food production, waste production and disposal, biodiversity, forestry, wetlands, water use and pollution, global warming, ozone thinning, air pollution, environmental ethics, nonrenewable and renewable energy sources will be examined.
University of Wisconsin-Stout; General Education course
Semesters taught: Fall 2019, Spring 2020, Fall 2020 (hybrid online)
Conservation Biology (BIO 730)
Graduate course covering a range of topics related to the practical and theoretical aspects of conservation biology, including biodiversity, species loss, invasion, human impacts, and applications for management. Our biosphere is rapidly changing, and it is increasingly important to understand human-related causes and how we can mitigate these negative impacts. We will use a combination of textbook readings, online activities, scientific journal article review, and group discussion to explore the realm of conservation biology. What you learn in this course should help you to formulate ideas for your graduate research project later on in the program.
University of Wisconsin-Stout; Online
Semesters taught: Fall 2019
Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GEOG 251)
Introductory GIS course for undergraduates. Topics covered include coordinate systems, projections, georeferencing, GPS, vector and raster data formats, metadata, remote sensing, feature digitization, basic cartography, and basic terrain analysis. Programs used: Google Earth Pro, ArcMap, ArcGIS Online.
University of Wisconsin-Stout
Semesters taught: Spring 2020
Sustainable Biosphere (BIO 359H)
An honors course for students majoring in Biology. My goals for this course are for students to understand how anthropogenic activities impact natural ecosystems across the world and recognize unsustainable practices in a variety of areas: agriculture, forestry, mining, water use, etc. I want students to think about these relationships in terms of biological processes (drawing on knowledge they have learned in other courses) as well as social and economic issues. We also discuss sustainable solutions or alternatives to these problems, and how much progress has been made. I enjoy being able to bring current news stories into the classroom to use as examples and make the course content more relatable.
University of Dayton
Semesters taught: Fall 2016
Analysis of Biological Data (BIO 496/596)
This was a pilot course co-taught by myself and Dr. McEwan with the intent of teaching applied statistics to upper-level undergraduates and grad students. Our goal was to give students a skill set that would allow them to choose and perform appropriate statistical analyses for biological datasets. My role was to develop a set of tutorials for teaching students how to use the R statistical programming language (implemented in class) as well as homework assignments for students to practice and demonstrate their mastery of the program. We had several students head off to graduate school later and e-mail us to say they were so glad they had taken this course because they needed know how to use R for their graduate program!
University of Dayton
Semesters taught: Spring 2015
Plant Diversity and Ecology Lab (BIO 407L)
This lab is similar to a traditional dendrology course in that students are taught to identify a variety of local tree and shrub species, but it goes a step further by providing information about life histories and habitat associations. As a TA for this lab, I helped teach students identifying features for various species as well as training students how to use dichotomous keys (in particular, E. Lucy Braun’s The Woody Plants of Ohio). I was also responsible for grading quizzes and exams, and developing indoor lab activities in case of inclement weather.
University of Dayton
Semesters taught: Fall 2011
General Ecology Lab (BIO 310L)
This lab covers common methods for acquiring data in various ecosystems: Forests (point-center-quarter method, plot sampling), streams (macroinvertebrate sampling, seining, measuring water parameters using a YSI Sonde probe), lakes (plankton tow, secchi disk, measuring water parameters), old-fields (transect intercept sampling), and wetlands (delineation methods). In my role as TA, I have assisted students with all of the above methods, as well as identification of organisms encountered.
University of Dayton
Semesters taught: Fall 2017, Fall 2018
Invertebrate Zoology Lab (BIO 461L)
Students in this lab are given the opportunity to see and handle organisms (both living and preserved) described in the accompanying lecture. There is a strong focus on organizing specimens based on taxonomy and common features. As a TA, my duties included setting up and cleaning up labs, assisting students with dissections and slide-making, grading exams and lab reports, and giving an introductory overview at the beginning of lab. Unique to this course is the practice of making permanent microscope slides each week from representative taxa.
University of Dayton
Semesters taught: Spring 2015, Spring 2016, Spring 2017, Spring 2018
Marine Biology (BIO 320L)
A three-week field course taught in Hawai’i (Big Island, Oahu, and Maui) with a strong focus on coral reef ecology and tropical fish species identification. Students were also exposed to a variety of ecological conservation and restoration programs in Hawai’i, as well as learning about the island chain’s geology and history of volcanic activity. As a TA, my duties included assisting students with species identifications and other questions, and helping with the day-to-day logistics of transportation and meal-planning.
University of Dayton
Summer 2018, Summer 2019
Concepts of Biology Laboratory I: Cell and Molecular Biology (BIO 151L)
Course intended for Biology and related majors. Topics covered include the scientific method, cellular transport, enzymes, cellular respiration, photosynthesis, cellular communication, cell division, genetics, and genomics biotechnology (polymerase chain reaction & gel electrophoresis).
University of Dayton
Semesters taught: Fall 2010, Fall 2012, Spring 2013, Fall 2013, Fall 2014, Fall 2015
Concepts of Biology Laboratory II: Evolution and Ecology (BIO 152L)
Course intended for Biology and related majors. Topics covered include proteomics biotechnology (protein extraction & gel electrophoresis), evolution and diversity of protists & fungi, evolution and diversity of plants, evolution and diversity of invertebrates, human evolution, behavioral ecology, population ecology, community ecology, and ecosystem ecology.
University of Dayton
Semesters taught: Spring 2011, Fall 2011, Spring 2012, Fall 2012, Spring 2013, Fall 2013, Spring 2014, Fall 2014
General Biology Lab (BIO 101L)
Course intended for non-majors. Topics covered include the metric system, use of microscopes, cell structure & function, organic molecules, cell division, asexual & sexual reproduction, animal development, genetics, theory of evolution, diversity of life (taxonomy), human biology, and ecosystems & sustainability.
University of Dayton
Semesters taught: Summer 2012
Julia Chapman 