BIO 326: General Entomology (Fall; 4 credits): This course is designed to serve as an introduction to the study of insects. Insects are the most diverse animals on earth, with over 1 million (and counting!) described species. Many of these species have enormous economic, conservation, and medical significance to society, while others are used as models for basic problems in biology (e.g., neuroscience, genetics, social behavior). The goal of this course is to understand insects and other terrestrial invertebrates in their environment. The lecture section considers the fundamentals of insect biology, including phylogeny, morphology, physiology, behavior, and ecology. Friday class sessions are devoted to discussing journal papers from the primary scientific literature. In the lab sessions, we study basic insect structure and functional modifications, learn to identify insects by sight, and learn to use taxonomic keys while building an insect collection. We also go on field trips to observe insects in their natural habitats and conduct experiments related to insect biology.
BIO 387: Sustainability and Conservation in the Caribbean (Fall/Winter; 3 credits): This is a short-term study abroad course