Teaching

Previous courses

Spring 2020:

Convergent Evolution  E&EB 806

The goal of this graduate seminar is to achieve a coherent view of convergent evolution and related phenomena. We will tratrack the development of the concept and the uses of the term convergence in the evolutionary literature. Special emphasis will be placed on new approaches to identifying convergence and analyzing its causes and consequences. Discussions will revolve around selected papers.

Co-taught with Erika Edwards.

First meeting: 2:00 PM, Tuesday, January 21, ESC 336

Fall 2018:

Plant Diversity and Evolution — EE&B 246 (546)

Introduction to the major plant groups and their evolutionary relationships, with an emphasis on the diversification and global importance of flowering plants. To be taken concurrently with E&EB 247L (547L). Prerequisite: a general understanding of biology and evolution. 

MW 1pm-2:15pm

Plant Diversity and Evolution Lab — EE&B 247L (547L)

Hands-on experience with the plant groups examined in the accompanying lectures. Local field trips. To be taken concurrently with E&EB 246 (546).  

T 1-4p or W 2:30-5:30p

Spring 2018:

Principles of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology — EE&B 104

Introduction to ecology, evolutionary biology, animal behavior, and the history of life. Evolutionary transitions and natural selection. Adaptation at genic, chromosomal, cellular, organismal, and supra-organismal levels. Distributional and social consequences of particular suites of organismal adaptations. The fourth of four modules in a yearlong introductory biology sequence; meets for the second half of the term.  SC  ½ Course cr   MW 11:35-12:50

Spring 2017:

Principles of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology — EE&B 104

Introduction to ecology, evolutionary biology, animal behavior, and the history of life. Evolutionary transitions and natural selection. Adaptation at genic, chromosomal, cellular, organismal, and supra-organismal levels. Distributional and social consequences of particular suites of organismal adaptations. The fourth of four modules in a yearlong introductory biology sequence; meets for the second half of the term.  SC  ½ Course cr

Fall 2016:

Plant Diversity and Evolution — EE&B 246 (546)

Introduction to the major plant groups and their evolutionary relationships, with an emphasis on the diversification and global importance of flowering plants. To be taken concurrently with E&EB 247L (547L). Prerequisite: a general understanding of biology and evolution.

Plant Diversity and Evolution Lab — EE&B 247L (547L)

Hands-on experience with the plant groups examined in the accompanying lectures. Local field trips. To be taken concurrently with E&EB 246 (546).  

Spring 2016:

Principles of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology — EE&B 104

Introduction to ecology, evolutionary biology, animal behavior, and the history of life. Evolutionary transitions and natural selection. Adaptation at genic, chromosomal, cellular, organismal, and supra-organismal levels. Distributional and social consequences of particular suites of organismal adaptations. The fourth of four modules in a yearlong introductory biology sequence; meets for the second half of the term.  SC  ½ Course cr

Fall 2015:

Plant Diversity and Evolution — EE&B 246 (546)

Introduction to the major plant groups and their evolutionary relationships, with an emphasis on the diversification and global importance of flowering plants. To be taken concurrently with E&EB 247L (547L). Prerequisite: a general understanding of biology and evolution.

Plant Diversity and Evolution Lab — EE&B 247L (547L)

Hands-on experience with the plant groups examined in the accompanying lectures. Local field trips. To be taken concurrently with E&EB 246 (546).  

Spring 2015:

Principles of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology — EE&B 104

Introduction to ecology, evolutionary biology, animal behavior, and the history of life. Evolutionary transitions and natural selection. Adaptation at genic, chromosomal, cellular, organismal, and supra-organismal levels. Distributional and social consequences of particular suites of organismal adaptations. The fourth of four modules in a yearlong introductory biology sequence; meets for the second half of the term.  WRSC  ½ Course cr

Spring 2014:

Geographical and Environmental Gradients in Biodiversity: Integrating Evolutionary and Ecological Perspectives — EE&B 713

The past ten years have seen immense progress in the phylogenetic and geographic documentation of the variation in biodiversity. After many studies have focused on patterns or taken either an evolutionary or ecological approach, a more integrated understanding is emerging, and we may be approaching a general synthesis in this field. This seminar course addresses the different findings, hypotheses, and viewpoints about the spatial and environmental variation in the diversity of species (and their trait and phylogenetic attributes). After reviewing core patterns in spatial and climatic variation in biodiversity, we discuss the main groups of explanations that have been put forward and how they have advanced over the past ten years. In particular, we thoroughly explore recent methodological and empirical progress in assessing the variation in rates of diversification among clades and over time. We discuss how geographic and environmental perspectives both benefit from and contribute to the study of rate variation. We complement this with the current understanding of historical variation in climatic gradients and of the sizes and connectivity of environmental niche space. At the end of the course we aim to assess the prospects for a general synthesis in this field. Postdocs and advanced undergraduates are welcome.

Fall 2013:

Plant Diversity and Evolution — EE&B 246a

Introduction to the major plant groups and their evolutionary relationships, with an emphasis on the diversification and global importance flowering plants. To be taken concurrently with E&EB 247La. Prerequisite: a general understanding of bilogy and evolution.

Plant Diversity and Evolution Lab — EE&B 246La

Hands-on experience with the plant groups examined in the accompanying lectures. Local field trips. To be taken concurrently with E&EB 246.  SC  ½ Course cr

Biome Evolution — E&EB 730

Phylogenetic analyses – in combination with data on climate and other environmental variables – are yielding new insights into the assembly of biomes through time. The aim of this course is to critically evaluate this literature in the hopes of extracting generalities and framing new research directions. The focus will be on plants, but other groups of organisms will gladly be considered. The course will be conducted as a graduate student seminar, featuring weekly discussions led by participating students.

Spring 2013:

Evolutionary Biology (with Professor Moran) — E&EB 225

An overview of evolutionary biology as the discipline uniting all of the life sciences. Reading and discussion of scientific papers to explore the dynamic aspects of evolutionary biology. Principles of population genetics, paleontology, and systematics; application of evolutionary thinking in disciplines such as developmental biology, ecology, microbiology, molecular biology, and human medicine.

Prerequisites for all E&EB courses numbered 200 and above are BIOL 101, 102, 103, and 104, or permission of the instructor.

Fall 2012:

Plant Diversity and Evolution — E&EB 246a (546)

Introduction to the major plant groups and their evolutionary relationships, with an emphasis on the diversification and global importance of flowering plants.

Prerequisites for all E&EB courses numbered 200 and above are BIOL 101, 102, 103, and 104, or permission of the instructor.

Plant Diversity and Evolution Lab — E&EB 247La (547La)

Hands-on experience with the plant groups examined in the accompanying lectures. Local field trips. To be taken concurrently with E&EB 247L.

To be taken concurrently with E&EB 246 (546).