The field of genetics has become one of the foundational areas within modern biology. For this reason, all biology majors and many other departments require their students to take this course. The subject can be taught in a variety of ways. I start with a modern big picture–the structure and organization of both eukaryotic and prokaryotic genomes. I then define genes, discuss the various types, their expression and regulation, and how and why they change over time. Once this foundation is laid, I develop an understanding of how genes are inherited in eukaryotic diploid organisms (transmission genetics). Finally, we explore various applications of genetics within the field of biology.

The field of genetics has dramatically influenced our understanding of human biology. This course is designed to introduce students to the principles of genetics from a human perspective with an emphasis on human genetic disorders. We explore the basis of inheritance, pedigree analysis, human genetic disease, and selected topics on the human genome. We also explore population genetics and how this information can be used to inform medical treatments.

In this laboratory course, students explore the basic principles of genetics and survey advances in genetic techniques. We begin by exploring processes of cell division and gamete formation and then examine human chromosomes and their role in genetic disorders. Students use this knowledge to investigate patterns of inheritance and predict the genotypes and phenotypes of offspring using the laws of inheritance. Once this foundation is laid, we focus on human genetics and explore how karyotypes, pedigrees, and DNA sequence analysis can be used to diagnose and predict human genetic diseases.

The world is losing biodiversity faster than biologists can identify, study, and protect species. The discipline of conservation biology aims to protect and manage biodiversity, as well as the habitats and ecosystems that contain this diversity. Many modern conservation strategies require genetic information for focal taxa. This course develops the conceptual basis and the analytical skills needed to investigate the population genetics of rare species. This sub-discipline of genetics offers many valuable approaches to understanding evolutionary histories of rare species that can be used to help direct conservation efforts. Concepts include micro-evolutionary processes, population sub-division, effective population size, conservation units, genetic identity, and genetic threats such as hybridization and inbreeding depression. Analytical skills include interpretation of population-level statistics.

This advanced course in genetics is designed to introduce students to the concepts and techniques used in molecular evolutionary genetics. This broad discipline offers many valuable approaches to understanding evolutionary histories through the use of molecular techniques. Students with diverse backgrounds and interests in biology can utilize the techniques and concepts covered in this course to understand the molecular basis of evolution. Students develop the conceptual basis and analytical skills needed to investigate molecular evolution questions. Concepts include genome evolution, gene evolution, the neutral theory of evolution, models of molecular evolution, micro-evolutionary processes, and comparative genomics. Analytical skills include measuring genetic change, inferring phylogenies, applications of molecular clocks, and comparative approaches to identifying duplication events.

As educators, it is our mission to create transformative learning experiences for our students. In my opinion, the most influential and powerful of these experiences are study-abroad courses. My belief is rooted in my experience as both student and teacher.

I have co-taught five study-abroad courses taking students to Australia/New Zealand, Cuba, and Belize. The goals of these courses are to promote student understanding of biodiversity and conservation. We focus on these themes because students must experience first-hand the biodiversity crises and conservation issues facing the world--situations that are often more pronounced, dire, and complex than they are in the United States.