Teaching

Undergraduate thesis examples from the Rycyk Manatee and Acoustic Ecology Lab

  • The underwater vocal repertoire of the North American river otter (Lontra canadensis)

  • Characteristics of wild Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris) vocalizations in different sized groups

  • Growth patterns and the effect of pH on the Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris) vibrissae

  • The phenology of humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae), blue (Balaenoptera musculus), fin (Balaenoptera physalus), sperm (Physeter macrocephalus), and killer whales (Orcinus orca) determined by passive acoustic monitoring near Barkley Canyon

  • Distribution of the Bigg's killer whale exotype in the Salish Sea with regards to seasonality and pinniped vulnerability

Courses Taught

  • Research Methods in Biology

  • Marine Ecology Laboratory

  • The Inquisitive Scientist

  • Animal Behavior Lecture

  • Animal Behavior Laboratory

  • Marine Mammal Biology

  • Analysis of Florida Manatee Mortality Events

  • Introduction to Environmental Studies

  • Foundations of Biology I

  • Marine Mammal Behavior

  • Biology Oceanography Lecture & Lab

  • Marine Ecology Senior Seminar

  • Principles of Ecology

  • Marine Mammal Science

  • Introduction to Environmental Science

  • General Biology: From Molecules to Organisms

  • Environmental Science Capstone

  • Environmental Science and Policy Capstone

January Term Courses

Acoustic Ecology of Sarasota Bay ISP (2019): A group ISP in 2019 offered students the opportunity to learn about sound propagation, identifying sounds produced by fish and mammals, build a sound library from Sarasota Bay Listening Network recordings, and propose bioacoustics research projects. Additionally, the group went kayaking with manatees in Weeki Wachee, observed manatees at the Manatee Viewing Center at TECO, and visited Loggerhead Instruments to see how acoustic monitoring stations are built.

Natural History of the Galapagos Islands and Ecuador (2018): This course included three weeks in Ecuador, exploring a cloud forest, rainforest, tundra, and the Galapagos. It was a rigorous expedition across many ecosystems that provided students with the opportunity to study and contrast the unique biodiversity in these environments.

Santa Lucia Cloud Forest Reserve

Yasuni National Park, Mandaru Panga

Isabela, Galapagos Islands

Giant Tortoise Breeding Center

Sirenian Biology (2016 & 2017): These courses attracted students from around the country and included trips across Florida to study manatees in the wild and participate in a manatee necropsy. Coursework included lectures, discussion, and group research projects designed by the students and used previously collected data.