Teaching

I have been fortunate to teach a variety of classes at SCSU. Every day I am excited to get into the classroom/lab and am always looking for those pedagogical techniques that affect student outcomes and perhaps, change a student's life.

In addition to the classes listed below, an important part of my teaching is working with undergraduate and graduate students in the field (intertidal and subtidal) and in my research lab.

The courses I currently teach at Southern Connecticut State University are:

BIO 210: Marine & Environmental Biology. Investigates the biodiversity of marine habitats with an emphasis on the physical and biological factors affecting marine environments. The course focuses on common marine organisms of the littoral seas, coral reef, and open ocean including developing an understanding of interrelationships and problems related to adaptation and survival. Field trips required. 3 hours lecture: 3 hours lab.

MAR 460: Field/Lab Techniques. Investigations of regional environmental processes and problems using state-of-the-art instrumentation and techniques.

BIO 430: Marine Ecology. Ecological approach to the study of estuarine-marine environments and organisms. Topics emphasized are productivity, food from the sea, food webs, pollution and environmental limiting factors. Field trips are required. Students must provide transportation. Lecture, 2 hours; laboratory, 4 hours. Prerequisite(s): BIO 102-103 and CHE 120. 4 credits.

BIO 501: Conservation Ecology. Conservation of populations, habitats, ecosystems. Demographic techniques, land use, pollution topics. 3 credits.

BIO 502: Community and Population Ecology. Structure, dynamics, theory, sampling methods, statistical analyses, and use of models for the study of populations and communities. Prerequisites: undergraduate ecology or departmental permission. 3 credits.

BIO 512: Marine Invertebrate Ecology. Natural history and ecology of marine invertebrates. Ecological analysis of the dominant marine invertebrate communities. Limiting factors that affect the distribution of invertebrates. Students must provide their own transportation for required field trips. Prerequisite: BIO 229. 3 credits.

BIO 513: Coastal Ecosystem Management. Hydrography, microbiota, plankton, benthos, nekton, physiology, biological production and environmental degradation of estuarine habitats. 3 credits.

BIO 536: Marine Algae. Taxonomy, physiology, life cycles, and economic importance of algae with emphasis on marine algae. 3 credits.

BIO 550: Research Methods in Biology. Design and execution of experimental approaches to biological problems. Emphasis is on use of scientific literature, preparation of the research proposal, modern techniques, and collection and evaluation of experimental data. 3 credit hours. 2 hours lecture per week; 2 hours lab per week. Scheduled in either fall or spring semesters each academic year. 3 credits.

BIO 560: Scientific Communication (General Topics Seminar). Presentation and discussion of current material in various areas of biology. Always scheduled. 1 credit.

BIO 561: Scientific Communication (Special Topics Seminar). Presentation and discussion of current material in a selected area of biology. Always scheduled. 1 credit.

BIO 590: Thesis Research. Open by departmental permission to candidates for Master of Science degree in biology who are registered in a thesis program. Always scheduled. 3 or 6 credits.

BIO 600: Independent Study and Research. Study of an area of theoretical or experimental biology under the direction of a faculty member. Admission by consent of department chairman. May not be used for credit towards thesis research. Always scheduled. 3 credits.