An advanced level course that examines in detail the molecular biology of gene structure and function. The lectures are based on a review and an analysis of the current literature. The laboratory is an introduction to recombinant DNA technology. This course provides an introduction to the nature of interactions between living things and their environment. The course examines these interactions at the ecosystem, community, and population levels.
Emphasis is placed on the nature of the evidence for ecological principles.
The laboratory portion of the course involves both field and lab work, including an extended project designed by the students. An overnight field trip to a tall grass prairie site is included. The primary focus of advanced ecology is the interaction between ecology, genetics, and evolution. Topics include evolution of life history strategies, plant and animal mating systems, pollination ecology, and the ecology of animal social systems. A semester long individual research project constitutes the lab for this course.