THE OVERARCHING GOALS OF MY TEACHING ARE:
1.
How science gets to(wards) the truth
To make responsible decisions about anything, one needs not only correct information, but to understand how reliable it is. Evaluating how certain we can be about something, and being willing to believe reliable information even when you don’t like it, are essential skills for yourself, your career, and society as a whole to function.
All of my courses emphasize understanding how science generates reliable information even against our biases, and how to identify more reliable from less reliable information sources.
2.
Career and life skills
The training that ultimately makes the biggest difference to student success is not about content knowledge, but about skills.
All my courses emphasize student self-responsibility, clarity of expression, professional conduct and communication, understanding, giving, and incorporating feedback, networking and team-working, and seeing projects through to the end through (sometimes many) revisions.
All my courses also incorporate basic coding (typically in R, Netlogo, or Mathematica) and data analysis/quantitative skills.
Current Courses
All classes contain a strong active learning element, meaning you are expected to engage actively during class periods in group or individual work, and will be given frequent feedback. Note: the University assumes that you dedicate 3 hours per week for every credit. Assignments and grading in classes are based on this time budget; if you do not commit this time, you will fall behind. If you have concerns about time investment, please discuss it with the instructor openly and early.
ECOL195C:
Research Methods in Biology: How
to get the most out of your research experience
This course helps you find a research experience, understand why you are doing what you are doing, and understand the role of teamwork. Also teaches basic statistics using R and presentation and other professional skills. Note that this course requires a concurrent lab experience, e.g. signing up for 3 credits of Directed Research, 10 hours of FWS, or similar.
Not currently taught. 1 credit. Open to all majors, no prereqs. Freshmen encouraged.
ECOL250:
How science works and what it says: A guide for the uninitiated on how to make
science work for you
How do you recognize (good) science? How do you find out what science says about a question relevant for you? And why should we believe science more than anything (anyone) else, including ‘common sense’? This course is about truth and falsehoods and how to (better) tell them apart, and how to evaluate information sources and read them.
Not currently taught. 3 credits. UA online and Main Campus course. Open to all majors, no prereqs. Freshmen encouraged.
ECOL419/519:
Introduction to Modeling in Biology
Do we really need modeling, and what is it good for? Neither empiricists nor modelers often think about what models can actually contribute to understanding the real world - it may be more, or less, or different, than you think. This course teaches you how to read scientific papers containing theory/models; how to evaluate them; and how to link theory insights with empirical ones. Co-taught with Joanna Masel.
!!!!Fall 2023!!!!. 3 credits. In-person course for graduate students and advanced undergrads. No math/programming pre-requirements.
If you are interested in any of these classes, feel free to email me for an updated syllabus and the current plan on when they will next be taught, which is subject to change.
join the lab
Work in my lab while earning course credit!
While working in my lab, you will participate in original scientific research, be trained in the scientific method, learn the importance of working with others, do statistical analysis in R, and present your findings. I invest time in every student in my lab. Many of the students who worked in my lab have gone on to graduate school, medical school, or professional jobs. I welcome students from all departments and all levels (Freshmen are particularly welcome, and you don’t need prior experience)!
We have projects available for remote work (i.e. where all the work you do is on your computer and you don’t need to be physically present in the lab; if you need to work remotely, please let us know).