Teaching
Microbiome Bootcamp
Botany 662
(Taught odd-yeared springs)
Next generation sequencing technologies are transforming our understanding of evolutionary and ecological processes. With ever-increasing data throughput and decreasing assay costs, genomic approaches formerly accessible only with model organisms are now tractable for researchers working in many systems. This course will cover the fundamentals of data-management/analysis required to conduct research using high throughput microbial sequence data. Students will analyze real world amplicon and shotgun metagenomic data in order to gain a functional knowledge of data structures, hypothesis testing and data visualizations. Student will work independently and in small groups to complete projects addressing salient questions about microbial ecology and evolution.
Biology of Fungi
Botany 430/430L, Biology 430/430L, TPSS 432/432L
(Taught even-yeared springs)
This course is designed to introduce the major groups of fungi and fungal-like organisms: Myxomycota, Oomycota, Rozellomycota,Chytridiomycota, Blastocladiomycota, Zoopagomycota, Mucoromycota, Ascomycota, and the Basidiomycota. In addition, students will gain skills collecting, identifying and culturing fungi. Although Biology of Fungi is listed as separate lecture and lab courses, the lecture material is designed to introduce the lab material. Except under special circumstances both courses should be taken concurrently.
There is reading and lectures every week to introduce what mycologists (those who study fungi) know about fungi. However, the heart of the class is the laboratory, which is filled with living and collected fungi; it is here that students will learn to observe, isolate and culture fungi. A field trip to a brewery demonstrates industrial applications of fungi. To see fungi in their native habitat, we will have at least one local field trip to collect mushrooms.
Directed Study
Botany 499, Biology 499
I offer directed study for students in either Botany or Biology. Please contact me for CRN.
