A fossil from the Burgess Shale at Stanley Glacier in Kootenay National Park. Photo credit Emma Rutledge, 2021.

UNIVERSITY TEACHING

September, 2021:
After completing 3 wonderful years in term appointments as an Assistant Professor in the Biology Department at Trent University, I have decided to relocate back to British Columbia. As such, I will no longer be teaching in-person at Trent but I will continue some of my collaborative research projects. Listed below are courses I have previously developed and/or taught. There are also some instructional videos available on my YouTube channel.

Course descriptions

BIOL 3600
​Ecological genetics

​Ecological genetics uses genetic data to investigate ecological and evolutionary processes in natural populations. The course will provide an overview of ecological genetics by covering a variety of topics that include molecular markers, genetic diversity, gene flow, natural selection, phylogeography,  behavioural ecology, conservation genetics, and an introduction to genomics, including metagenomics. 

BIOLOGY 1030
FOUNDATIONS OF CELL & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

Designed to explore the role of selected cellular and physiological systems in the maintenance of homeostasis in animals under varying environmental conditions, as well as the molecular basis of hereditary and environmental variation. Prerequisite: 4U Biology or its equivalent. Excludes BIOM 1000H. 

BIOLogy 4030
Research design & Data analysis

Theoretical and practical instruction in design of research projects, with emphasis on appropriate statistical methods through the use of the statistical program R. Prerequisite: A minimum cumulative average of 65% in completed BIOL courses and 10.0 university credits including one of MATH 1052H (or 1050Y) or BIOL-GEOG-ERSC 2080H. Excludes GEOG 3030H. Find my course learning community page here.

BIOLogy 2000
methods of biological inquiry

BIOLogy 1020
foundations of biodiversity
Provides experience in asking and answering questions in biology, exploring the power of the scientific method, and the importance of critical analysis. Examples involve a wide diversity of organisms and approaches, involving the use of a variety of statistical tools.
An examination of the biological principles underlying questions concerning biodiversity and evolution. Begins with a discussion of biodiversity and the implications of its loss. This is followed by consideration of the evolution of life on earth, exploring the underlying processes of natural selection and ecological interactions. Prerequisite: 4U Biology or its equivalent.

biology 2600
evolution

A study of the pattern of the evolution of life over the past billion years, focusing on key events and transitions, and the underlying processes that made them happen. Prerequisite: 60% or higher in BIOL 2050 Introduction to Genetics.

biology 3620
population genetics

Introduces students to microevolutionary processes through the study of sources of genetic variation, the genetic composition of populations, and forces that determine and change that composition. Examples and applications come from molecular ecology, and include conservation genetics, behavioural ecology, phylogeography, and wildlife forensics. 

biology 2050
introduction to genetics

Develops a basic understanding of genetics. Mendelian inheritance, chromosome structure, genetic recombination, mutation, the structure of DNA, the nature of genes, and current topics in genetics will be investigated using examples from plants, animals, insects, bacteria, fungi, and viruses. 

educational video RESOURCES

Although I love being engaged with students in a face-to-face class, I am also very interested in developing open educational video resources to facilitate independent learning. This has been increasingly important as classes moved online during the COVID-19 pandemic. You can find instructional videos on my YouTube Channel.