UNIVERSITY TEACHING

I am excited to be back in the Biology department at Trent University as an Assistant Professor. This year I am also excited to be facilitating the BIOL4010Y/4020D Research Thesis course. This includes helping to organize the Biology Seminar Series that brings speakers in from academic, government, and non-governmental organizations to talk about their research programs. In the fall term of 2019 I will be teaching BIOL3600 (Ecological Genetics) and BIOL-ERSC 4030 (Research Design & Data Analysis). In the winter term I will be teaching BIOL1020 (Foundations of Biodiversity) Online, and co-teaching BIOL 1030 (Foundations of Cellular and Molecular Biology) and BIOL 2600 (Evolution), following by BIOL 2600 (Evolution) Online in the second term of the summer 2020 session. 

Interactive online RESOURCES

Although I love being engaged with students in a face-to-face class, I am also very interested in developing clear, engaging and interactive online courses that facilitate independent learning. I am currently developing interactive online curriculum with a focus on concepts in biology and computing for biologists. Check out www.cordulia.com for more information. You can find instructional videos on my YouTube Channel (Cordulia Learning). 

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 1020
foundations of biodiversity

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.