Winter 2025 Class Schedule
View all course descriptions here.
| Course # | Course Title | Instructor | Day/Time | Lab(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 202 | Health of the Biosphere | Stevenson | TTh 12pm-1:50pm | |
| 390-01 | Geographic Information Systems (GIS) - Vector | Sperone | M 2pm-3:20pm | W 2-3:20pm |
| 390-02 | Geographic Information Systems (GIS) - Raster and Remote Sensing | Sperone | M 9:30-10:50am | W 9:30-10:50am |
| 390-08 | Data Analysis and Visualization for Scientists | CaraDonna | TTh 2-3:20pm |
2024-2025 Course Descriptions
202 – Health of the Biosphere
This course studies the growth of populations and their interactions in ecological communities. Topics include: the ecological niche; projections of population growth, including the history of human growth, harvesting populations, and population viability analysis of endangered species; interactions among species, including competition, predation, and disease transmission; measuring the diversity of ecological communities; the effects of diversity on energy flow. More advanced topics will also be addressed, including the biodiversity-stability relationship, the economic values of biodiversity and ecosystem function, and the biology and management of metapopulations in fragmented habitats.
390-01 – Geographic Information Systems (GIS) - Vector
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a powerful analytical tool for spatial datasets with a very wide range of interdisciplinary applications. This is a first course for students with no or little knowledge in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and spatial theory. We will apply GIS methods and tools by working with vector data types, that represent the real-world objects as point, lines and polygons. This class will provide students with both theoretical and technical GIS skills through hands on learning and lab assignments, with a final real-world problem-solving mini project and a lot of fun.
390-02 – Geographic Information Systems (GIS) - Raster and Remote Sensing
We will focus on the raster GIS environment, which is the core analytical GIS data structure used for natural resource modeling and environmental analysis. Students will learn the raster structure and its advantages and limitations; will learn tools and techniques used to display, process, and analyze remotely sensed data, including appropriate raster data management and procedures; raster surface modeling and image interpretation; map-algebra concepts using ArcGIS Spatial Analyst; proximity and dispersion modeling. Student will be assessed on in-class exercises, homework assignments, weekly labs, a final exam, and a final project in which students will demonstrate their ability to apply new skills to a real-world situation of academic interest by preparing and presenting a research poster.
390-08 – Data Analysis and Visualization for Scientists
This class is designed to be a practical guide to quantitative analysis and data visualization, particularly for the scientific fields of ecology, evolution, and conservation. We will learn about, put to use, and practice a wide range of data science methods that are commonly used in these fields. The class is designed to be a hands-on learning experience using the open source programming language, R. No experience in R is required. We will begin with data manipulation and wrangling, and then move on to common quantitative analyses, their variations, and how best to visualize data. By the end of the class, students will have the skills and confidence to address a wide variety of questions with quantitative methods.