Urban Ecology
Los Angeles is an urban ecosystem where people, nature, and the built environment interact. We will consider L.A., the second largest city in the U.S., as a case study of how organisms and the environment influence each other. Through reading, discussion, writing, gathering data, and exploration we will ask, what physical features define the Los Angeles environment? How have these changed over time, and what changes are likely to happen in the near future? What species of organisms (beyond palm trees, pets, rats, and cockroaches) inhabit this city? How does the physical environment affect urban species, and how do they, in turn, affect their environment? Students will develop proficiency in skills needed for the practice of biology, quantitative reasoning, and critical evaluation of scientific ideas and results. This course is an inquiry-based introduction to biological science in a format that includes both classroom activities and fieldwork. Field trips will occur during class time, with one required day-long field trip to be scheduled at the start of the semester.
Ecological Enhancement and Restoration
Biological, ecological, and social views regarding need, methods, and effects of restoration and enhancement of ecosystems. Recent events from California and the rest of the world are discussed, focusing on marine and terrestrial ecosystems, invasive species, over-harvesting, industrial impacts on the environment, and methods of mitigating or repairing damages. Examples of discussions include: methods of combating over-harvesting in the Pacific Ocean; natural and anthropogenic methods of recovering from forest fires; oil platforms functioning as artificial reefs to help endangered species thrive; also, how does a nuclear generating station affect a giant kelp forest, and what can be done to mitigate those damages?
Public Health Biology
This introductory course will offer an integrative biological perspective on public health issues, highlighting specific diseases of viral, bacterial, and environmental origin, as well as the influence of social and economic disparity. We will explore specific examples, such as rising antibiotic resistance, cholera and hepatitis outbreaks, cancer, and diabetes, to illustrate biological principles required to understand infectious and non-infectious diseases of public health importance.
Topics in Cancer Biology
This course will introduce students to the fundamentals of cancer biology. Topics will range from the biological origins of cancer to recent advances in diagnostics and therapeutics. Students will also be given a historical perspective of the bioethics surrounding cancer research and treatment. This course will highlight cutting edge research, with a focus on the detection and treatment of cancer in the age of personalized medicine.