CASE STUDIES IN THEORETICAL ECOLOGY

FULFILLS:
BIOS/NRES/MATH 316, ACE 4

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR:
Dr. Chad Brassil- Chad Brassil is an Associate Professor in the School of Biological Sciences. He uses mathematics to understand questions across broad areas of ecology and evolution, from food web interactions to ageing. Following his PhD from the University of Toronto, he helped create an undergraduate summer courses at the W.K. Kellogg Biological Station teaching math concepts to biology students and field biology concepts to math students. At the University of Nebraska, he has taught BIOS 207 Ecology & Evolution at Cedar Point Biological Station and regularly teaches LIFE 121 Fundamentals of Biology II on campus.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
CCast Studies in Theoretical Ecology (BIOS 316) at Cedar Point Biological Station will examine 3 case studies that sit at the interface of ecology and mathematics. For each case study, students will learn the fundamental theory, be exposed to the data collection process, read a published theoretical paper, replicate and modify that theory. In the process, students will be utilizing mathematical modeling as one of the most powerful tools for advancing biological research. The final project will be to utilize a modified model as the basis for a research proposal at the biology/mathematics interface that could be submitted in the future to fund the student's research. Possible case studies include: duckweed population dynamics, cliff swallow colonies and parasitism, prairie plant community composition, turtle movement and foraging, and other systems. The course is in the process of being ACE 4 certified. It also counts as lab science course for the College of Arts and Science distribution requirements. This course is open to students who have completed LIFE 120 and LIFE 121 or who have completed MATH 106 and another math course. Students need only have background in biology or mathematics, not both. All that is required is an interested in working together to explore the biology/math interface. The course is appropriate for majors in biology, mathematics, natural resources, computer science, and many other life science or engineering related majors.