Teaching
Science is not a list of static facts;
it is the process we take to learn them.
As an educator, my responsibility to student learning is to create outcomes based on how they learn and align my teaching to those learning styles. I strive to engage students through the use of interactive discussions, hands-on activities, and traditional lectures. Students in my courses are expected to learn the content, and to apply that knowledge. Scientific discovery is an inherently creative process. In class, I emphasize the classic research which led to our current knowledge of a subject.
Courses taught at Eckerd
Cells and Genes
This course focuses on the molecular processes which occur in a cell and the basic laboratory techniques used to study cells. Emphasis is placed on internal cellular processes, but will also explore intracellular communication in multicellular organisms.
The course has a laboratory and is intended for Biology Majors.
Cellular Processes
This course focuses on the molecular processes which occur in a cell. Emphasis is placed on internal cellular processes, but will also explore intracellular communication in multicellular organisms.
The course does not have a laboratory and is intended for Marine Science Majors.
Human Physiology
This course discusses the strategies humans take to cope with the challenges faced while attempting to live, grow, and reproduce in an unpredictable environment. It is unique in that you will be learning a new language to describe your body parts and working to understand how the individual body parts work together to allow an organism to function. We cover a variety of topics and facts central to biology and will strive to integrate that information into a complete understanding of organism physiology. Our focus will be human anatomy and physiology but will often compare other organisms as well.
Neuroscience
This course focuses on the structure and function of the mammalian nervous system with emphasis on humans. We take anatomical, physiological, and behavioral approaches towards building a basic understanding of the components of the peripheral and central nervous systems and their function. This information forms the basis for understanding how the body functions under normal circumstances and how deviations from “normality” lead to health problems.
Biology Senior Capstone
This course is for seniors graduating from the Biology program that academic year. The course is meant to integrate the information discussed across the curriculum. An emphasis is on reading, discussing, producing, and presenting scientific information. A cumulative exam is also given covering content from the following Eckerd courses: Cells and Genes, Ecology and Evolution, Genetic and Molecular Biology, and Physiology (Human or Comparative).