Insects are perhaps the most important animal group on the face of the earth. Their enormous diversity makes them important models for understanding many concepts in biology. Students will observe the bits and pieces of an insect, they will discover how adaptation relates to diversity, and they will learn to identify the major insect groups. Field trips to varied habitats allow students to collect insects and understand their natural history.

Independent research for qualified graduates under the direction of a faculty member within the Biology Department.

A weekly conference arranged around a current topic. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Instructor permission.

This weekly colloquium provides a forum for exploring cutting-edge research in fundamental neuroscience. The course format includes journal club discussions of recent high-impact publications, as well as presentations of ongoing research by both students and faculty members.

This course introduces grad students to a breadth and depth of concepts and theories in modern ecology and evolutionary biology.. The course is taught by a different BIOL faculty each spring, with different faculty rotating into the course in alternate years, providing expertise in molecular population genetics, genomics, phylogenetics, integrative biology, speciation, microevolution, life-history evolution, and mating systems.

This course will explore case studies of research on phenotypes that emphasize the insights and advances gained by bringing a multilevel integrative approach to a target question. Students will learn to apply an integrative perspective to their own research topics by developing a research proposal that expands across levels. This class is open to all life science PhD students with recommendation for those in their 1st or 2nd year.

This course uses a student-centered approach to explore the diverse careers available to life science PhD students. Students will identify their skills and experiences that match with professional opportunities, and they will develop a career individual development plan to guide their career planning. This class is open to all life science PhD students after the 2nd year in their program. This class is part of the PhD Plus Career Design series.

This course will integrate lectures and workshops to teach students how to analyze publicly available single-cell 'omic datasets relevant to their research interests, which students will perform as part of a scaffolded project. The course will cover a variety of methods, with a focus on single-cell RNA-seq.

For master's thesis, taken under the supervision of a thesis director.

Independent research with a member of the Biology faculty in preparation for thesis or dissertation research.