Spring 2011 Classes


Cenozoic Vertebrates of the Neotropics

ZOO 6927 | GLY 6932

Course Prospectus

This graduate-level course will focus on the theme Cenozoic Vertebrates of the Neotropics. Major topics will include:

  1. History of vertebrates in the New World Tropics,
  2. Climatic and geologic/tectonic history of the New World Tropics, and
  3. The Great American Biotic Interchange. It will include lectures, discussion of assigned readings, and student research projects. It also will include field experiences collecting fossil vertebrates in Florida and during a trip to Panama over Spring Break.

Instructors

Jonathan I. Bloch
Associate Curator and Professor
Florida Museum of Natural History
273-1937, jbloch@flmnh.ufl.edu.

Bruce J. MacFadden
Curator and Professor
Florida Museum of Natural History
273-1937, bmacfadd@flmnh.ufl.edu.

Credits

3

Class periods

Tu/Th 6th and 7th periods (12:50 to 2:45)

Required field trip dates

Panama: March 5-12; Thomas Farm: TBD

Prerequisite

Instructor approval

Class size limit

8

Room

210 Williamson (or TBD for video-conferencing with Panama)

Grades will be based on

  • Leading one discussion session about assigned reading (20 %)
  • Submission of written discussion questions each week (25 %)
  • Student research presentation (15 minutes) at end of semester and at Thomas Farm Evening Lectures (25 %)
  • Class & Field Trip attendance and participation (30 %)

Costs

Each student should anticipate about $1,500 (estimated) of funds needed to support the costs of the field trips, particularly to Panama. Some “work for travel funds” grants will be available to defray a portion of these costs, and students should consider other sources of support, as available.

Readings

Mostly articles assigned from the primary research literature and book chapters.

Back to Top


Broader Impacts of Science on Society

ZOO 6927 (section 4100) | GLY 6932 (section 4895)

Wednesdays (location TBD), periods 9 & 10 (4:05 to 6:00 pm), 2 credits

Intended participants

Graduate students from any STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) discipline, including (but not limited to) anthropology, astronomy, botany, entomology, geology, science education, wildlife, and zoology. Instructors and invited speakers.

Instructors

Bruce J. MacFadden
Curator and Professor
Florida Museum of Natural History
273-1937, bmacfadd@flmnh.ufl.edu.

David L. Reed
Associate Curator
Florida Museum of Natural History
273-1971, dlreed@ufl.edu

Course Synopsis

There is an increasing emphasis on the relevance of what a scientist does and how we impact society in general. This is manifested in many ways, for example, NSF now requires "Broader Impact" statements in grant proposals and explicit plans for how these kinds of activities will be accomplished. This course will explore ways in which scientists can increase our impact, particularly to society at large. During this seminar-format course, students will engage in active participation and discussion. The beginning of the course will feature presentations by the instructor and invited speakers and preparations for the class project(s). The remainder of the course will primarily be driven by students' interests and individual projects.

No course prerequisites

Class size

Limited to 25 registered students

Readings and assignments

There is no text for this course. Weekly assignments include readings, mostly from the primary literature, web research, and class discussion/presentations. The individual or group project will require "out-of-class" work.

Evaluation (Final Grade)

  1. Class participation (30 %)
  2. Submitting written questions and leading discussions of assigned readings (30 %); and
  3. Development and presentation of either a proposed Broader Impacts plan related to your STEM research, or a group project to be developed during the semester (40 %). No exams

Back to Top