Sound Ecology Lab @ WMU

BIOS 4430 Conservation Biology (Spring 2024) 

Conservation biology explores threats to the conservation of nature. We've focussed on conservation communication as a critical component to finding common ground among diverse stakeholders and solutions to the current conservation crisis. Our work in conservation communication included sharing stories of and the science behind local nature and conservation through Instagram (@soundeco_lab) and a collaboration between students in Conservation Biology and students in Graphic Design that resulted in Infographics highlighting conservation issues and solutions. The image gallery highlights the students' work. Click on any infographic to see in detail and for student credits.

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BIOS 1620 Ecology and Evolution (Fall 2023)

The main underlying theme of this course, as well as modern biological thinking, is the theory of evolution by natural selection. Students will be introduced to this critical idea, and will also study the evolutionary history of life on earth, the diversity of organisms inhabiting the earth and aspects of their structure and function, ecology from the perspectives of individuals, populations, communities and ecosystems, and conservation biology. Lecture and laboratory. Questions about BIOS 1620? Check here for answers to Frequently Asked Questions.

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BIOS 5470 Ornithology 

This course delves into the biology of birds. Students will study such topics as evolution and phylogeny of birds, their anatomical adaptations, reproduction and behavior, and will learn to identify Michigan bird species. This is a lecture-based course, but students are required to attend some weekday and weekend trips to local nature preserves, which will allow us to  observe and identify birds in the field.

 

BIOS 4390 Animal Behavior (Spring 2023)

Why do animals behave the way they do? How do behaviors evolve? What are genes and physiological processes underlie behavior? How do you study the behavior of animals in the field and in the lab? In this course, students will explore these questions and more to gain a broad understanding of the integrative study of animal behavior.