BIOL 115 Evolution, Behavior, and Ecology (Formerly BIOL 15)
Provides a conceptual framework for further study in biology through an introduction to evolution, behavior, and ecology. Topics include the mechanisms and results of evolution; speciation processes; ecosystem, community and population ecology; principles of behavior; and behavioral ecology. (Each fall)

BIOL 334 Ecology (Formerly BIOL 58)
Lectures emphasize population growth and regulation, species interactions, community dynamics, energy flow, nutrient cycles, and the relationships of these processes to environmental issues. Labs are based upon quantitative data collected by students in the field. Laboratory assignments place a premium upon data analysis and interpretation. Prerequisite: Biology 115 and 116, or permission of instructor. (Each spring)

BIOL 472 Research and Design of Experiments (Formerly BIOL 72)
Provides formal training in the approaches used to advance understanding of biological processes. Course activities are built around original research projects designed and completed by students. Lectures, discussions, and readings provide students with the skills necessary for designing original research, performing experiments, analyzing data, and reporting results. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor. (Each fall or spring)

ENVS 235 Fundamentals of Environmental Studies (Formerly ENVS 35)
An introduction to and framework for evaluating environmental issues such as biodiversity loss, global climate change, stratospheric ozone depletion, degradation of fertile soils, renewable and nonrenewable resource utilization, and aquifer depletion. (Usually each fall and spring)

ENVS 479 Environmental Policy (Formerly ENVS 99)
This course builds upon Environmental Studies 235 and incorporates key ideas from ecology, economics, ethics, and other disciplines in a study of options for responding to environmental issues. The course examines both theoretical and actual approaches to solving or preventing environmental problems. Readings cover the history of environmental issues, leading ideas for more effective environmental policy, the system of laws and regulations in the United States and their development, and the challenge of international environmental agreements. Prerequisites: junior or senior status and completion of Environmental Studies 235 with a grade of at least C, or permission of the instructor. (Usually each spring)

Hands-on Conservation: Restoration of a Native Prairie (January term)
Before the 19th century much of central North America was covered with tallgrass prairie. Exploitation of that vegetation and its rich soil fueled the region's colonization by Europeans, but that exploitation was not sustainable. Today less than 1% of the native prairie remains, soil fertility has declined, topsoil is resting at the bottom of reservoirs and on the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico, pastures are filled with thorny shrubs, and the native organisms are largely gone. Similar patterns of nonsustainable land use are common in grasslands and other habitats all around the world. This course will provide an opportunity to counteract that trend. We will work to restore prairie vegetation to the college's Sneed Environmental Research Area. Lectures and discussions will focus on tallgrass prairie ecology, the track record of land degradation by humans, consequences of prairie transformation, appropriate restoration objectives, available restoration techniques, and ethical considerations in prairie restoration. Fieldwork will be spent doing actual restoration work at the Sneed property. The nature of the fieldwork varies from year to year as the project matures, but the fieldwork always includes prescribed fires and work with fences. The only prerequisite is a sincere interest in doing actual restoration work. No prior science experience is expected or necessary. Students must be physically fit to participate in prescribed fires. To be offered again in 2006.