Graduate Courses
Please note that not all courses are given every year. To see which
courses are offered in a given year please check
the Registrar's Directory of Classes.
Prefixes: EEEB = Environmental Biology, ANEB =
Anthropology and Environmental Biology
ANTH G4002 Controversial Topics in Human Evolution. 3 pts. R. Holloway
Controversial issues that exist in current biological/physical anthropology, and controversies surrounding the descriptions and theories about particular fossil hominin discoveries, such as the earliest australopithecines, the diversity of Home erectus, the extinction of the Neandertals, the evolution of culture, language, human cognition. Enrollment limited to 15 students plus Instructor's permission. Taught every other year.
EEEB W4060 Invasion Biology
The rapid spread of many species to areas outside their native range, largely facilitated by human activities and movements, continues to be a major source of degradation for biodiversity and native ecosystems worldwide. Detecting, predicting and responding to the threats that invasive species pose to economic productivity and ecological integrity requires considerable research effort and cooperation between scientific, management and policy organizations. The field of invasion biology is undergoing enormous expansion, with an increasing wealth of studies published, ranging from surveys of past and present introductions, to assessments of direct ecological impacts, interactions between ecosystem health and incidences of invasion, and risk assessments and predictive modeling of the invasion process. By these means, an understanding of the impacts of invasive species is building; however, as the potential for future invasions through human activities is also increasing, this field of ecology will also expand, and provide further research opportunities for graduates and managers.
EEEB W4110 Coastal Estuarine Ecology
The course covers marine and estuarine processes, features and biota, with relevant discussions on how fundamental concepts such as reproduction, dispersal, population connectivity and productivity may differ in aquatic and terrestrial contexts. Descriptive classes on these processes and features are augmented with discussions on recent and current research within each habitat type, including potential effects of decreases in biodiversity, habitat fragmentation, and changes in water chemistry, which may be brought about through anthropogenic activities. Students will thus gain a basic understanding not only of ecological biological processes operating within these environments, but of the current state of research within these areas.
EEEB G4120. Islands: Ecology, Evolution and Conservation.
3 pts. Pre-requisites: graduate standing
or instructor's permission. Examination of island biology
focusing on ecological explanations for current biotic
distributions and ecological theories and explanations
for island biodiversity, including adaptive radiation,
the taxon cycle, island biogeography, and metapopulation
dynamics. Includes applications to conservation issues.
EEEB W4122. Fundamentals of Ecology and Evolution. 4 pts. M. Uriarte, J. Cracraft. Pre-requisites: EEEB 2001 and 2002 or equivalent or permission of instructor. An advanced survey of the basic concepts and theories of ecology and evolution, with particular emphasis on topics relevant to conservation biology.
EEEB G4126. Introduction to Conservation Genetics. 3pts. D. Melnick. In this course, will we use evolutionary genetic principles and population genetic models to describe the extent and distribution of genetic variation in populations and species and determine ways to conserve it. A basic knowledge of genetics and mathematics is assumed.
EEEB G4127. Disease Ecology. 3 pts. Maximum: 25 students. The course
will introduce students to wildlife diseases, disease
ecology and conservation, ecosystem health, and conservation
medicine.
EEEB W4128. Management of Ecosystems and Landscapes. 3 pts. M. Pinedo-Vasquez. Prerequisite:
coursework in biology, ecology and anthropology. Local
groups have changed landscapes and managed tropical
ecosystems more actively than was previously acknowledged.
Recent findings and debates concerning environmental
management and the benefits and limitations of applying
localmanagement practices to contemporary conservation
and development efforts are studied.
EEEB G4130. Restoration and Urban Ecology. 3
pts. Offered in collaboration with the Wildlife Trust's NY
Bioscape Initiative, the course will examine themes
of restoration and urban ecology. During the semester
there will be a number of field trips to visit local
sites that illustrate some of these themes. Class time
will be spent discussing the ecology of natural spaces
in human-dominated landscapes, and the theory and practice
of restoration ecology, based mainly on readings from
the primary literature.
EEEB G4134. Behavioral Ecology. 4 pts. D. Rubenstein. An examination of evolutionary and behavioral ecological theory. The course will focus on natural selection, kin selection, and sexual selection, as well as related topics including cooperation, conflict, cooperative breeding, signaling, reproductive skew, and alternative mating strategies among others.
EEEB 4138. Molecular Ecology. 3pts. S. Kolokotronis and M. Mendez. This course will explore various methods of statistical measures of ecological patterns and processes using molecular data. Students will learn the foundations for molecular identification of populations to species, and apply various analytical methods to real datasets. The course will use real data for the inference of population structure and migration, growth and decline, detection of demographic bottlenecks and natural selection. We will end up with a view of the future approaches in the field.
EEEB G4140. Ornithology. 3 pts. S. Elbin. Prerequisites: EEEB 2001 and 2002 or equivalent. The basic ornithology class lays the foundation for more in-depth study as it presents an overview of avian evolution, ecology, and current conservation issues.
ANTH G4146The Human Brain Evolving. 3 pts. R. Holloway. Prerequisite: EEEB V1010, V1011 or Instructor Permission. To better understand human and evolution, and, one might argue, the human species's place in Nature, one must have some understanding of the brain, the human animal's most important organ of adaptation. This course will examine the comparative and paleoneurological evidence for human brain evolution to better understand our consciousness, language ability, intelligence, and offer speculations about its (the brain) future evolution. Taught intermittently.
ANEB G4147. Human
Skeletal Biology. 3 pts. R. Holloway. Recommended
for archaeology and physical anthropology students,
pre-meds, and biology majors interested in the human
skeletal system. The course provides an intensive study
of human skeletal materials using anatomical and anthropological
landmarks to assess sex, age, and ethnicity of bones.
Other primate skeletal materials and fossil casts are
used for comparative study.
EEEB G4165. Pathogen Evolution: Genes, Organisms, Populations, & Ecosystems. 3 pts. I. Brito. A seminar-based course aimed at examining the pathogenic virulence, emergence in new host species, co-evolution of pathogens and multi-host disease dynamics from an evolutionary perspective.
EEEB G4184. Plant Conservation: Theory and Practice. 3 pts. M. Palmer. A review of the theoretical and practical considerations surrounding the conservation of plant diversity. The focus on diversity ranges from genes to communities and will be applied to both natural and cultivated systems. The practical considerations concerning the social and regulatory context of conservation projects will be explored through case studies and field trips for projects in the New York region.
EEEB G4185. Insect Ecology and Conservation. 3 pts. S. Spector. Pre-requisites: graduate
standing or instructor's permission. This course presents
an overview of the ecology and conservation of Earth's
most diverse group of organisms--the insects. Ecological
concepts, as they apply to insects will comprise the
first part of the course and how these concepts are
applied to the conservation of this important taxon
are the focus of the second.
EEEB G4192. Introduction to Landscape Analysis. 3 pts. R. DeFries, R. Rose. Changes in land use and land cover underlie multiple environmental and sustainability concerns, including conservation of biodiversity, impacts of climate change, climate mitigation through terrestrial carbon storage, urbanization and watershed protection. This class provides basic theory in landscape analysis and training methods for analyzing landscapes, focusing on interpretation of satellite images.
EEEB G4195. Marine Conservation Ecology. 3 pts. Instructor: TBA. Pre-requisites: EEEB G4122, 6112, or 6990, basic statistics or permission of instructor. This course provides an overview of marine ecology, introducing processes and systems from which the marine environment is formed and the issues and challenges which surround its future conservation.
ANTH W4200 Fossil Evidence of Human Evolution 3 pts. R. Holloway. Prerequisites: EEEB V1010 or the equivalent, and the instructor's permission. Enrollment limited to 12 Intended for advanced undergraduates and beginning graduate students who are interested in paleoanthropology. Provides a closer look at what comprises the fossil evidence for human evolution from the australopithecines of 4 million years ago to the fully modern human species of 25,000 years ago. Involves hands-on examination of the departmental casts. Taught intermittently.
EEEB W4210. Herpetology.
4 pts. M. Palmer. Prerequisite: at least one course
in introductory biology. The course explores the science
of herpetology in three parts: 1) the evolution and
ecology of amphibians and reptiles; 2) their physiological
adaptations; and 3) requirements for conservation, management,
policy and monitoring.
EEEB W4248. Introduction
to Population Genetics. 3 pts. At its
root, evolution can be described as changes in the genetic
composition of populations and other higher order taxonomic
grouping. The course traces the effects of individual
and population phenomena on the processes of genetic
change
EEEB G4250. Understanding
Nature through Observation and Experiment. 3 pts.
S. Naeem. Pre-requisites: statistics, core E3B grad
courses or instructor's permission. An exploration of
how contemporary scientific research in the natural
sciences uses observation, experiment, and statistics
to evaluate ecological and evolutionary theory.
EEEB W4321 Human Nature: DNA, Race and Identity. 4 pts. The course focuses on human identity, begining with the individual and progressing to communal and global viewpoints using a framework of perspectives from biology, genetics, medicine, psychiatry, religion and the law. W4321 evolved from a Columbia College Core Capstone course developed initially from a Ford Foundation grant to the Center for the Study of Science and Religion, and is cross-listed as well with the Center for the Study of Ethnicity and Race. As a graduate level course, it is open to interested seniors and graduate students including those from the Medical Center campus.
EEEB W4340 Human Adaptation
This course explores human adaptation from a biological, ecological and evolutionary perspective. From our earliest hominin ancestors in Africa to our own species' subsequent dispersal throughout the world, our lineage has encountered innumerable environmental pressures. Using morphological, physiological and behavioral/cultural evidence, we will examine the responses to these pressures that helped shape our unique lineage and allowed it to adapt to a diverse array of environments.
EEEB W4601. Biological
Systematics. 3 pts. TBA. Prerequisite: evolution
or organismal survey course. Phylogenetic systematics,
particularly the molecular and analytical aspects of
phylogeny reconstruction. Theory of systematics, character
evaluation, molecular data types, methods of phylogeny
reconstruction, optimality criteria, tree evaluation
and comparison, and use of phylogenies in comparative
biology.
EEEB G4620. Food, Ecology and Globalization. 3pts. E. Sterling, P. West. This class examines the social, ecological, and political-economic roles of what and how we eat from a global perspective. Discussion will include how people across cultures derive identity through food gathering, preparation, and eating systems, as well as the relationships between culture and diversity of food systems.
EEEB G4645. Cultural and Biological Diversity. 3pts. E. Sterling, P. West. Prerequisite: instructor's permission. This course examines the articulation of biological, linguistic, and cultural diversity.
EEEB G4650. Biodiversity and Ecosystem Processes. 3pts. S. Naeem. Prerequisite: E3B courses in Ecology, Evolution, and/or Biodiversity or permission from the instructor. Survey of current advances in scientific research that focuses on the role biodiversity plays in governing ecological processes (e.g. biogeochemistry, resisting invasion by exotic species, or stabilizing communities) and ecosystem services (e.g. soil fertility, water quality, climate regulation).
EEEB W4660. Fish Biodiversity:
Systematics and Evolution. 3 pts. M. Stiassny. Prerequisite:
open to upper-level biology majors and graduate students.
Enrollment limited to 15. Graduate students have priority,
then undergraduates according to level of biology background.
This taxon-based course will provide students with a
broad overview and introduction to the biodiversity
of fishes applying a phylogenetic approach and will
investigate applications for fish conservation.
EEEB W4666. Insect Diversity.
4 pts. D. Grimaldi. Enrollment limited to 25. Undergraduate
environmental biology majors have priority. Prerequisite:
upper-division undergraduate or graduate status. Introduction
to phylogenetic relationships, evolution and ecology
of the major groups of arthropods, with emphasis on
insects. Lab: identification of common families of spiders
and insects of the northeastern United States.
EEEB W4700. Race: The Tangled History of a Biological
Concept. 4 pts. J. Shapiro. Enrollment limited to
17. From Aristotle to the Bell Curve, this course examines
the history of race as a biological concept. We will
explore the complex relationship between the scientific
study of biological differences, real, imagined, or
invented and the historical and cultural factors involved
in the development and expression of "racial ideas."
EEEB W4789y Biogeography. 3 pts. J. Cracraft. Prerequisite: degree in biological
sciences or instructor's permission. Detailed review
of modern biogeography from both an ecological and evolutionary
perspective. Island biogeography, speciation, extinction,
centers of origin and dispersal, cladistic vicariance
biogeography, endemism, environmental change, and earth
history and conservation applications.
EEEB G4800. Teaching Conservation Biology. 3 pts. N. Degnan. Covers the diversity of ways in which conservation can be popularized or taught, the most effective ways and relevant theories of transmitting this information, and how to evaluate success by the educator. Students are expected to participate in an internship with the New York Botanical garden, the American Museum of Natural History, or Wildlife Conservation Society during the semester.
EEEB 4850. M.A. Thesis Development Seminar. 3 pts. M.A. Program Adviser. Incoming MA students aiming for the thesis-based program are guided through the process of defining a research question, finding an advisor and preparing a research proposal. By the end of the semester the students will have a written research proposal which will be submitted to potential advisors for revision. Subject to a positive review
EEEB W4910. Field Botany and Plant Systematics. 4 pts. M. Palmer. A survey of vascular plants with emphasis on features of greatest utility in identifying plants in the field to the family level. This will be coupled with a survey of the major plant communities of northeastern North America and the characteristic species found in each. The course will consist of one lecture and one laboratory per week with several lab sessions extended to accommodate field trips to local regional natural areas.
EEEB G4990. Ph.D. Thesis Development Seminar. 6 pts. M. Uriarte and D. Rubenstein. This course will help guide E3B Ph.D. students towards candidacy by teaching them the skills necessary to be effective and independent scientists. Students will conduct an extensive literature review, write a preliminary dissertation proposal, and present their research ideas to the group on multiple occasions. Students will learn how to give and receive constructive written and oral feedback on their work.
EEEB G5005. Introduction to Statistics for Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. 3 pts. M. Palmer. Prerequisites: Some background in ecology, evolutionary biology, and/or statistics is recommended. An introduction to the theoretical principles and practical application of statistical methods in ecology and evolutionary biology. The course will cover the conceptual basis for a range of statistical techniques through a series of lectures using examples from the primary literature. The application of these techniques will be taught through the use of statistical software in computer-based laboratory sessions.
EEEB G5010. Statistical Modeling in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. 6 pts M. Uriarte. An exploration of data-based models as tools for inference in ecological research. Emphasis on the formulation and development of scientific models, modern statistical and computational methods for estimating model parameters, and evaluation of alternate models using strength of evidence. Laboratory exercises challenge students to apply these methods to real ecological data, including their own research. The course also explores the philosophical underpinnings of different statistical schools of thought including frequentist, likelihoodist, and Bayesian approaches.
EEEB G6020. Fundamentals
of GIS. 4 pts. Maximum: 15 students. Introduction for graduate students
to the fundamentals of GIS, including its design and
implementation. Students will learn about data structures,
input, storage, analysis, and display. Laboratory exercises
accompanying the lectures are designed to illustrate
the applications of GIS in ecology and conservation
research, as well as to provide hands-on experience
with Arc/Info and ArcView GIS software.
EEEB G6110. Evolution.
3 pts. R. DeSalle, Prerequisite: Priority given to first-year
students in EEB or Conservation Biology Certificate
program. Lecture course covering principal topics of
evolutionary biology from genetics, genome organization,
population and quantitative genetics, the history of
evolutionary theory, systematics, speciation and species
concepts, co-evolution, and biogeography.
EEEB G6125. Behavioral
Ecology and Conservation. 3pts. E. Sterling. Prerequisites:
Prior coursework in Conservation Biology & Animal
Behavior. Permission of instructor. An examination of
theoretical & practical arguments for considering
behavior patterns in attempts to conserve biodiversity.
ANTH G6146. Human Evolution.
3 pts. R. Holloway. The fossil data bearing on human
evolution, with a survey of other lines of evidence
from archaeology, the neurological sciences, and evolutionary
biology.
EEEB G6148. Primate Behavior. 3 pts. M. Cords. Broad coverage of the fundamentals
and recent developments in the field of primate behavior.
An evolutionary perspective in the study of behavior
is stressed, but is not limited to questions of evolutionary
function. Constraints on evolutionary design inherent
in the causal mechanisms underlying behavior (e.g. limits
on cognition).
EEEB G6150. Advances in Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology. 2 pts. This course will critically evaluate major scientific advances in ecology, evolution, and environmental biology
based on primary literature in leading journals and symposia published in the last three years.
The purpose of the course is to review contemporary advances in the natural sciences,
evaluate the merits of these advances, explore their applications to current environmental problems,
and identify future directions.
EEEB G6200. Professionalism in Science. 1 pt. Instructor TBA.
This seminar provides an introduction to important ethical, professional, and general methodological issues
encountered by professionals in conservation biology and conservation policy.
EEEB G6300. Research Methods
Seminar. 1 pt. Faculty. Prerequisite: Degree in
biological sciences. Graduate students in EEB program
have priority. Seminar series includes lectures on methods
and case studies of specific biological research projects;
emphasis on evolution, ecology, and conservation biology.
Weekly lectures by Columbia faculty, researchers, students
and guest speakers.
EEEB G6330. Conservation Psychology. 3 pts. This course introduces students to the human dimensions that influence conservation and how the scientific study of cognitive, affective and behavioral processes informs conservation strategies. Students will be introduced to the basic constructs informing conservation psychology and how to apply the framework to conservation challenges around the world.
EEEB G6400. Amazonia Seminar. 3 pts. M. Pinedo-Vásquez. Prerequisite: Preference
given to graduate students in EEB or Anthropology. The
assumptions upon which community-based conservation
and development projects are based, their successes
and shortcomings within the context of history and the
environment. Experienced guest lecturers.
EEEB G6440. Special Topics in Animal Social Behavior. 3 pts. M. Cords.
Seminar on animal social behavior with emphasis on detailed, critical readings of recent literature. Topics Change year to year.
EEEB G6905. Graduate Seminar
in Conservation Biology. 3pts. E. Sterling, J. Ginsburg.
Prerequisites: Biology, Ecology, Genetics, and Evolution.
This course is an introduction to the applied
science of maintaining the earth's biological diversity,
its landscapes, and wilderness. The course will focus
on the biological principles relevant to biodiversity conservation
at the genetic, population, and community
and landscape levels.
EEEB G6990. Topics in
Conservation Biology. 3pts. J. Ginsberg, E. Sterling.
Prerequisite: Introductory course in Conservation Biology.
This course examines a series of issues in conservation
biology where the science of extinction affects our
views of the problem, and the choice society makes.
EEEB G8416. Research Methods
in Animal Behavior. 3 pts. M. Cords. How to formulate
research hypotheses, choose a design, and collect, analyze
and present data. Students undertake individual projects
on zoo or park animals.
ANEB G9103. Research in
Physical Anthropology. 3 to 9 pts. Faculty. Prerequisite: the instructor's permission. Individual
research and tutorial in physical anthropology for advanced
graduate students.
EEEB G9501, G9502, G9503.
Directed Research. 3-6 pts. Faculty. Prerequisite:
One graduate semester completed. Research opportunities
for graduate students: experimental design, development
of tests for specific hypotheses, acquisition of new
techniques, analysis of data, interpretation and discussion
of results.
EEEB G9509. Directed Readings.
1-3 pts. Faculty. Prerequisite: for EEB graduate students
only. Supervised directed readings and literature review
in areas relevant to a student's research program. |
