Environmental Biology

The courses below are offered through the Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology.

Department Chair: Shahid Naeem, 1017 Schermerhorn Extension
212-854-4499
sn2121@columbia.edu

Departmental Adviser: Matthew Palmer, 3 Claremont
212-851-1883

Departmental Offices: 10th floor, Schermerhorn Extension
212-854-9987

Web: www.columbia.edu/cu/e3b

NOTE

Course scheduling is subject to change. Days, times, instructors, class locations, and call numbers are available on the Directory of Classes.

Fall course information begins posting to the Directory of Classes in February; Summer course information begins posting in March; Spring course information begins posting in June. For course information missing from the Directory of Classes after these general dates, please contact the department or program.

Click on course title to see course description and schedule.

 

Fall 2012

Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology

Advanced Graduate Classes

  • EEEB V1010x. The Human Species: Its Place In Nature. 3 pts.

    Lab fee: $25. Designed to acquaint students with a variety of scientific disciplines through the investigation of human evolution, specifically Darwin's theory of evolution; Mendel's principles of inheritance, major patterns of evolution; primate behavioral morphology and evolution; and the fossil remains and evolutionary trends in human evolution. [Taught every fall.]

    Recitation Section Required.
    Course
    Number
    Call Number/
    Section
    Days & Times/
    Location
    Instructor Enrollment
    Fall 2012 :: EEEB V1010 :: Credit Sections
    EEEB
    1010
    63271
    001
    MW 11:40a - 12:55p
    602 HAMILTON HALL
    J. Shapiro 44 [ More Info ]
  • EEEB W2001x. Environmental Biology, I: Elements to Organisms. 3 pts.

    Introductory biology course for majors in biology or environmental biology, emphasizing the ecological and evolutionary context of modern biology.

    Course
    Number
    Call Number/
    Section
    Days & Times/
    Location
    Instructor Enrollment
    Fall 2012 :: EEEB W2001 :: Credit Sections
    EEEB
    2001
    65537
    001
    TuTh 1:10p - 2:25p
    516 HAMILTON HALL
    J. Drew
    S. Naeem
    34 [ More Info ]
  • EEEB W3220x. The Evolution of Human Growth and Development. 3 pts.

    Prerequisites: EEEB V1010 or ANTH V1007 or Instructor permission.

    This course explores central issues in human growth and development from birth through senescence. Emphasis will be placed on the factors responsible for the variability in current human growth patterns as well as the evolutionary divergence of a uniquely human pattern from our closest living and fossil relatives.

    Course
    Number
    Call Number/
    Section
    Days & Times/
    Location
    Instructor Enrollment
    Fall 2012 :: EEEB W3220 :: Credit Sections
    EEEB
    3220
    73332
    001
    TuTh 11:40a - 12:55p
    1015 EXT SCHERMERHORN HALL
    J. Manser 11 / 20 [ More Info ]
  • EEEB W3230x. Late Pleistocene Paleoanthropology of Southeast Asia and Australia. 3 pts.

    Prerequisites: EEEB V1010 or ANTH V1007 or Instructor permission.

    Given recent intriguing insights into Southeast Asian and Australian human evolution, this course presents a topical and comprehensive analysis of the region's paleoanthropological record. Issues of origins, isolation and extinctions are explored using evidence from morphology, archaeology, and genetics.

    Course
    Number
    Call Number/
    Section
    Days & Times/
    Location
    Instructor Enrollment
    Fall 2012 :: EEEB W3230 :: Credit Sections
    EEEB
    3230
    76288
    001
    TuTh 2:40p - 3:55p
    613 HAMILTON HALL
    J. Manser 4 / 20 [ More Info ]
  • EEEB W4122x. Fundamentals of Ecology and Evolution. 4 pts.

    Prerequisites: EEEB W2001 and W2002 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. By the end of the course students will have (1) gained a thorough knowledge of the intellectual history and intersections of these two disciplines, (2) forged some clear links between conservation, ecology, and evolution, and (3) gained quantitative confidence in the use of some basic models in ecology and evolution.

    Course
    Number
    Call Number/
    Section
    Days & Times/
    Location
    Instructor Enrollment
    Fall 2012 :: EEEB W4122 :: Credit Sections
    EEEB
    4122
    15902
    001
    MW 8:00a - 9:50a
    1015 EXT SCHERMERHORN HALL
    E. Bone
    J. Cracraft
    14 [ More Info ]
  • EEEB W4321. Human Identity. 4 pts.

    The course focuses on human identity, beginning with the individual and progressing to communal and global viewpoints using a framework of perspectives from biology, genetics, medicine, psychiatry, religion and the law.

    Course
    Number
    Call Number/
    Section
    Days & Times/
    Location
    Instructor Enrollment
    Fall 2012 :: EEEB W4321 :: Credit Sections
    EEEB
    4321
    69571
    001
    W 2:10p - 4:00p
    401 HAMILTON HALL
    M. Pollack
    R. Pollack
    8 [ More Info ]
  • EEEB G5010. Statistical Modeling in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. 6 pts.

    Prerequisites: Basic statistics (e.g. STAT W1111 and STAT W1211), core E3B grad courses (EEEB G6110, EEEB G6112, or EEEB G6990), or permission of the instructor.

    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 exeercises 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 f thought including frequentist, likelihoodist, and Bayesian approaches. Enrollment limited to 12.

    Lab Required.
    Course
    Number
    Call Number/
    Section
    Days & Times/
    Location
    Instructor Enrollment
    Fall 2012 :: EEEB G5010 :: Credit Sections
    EEEB
    5010
    73693
    001
    TuTh 10:10a - 11:25a
    1015 EXT SCHERMERHORN HALL
    Tu 11:30a - 2:30p
    252 ENGINEERING TERRACE
    M. Uriarte 12 / 12 [ More Info ]

    Spring 2013

    Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology

    Advanced Graduate Classes

  • EEEB W3087y. Conservation Biology. 3 pts.

    Prerequisites: Introductory organismal biology course, ideally EEEB 2002.

    Applications of biological principles to the conservation of biodiverstiy. Because conservation biology is a cross-disciplinary field, some of the social, philosophical, and economic dimensions of biological conservation are also addressed.

    Recitation Section Required.
    Course
    Number
    Call Number/
    Section
    Days & Times/
    Location
    Instructor Enrollment
    Spring 2013 :: EEEB W3087 :: Credit Sections
    EEEB
    3087
    64242
    001
    M 4:10p - 6:00p
    1015 EXT SCHERMERHORN HALL
    A. Porzecanski
    S. Spector
    21 [ More Info ]
  • EEEB W3915y. Comparative Social Evolution. 3 pts.

    Prerequisites: instructor's permission

    This collaborative course co-taught with experts from four universities will explore the diversity of social life on earth. Weekly course meetings will connect undergraduate students from around the country to explore social evolution in a comparative context. Through a combination of primary literature, lectures by leaders in the field, inter-collegiate discussions using social media, and student-led data analysis and comparative projects, students will gain different perspectives on social evolution from some of the world's leaders in the field.

  • EEEB G4030y. Phylogenomics:a hands-on course exploring phylogeny and genomics. 3 pts.

    A hands on course in genome level evolutionary approaches. The course will examine the approaches and technology involved in genome level data collection and analysis. Whole genome scans for population genetics and whole genome phylogenetics are two of the major subjects to be covered. The course will include a session in each class studying computer programs that are commonly used in both population genetics and phylogenetics at the genome level.

    Course
    Number
    Call Number/
    Section
    Days & Times/
    Location
    Instructor Enrollment
    Spring 2013 :: EEEB G4030 :: Credit Sections
    EEEB
    4030
    71305
    001
    Tu 12:00p - 1:50p
    1015 EXT SCHERMERHORN HALL
    R. DeSalle 9 [ More Info ]
  • EEEB G4134y. Behavioral Ecology. 4 pts.

    Prerequisites: Graduate students: EEEB 6110 and permission of instructor
    Undergraduate students: PSYCH W2420 or BC BIOL 3280 and permission of instructor

    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, sex allocation, reproductive skew, and alternative mating strategies among others. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the theoretical bases of these theories, as well as empirical tests of these concepts. The course is writing intensive and written assignments will encourage critical assessment of theory, experimental design, and data analysis.

  • EEEB W4192y. Introduction to Landscape Analysis. 3 pts.

    Prerequisites: SDEV W3390 or EESC W4050 or permission of instructor

    This class provides basic theory in landscape analysis and training in methods for analyzing landscapes, focusing on interpretation of satellite images. The class covers approaches and definitions in landscape analysis, data sources, land cover classification, change detection, accuracy assessment, projections of future land cover change, and techniques to interpret results of these analyses. Students will obtain hands-on experience working with data from a landscape related to his/her research or a landscape chosen by the instructors.Lab Required.

  • EEEB W4195. Marine Conservation Ecology. 4 pts.

    Prerequisites: EEEB G6110, EEEB G6112, or EEEB G6990, 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. The course includes a spring break trip that is a requirement. There is a course fee of $1800 to cover expenses incurred on the trip. While in Belize, students will spend 1.5 hours every day in the water and thus, need to be able to swim and practice appropriate water safety. Final enrollment in the course will be determined by a water safety test conducted within the first two weeks of classes.

    Course
    Number
    Call Number/
    Section
    Days & Times/
    Location
    Instructor Enrollment
    Spring 2013 :: EEEB W4195 :: Credit Sections
    EEEB
    4195
    73299
    001
    Tu 10:10a - 11:25a
    1015 EXT SCHERMERHORN HALL
    E. Bone
    J. Drew
    8 [ More Info ]
  • EEEB G4260y. Food, Ecology, and Globalization. 3 pts. enrollment limited to 30 students

    Prerequisites: Instructor's permission

    This class examines the social, ecological, and political economic roles of what and how we eat from a global perspective.

    Course
    Number
    Call Number/
    Section
    Days & Times/
    Location
    Instructor Enrollment
    Spring 2013 :: EEEB G4260 :: Credit Sections
    EEEB
    4260
    11893
    001
    M 4:10p - 6:00p
    467 SCHERMERHORN HALL
    E. Sterling
    S. Akabas
    30 / 50 [ More Info ]
  • EEEB W4321. Human Identity. 4 pts.

    The course focuses on human identity, beginning with the individual and progressing to communal and global viewpoints using a framework of perspectives from biology, genetics, medicine, psychiatry, religion and the law.

    Course
    Number
    Call Number/
    Section
    Days & Times/
    Location
    Instructor Enrollment
    Spring 2013 :: EEEB W4321 :: Credit Sections
    EEEB
    4321
    69630
    001
    W 2:10p - 4:00p
    402 HAMILTON HALL
    M. Pollack
    R. Pollack
    5 [ More Info ]
  • EEEB W4655y. Biodiversity, Natural Resources and Conflict. 3 pts.

    Environmental programs worldwide are fraught with disputes between groups of people over natural resources. Such conflict can be highly complex, may undermine or deter environmental conservation efforts, and may even foster violence. These conflicts often involve disagreements between different human parties that are divided by culture, social values, and perceptions about the ethics and appropriatemess of how resources should be allocated or used. Combining specific case studies, ecological and social theory, and a complex systems approach, this course will enhance the proficiency of participants to understand, study, and manage natural resource-based conflicts. The course is designed for conservation scientists, environmental policymakers, rural development specialists, political ecologists, and conflict/peace workers.

  • EEEB G5022y. Experimental Methods in Ecology. 3 pts.

    Prerequisites: EEEB W2001 or equivalent

    Students in this course will gain a thorough understanding of the principles of sampling in ecological research, from the initiation of a research question, through to sampling procedures, analysis options and presentation and communication of research results. They will gain experience in experimental and survey design and implementation through participating in small research projects throughout the semester, done within the classroom, laboratory and local riparian, coastal and terrestrial field environments.

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