Teaching
Louisiana State University - Dept. of Biological Sciences

Ichthyology 4145 (Biological Sciences/Renewable Natural Resources) Fall 2009, 2010
Lecture - 12:40 - 1:30 pm, M-W; Room 214 Foster Hall; Laboratory - 1:40 - 7:30 pm, Monday; Room 214 Foster Hall
The purpose of the course is to study the evolution, systematics, anatomy, and diversity of fishes. We learn the use of taxonomic keys for the identification of selected marine and freshwater fishes and there is also a great deal of comparative anatomy in this class. We have three field trips to sample fishes from a freshwater stream, the Atchafalaya River basin, and coastal Louisiana. There are three exams and two written assignments dealing with the descriptions of fishes and a presentation assignment.
Lec.1: Intro to Ichthyology
Lec.2: The Diversity of Fishes
Lec.3: A Brief History of Fish Taxonomy
Lec.4: Systematics: On Homology
Lec.5: History of Fishes: Jawless Fishes
Lec.6: History of Fishes 2: Jaws
Lec.7: Advanced Jawed Fishes
Lec.8: The Transition to Land: Sarcopterygii Part II
Lec.9: Actinopterygii Part 1: Early ray-finned fishes
Lec.10: Teleosts
Lec.11: Mid-term Review
Lec.12: Early Teleosts
Lec.13: Elopomorpha
Lec.14: Otocephala
Lec.15: Ostariophysi
Lec.16: Ostariophysi II
Lec.17: Neoteleostei & The Deep-Sea
Lec.18: Spiny-rayed Fishes
Lec.19: Percomorpha
Lec.20: Chondrichthyes
Lab 1: Video: Fish
Lab 2: Fish Description
Lab 3: Collecting in the Atchafalaya:Ramah
Lab 4: Early Anatomy
Lab 5: Collecting in Black Creek
Lab 6: Comparative Viscera
Lab 7: Collecting in Big Branch Marsh
Lab 8: Skulls and Circulation
Lab 9: Scales and Bones
Lab 10: Louisiana Freshwaters
Lab 11: Louisiana Marine Fishes
Lab 12: Student Presentations
Assignment 1: Louisiana Fish Description
Assignment 2: Animal Diversity Web/EoL Description
Assignment 3: 10 min presentation of Fish topic


Exam 1: Midterm
Exam 2: Final Lecture Exam
Exam 3: Lab Practical

Evolution 3040 (Biological Sciences) Fall 2011
Lecture - 10:40 - 12:30 pm, M-W; Room 201 Williams
The purpose of the course is to study the history and practice of evolutionary biology. We will learn about Darwin and his influences, the Modern Synthesis, all the way up to today and all the modern applications of our understanding of evolutionary biology. There are two assignments (a paper, a presentation) and four exams.
Lec.1: Introduction
Lec.2: History of Homology
Lec.3: Darwin
Lec.4: Modern Synthesis
Lec.5: Systematics/Tree of Life
Lec.6: Fieldtrip to Museum of Natural Science/Foster Hall
Lec.7: Tree of Life
Lec.8: Pattern of Life
Lec.9: Pattern Based Evolution
Lec.10: The Geology of Evolution
Lec.11: Evolution in the Fossil Record
Lec.12: Macroevolution in the Fossil Record
Lec.13: A History of Life on Earth
Lec.14: A History of Life on Earth 2
Lec.15: The Geography of Evolution 1
Lec.16: The Geography of Evolution 2
Lec.17: Midterm Review
Lec.18: Ecology of Evolution
Lec.19: The Evolution of Biodiversity
Lec.20: The Evolution of Biodiversity 2
Lec.21: Origins of Genetic Variation
Lec.22: Origins of Genetic Variation 2
Lec.23: Evolution of Communication
Lec.24: Variation & Hardy-Weinberg
Lec.25: Genetic Drift & Neutral Theory
Lec.26: Genomics, Selection & Adaptation
Lec.27: Adaptation
Lec.28: Phenotypic Evolution and Constraints
Lec.29: Life History & Sex
Lec.30: Sexual Selection
Lec.31: Sexual Selection's Role in Evolution: Case Study
Lec.32: Species & Speciation
Lec.33: Development & Macroevolution
Lec.34: Evolution in Culture/Course Review

Systematics Discussion Group 7901 (Biological Sciences), Fall 2009, 2010, 2011
This class is a 1 credit, graduate level, one-hour weekly discussion of a topic or manuscript on an empirical systematic work, methodology or philosophy. Students are expected to read materials and participate in discussions. Each week a student will be asked to find a discussion topic and lead a discussion. Systematics topics may come from the journals, Systematic Biology, Cladistics, student manuscripts or other relevant works. Topics can range from discussing phylogenetics in practice to the role of philosophy in systematics.
Outreach
I have given several talks at different events around Louisiana. The audience for these outreach programs range from elementary and high school students to primary school teachers. Using powerpoint and a scope-on-a-rope students and teachers learn about the amazing diversity of fishes. For more information please contact the LSUMNS Education Office


Selected Talks

How fishes can help us better understand evolution and Earth history
Saturday Science at LSU lecture, to local high school students

Glowing Fishes
Special Saturday Program LSUMNS: Discussed bioluminescence with local elementary school children.

Fishes!
"Make a Splash, Read!" summer program at the Goodwood Library & Zachary H.S. 2nd Grade Teacher Workshop