Courses taught by P. Roxanne Kellar, Ph.D.
All summer 2020 courses will be offered either as a Remote Learning or Totally Online Course. Please check the course schedule listing for how each class will be offered. The note section will provide additional information on remote learning and, as needed, for specific online courses.
Flora of the Great Plains (BIOL 3530/8535) - The classification, identification, and recognition of common vascular plants found in the Great Plains. At the conclusion of the course, students will be able to:
- apply basic taxonomic principles:Description, Identification, Nomenclature, and Classification (DINC)
- read phylogenetic trees and interpret evolutionary relationships within vascular plants
- recognize and name some common plant families of the Great Plains
- apply plant morphology terms
- identify local species using taxonomic keys and collect and preserve them for future use
- describe various sources of invasive species
- compare and contrast various ecosystems of the Great Plains
Principles of Systematics (BIOL 4540) - A study of the science of classification of living organisms with particular emphasis on evolutionary relationships among groups. At the conclusion of the course, students will be able to:
- read and interpret phylogenetic trees
- recognize how phylogenetic trees are used to investigate questions in many disciplines
- understand the underlying logic used to estimate trees
- convert verbal or textual discussions of evolutionary relationships or classifications into phylogenies
- estimate phylogenetic trees (from both morphological and molecular datasets) using various techniques
- calculate statistical support for clades
- apply tree thinking skills when reading/reviewing scientific articles
Biology II (BIOL 1750) - Second semester of a two semester series on the general principles of biology. Introduction to the study of life, concentrating on whole organisms and their interactions with the environment. This course focused on evolution and natural selection, biodiversity, physiologic responses to the environment, organ systems, population dynamics, community ecology, and energy and material flow through ecosystems.
BIOL 4030 - Special Topics: Study Abroad
June 2016 - Biodiversity and Conservation in Costa Rica. Discover the incredible biodiversity of Costa Rica and conservation strategies to protect this diversity. In this course, BIOL 4030, students will attend lectures to learn about the natural history of the plants and animals, the importance of biodiversity, threats to biodiversity, and conservation efforts succeeding in Costa Rica. During the two-week trip through the country, we will visit active volcanoes, banana and cocoa plantations, indigenous people, and biological research stations in various rainforest locations. Students will have all of these experiences while earning college credit. See course flyer here.
Biodiversity in the Tropical Watershed of Belize (June 2014). This is a Study Abroad summer course with a focus on biodiversity, conservation, water quality, eradication of invasive species, and Mayan culture that includes a 12-day trip around the country of Belize