Ecology, function, history and conservation of tropical systems. Focus on ecological and evolutionary principles using tropical landscapes as a geographic template. Assessment of factors that make tropical systems vulnerable to degradation. Research project development using analysis of tropical ecology literature. [2-0-2] Prerequisite: BIOL_V 121 or SCIE_V 001 and one of BIOL_V 230, FRST_V 201, GEOS_V 207, GEOB_V 207.

Biodiversity from an evolutionary perspective. The evolutionary (phylogenetic) tree of genetic descent that links all organisms: its reconstruction, interpretation, and implications for fields from ecology to molecular biology. [2-0-2] Prerequisite: BIOL 200 and one of BIOL 233, BIOL 234. BIOL 336 is recommended

Description and interpretation of present and past floristic vegetational patterns; integration of evolutionary, ecological, and plant biogeographical concepts. Terrestrial and aquatic plants are considered. Restricted to students of third and fourth years. [3-0-0] Prerequisite: BIOL_V 121 or SCIE_V 001.

Plant community ecology including a consideration of the major approaches to sampling, analyzing and interpreting vegetation patterns. Instruction given in field work and computer analysis of field data. [3-3-0] Prerequisite: BIOL 230. BIOL 324 is recommended.

Theoretical and applied ecology of microbes. Focus on microbial symbionts of animals, plants and seaweeds. Research project development through critical analysis of microbial ecological literature and computational analysis of ecological data. [2-3-0] Prerequisite: One of BIOL_V 121, SCIE_V 001, BIOL_V 230 and one of BIOL_V 300, FRST_V 231, STAT_V 200. 4th-year class standing.