Current Courses Taught

Ecological Genetics Entom 4700 / BioEE 4800 4 credits Lecture Tue and Thur 10:10-11:25.  Discussion Wed 10:10-11:00, with a second section TBA. Offered Odd-Year Spring Semesters (next offered Spring 2013) This course focuses on the application of population genetic concepts in ecological or applied contexts. Emphasis is placed on measuring adaptation in natural populations, detecting the effects of population demography, and determining the genetic basis of quantitative traits. Examples are drawn from primary research on animals and plants to illustrate experimental techniques and methods of data analysis on single-gene, multi-locus and genome-wide scales. Prerequisite BioEE 1780 or permission of instructor. Familiarity with genetics and basic statistics is recommended. Satisfies undergraduate major requirements in Entomology and Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. Course flyer (pdf) Course overview, syllabus, and discussion section readings from Spring 2011. Student evaluations of previous Ecological Genetics offerings (pdf format) 2011   2009   2008   2007   2005

Introduction to Evolutionary Biology and Diversity  (Team-taught course) BioEE 1780 4 or 5 credits; 5-credit option involves writing component and two discussion sections per week. Offered every semester Considers explanations for pattern of diversity and the apparent good fit of organisms to the environment. Topics include the diversity of life, the genetics and developmental basis of evolutionary change, processes at the population level, evolution by natural selection, modes of speciation, long-term trends in evolution, origin of humans. Students taking the 5-credit option read additional materials from the primary literature and write a series of essays in place of the regular prelims.

Tropical Field Ecology and Behavior BioEE 2650 4 credits Offered January Intersession Field course based in Kenya, Africa, led by Irby Lovette. Gives students a broad hands-on understanding of tropical biology, ecology, and behavioral ecology. Students gain experience with experimental design and data collection, field methods, basic statistics, interpretation and evaluation of primary scientific literature, and scientific paper writing. Course fee: Students pay separately for their international airfare and there may also be a small supplementary laboratory fee. Permission of instructor is required.

Seminar in the Ecology and Evolution of Infection and Disease Entom 6900 / BioEE 6900 1 credit Offered every semester Coordinated by Lazzaro in Fall semesters and by Ann Hajek in Spring semesters. Graduate level discussion of the ecology, epidemiology, genetics and evolution of infectious disease in animal and plant systems. Weekly discussion of research papers published in the primary scientific literature. Participation in dicussion and presentation of at least one paper required for course credit. See Cornell EEID group and associated journal club.

Courses Formerly Taught

Population Genetics  (co-taught with Chip Aquadro) BioGD 4810 4 credits Offered Fall semesters Dr. Lazzaro is no longer involved in teaching BioGD 4810. Population genetics is the study of the transmission of genetic variation through time and space. This course explores how to quantify this variation, what the distribution of variation tells us about the structure of natural populations, and about the processes that lead to evolution. Topics include the diversity and measurement of genetic variation, mating and reproductive systems, selection and fitness, genetic drift, migration and population structure, mutation, multilocus models, the genetics of speciation, quantitative traits, and the maintenance of molecular variation. Emphasis is placed on DNA sequence variation and the interplay between theory and the data from experiments and natural populations. Specific case studies include the population genetic issues involved in DNA fingerprinting, the genetic structure and evolution of human populations, and the study of adaptation at the molecular level. Examples are drawn from studies of animals, plants, and microbes.

Current Topics in Entomology Entom 7670 1 credit Dr. Lazzaro is no longer involved in teaching Entom 7670. This course provides first- and second-year graduate students with an overview of the field of Entomology. The course format changes from year to year but generally involves attendance at the weekly Entomology seminar on Monday as well as a one-hour meeting shortly after the seminar either with faculty from the department or with visiting speakers. Additional readings may be required.