Mar 28, 2024  
2022-2023 Academic Catalog 
    
2022-2023 Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

BIO 150-03 - Introduction to Biological Inquiry

4 credits (Spring)
Biological Necromancy: Death and Life History. Some of the most important decisions organisms make involve their reproduction, decisions such as how many offspring to have, how large those offspring should be, and how frequently reproduction should occur. These suites of reproductive-related questions are called life history decisions, and organisms are predicted to evolve so that these decisions maximize their reproductive fitness. We will investigate why life history strategies vary so much among organisms by reviewing and examining the literature, looking at specific case studies, and crafting our own experiments using carrion beetles (Genus: Nicrophorus) as model organisms. Carrion beetles are attracted to small vertebrate carcasses, which they use for feeding and provisioning their offspring, an unusual behavior among insects. We will communicate our independent research findings through both scientific writing and oral presentation.

Prerequisite: None.
Instructor: Meyers