View EEB graduate courses on campus, as well as a select list of cognates.

Graduate Courses at UMBS

EEB 400: Advanced Research
1 – 3 credits

EEB 431: Biology of Animal Parasites / Ecology of Animal Parasites

5 credits

Prereq: Two college-level courses in biology or BIO 162

In this course, various ecological aspects of animal parasite populations (including those infecting humans) are studied, such as life cycles, species diversity, diel and seasonal periodicity, intra- and inter-specific competition, host specificity, longevity, recruitment, pathology, and parasite-induced behavioral changes in the host. Field and laboratory techniques for studying these host-parasite relationships are emphasized.

EEB 453: Field Mammalogy

5 credits

Prereq: Two college-level courses in biology or BIO 162

This course provides an introduction to the study of mammals. Students learn methods of studying mammals in the field by carrying out a series of research projects on the wild mammals of northern Michigan. These projects are designed to give familiarity with areas of active research on the ecology of mammals and practical experience with the excitement and headaches of formulating hypotheses, carrying out fieldwork, and analyzing data. Some familiarity with elementary statistics is helpful but not necessary.

EEB 457: Algae in Freshwater Ecosystems

5 credits
Prereq: One course in ecology

In this course, students will conduct a survey of the algae of northern Michigan with an emphasis on taxonomy and ecology. Students become familiar with the algae of streams, bogs, fens, swamps, beach pools, and the Great Lakes. Special attention is given to field investigations of periphyton and phytoplankton community ecology and their application to water quality assessment.

BIO 482: Limnology: Freshwater Ecology

5 credits

Prereq: One course in ecology

This course introduces the fundamentals of aquatic ecology (with an emphasis on lakes) from an ecosystem-level approach. General limnological principles as well as physical, chemical, and biological parameters of lakes will be studied, with a focus on advanced aquatic sensors instrumentation. Biological investigations include an introduction to the ecology and taxonomy of the algae, zooplankton, macroinvertebrates, macrophytes, and fishes. Field studies include a comparative lake survey in which students will gain experience in field sampling, laboratory analysis of samples, statistical analysis and interpretation of data for several types of lakes.

EEB 492: Behavioral Ecology Prereq: Two college-level courses in biology or BIO 162. Class exercises, field techniques, and an individual research project are used to develop skills in taking behavioral data under field conditions and to test functional hypotheses about behavior from current ecological theory. Topics include: behavior in an evolutionary context, parental care and mating systems, and predator-prey interactions.

EEB 486: Biology and Ecology of Fishes

Prereq: Two college-level courses in biology or BIO 162.

This class features field and laboratory studies of fish communities. Field trips sample a variety of aquatic habitats in the area, with analysis of habitat characteristics and fish community composition. Laboratories and lectures examine physiological, behavioral, and functional morphological factors that determine possible (“fundamental”) habitat range, and modifying organismic interactions such as predation and competition leading to actual (“realized”) distributions. Strengths and weaknesses of various research approaches to analysis of communities are evaluated.

EEB 474: Ecology of Wetlands

Prereq: None.

In this course, students study a wide range of wetland habitats found around the station. Students examine basin morphology, hydrology, chemistry, human impacts, wetland plants and animals, biological adaptation, and energy pathways. The class also looks at the complex issues involving the values of wetlands, wetland delineation, management and restoration. Students are also involved in projects designed to provide greater depth of research on subjects or techniques of interest to them specifically.

EEB 556: Field Botany of Northern Michigan

5 credits

Prereq: Two college-level courses in biology (or BIO 162) and some previous experience with plant taxonomy/identification, or permission of instructor

This course offers a comprehensive field approach to vascular plants of the region, including characteristic species of terrestrial and wetland habitats as well as species known for their rarity or distinctive distribution patterns. Topics covered include the major plant families of the Great Lakes area, basic terminology and techniques useful in plant identification, the general phytogeography and ecology of the region especially as these relate to recent geological history of the landscape, and field recognition of more than 300 selected species. Prior familiarity with at least some families and species is extremely helpful.

EEB 700: Advanced Study in Biology
1 – 8 credits