BIOS 5455 - Plant-Herbivore Interactions

Interactions between plants and herbivores provide the foundation processes for most observable ecological patterns. These processes have organized patterns of species diversity through evolutionary history as well as contemporary space. In this class we will examine interactions between plants and herbivores over a wide range of scales, from thrips to elephants, that often control the dynamics of other exploitative, competitive and mutualistic processes both within and among trophic levels. The class is interactive with computer simulations, presentations, a grant-writing exercise and discussion of relevant literature.

Prerequisites & Corequisites: Prerequisite: Junior standing and at least 12 credits in biology, including BIOS 3010, with grades of “C” or better; or instructor approval.

Credits: 3 hours

Notes: This course is approved to cover the capstone requirement for the Biology and Biomedical Sciences majors. Open to upperclass and graduate students.
When Offered: Spring, alternate years