Teaching
EVR 5068 Marine Microbial Ecology
The salt marsh near St. Marks, FL.
Salt marshes are important in a number of different marine biogeochemical cycles, including Iron, Nitrogen, Carbon, and Sulfur.
FAMU catalog description:
This course will provide an introduction to microbial processes in the marine environment and will address how these processes relate to biogeochemical cycling on a global scale. The laboratory component of this course will include both field and laboratory studies of topics introduced during the course of the lecture.
Course Objectives:
Microbial ecology deals with the interactions of microbes with their biotic and abiotic surroundings. The diversity of microbial metabolism distinguishes microbial diversity from macroorganism diversity, and forms the basis of the biogeochemical cycles that maintain the Earth’s biosphere. In this course we will cover the major roles that bacteria play in marine and estuarine systems. After taking the course, students are expected to demonstrate a broad understanding of:
- Key microorganisms that are typically found in marine and estuarine ecosystems.
- What are the techniques to assess the population and diversity of key microorganisms in the marine and estuarine environments?
- How does the bacterial community structure influence the rates and pathways of nutrient and energy flow in marine and estuarine ecosystems?
EVR 6064 Principles of Ecology
Carnivorous pitcher plants
This longleaf pine/wiregrass ecosystem shown here is uniqute to the southeastern United States. The Pitcher plants also contain a complete food chain in the water they collect in their leaves.
FAMU catalog description:
Presentation of current topics in the various fields of ecology including community, populations and ecosystem ecology. Particular emphasis will be placed on those areas related to environmental management.
Course Objectives
At the end of the course students should have an increased awareness and understanding of:
- Flows of energy and materials in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems
- interrelationships between organisms and environmental parameters; factors influencing abundance and distribution of organisms
- Biogeochemical cycles, trophic structure and population dynamics
- Environmental change and its impact on ecosystems.
EVS 5027 Environmental Microbiology
Hydrothermal Vent Communities
The animals living on this deep sea hydrothermal vent are entirely dependant on chemoautotrophic bacteria producing energy from H2S. (Photo: Wikimedia Comons)
FAMU Catalog Description:
This course is designed to examine the relationship between microbes and the environment and the use of microbes in environmental cleanup. Discussions will focus on the use of molecular biology techniques to analyze and classify microbial life forms, as well as the use of these techniques to design and construct unique microbial cells that can be used to achieve specific objectives related to management of the environment.
Course Objectives
This course is designed to have you learn about micro-organisms that are found in various environmental settings, how molecular biology techniques are used to identify and classify microbial life forms, factors that govern growth of microbial life forms and some of the applied uses of environmental microorganisms.
Methodology:
Students will learn from class handouts and reading of original research articles. The textbook is to be used to provide basic information in biology, chemistry and microbiology.
EVS 5896 Environmental Biotechnologies
Algae and wastewater treatment
These tanks are being used in an experiment coupling the production of algae biofuels to wastewater treatment at the treatment plant south of Tallahassee.
FAMU catalog description:
Principles and practice of the various biotechnologies and their applications in environmental analysis, monitoring and measurements. This course reviews the development and application of biotechnologies for solutions to environmental challenges as well and associated regulatory, ethical, and legal issues. Topics include instrumentation, applications, techniques and research.
Course Objectives
Presentations in this course will give a detailed review of the biochemical reactions and molecular biology techniques that underpin current biotechnology methodology. Students will understand and review emergent techniques and applications to environmental biotechnology. On a rotating basis, latest journal articles will be included for group discussions and critique. At the end of the course, it is expected that students will have the ability to read and fully comprehend original research literature that use biotechnology techniques.
EVS 5905 Environmental Science Colloquium/Seminar
Anthropogenic Impacts
Among the topics covered in this course are anthropogenic impacts on the environement such as the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010. (Photo: Wikimedia Comons)
FAMU catalog description:
Discussions will focus on student presentations, seminars and guest speakers.
Course Objectives
In this course, students will learn how to read, understand and present data from the original science literature. Student will select a research paper of their interest and, following approval by the instructor, make an oral presentation of information contained in the paper to the class. This will be followed by a detailed critique of the research findings including alternate methods or approaches such that the research findings could have been strengthened or further improved.
Topics
The objective of this class is to discuss current and emerging research in environmental sciences. Some such topics include, but not limited to:
- Anthropogenic impacts to the environment by emerging contaminants, such as those including personal care and pharmaceutical products, hydrocarbon spills in marine environments, fate and antibiotics released into the environment through human consumption and/or animal farming facilities, nanoparticles released into the environment and their effects, among others.
- Invasive species and their impacts to the environment.
- Other topics of interests may be covered as appropriate such as global climate change and ramifications to the environment.
- Environmental sustainability and technology development
EVS 5912 Bioremediation Applications and Techniques
Biostimulation
A well used to feed in situ bactera (biostimulation) which can break down trichloroethylene at the Idaho National Laboratory. (Photo: Wikimedia Comons)
FAMU Catalog Description:
This course is designed to examine the relationship between microbes and the environment and the use of microbes in environmental cleanup. Discussions will focus on the use of molecular biology techniques to analyze and classify microbial life forms, as well as the use of these techniques to design and construct unique microbial cells that can be used to achieve specific objectives related to management of the environment.
Course Objectives
An ability to outline and prepare laboratory microcosm and design field experiments to perform aerobic and anaerobic bioremediation of the following pollutants:
- Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
- Pesticides
- Petroleum hydrocarbons
- Heavy metals
- Personal care and pharmaceutical products (PCPPs)
- Microbial enhanced waste management
- Nanoparticles and antibiotics in the environment