At Empire State College, I teach a variety of studies that can be tailored to suit a student’s needs. These studies may vary in their credits (typically 2-4Cr), level (Intro or Advanced), and type (Liberal or non-liberal). My group studies are often prescribed during a specific term. However, we can develop an independent study across any term to best suit your academic interests.
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MENTORING
Educational Planning
As your mentor, I will aim to develop a degree plan that best suits your academic, personal, and professional goals. During the course of your Empire State career, we will work interactively and generate an outline to achieve these goals by graduation. In particular, we will ensure that we are able to provide you with studies of interest, and those that will likely compliment your area of study. There are many pathways to an ESC degree, and we will get you there.
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Internship
Internships are an integral part of experiential learning. Here, you will develop a hands-on approach in your scientific field of interest, and apply the theoretical components that you acquired during your undergraduate studies. Students may wish to establish internships in various field in science: zoology, behavior, natural history, education, research, development, medicine, and astronomy (just to name a few). If you are interested in an internship in the sciences, more information about available opportunities are found here.
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GROUP STUDIES
Animal Behavior
The study of animal behavior has long been fascinating, yet we still know very little about the animal mind and the interactions between non-human species. To humans, most of our understanding of behavior is either subjective or alien. In this group study, you will be introduced to the core conceptual, theoretical, and applied aspects in animal behavior, such as communication, mate selection, neuroethology, cultural transmission, and personality.
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Conservation & Biodiversity
The union of natural and artificial processes have accelerated the decline of livable habitat for all organisms. In particular, the immediate threats to biodiversity serves as an indicator of ecosystem quality. Here, we aim to examine the impact of natural processes and human-induced activities, and how both actions have disrupted evolution. In particular, we will examine the conservation efforts that are employed to curtail species decline and habitat degradation.
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Fundamentals of Biology
Our knowledge of biological processes is only a small fraction of our greater understanding of the natural sciences; however, it is also a very critical component for understanding life. In this group study, we examine the basic principles and processes of general biology. During the term, we will study cell biology, genetics, evolution, and ecology, and discover how these concepts are interrelated.
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Ecology & the Environment
The natural world is a complex theater. Since the beginning of the Earth’s history, many living and non-living interactions have shaped the various global ecosystems into the forms that we have today. In this group study, we will examine how: 1) the environment has shaped species interactions, 2) species have evolved and adapted to dynamic environmental changes, 3) the impacts of human actions have altered natural systems, and 4) we can better understand the conservation of the planet and species in decline.
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On the Menu: The Science of Food and Nutrition
What are you eating? Some of us enjoy the art of cooking, and others simply love to consume food. However, behind every dish, many scientific principles are employed in what we eat and how we prepare our food. In addition, what we ultimately consume and accumulate will shape our health. Thus, the phrase ‘you are what you eat’ may have an extraordinary interpretation. In this study, we will consider several aspects related to the science of food: biology of plant and animal material, nutrition, the digestive system, and the chemistry of food. We will also consider cultural interactions between food and ethnic flavors. Lastly, we will examine the impacts of the agricultural industry on the environment, and how these activities have likely shaped some of our food choices.
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Science Colloquium
Science is universal. In particular, researchers are examining important questions in the sciences to improve our understanding of the natural world. The Science Colloquium is a seminar series where scientists across all the fields of the natural and physical sciences discuss their research in a casual setting. Topics may include, but are not limited to, research in biology, chemistry, ecology, zoology, physics, astronomy, environmental science, medicine, genetics, and/or psychology. Here, students will have the opportunity to meet the invited speaker and discuss their research with them.
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INDEPENDENT STUDIES
Anatomy & Physiology I & II
The human body is a complex system. We are an organism that shares many common features with other species, yet our function and purpose may also be very similar or vary greatly from our animal counterparts. In this study, we will go behind the scenes of the human body to examine the physical components, and the physiological processes that assist with function. Here, we will focus on form and function, organ systems, development, and disease. In order to understand who we are, we need to ultimately understand what we are.
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Animal Communication: Vision
Communication in any context is complex. However, those organisms that are dependent on vision have developed effective signals that are superior to other modalities. Explore the adaptations of vision that make this sensory mode most effective for visually-dominated species.
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Animal Communication: Audition
Auditory communication is highly specialized. Some organisms have very simple calling repertoires, yet others are more complex. Investigate the variations in auditory signaling in animals.
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Animal Communication: Chemical
Chemical communication is one of the most difficult types of interactions to understand; however, it provides a wealth of biological information about another individual. Examine this signaling type to better understand how chemical, biological, and physical dimensions interact in complex environments.
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Animal Learning
It has been proposed by classical behaviorists that all behavioral traits are learned. Investigate the many theoretical and conceptual theories behind learning, and whether these paradigms are applicable to humans and animals.
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Biodiversity
Ecosystems are complex environments. In every biosphere, there is great variation in species abundance, composition, and diversity. Investigate the evolutionary processes that have likely shaped diversity in an array of ecological communities.
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Conservation & the Environment
We are exploiting the environment. The mere presence of humans have disrupted natural processes, and caused the declines of species abundances, diversity, and degradation of the environment. Examine environmental degradation, species decline, and the management applications currently being used to combat negative impacts.
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Cultural Transmission
Are you more like your mother or your father? Genotypes (genetic make-up) will eventually express your phenotype (observable traits), yet it is unclear which traits and behaviors are clearly expressed. In addition, the influence of non-related individuals may also contribute to phenotypic expression. Why are some behavioral characteristics passed from individual-to-individual that ultimately form a ‘culture’, whereas others are not accepted?
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Ecological Interactions: Competition and Symbiosis
Competition and symbiotic interactions have influenced many of the current ecosystems of today. Some would argue that these natural processes are the principle component for shaping all environmental ecosystems and their interactions. Examine competition, parasitism, commensalisms, and mutualisms and their impact on the environment.
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Evolution of Animal Signals
Animals need to communicate effectively and efficiently. It is likely that signal communication is shaped by evolutionary and environmental factors. Explore the evolution of animal communication, potential constraints, and how individuals are able to successfully interact.
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Evolution and Religion
Historically, the battle between scientific and religious perspectives has fueled extraordinary debates. Scientists and scholars from all religions (eastern and western) have attempted to provide evidence that supports or refutes both perspectives. Does evolution have a place in religion, and does religion have a place in science?
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Human-Animal Interaction
Humans and animals have maintained various types of relationships from domestication, agricultural, and game. However, we understand very little about how or why we maintain these relationships with some species and not others. Human-animal interactions have been a critical part of human history. Examine historical perspectives and whether they parallel with current interactions.
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Man vs. Earth: The Impact of Humans
What have we done? It is clear that humans have become the greatest agent of ecological change, yet it is only now do we have both the scientific expertise and awareness to address negative impacts. Historically, environmental impacts driven by human actions were largely ignored until problems escalated seriously. Specifically examine the actions in which humans have exploited the environment.
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On the Menu: The Science of Food and Nutrition
What are you eating? Some of us enjoy the art of cooking, and others simply love to consume food. However, behind every dish, a number of scientific principles are employed in recipes. In addition, what we ultimately consume and accumulate will shape our health. Thus, the phrase ‘you are what you eat’ may have an extraordinary interpretation.
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Research in Behavior I & II
Our understanding of behavior is linked to the ability to observe natural patterns. Learn the process of generating a well-designed research study to examine the behavior in select organisms.
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Science in Movies
Have you ever wondered whether the scientific achievements in cinema are possible? Here, we may consider separating empirical scientific evidence that leads to plausible scenarios from the sci-fi and fantasy.
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Science in Television
Television is a platform for wild imaginations. However, some scientific content and material in television programs seem to be exaggerated. Separate fact from fiction amongst some of the most popular television series.
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Sustainability
As the human population continues to increase exponentially, we are consuming natural resources at an alarming rate. What can humans due to use diminishing resources more effectively? Explore the many avenues in which the human race can effectively utilize abiotic (non-living) and biotic (living) systems to alleviate resource consumption.
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The Chicken or the Egg? – Nature vs. Nurture
Pick a behavior: is it ‘hard-wired’ or did you learn it? Debates have long ranged amongst scientists that have argued that all behavioral traits are either inherited and innate (nature) or acquired and learned through interactions with others of your species (nurture). Investigate the foundations of specific behaviors, and whether these traits are likely the result of innate or learned interactions.
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The Human Body
The human body is an amazing machine. Every cell, tissue, organ, and system operates in concert so effectively that we are able to function on a daily basis. Explore human anatomy and physiology, and consider how other similar or distantly related organisms are ‘wired’.
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The Ideal Organism
All organisms have adapted successfully to their respective environment. However, some organisms have overlapping reproductive zones, but have very different characteristics. Here, you may wish to examine convergent and divergent evolutionary characteristics, or select a species in which you feel has evolved to be the most highly adapted to an environment.
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The Uncanny Valley
Humans have an innate ability to decipher natural sensory information from artificial replications. In particular, technological advances have provided us with computer-generated animations of all life forms in movies and television. But, why are some animations ‘real’ and others ‘unpleasant’?
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Urban Ecology
We live in a complex environment. The urban surrounding provides us with a platform for modern-day interactions. Explore the urban environment around you, and observe the interactions between artificial and natural ecosystems.