BIOL 447: The Greening of the Earth: Role of Plants in Terrestrial Ecosystem Evolution

Lecture + lab (5 credits; Fall Quarter every other year, see schedule)
Lead Instructor: Caroline Strömberg ([email protected])

This course introduces students to the evolution of Earth’s terrestrial ecosystems during the last ~450 million years, focusing on the role of plants. We will examine how changes in Earth’s atmosphere, plate configuration, and climate have shaped plant evolution, and how plants have influenced the rest of the biota (e.g., animals)—and vice versa. Lectures will be supplemented with in-class discussions of primary literature, weekly labs, and a fieldtrip. Labs provide hands-on experience with plant fossils illustrating the evolution and ecology of major land plant groups, and with paleoecological techniques. As part of the lab, students also conduct research on plant fossils that they have collected during the course field trip. 

Undergraduate students in BIOL 447 measuring section and collecting samples at the middle Miocene Emerald Creek site, Idaho.

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BIOL 438: Quantitative Approaches in Paleobiology, Morphology, and Systematics

Lecture + lab (5 credits; Fall Quarter, see schedule)
 Lead Instructors (alternate years): Greg Wilson ([email protected]), Caroline Strömberg ([email protected])  

This course is an introduction to the principles and analytical methods of paleobiology, morphology, and systematics. Lectures will provide a survey of the dominant lines of research in these fields. The major topics covered will include the nature of the fossil record, biodiversity curves, systematics and morphology-based phylogenetics, evolutionary rates and trends, analysis of form and function, and paleoecology. Lectures will be supplemented with a lab section with discussions that emphasize critical reading of the primary literature and laboratories that emphasize application of methods associated with lecture themes, using fossil and modern specimens from the Burke Museum.​

Bootstrap analysis showing how the robustness of paleoecological analysis of phytolith assemblages changes with sample size.

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BIOL 499/ESS 499: Independent Study in Paleobotany and Paleoecology

(≥2 credits; all quarters)
Lead Instructor: Caroline Strömberg ([email protected])

Provides an opportunity for undergraduate students to do independent research in paleobotany and paleoecology. Students are either recruited to specific projects (listed in the Undergraduate Research Program) or they may volunteer for 1-2 quarters in the lab before designing an independent project under the supervision of the PI, postdoctoral researchers, or graduate students. See the instructions for how to join the lab. Students should expect to meet on a regular basis to discuss progress, and to commit one or more years to their project. The end-goal of projects include a presentation at the Undergraduate Research Symposium or a professional meeting (Botany, Geological Society of America annual meeting) and/or a publication.

Former graduate student Elisha Harris showing undergraduate students Kim Smith and Erik Fredrickson how to use imaging software.