ECOL 592 Interdisciplinary Seminar
These unique seminars provide cutting edge ecology topics which are changed and updated each semester.
Please note: Be sure to register for the correct number of credits listed next to the course descriptions.
Spring 2025
ECOL 592-001
CRN: 18824
Credits: 1
Grading: Pass/Fail
Enrollment Limit: 8
Dates: 01/21/2025 – 04/29/2025
This course is scheduled to meet in-person on Tuesdays from 12-1:30pm. The timing may shift to better fit peoples’ schedules.
Distinguishing Aridity from Drought in Ecological Research
Instructor: Dr. Alan Knapp
Course description:In this course, students will review the ecological literature with a focus on the relationship between aridity and drought, how often these two concepts are related, when they should and should not be equated, and the consequences of conflating the two for our understanding of ecological systems.
Students will prepare presentations on key topics relevant to this this issue, provide weekly updates on papers they have reviewed, with share noteworthy progress with the class.
Students will work individually and in groups to review specific research papers related to the topic. Oral presentations to the class and a written summary with bibliography will be required.
These requirements will serve as the basis for the grade assigned by the instructor.
ECOL 592-002
CRN: 10126
Credits: 2
Grading: Pass/Fail
Enrollment Limit: 14
Dates: 01/27/2025 – 05/05/2025
This course will meet on Mondays from 9-11am
Introduction to Plant Identification on the Front Range
Instructors: Dr. Carrie Havrilla, Nora Bales, Emily Swartz
Course description: The overarching objective of the course is to improve student plant identification skills using Front Range plant communities. The specific goals of the course are to: Improve access to plant ID training at CSU, introduce dichotomous keys, develop comfort with sight identification with contextual and environmental clues, introduce the top 10 most speciose plant families found on the front range, develop language to describe and use keys to identify plants, share and develop comfort using relevant resources, and learn fundamentals of dominant plant communities on the front range. There will be three field trips, with dates and locations TBD based on weather and bloom patterns. Field trips will most likely occur towards the end of the semester and they will begin one hour earlier and end one hour later than class is scheduled.
Students will keep a field notebook throughout the course detailing family descriptions and their observations. This will serve as the method of evaluation, with complete field notebooks earning a passing grade and incomplete field notebooks earning a failing grade.
ECOL 592-003
CRN: 22875
Credits: 1
Grading: Pass/Fail
Enrollment Limit: 10
Dates: 01/21/2025 – 05/09/2025
This course will meet at a time that best fits peoples’ schedules.

Rewilding CSU: creating habitat for birds, bees and butterflies on campus
Instructors: Dr. Liba Pejchar, Laura Lukens, Mikko Jimenez
Course description: Have you noticed that CSU’s campus has lovely trees and grassy lawns, but lacks habitat for native biodiversity? This course will focus on developing a plan, and building capacity, to convert some of that mowed grass to native shrub and wildflower habitat for birds, bees and butterflies. We will read about the science and practice of urban habitat restoration projects, consult with local experts, establish partnerships with student organizations, and reach out to leadership on campus to propose possible paths forward. Because the decision on whether to adopt our plans is ultimately not in our hands, we cannot guarantee any particular outcome. However, by the end of this course, students will have greater knowledge of and appreciation for the challenges and opportunities associated with urban habitat restoration, and will have participated in a process that (hopefully, ultimately) benefits nature and people on CSU’s campus. All are welcome, but students with expertise and interest in restoration ecology, landscape architecture, community ecology, botany, and entomology are especially encouraged to participate. This class is Pass/Fail and students will be evaluated based on their attendance and active participation in course activities.
ECOL 592-004
CRN: TBD
Credits: 1
Grading: Traditional
Enrollment Limit: 20
Dates:
03/24/2025 –
04/18/2025
This course will meet on
Wednesdays 11-12:50 and Fridays 11-12:50
Ecological data analysis: a bootcamp with Python
Instructors: Dr. Anping Chen, Wenqiang Zhang
Course Description: This is an advanced graduate-level course that dives into the cutting-edge applications of data science in the field of ecology. This course is designed for students who want to explore how the vast and diverse datasets generated in the era of modern technology can revolutionize ecological research.
With the course, students are expected to understand how big data analytics, machine learning, and computational modeling can be harnessed to advance ecological studies. They will also be offered the opportunity to explore real-world case studies and gain hands-on experience in working with large ecological datasets, learning data preprocessing, analysis, and interpretation techniques in Python. Throughout the course, students will develop the skills needed to navigate this rapidly evolving field.
Students are asked to finish a practical project relevant to their field of research using big data. Performance will be graded based on attendance and project quality.
ECOL 592-005
CRN: 65233
Credits: 1
Grading: Pass/Fail
Enrollment Limit: 15
Dates: 01/21/2025 – 05/09/2025
This course will meet on Fridays at 1:30pm
Recent progress in theoretical and mathematical ecology: a journal club
Instructor: Dr. Anping Chen
Course Description: Recent Progress in Theoretical and Mathematical Ecology: A Journal Club is designed to explore the latest advancements in the field of theoretical and mathematical ecology. The course emphasizes critical analysis and discussion of recent journal articles, fostering a deep understanding of contemporary research methods, models, and findings. Students will engage in weekly readings and discussions, promoting collaborative learning and the development of analytical skills necessary for ecological research. The course provides an interactive platform for students to stay updated on cutting-edge ecological theories and mathematical applications, contributing to their academic and professional growth in ecology.
ECOL 592-006
CRN: TBD
Credits: 1
Grading: Pass/Fail
Enrollment Limit: 15
Dates:
01/22/2025 –
05/07/2025
This course is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday’s from 11-11:50.
Impacts of Changing Fire Regimes on Ecological and Hydrological Processes
Instructors: Dr. Camille Stevens-Rumann, Jamie Woolet
Course Description: This seminar explores the interactions between fire, vegetation dynamics, soil microbial communities, and watershed processes within the context of changing fire regimes. Through the reading and discussion of both foundational and contemporary research papers, students will examine how climate change and deviations in historical fire regimes drive vegetation type conversions, specifically in the intermountain west. The course will also explore the broader ecological consequences of these shifts, including changes to soil microbial communities, nutrient cycling, and hydrological processes.
Grading: Discussion engagement (50%) and discussion leading and paper presentation (50%)