Teaching philosophy

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 My teaching philosophy prioritizes a comprehensive understanding of material. The vocabulary heavy nature of biology-based classes often overwhelms students, and they may attempt to focus on memorization and recitation of definitions. My ultimate goal as an instructor is to guide students to understand biology as a story of organisms and their many facets, not merely a dictionary of isolated terms and definitions. I reinforce learning and study techniques to achieve this end, and I underscore that proper preparation may be achieved through the confirmation of knowledge by self-testing of the material. I enjoy including supplemental learning exercises into my courses through videos, demonstrations with preserved specimens, discussions, and field trips. I constantly stress to my students the importance of how scientific studies are both conducted and disseminated. I believe that science professors should be active in their field, and my own research is often brought up in class to connect theory and practice. 

Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy: BIO 344

Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy Laboratory: BIO 344L 

Dinosaur Paleobiology: BIO 337

General Anatomy Laboratory: BIO 330L 

General Biology II: BIO 110

Herpetology: BIO 347

Human Anatomy: BIO 330 

Anatomy and Physiology II: BIO 208

Anatomy and Physiology I: BIO 207

Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory: BIO 207L

General Biology II Laboratory: BIO 110L

General Biology I Laboratory: BIO 109L

Human Anatomy Laboratory: BIO 330L

Introduction to Herpetology: BIO 147

Natural Science Senior Research Seminar: NSC 443

Natural Science Literature Survey: NSC 331