I teach two graduate courses in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, both of which are focused on practical approaches to using quantitative tools for answering research questions:

NRES 593 Statistical Methods in Ecology (4 credits); Fall of even-numbered years

This course primarily focuses on application of generalized linear models, starting with relatively simple examples and gradually building complexity by introducing additional variables, distributions, and sources of non-independence. We include both traditional (i.e., p-value) and information-theoretic approaches to model evaluation, while focusing on the estimation of effect sizes and their precision.  The course consists of lectures, discussion periods where we cover philosophical considerations, and labs that concentrate on hands-on application of material using real datasets.  Students are assumed to have taken a prior graduate course in statistics and at least basic knowledge of R programming.

NRES 595 Advanced Quantitative Techniques for Ecology and Conservation (4 credits; co-taught with Dr. Kirk Stodola); Fall of odd-numbered years

The focus of this course is primarily rigorous estimation of population parameters, with an emphasis on common approaches used to address questions in population ecology and conservation.  We cover mark-recapture approaches, including occupancy, abundance, and survival estimation, creation of neutral models, Bayesian approaches, and formal approaches to natural resource decision making.  The course is a mixture of lectures, discussions, and hands-on lab exercises.  Prior completion of NRES 593 is recommended.

I also offer a graduate seminar in spring semesters, NRES 512 section WE, that’s focused on reading and discussing literature focused on topics related to wildlife ecology and conservation.