Lower-Division

Surveys the production of indoor crops and landscape plants to gain a working knowledge of how light, temperature, water, fertilizers, and soilless media interact in a controlled environment. Also covers pest management and propagation. Lectures and demonstrations are combined with activities in the UCSC Greenhouses and at the UCSC Arboretum to give students direct experience with horticulture practices and principles in controlled environments. The approach is to develop practical skills and familiarity with agricultural technology while mastering basic principles in plant biology. Emphasis is placed on indoor growth systems.

How can we better understand how humans have affected Earth and its inhabitants? Explores how DNA shed by organisms into the environment can be collected and used to study Earth's biodiversity, with applications in medicine, anthropology, agriculture, and conservation.

Topics in morphology, physiology, development, genetics, and endocrinology selected to exemplify current issues and perspectives in organismic biology.

Introduction to ecology and evolution covering principles of evolution at the molecular, organismal, and population levels. Evolutionary topics include genetic and phenotypic variation, natural selection, adaptation, speciation, and macroevolution. Also covers behavioral, population, and community ecology including applied ecological issues.

Field-based, experiential course that explores local ecosystems, helps students develop nature observation skills and lead collaborative research, from formulating and testing hypotheses to sampling, data collection, analysis, interpretation, and presentation. The course builds peer and mentor networks and introduces a range of topics in ecology, conservation, and natural resource management. Some offerings include required weekend and/or overnight field trips. There are no course fees, and camping equipment is available if needed. Enrollment is by instructor permission.

Focuses on refining fundamental dive safety principles while introducing techniques in scientific diving. Coursework includes lectures, field practical training, confined water and ocean SCUBA dives. Topics include diving physics, physiology, decompression theory, dive planning, aquatic environment, navigation, search and recovery, blue water diving, emergency response/rescues, and subtidal sampling techniques. Course meets or exceeds AAUS standards and provides students an opportunity to become certified in scientific diving. Prerequisite for BIOE 161/L, and any SCUBA diving activities associated with BIOE 159A,B,C,D,E,F; BIOE 183/L; BIOE 193; and BIOE 195. AAUS Scientific Diving certification is required for all research SCUBA diving activities under the auspices of UCSC and is transferable to other academic institutions. Prerequisite(s): skill level equal to Advanced and Rescue Scuba Diver Certification, current AAUS/UCSC diving medical clearance, certifications in CPR/AED, First Aid and Oxygen Administration and minimum of 12 documented ocean dives; and interview: pass water skills evaluation. For details visit scientificdiving.ucsc.edu/course-info. Students are billed a materials fee of $100. (Formerly Scientific Diving Certification.)

Probability and statistics underlie much of our everyday experience and, as such, there is a fundamental need for an understanding of the use, and misuse, of statistics. This course is taught through case studies based in biology, politics, economics, crime, education, disease, conservation, and other fields of interest. For example, does a change in crime rate really affect your probability of being a victim of a crime? The goal is to provide all students with sufficient understanding probability and statistics to determine if everyday and often sensationalistic reporting of statistical results is meaningful.

A field-based course with overnight and day trips to regionally diverse areas throughout Central California. Field trips and lectures familiarize students with a wide variety of topics in the ecological, conservation, and environmental science as well as natural-resource management. Students are billed a materials fee of $100. Enrollment is by instructor permission.

Lectures and field trips familiarize students with the flora and fauna of the UCSC Natural Reserves. Field trips focus on surveying and identifying vertebrates and plants at each UCSC Natural Reserve (Fort Ord, Campus Reserve, Big Creek, Younger Lagoon, and Ano Nuevo).

Taught as a series of seminars, course provides a survey of marine sciences and the role of scientific research in understanding and conserving the world's oceans. Topics include: marine biology, ecology, conservation, coastal geology, and climate change. This series is intended to prepare students to interpret research and inform the public by leading tours at the Seymour Marine Discovery Center at the Long Marine Lab. Enrollment is by application and interview.

Individual, directed study for undergraduates. Students submit petition to sponsoring agency.