ENTOM 2500 - Biological Diversity of the Sonoran Desert

Spring. 3 credits. Letter grades only.

Prerequisite: ENTOM 2120. Course fee: $1,000. This course includes a field trip to Tucson, AZ.

B. Danforth, P. O’Grady, C. Specht.

The Sonoran Desert hosts an impressive array of biological diversity. This course will explore this diversity, with a focus on the insect fauna and the plants they utilize. Specific topics will include collection methods, insect biodiversity, biogeography, and Sonoran Desert plant communities. A one-week field trip will take place over spring break. Students will travel to Tucson, visit the Sonoran Desert Museum, and be housed at the Southwest Field Station.

Outcome 1: Introduce students to the biodiversity of the desert southwest through a focused examination of insects (bees and flies) and their host plant communities.

Outcome 2: Develop skills in insect natural history observation.

Outcome 3: Formulate hypotheses for individual research projects. Collect ecological, behavioral, and natural history data in the field, Analyze these data to address the hypotheses posed.

Outcome 4: Apply basic statistical methods.

Outcome 5: Explain and present scientific results orally and in writing.

Outcome 6: Interpret, analyze, and discuss scientific literature relevant to desert ecology and plant and insect biodiversity.