Teaching

Practical Genomics (INTEGBI 134L)

Genome sequencing and analyses have transformed biology over the past two decades. This course provides a hands-on introduction to the world of computational biology and bioinformatics. Students will apply state-of-the-art techniques to analyze publicly available genome and microbiome data. Students will master practical bioinformatics skills and then take on their own scientific research projects, using publicly available genomic data and data collected specifically for this course. In addition to learning about methods and techniques, we will explore key advances in the field of genomics over the past two decades of both humans and non-model organisms that have driven the current revolution in genome sciences.

This is a 4-unit lab course offered every Fall semester.

Syllabus

Frogs, Old Books, and Language: Breaking Language Barriers in the Academy (INTEGBI 84 / FRENCH 24)

Science is a universal enterprise, yet there are many barriers to effectively communicating and understanding science. One major hurdle is the predominance of a single language for publishing and communicating science. This is an issue both for aspiring young scientists who must learn English as a second language while mastering complex scientific topics as well as for members of our communities who would benefit from scientific information that is currently unavailable in their primary language. In this class we will combine readings and discussion of classic papers in the fields of Evolution and Ecology with an active goal to break down language barriers in science. During the semester, students will each translate one paper into a second language or into another creative format that communicates the science to a broad audience. Students will present their translated works and their experiences creating them in a final presentation at the end of the semester. Translations resulting from this seminar will be made available online. Bilingual and multilingual students are especially encouraged to take this seminar to help us break down language barriers.

This is a 1-unit P/NP Seminar offered every Spring semester. In the 2024-2025 academic year, it will be offered in the Fall semester.

Starting in 2024, this class is now co-taught with FRENCH 24. Previously it was titled Breaking Language Barriers in Evolution and Ecology

Syllabus

Translations from 2021 and 2022 are posted on Understanding Evolution

Example: see Sidlauskas, BL, MD Burns, TJ Buser, N Harper, and M Kindred. 2021. Teaching Ichthyology Online with a Virtual Specimen Collection. Ichthyology & Herpetology 109(2), 407-423. in Chinese

Seminar on Biology of Amphibians and Reptiles (INTEGBI 234)

This is a graduate seminar series with invited speakers who share their research in herpetology. It is held each semester on every other Monday from 5-7pm, followed by dinner. This seminar has been taught for more than 50 years. Currently it is co-run by myself, Jim McGuire, and Marvalee Wake.

See the most recent schedule at mvz.berkeley.edu/herpgroup

Natural History of the Vertebrates (INTEGBI 104LF)

This is another long-standing Berkeley course (taught since 1914!) that focuses on teaching field skills to upper-level undergraduate students. Students learn how to identify and safely/humanely handle amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and birds. The field lab focuses on California fauna while the lab component and lectures focus on global diversity, ecology, and natural history of the vertebrates (except fish). Students conduct individual research projects as part of the course. Many famous vertebrate biologists have taken this class.

See more information about the history of the course here: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/231761709_Teaching_natural_history_at_the_Museum_of_Vertebrate_Zoology

Equitable fieldwork workshop series

This is a 5-part workshop meant to help the Integrative Biology community reflect on and continue to invest in equitable fieldwork practices with forward-looking, active-learning, and goal-oriented approaches. The group will meet five times during the fall semester for 1.5 hr each time,  with the total amount of time spent expected to be 15–20 h, including in-class time and pre-class assignments. Enrollment will be capped at 30 people. The workshop series is an outcome of the MVZ Fieldwork Safety working group and the IB Field Safety Committee.

This series will be taught for the first time in Fall 2024 and is expected to be offered annually. Currently it is not an official course.

Syllabus

Berkeley Connect in Biology (INTEGBI 198BC)

Berkeley Connect in Biology (INTEGBI 98BC and 198BC) is a 1-unit evening class, offered Pass/Not Pass, that matches undergraduates with graduate student mentors. There are no papers, exams or outside reading. Participating students meet with their mentors one-on-one, and in small discussion groups with other students, to talk about their shared interest in biology, receive support during the transition to Cal, and build relationships with peers, mentors, and professors in a relaxed, friendly setting. In 2020-2021, we are specifically offering these INTEGBI sections for transfer students!

98% of Berkeley Connect participants say they would recommend the program to a friend. Berkeley Connect helps you make the most of your time at Berkeley and makes this big university feel a little smaller. We have found that this community-building program is even more important during these times of remote-learning, when we are all looking for new ways to connect. See more information here: https://www.berkeleyconnect.berkeley.edu/

See links for discussion guides on addressing burnout and imposter syndrome.

Becca no longer teaches this course.