The Natural World
Communicating Science: The Natural World
Cells, communities, and ecosystems! Oh, my! In Communicating Science: Natural World, students will develop a strong foundation for success at KU and beyond, while learning how to sort out valid scientific information from all the information available and use that information to inform decisions, a skill important to all of us as global citizens.
BIOL 100 – Principles of Biology
Gerry de Boer, Biology
Fulfills Goal 3, Natural Science, Biological Sciences of the KU Core, 3 credit hours
Intended for non-science majors, in this course students learn the basic concepts of biology at the cellular, organismal and population levels of organization and their applications to humans and modern society. Concurrent enrollment in BIOL 102 is recommended.
Gerrit deBoer earned his doctorate from the University of Maryland and is an Associate Professor in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. His research interests center on the physiological basis of insect-plant interactions. More specifically, his research focuses on the chemical and chemoperceptual mechanisms underlying feeding decisions by caterpillars. Many herbivorous insects feed on only a few plant species despite an overwhelming abundance of plants in their environment. Caterpillars are excellent models for studying the physiological basis of feeding behavior because of their keen sense of smell and taste and their relatively simple nervous system which is readily accessible for experimental manipulation.
UNIV 101 – University Seminar
Kim Criner, Center for Sustainability
2 credit hours
UNIV 101 helps students to make a smooth transition to KU and provides an important foundation to their academic studies. This two-credit hour seminar is small, enrolling about 19 students. In addition to providing a community for BIOL 100 students, by being a part of the Communicating Science: The Natural World learning community, you will know campus better, will more fully understand your individual and team strengths, will practice and develop critical thinking skills, will learn about information literacy and research, and will gain memorable experiences.
Kim Criner earned a B.A. in English from James Madison University, with a minor in Dance. After working in the book publishing industry and non-profit arena for a number of years, Kim realized a strong interest in waste management and local food systems. She went on to receive a M.S. in Environmental Studies from Ohio University, with a focus on sustainability education in higher ed. She has worked in the Office of Sustainability at Ohio U., the Center for Sustainability at Johnson County Community College, and is now proud to be a Jayhawk! Kim also serves as the education appointee to the Douglas County Food Policy Council.
