Science Journal Course Spotlight
Students in Teaching Professor of Biology Denise Woodward’s BIOL 415 Ecotoxicology and BIOL 497 Special Topics courses have the opportunity to get their hands dirty while learning about native plants and how toxins can impact the environment.
Students in the ecotoxicology course test how various toxins—including microplastics, motor oil, and perfumes—influence seed germination and plant development.
In Woodward’s upper-level special topics class, students apply their knowledge to solve a challenge in the community, growing native plants from seed in the Buckhout Greenhouses that are later planted in pollinator gardens on the Penn State Golf Courses. Students also design landscape layouts, meet with stakeholders, and develop educational materials to teach golf course visitors about the ecological role of native plants. The class was possible through a collaboration with the Penn State Golf Courses and the Living Labs programs, which help students connect their academic work to sustainability challenges on Penn State campuses.
Students in the BIO 484 Biodiversity of Pennsylvania course—taught by Associate Professor of Biology Benoît Dayrat—study the ecology and environment of Pennsylvania, including through ten, five-hour field trips over the course of the term. At sites like Black Moshannon State Park, Little Juniata River, Greenwood Furnace State Park, and the Scotia Barrens, students identify plants and animals; learn about the interconnection of biodiversity with human activities such as urbanization, industry, natural resources, and agriculture; and better understand major threats to biodiversity and the laws and programs that protect it.