Summer 2024 Courses

Dates:

Cabin check In: Monday, June 24, 2024

Registration & Textbooks: Monday, 6:30pm, June 24, 2024

Classes Begin: Tuesday, 8am, June 25, 2024                          

Classes End: Friday, 2pm, August 15, 2024   


Students may enroll in lower-division OR upper-division/graduate courses, but not both. Laboratory/field experiences are required for all courses. One summer term (10 credits) at the WWU Rosario Beach Marine Laboratory is required for WWU biology majors during which at least one upper-division, marine-oriented course must be taken.


Lower-Division Courses

General Biology (BIOL 141, 142, 143). Study of the basic principles of biology of animals, plants, and microorganisms. Topics include cell biology, physiology, genetics, development, taxonomy, and ecology. High school chemistry strongly recommended.

  • Course Instructor: Jonathan Cowles, M.S. Columbia Basin College 
  • Credits: 4
  • Limit: 24 students

Upper-Division and Graduate Courses

Upper-division and graduate courses are offered in two blocks. Block A courses run concurrently and typically meet the first half of each week; Block B courses run concurrently and typically meet the last half of each week. Thus, students may register for only one course in each block.

BLOCK A

You may take ONE of these two Block A courses

  • Marine Ecology (BIOL 460):
    • Course description: Study of interspecific, intraspecific, and community relationships demonstrated by marine organisms.
    • Course Instructor: Dave Cowles, PhD
    • Credits: 5
  • Marine Ecotoxicology (BIOL 400): 
    • Course description
    • Course Instructor: Mike Morgan, PhD
    • Credits: 5

BLOCK B

You may take ONE of these two Block B courses:

  • Ornithology (BIOL 403):
    • Course description: Study of vertebrates with emphasis on natural history, ecology, physiology, and taxonomy. One laboratory per week. A weekend field trip is required. Offered alternate years.
    • Course Instructor: Jim Nestler, PhD
    • Credits: 5
  • Marine Phycology (BIOL 463):
    • Course description: A systematic survey of marine algae, covering the principles of their classification, natural history, ecology, physiology, and practical use.
    • Course Instructor: Rob Fitch, MS
    • Credits: 5

Upper-division students are required to take two courses during their first upper-division summer at Rosario.  A scholarship is available for WWU biology majors taking upper-division classes at Rosario. During subsequent summers upper-division students may take one course, provided they are actively participating in an academic activity (such as research or internship) during their non-course time; documentation of specific plans for the academic activity is required prior to acceptance.  Graduate students may take zero or one course during the summer, provided they are actively participating in an academic activity (such as research or internship) during their non-course time; documentation of specific plans for the academic activity is required prior to acceptance.