BIOL400

Spring 2026 Topic: Functional Trait Biology: Functional traits are morphological, physiological, and phenological features measurable at the organismal level and play a fundamental role in shaping how organisms interact with their environment, compete, survive, and reproduce. This course explores how functional traits inform our understanding of organismal biology, ecological strategies, and evolutionary patterns across taxa. Students will engage deeply with the primary literature to examine trait-based approaches in organisms ranging from viruses and bacteria to plants and vertebrates, with special attention to how traits mediate organismal responses to environmental gradients, resource availability, and disturbance regimes. Prerequisites: Open to senior Biology majors who have completed at least one 300-level course in the major or permission of the instructor.