Andrew H. Altieri
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Box G-W
Brown University
Providence, RI 02912 USA
Email: Andrew_Altieri@Brown.edu
Phone: 401-378-3635
Fax: 401-863-2100

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Teaching and mentoring are valuable aspects of my professional activities. I encourage student participation in the scientific process in and out of the classroom, and have mentored undergraduates through summer internships and published theses. The following are outlines of my ccurrently and recently taught courses:

Coastal Ecology and Conservation (Environmental Studies 0455, Brown University)

This intermediate-level course will enable to students to master fundamental ecological concepts and understand how this knowledge can be used to inform coastal conservation and management. Through case studies and a multi-day field trip to Cape Cod, students will develop scientific skills and experience the challenges and opportunities of coastal conservation science. Co-taught with Dr. Mark Bertness.

Marine Ecology (Biology 1440, Brown University)

The objective of this class is to examine the factors dictating the abundance and distribution of marine organisms and the ways that marine organisms cope with their physical and biotic environments. To accomplish this, students will read and critique current literature. This will introduce students to most important topics and problems in marine ecology. Students will also initiate final projects through multi-day field trips to the Sapelo Island, GA to examine the importance of foundation species for the abundance and distribution patterns of barrier island organisms, and to Prudence Island, RI to investigate heavily invaded beach plant communities.

Invertebrate Zoology (Biology 0410, Brown University)

This class surveys the major taxonomic groups of invertebrate and their phylogenic relationships. Each group is defined by its major characteristics in terms of evolutionary trajectory, adaptations, and ecological context. The class is comprised of weekly lectures and hands-on laboratory activities with live and preserved specimens, and two field trips to coastal research reserves.

Marine Invertebrate Zoology (Biology 5503, Northeastern University)

This class develops a practical knowledge of invertebrate natural history and evolutionary relationships, with an emphasis on marine taxonomic groups. Attention is given to ecologically and conservation significant species species that Three Seas students will encounter during their field work in the New England, US West Coast, and French Polynesia. The class meets once weekly for a combination of lectures, laboratory exercises, and field activities that take advantage of adjacent intertidal habitats in Nahant, MA.

Tropical Biology (Biology 0190K, Brown University)

The Tropical Biology Freshman Seminar will explore tropical biology and conservation in a seminar. The major goal will be to develop an understanding of the uniqueness of tropical organisms and ecosystems and to examine conservation issues in tropical ecosystems. This will be accomplished through a mixture of lectures, discussions and student presentations. The course will end with a field trip to Belize during winter break to learn first hand about tropical ecosystems. Co-taught with Dr. Mark Bertness.

Tropic Marine Biology (Biology 3660, University of Virginia)

The course is designed to introduce students to the plants and animals found in the marine and terrestrial environments of the Caribbean and to study their adaptations in the context of community ecology. The course takes place primarily on Sal Salvador island in the Bahamas, and will be divided into three components: (1) Prior to departure, a three or four day orientation session in Charlottesville, VA will be used for lectures, discussions and an introduction to field methods. (2) During the first week of the 15 days spent on San Salvador, learning will be directed through lectures, lab work, discussion, readings with an emphasis on visiting representative ecological sites on the island to observe organisms in situ. (3) During the last week on San Salvador, students will conduct independent research projects developed with a faculty mentor. Co-taught with Drs. Fred Diehl and David Smith.