Terence McGonigle
Department of Biological Sciences, Idaho State University

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BIOS 499/599 Soil Biology Lectures begin with a brief introduction to general properties of soils. Soil orders are described in relation to the processes of soil formation, with emphasis on local examples. The course then covers biota and biological processes in soil ecosystems: roots and the movement to them of nutrients and water, free-living and root-associated bacteria and fungi, cycles of soil carbon soil nitrogen, transformations of nutrients and other elements, and the contribution of soil fauna to litter decomposition. Some laboratory exercises are included.

BIOS 692 The Rhizosphere Literature will be explored in relation to ongoing attempts to understand the processes that occur at the interface between plants and soils and thereby affect both plants and biogeochemical cycles. All main taxonomic groups of extant biota interact in the rhizosphere and thereby contribute to the complexities to be unraveled. Students can elect to undertake a practical exercise as part of the course.

Spring 2004

BIOS 315/315 L Introduction to Biometry The course will strive to teach understanding and practical skills for statistical and other calculations in the biological sciences.