Teaching

FYS - The UC Davis Arboretum - A Living Laboratory

The objectives of this Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) course is to engage first year students in urban water quality, through collection and interpretation of data on the waterway of the UC Davis Arboretum. The measurements and interpretations made by students aid restoration efforts underway by staff of the Arboretum, with the goals to improve water quality and habitat of this urban ecosystem. 

 

ETX - 40 Contaminants in Our Environment

The objective of this course is to impart a modern understanding of chemical contaminants in the environment that affect the health of the environment and its organisms, including humans. Emphasis is placed on contaminant properties, sources, and movement in air, water, and soil. Students gain experience accessing and quantitatively evaluating reliable information on contaminants and documented occurrences that impact their health and the health of the environment, in both a local and global context.

Offered Winter Quarter

  • Learning Activities: Lecture/Discussion 3 hour(s).
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
  • General Education: Science & Engineering (SE); Scientific Literacy (SL).

 

ETX 180 - Chemistry and Toxicology of Metals

This course provides a comprehensive overview of trace metal contaminants in natural and human-altered environments, with an emphasis on how the chemistry of metals ultimately controls their environmental fate and toxicity. Topics will include metals of both long-standing interest (e.g., lead, mercury, arsenic, chromium) and of contemporary concern (e.g., engineered nanoparticles). Students gain experience using numerical models to quantitively evaluate the behavior and toxicity of metals in a variety of systems.

Offered Spring Quarter

  • Learning Activities: Lecture/Discussion 4 hour(s).
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
  • General Education: Science & Engineering (SE); Quantitative Literacy (QL); Scientific Literacy (SL); Visual Literacy (VL).
Photo of students of ETX180 at the Advanced Light Source, Berkeley.

Students of ETX 180 on a tour of the Advanced Light Source (Berkeley Laboratories), which included tours of three beamlines (10.3.2, 11.0.2, and 12.2.2). The course includes reading and discussion on applications of X-ray absorption spectroscopy and X-ray fluorescence to study metal in the environment. 

 

I also teach modules for ETX - 220 (Analysis of Toxicants) and PTX - 201 (Principles of Pharmacology and Toxicology).