Dr. Dumont teaches three courses at UMass:
- Mammalogy (Bio548) is a 4-credit, upper level course that covers mammalian diversity, morphology, ecology, and evolution. You can find the most recent version of the course (including all lecture notes) on the Bio548 website. As an adjunct to the Mammalogy labs, we have developed a searchable database that contains pictures of specimens and information about taxonomy, diet, locomotor habits and the fossil record of most groups of mammals. The purpose of this database is to provide reference material for students who are studying at home--it is not a substitute for attending labs!
- The Biology of Social Issues (Bio105) is a 3-credit course for non-majors. The goal of the course is to educate students about topics in biology that they might have heard about in the news and that affect their lives. This is a team-taught course; Dr. Dumont teaches a section on Biodiversity and Evolution. Her lecture topics include: What is biodiversity? Invasive species, Overpopulation, Global Warming, the Ozone Layer, and the Evolution-Creation Debate among others. The most recent version of the course (including lecture notes and on-line quizzes) can be accessed through the Bio105 website.
- Tropical Field Biology (Bio497H) is a 3-credit course for upper level Biology Majors. The course is divided into three parts: weekly lectures by faculty, a Spring Break trip to St. John (USVI) where students collect data for their own original research projects, and 15-minute presentations by each student summarizing the results of their research project. Dr. Dumont is one of several faculty members who teach in the course; the course director is Dr. Bruce Byers. The class is a great combination of learning-by-doing and just plain fun. Visit the Bio497h website to find out more about it!
- Biology/Art Research Studio (Bio497R).
