You are here: Home / Resources / Browse Resources

Open. Adaptable. Free.

Resources created by our members and partners.

The QUBES platform hosts hundreds of teaching materials, reference materials, and cloud-based software free to use and adapt using open Creative Commons licenses.

Text Search:
Applied Filters
    Constructing Phylogenies using Herbarium Specimens
    This lab is intended as an introduction to a plant systematics course. Students work in groups of two to apply what they have learned about plant structures to develop a character matrix based on a...

    Keywords: botanyphylogenyherbariumdistance learningPlant systematicscharacter matrix

    266

    views

    79

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Exploring Coyote Morphology: Introduction to Research and Study Design
    This module is designed as a first foray for freshman-level (novice undergraduate) students into science literacy, research design, and use of museum resources in research activities. The module...

    Keywords: statisticsnatural history museumsdistance learningscience literacyStudy Designintraspecific variation

    242

    views

    354

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Is everything bigger in Texas? Introduction to Statistics with the Rock Pocket Mouse (Chaetodipus intermedius)
    Natural history museums often contain large collections of the same species and therefore, are a resource for studying intraspecific variation. This module uses 172 images of rock pocket mouse...

    Keywords: statisticsnatural history museumsdistance learningStudy Designintraspecific variation

    626

    views

    138

    downloads

    0

    comments

    1

    adaptations

    Observing the Birds of El Paso: Revisiting historical localities online and in the field
    In this set of activities, students are introduced to several features and use cases of museum databases to understand the importance of historical natural history specimens and their data. Using...

    Keywords: databaseBiodiversityOrnithologynatural history museumsspecies distributionsdistance learningField Experiences

    343

    views

    100

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Introduction to Assessing Biodiversity: Bivalves of the Rio Grande Area
    Learning to identify taxa is a key skill gained in many systematics classes. This module aims to introduce students to concepts and resources for identifying organisms and assessing species...

    Keywords: Biodiversityspecies distributionsdistance learninginvertebrate zoologyMuseum databases data literacyidentification

    236

    views

    81

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Introduction to Plant Phenology with Museum Specimens of Desert Prickly Pear (Opuntia phaeacantha)
    Students engage in hands-on exploration of phenology by working with digitized herbarium specimens, particularly focusing on prickly pear specimens from the UTEP herbarium. They learn to identify...

    Keywords: botanyclimate changephenologyherbariumcactus

    730

    views

    88

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Case Study: Genetic Variation and Speciation in the Black Tailed Rattlesnake complex (Crotalus molossus)
    It is important for biology students to understand how genetic variation is related to the formation of species in nature. This module is intended for students to obtain first hand experience with...

    Keywords: phylogeneticscase studySpeciationtree readingsystematicsTree thinkingPhylogeographydistance learninggenetic variation

    482

    views

    53

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Bacteria to Brains in Backyard Coyotes: An Interdisciplinary Pedagogical Case Study
    Our interdisciplinary pedagogical case study explores the differences between rural and urban coyotes at the levels of organismal and community ecology. The focus is on how coyotes’ gut...

    Keywords: dietanimal behaviorimmune systemmicrobiomeNervous systemgut-brain axisImmunoReachdysbiosisCoyoteCytokines

    2576

    views

    297

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Bacteria to Brains in Backyard Coyotes: An Interdisciplinary Pedagogical Case Study
    Our interdisciplinary pedagogical case study explores the differences between rural and urban coyotes at the levels of organismal and community ecology. The focus is on how coyotes’ gut microbiomes...

    Keywords: Vision and Changeecologyintroductory biologyImmunologymicrobiologydietanimal behaviormicrobiomecore conceptscoyotesBraingut-brain axisImmunoReachcytokinedysbiosis

    281

    views

    46

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    BioTA Podcast Episode #34 Biofilms Podcast Overview
    BioTA Episode #34: Biofilms Authors: Seth Higbee1, Pankaj Mehrotra2, J. Phil Gibson1 Prokaryotes are often taught to us as being free living single-celled organisms that lack membrane bound...

    Keywords: microbiologybacteriaprokaryotesBiofilmsExtracellular Polymeric Substances (EPS)16s Ribosomal RNA

    260

    views

    50

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Sorting through the Data
    Meet Thomas McElrath, a insect collection manager at the Illinois Natural History Survey and beetle researcher. Tommy explains the value of data standards while discussing beetles and variations...

    Keywords: data standardssexdata skillsBiodiversity data usage

    203

    views

    51

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    The Power of Place: A Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experience Studying Urban Ecology, Local Apple Trees and Disease Susceptibility
    Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs) offered early in an undergraduate student’s career have the potential to include a greater number and diversity of students than...

    Keywords: Disease ecologyurban ecologyUrban food forestsUrban heat islandsGenetic resistance

    1857

    views

    106

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Understanding Fish Habitat Selection Using Snorkel Surveys
    Identifying the habitat selection patterns of aquatic species is necessary for protecting threatened and endangered native fishes, as well as for producing satisfying and exciting sport fisheries....

    Keywords: fishfisheriesstreamshabitatRiver Field Studies NetworkResource Selection

    283

    views

    190

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    In-Class Workshops to Teach Introductory Biology Students about Undergraduate Research
    Decades of evidence support the premise that undergraduate research experiences are valuable endeavors for science students; however, a lack of knowledge about research and how to get involved can...

    Keywords: undergraduate research experiencesActive Learning WorkshopsResearch PreparationEquity in Research

    856

    views

    335

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    SCIENCE/Fiction: Modular Template for Class Design
    We present a modular scaffold for designing an introductory seminar using speculative fiction and science papers to welcome university undergraduates to the biology major. A list of twelve possible...

    Keywords: geneticscell biologyneurosciencesystems biologyScience Fiction

    1481

    views

    293

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    An Introduction to Revealing Hidden Figures through Data Sleuthing
    In this introduction to hidden figures in natural history collections (NHCs), students will read an article that gives a unique historical perspective of museums and will then participate in a...

    Keywords: identitysocial justicenatural history collectionsAttributionBCEENETdigitizationRepresentationcourse-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs)hidden figuresdata democratizationrestorative practice

    665

    views

    189

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Riverbird distributions and habitat use
    Riverbirds are widespread, use diverse riparian habitats, and respond rapidly to changing conditions. Students can apply riverbird data to evaluate hypotheses about these responses, while gaining...

    Keywords: logistic regressionHabitat selectionRiver Field Studies NetworkWaterfowl raptorkingfisherheronfocal speciesmonitorriverbank

    352

    views

    29

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Snail Races: An Inquiry-Based Approach to Learn Invasive Species Ecology
    Inquiry-based lessons allow learning that is hands-on and student-driven, fostering engagement and retention of knowledge in any discipline. Here, we use this learning framework to engage students...

    Keywords: ecologyenvironmentInvasive SpeciesScience CommunicationScientific InquiryDispersal

    1543

    views

    86

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    6-022-CannibalismPredatorPrey-ModelingScenario
    The Lotka-Volterra model tells us that the prey and predator exhibit a shifted cyclic behavior over time. In this module, we look at modifying this prey-predator model to consider the case when...

    Keywords: stabilitypredator-preyequilibriaoscillationscannibalismphase planesspiral sinks

    290

    views

    446

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Cross-Course Public Health Project on Infectious Disease
    The need for collaborative, public health education has never been more important. Students increasingly require necessary skills in effectively communicating critical information to the general...

    Keywords: infectionpublic healthVaccinespathogenesisantibiotics

    472

    views

    483

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Close

    Home

    Search