Department: Biology

Andy Gannon

Professor of Biology

Office:

Stephens Science Center 230

Contact Information:

Birmingham-Southern College
Division of Science and Mathematics
900 Arkadelphia Rd
Birmingham, AL 35254
Office Phone: (205) 226-4899
Office Fax: (205) 226 3078
E-mail: agannon@bsc.edu

Brief Career Background:

After working as a postdoctoral research associate in the Zoology Department at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and in the Biology Department at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Dr. Gannon served as Assistant Professor of Biology at UNLV, Gettysburg College, and Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana before coming to Birmingham-Southern College in 1995.

Educational Background:

B.A. Zoology, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, 1980
M.S. Zoology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, 1986
Ph.D. Zoology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, 1990

Areas of Academic Interest:

Comparative Physiology of Crustaceans,
Control of Ventilation in Terrestrial Crabs
Wetlands Ecology
Coral Reef Ecology

Courses Taught:

BI 115 Organismal Biology (1)
An introduction to the biology of organisms. Topics include levels of biological organization, biological diversity, plant and animal structure and function, and comparative study of structure function relationships in living organisms. Designed for students who plan to major in biology or one of the natural sciences and/or who are pre-health. Three lectures and one three-hour laboratory per week. Fall, Spring.

BI 232 Invertebrate Zoology (1)
An introduction to the invertebrate animals with an emphasis on their diversity, morphology, physiology and ecology. Three lectures and one three-hour laboratory per week. One weekend field trip is required. Prerequisites: BI 105 and 115. Fall of even-numbered years.

BI 303 Physiology (1)
A study of the functions of organ systems and their role in regulation of body processes. Three lectures, one three-hour laboratory, and one DHAR laboratory per week. Prerequisites: BI 105, 115, and 125. Spring.

ES 150 Introduction to Environmental Studies (1)
An interdisciplinary introduction to the complexities of environmental problems. The course provides an overview of scientific knowledge on ecology and environmental management and examines political, economic, and ethical issues involved in the attainment of a sustainable future. The course explores how an understanding of the natural and social sciences is necessary to address and solve environmental problems. Selected topics, including population growth, food shortages, pollution containment, and energy resources, are addressed. Three lectures and one three-hour laboratory per week. The course is a required course in the environmental studies minor. (Satisfies Disciplinary Foundations requirement in lab science.)

Coral Reef Ecology (Explorations Term)
Students spend 2 weeks at BSC learning about the ecological processes and organisms that form coral reefs, before going to the Institute for Marine Sciences (IMS) in Roatan, Honduras and experiencing coral reefs first-hand. They participate in ongoing IMS and BSC reef monitoring research projects on fish biodiversity, coral diseases and more, while diving and snorkeling on one of the most beautiful reefs in the world.