 Davis, Thomas A.Professor of Biology B.S., University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point, 1979 M.S., Iowa State University, 1983 Ph.D., Iowa State University, 1987 At Loras since: 1989 Phone No. (563)588-7767 Office Science Hall 133A E-mail tom.davis@loras.edu Courses Taught: Vertebrate Physiology, Human Anatomy, Human Biology, Life Science, Field Ornithology, Subtropical Ecology, Mountain Ecology, Issues in Environmental Biology, Human Exercise: Measurement and Limits
Research Interests: Late embryonic development inside bird and turtle eggs; effects of environmental variation on turtle embryo development; enhancing student learning in the biology classroom;
Recent Publications: Davis, T. A. 1993. Alternative teaching methods in the vertebrate physiology lab: Stop and learn it again for the first time. Bioscene 19 (July): 7-10.
Davis, T. A. 1996. Students Teaching Students: Habitat Tours, An Outdoor Lab Exercise. Bioscene 22 (Dec.): 10-12.
Davis, T. A. 1996. Lists, Leadership and Learning: Organizing an Effective AMCBT Meeting. Bioscene 22 (Dec.): 19-24.
Davis, T.A. 1997. Developing A Personal Land Ethic: An Interdisciplinary Course on Aldo Leopold. Bioscene 23 (Dec.): 12-15.
Davis, T. A. 2003. Student Designed Labs in Physiology: What Really Happens? Bioscene 28:3-8.
Two debate Case studies were published on the Center for Science Case Study Teaching at 1) Living Downstream: Atrazine and Coliform Bacteria Effects on Water Quality – A Debate Case
http://www.sciencecases.org/atrazine_debate/atrazine_debate.asp
2) Oak Clearcutting: To Cut or Not to Cut? A Debate Case http://www.sciencecases.org/clearcutting_debate/clearcutting_debate.asp
Why would you encourage a prospective student to come to Loras for a Major in Biology or Biology Research? This department has a broad range of faculty expertise. A biology or biology research major here will gain experience in the latest techniques in cell and developmental biology and also get their hands dirty collecting field data and sampling organisms in neighboring streams, rivers, wetlands, prairies and woodlands. The faculty here are dedicated to helping students . Our main objective is to help them learn to think critically and become actively aware of scientific knowledge and ethics.
What is the best part about being a faculty member at Loras? I enjoy the student interaction. Helping the students with their career choices and seeing them succeed is very satisfying. I also enjoy teaching students about topics that I have enjoy learning about and thus, I can try to transfer my enthusiasm to them. I also enjoy working with the other faculty in this department.
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