John aspires to be an excellent educator via a teacher-scholar model. A teacher-scholar integrates teaching and research in a bidirectional fashion, in which students engage in research as a component of their education. Teacher-scholars also study the science of teaching and learning, and embrace new technologies and learning methodologies that are supported by research about learning and knowledge retention.
John teaches several courses at SUNY-ESF at the intersection of ecology, forestry, and physiology.
FOR 232 – Natural Resources Ecology
The course provides an introduction to basic principles in ecology as they relate to terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems and the natural resources they provide. General topics of study include consideration of the physical environment, primary production and energy flow through trophic levels, genetics and adaptation, ecosystem structure and function, competition and community dynamics, characteristics of freshwater ecosystems, and biogeochemical cycling and human impacts from local and global levels. 3 credits. Spring.
John teaches several courses at SUNY-ESF at the intersection of ecology, forestry, and physiology.
FOR 232 – Natural Resources Ecology
The course provides an introduction to basic principles in ecology as they relate to terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems and the natural resources they provide. General topics of study include consideration of the physical environment, primary production and energy flow through trophic levels, genetics and adaptation, ecosystem structure and function, competition and community dynamics, characteristics of freshwater ecosystems, and biogeochemical cycling and human impacts from local and global levels. 3 credits. Spring.
FOR 313- Tree Structure and Function
This is an undergraduate course aimed at teaching the fundamentals of tree physiology to undergraduate forestry students. Major topics include the structure and function of leaves, stems, and roots, photosynthesis, water relations, nutrient uptake and utilization, and association with mycorrhizal fungi. Three hours of lecture/discussion per week, including regular observations of trees near campus. Students will learn the fundamental biology of the structure and physiological function of trees, to prepare them to understand how and why trees are managed for human uses. Fall.
This is an undergraduate course aimed at teaching the fundamentals of tree physiology to undergraduate forestry students. Major topics include the structure and function of leaves, stems, and roots, photosynthesis, water relations, nutrient uptake and utilization, and association with mycorrhizal fungi. Three hours of lecture/discussion per week, including regular observations of trees near campus. Students will learn the fundamental biology of the structure and physiological function of trees, to prepare them to understand how and why trees are managed for human uses. Fall.
EFB 530- Plant Physiology
We explore basic concepts and current topics in plant physiology through assigned readings, classroom discussion, lectures, presentations, in-class activities, and student projects. We cover physiological processes that are relevant for a wide array of plants, including trees. EFB 530 is a 3-credit lecture course with an optional 1 credit lab. Fall.
This class has an optional 1-credit lab component, where we apply modern physiological techniques to the study of plants. Topics include photosynthesis, respiration, growth analysis, nutrient composition, leaf pigments, and the regulation of leaf temperature.
We explore basic concepts and current topics in plant physiology through assigned readings, classroom discussion, lectures, presentations, in-class activities, and student projects. We cover physiological processes that are relevant for a wide array of plants, including trees. EFB 530 is a 3-credit lecture course with an optional 1 credit lab. Fall.
This class has an optional 1-credit lab component, where we apply modern physiological techniques to the study of plants. Topics include photosynthesis, respiration, growth analysis, nutrient composition, leaf pigments, and the regulation of leaf temperature.
Students showing leaf pigment extractions from yellow and green sugar maple leaves (left), releasing pressurized acid after a microwave hot acid tissue digestion (center), and measuring leaf temperature in the field using infrared sensors (right)
FOR 796 – The Ecophysiology of Trees and Forests
This graduate-level course studies the links between the ecology and physiology of plants in a variable environment, with a focus on trees and their unique adaptations and challenges. Students learn about current research in the field through lectures as well as readings and discussions of the primary literature. Student input influences the choice of content, but topics include the life history of trees, trait variation across species, water transport, mycorrhizal associations, photosynthesis in a variable environment, and carbohydrate transport across long distances. Three hours of classroom time per week with lectures and student-led discussion. 3 credits. Spring.
This course was taught for three years and is now on hiatus.
This graduate-level course studies the links between the ecology and physiology of plants in a variable environment, with a focus on trees and their unique adaptations and challenges. Students learn about current research in the field through lectures as well as readings and discussions of the primary literature. Student input influences the choice of content, but topics include the life history of trees, trait variation across species, water transport, mycorrhizal associations, photosynthesis in a variable environment, and carbohydrate transport across long distances. Three hours of classroom time per week with lectures and student-led discussion. 3 credits. Spring.
This course was taught for three years and is now on hiatus.