Dr. Jonathan Good is an associate professor of biology at Daemen University and leads an exciting class that involves students snorkling at the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. We spoke to Dr. Good to learn a little bit more about him.
As a biologist, what does your research focus on?
I have two areas of research: my scientific research focuses on how the physiology of animals alters in response to changes in their environment; my educational research focuses on the effect that different teaching strategies have on a student’s ability to understand science.
In your role as an associate professor of biology at Daemen, what are the main courses you teach?
Right now, I am mostly teaching General Biology (BIO109), Human Nutrition (BIO117), Survey of Biology (BIO105), and General Physiology (BIO340). When I am able to offer them, I also teach Comparative Vertebrate Physiology (BIO343), Marine Biology (BIO351), and Coral Reef Field Survey (BIO352).
How do you work to make science engaging for students?
Science is just like anything else: people will engage with something if they have a sense of ownership over it and see its relevance to their own life. My job is really to help students develop those senses of ownership and relevance to the understanding of science that they develop.
You lead BIO 352, which includes students studying the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. This class requires an interview to register. Who is eligible to apply for this course, and who should they contact fo more information?
Any student who has completed BIO109 can apply to take BIO352, but they also need to be competent at swimming in the open ocean! The course is run in partnership with our Global Programs Office (located on Level 1 of DS), and students who are interested should contact that office about BIO352, and all of the other study abroad opportunities that are available.