Dr. McCain's research is focused on understanding of the mechanisms producing and maintaining patterns of biodiversity and the related patterns of species distribution, abundance, and range limits. The overarching goal of my research is to contribute to the development of quantitative, testable theories applicable to both the advancement of ecology and evolution, and the improvement of our conservation strategies in the face of climate change and other anthropogenic habitat changes.
keywords
biodiversity, climate change, ecology and evolution of vertebrates, insect biology, montane ecology, conservation, mammalogy, biogeography, macroecology, patterns and mechanisms of species distribution, abundance, and range limits
EBIO 4760 - Mammalogy
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2018 / Fall 2020 / Fall 2021 / Fall 2023 / Fall 2024
Lect., lab, and field studies. Discusses origin, evolution and adaptation, geographic distribution, ecology and taxonomy of mammals; field and laboratory study of Coloradan species. Uses animals and/or animal tissues. Recommended prerequisites: EBIO 1210 and EBIO 1220 and EBIO 2040 and EBIO 2640 (minimum grade C-). Same as EBIO 5760 and MUSM 5760.
EBIO 5760 - Mammalogy
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2018 / Fall 2020 / Fall 2021 / Fall 2023
Lect., lab, and field studies. Discusses origin, evolution and adaptation, geographic distribution, ecology and taxonomy of mammals; field and laboratory study of Coloradan species. Uses animals and/or animal tissues. Same as EBIO 4760 and MUSM 5760.
MUSM 5760 - Mammalogy
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2020 / Fall 2021 / Fall 2023
Lect., lab, and field studies. Discusses origin, evolution and adaptation, geographic distribution, ecology and taxonomy of mammals; field and laboratory study of Coloradan species. Uses animals and/or animal tissues. Same as EBIO 4760 and EBIO 5760.
MUSM 6110 - Advanced Seminar in Museum Issues
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2018
Offers a weekly seminar for museum and field study students that addresses one new topic each semester relevant to museum operations such as archival administration, museums, multiculturalism, repatriation and others. Department enforced prerequisite: MUSM 5011.
MUSM 6950 - Master's Thesis
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2021 / Fall 2022 / Fall 2024
A thesis, which may be of a research, expository, critical or creative type, is required of every master's degree candidate under the thesis option. Department enforced prerequisites: MUSM 5011 and MUSM 5051 and one of the following: MUSM 5030 or MUSM 5031 or MUSM 5041.
MUSM 6960 - Master's Project or Paper
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2019 / Spring 2020
A project or paper in the student's discipline and related to some aspect of museum studies is required of every master's degree candidate under the non-thesis-option plan. Department enforced prerequisites: MUSM 5011 and MUSM 5051. Students in collections/field track also need MUSM 5030 or MUSM 5031 or MUSM 5041.
