COURSES

CUMV staff and specimens play an important role in undergraduate and graduate training and offer unique, hands-on courses that encourage the use of specimens in scientific discovery.

BIOEE 3780: Computerized Tomography of Vertebrates

Computerized tomography scans (CT-scans) are revolutionizing comparative anatomy and offering new insights into the complexities of organisms. This course introduces students to data visualization software to explore vertebrate anatomy. Using CUMV specimens, students scan and visualize in 3D a diversity of vertebrates and gain a working knowledge of the types of questions and projects that can be tackled using CT-scanning technologies.

Computerized tomography scan of a bird with colors that show different organs and structures

BIOEE 1150: Techniques of Avian Specimen Preparation

Preparing specimens for natural history collections is a blend of art and science. In this course, students learn the art of preparing bird specimens and what data to record to make specimens scientifically valuable. Students also gain an introduction to the value of natural history collections, their uses in conservation, research, and education, and learn a diversity of specimen preparation techniques.

The "ologies"

CUMV specimens support a number of courses at Cornell, including: The Vertebrates (BIOEE2740), Introduction to Field Biology (NTRES2100), and all four “ologie” courses (Ichthyology BIOEE4760, Mammalogy BIOEE4500, Ornithology BIOEE4750, Herpetology BIOEE4700). In all courses specimens highlight local and global diversity, illustrate concepts learned in lectures, and inspire an interest in organismal biology.