Faculty Employment Opportunities

Occidental is a highly selective and diverse liberal arts college in the city of Los Angeles. Founded in 1887, it is one of the oldest liberal arts colleges on the West Coast. Occidental’s interdisciplinary and multicultural focus encourages a hands-on approach to learning and includes one of the country’s best undergraduate research programs. Its 1,850 students from 45 states and 24 countries have compiled an impressive record of winning national awards. Occidental’s location ensures easy access to top research institutions including Caltech, UCLA, USC, Huntington Library, and the Getty Research Institute.

Occidental is a founding member of the Southern California Higher Education Recruitment Consortium. The HERC website makes possible simultaneous searches for available positions at 21 colleges, universities, and graduate institutions, as well as seven community colleges.

BIOLOGY DEPARTMENT

ADJUNCT INSTRUCTOR

Fall Semester 2009

The Biology Department of Occidental College has several part time positions available for the Fall 2009 semester. We are searching for adjunct faculty to teach several courses:

Marine Biology (Bio 105): lecture and two lab sections
Zoology (Bio 115L, one lab section only)
Evolutionary Biology (Bio 280): two lecture sections
Animal Behavior (Bio 378): lecture and two lab sections

Applicants should submit a curriculum vitae, statement of teaching interests and experience, and two letters of reference to: Dr. Elizabeth Braker, Department of Biology, Occidental College, 1600 Campus Road, Los Angeles, CA 90041. Telephone: 323.259.2645. bbraker@oxy.edu

Electronic submission of all materials is preferred for rapid consideration. Review will begin immediately upon receipt of complete applications and will continue until the positions are filled. A Ph.D. is preferred although we will consider candidates with a master’s degree and teaching experience.

Occidental College is an equal opportunity employer. The College is committed to academic excellence in a diverse community and supporting interdisciplinary and multicultural academic programs that provide a gifted and diverse group of students with an educational experience that prepares them for leadership in a pluralistic world. Women and minorities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The schedule for fall semester 2009 is found at: http://www.oxy.edu/x6682.xml

105. MARINE BIOLOGY.

This course will be an introductory survey of marine organisms and their environment. It will cover fishes, invertebrates, mammals, reptiles and algae. Included will be an investigation of behavior, ecology, adaptations, and environmental relationships to humans. An emphasis will be placed on forms common to California. Includes one 3-hour lab period per week and field trips will be included during the laboratory period. (Labs may take longer than the scheduled laboratory period to accommodate field trips.).

115. GENERAL ZOOLOGY (one laboratory section only).

An introduction to the diversity, comparative anatomy and physiology of animals. Emphasis is placed on the classification of animals, how animals are adapted to the environment, and the evolutionary relationships between the phyla. This class is designed for science majors. Includes one three-hour laboratory per week.

280. EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY.

A detailed analysis of the causes and consequences of biological evolution. The focus here is on understanding basic evolutionary mechanisms, with plant and animal examples used to illustrate and clarify the fundamentals of the evolutionary process. Classical and recent contributions to our understanding of evolutionary biology are examined, including population genetics, theoretical models, geographical variation, speciation, biogeography, phylogeny reconstruction, molecular evolution, macroevolution, and the evolution of Homo sapiens.

378. ANIMAL BEHAVIOR.

Emphasizes the evolutionary approach to the study of animal behavior, drawing broadly from the various disciplines within biology concerned with the factors that determine which organisms survive and reproduce. The course material will be divided into four broad categories: sensory capabilities, feeding patterns, spacing patterns, and reproduction. For each topic, theory and application will be presented. Students will analyze research papers and lead discussions on an aspect of each major topic. The laboratory portion of the course will focus on observational and experimental approaches to studying animal behavior in the lab and in the field. We will make use of local resources such as zoos, aquaria, wildlife conservation areas, veterinarians, and animal rehabilitation facilities. An independent research project is required. This course is designed for biology majors, although it would be appropriate for students from other majors. Includes one three-hour laboratory per week and weekend field trips to be announced. Prerequisite: Biology 115. Biology 270 and/or 279 are recommended.

Occidental College is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer. The College is committed to academic excellence in a diverse community and supporting interdisciplinary and multicultural academic programs that provide a gifted and diverse group of students with an educational experience that prepares them for leadership in a pluralistic world. Women and minorities are strongly encouraged to apply.