Current Courses

At Trinity University, Dr. Johnson currently teaches:

BIOL 1311 & 1111

Integrative Biology and Lab
Last taught: Spring 2025

BIOL 1311 is a course designed to provide an introduction to the field of biology through an integration of cellular, organismal, population, and ecosystem levels of biological organization. BIOL 1111 is the laboratory course associated with this introductory class.

Syllabus

Biol 1320

The Darwinian Revolution
Last taught: Fall 2021

This course explores the development of Charles Darwin’s revolutionary ideas through a survey of his life, his major written works, and the influence of his writing on modern thinking.

Syllabus

BIOL 3426

Vertebrate Biology
Last taught: Fall 2020

This course is an evolutionary survey of vertebrates, focusing on evolutionary innovations and relationships through major features of the anatomy, physiology, life history, and behavior of vertebrate taxa.

Syllabus

BIOL 3435

Evolution
Last taught: Spring 2023

This course surveys the history of evolutionary thought, the mechanisms and patterns of evolutionary change, and the methods scientists use to study evolution.

Syllabus

Independent Research in Biology and Neuroscience

Please email or visit Dr. Johnson at office hours for more information.

SYLLABUS

Previous Courses Taught

First Year Experience, Childhood, Trinity University (Fall 2024)

Animal Behavior, Michigan State University
Animal Behavior Honors Option, Michigan State University

Other Teaching Activities

Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Inclusive Excellence 3 (2021-2028) Dr. Johnson was Trinity’s HHMI Program Director coordinating a $531,600 grant to support inclusive excellence. Trinity partnered with other colleges and universities around the United States, working toward making introductory STEM courses more inclusive. This grant program was abruptly cancelled in February 2025.

Science Teaching Institute, Trinity University (2011-2016) From 2013-2016, Dr. Johnson coordinated Trinity’s Science Teaching Institute, a free summer workshop for local elementary science teachers, connecting them with STEM faculty at Trinity.