Stephen W. Ziser, Ph. D.

Current Position: Professor of Biology, Biology Department, Pinnacle Campus, Austin Community College

Why Am I Teaching?

I began my teaching career as a Graduate Teaching Assistant at Louisiana State University in 1972. I entered LSU with every intention of becoming a researcher in wetland or marine ecology and had no intention of teaching. As a matter of fact, I was the last person one might expect to do any public speaking, I had great difficulty giving even 5-minute speeches in high school English classes. I can still remember the first class I taught, A freshman zoology lab. I was petrified, I spent a tremendous amount of time preparing for my "10-minute" introductory lecture and managed to get through it somewhat successfully, if nervously. Very quickly after that, however, I began to actually enjoy my teaching excursions in the lab room and by the end of the semester I knew that this is what I wanted to do as a professional career.

In my teaching I try to simplify concepts, summarize details and downplay the memorization that too easily can become the primary focus of many science lessons. Another part of my teaching style is to make it very clear that the student controls their own grades. They learn very quickly that their grade is based on their own efforts. I don't "give" them a grade; they "earn" a grade. The learning process is as important as the information learned, and that the grade is not some "gift" that I give them for showing up every day. For many, this is the first time that they are required to take responsibility for their own education without blaming a poor performance on the teacher, the school, or the textbook. Conversely, it is often enlightening for many to realize how much they can actually accomplish with hard work and good study habits.

I try to encourage critical thinking, the logical development of ideas and the ability to write and talk about such things. I encourage the students to make informed choices and educated decisions rather than letting fear and bias guide their opinions. I also attempt to instill in them a curiosity about the scientific world. Too many times students leave school with a fear of science and the idea that science is too difficult, too complex, to understand. I attempt to replace that with an excitement for learning how the world works. I try to bring to my teaching the wonder of science; the awe of nature, that we shouldn't, but too often do, take for granted. And through my teach I renew in myself that same wonder and excitement.

Finally, one of the most thrilling aspects of teaching that enticed me to enter that field and to remain there, is how much I learn while trying to distill information and make it more presentable to someone else. I have always loved learning things, anything about science or the world, or human nature in general, and I can't think of a better way for me to learn than by teaching. In my career I have had the opportunity to learn about an extremely wide variety of topics at a depth that I would probably never have pursued were it not part of the particular curriculum I was involved in at the time.

Professional History

I was born and raised in a small Kentucky town on the outskirts of Cincinnati, Ohio. I attended private schools 1 - 12 and college before I became so curious about the rest of the world that it was time to "take off". In College I had become interested in aquatic biology; the college had a small aquatic research station on the Ohio River, and I enjoyed the fieldtrips and the research that we did there. In 1972 I was accepted into the graduate program at Louisiana State University where I became interested in marine and wetland ecology; my Master's thesis was a study of cypress swamp communities near New Orleans. While at LSU I had the opportunity to work as a research associate at both the Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries and the USDA Cotton Research Insects Lab. During this time I made two 14-day cruises aboard the Oregon II, a NOAA vessel doing groundfish surveys in the Gulf of Mexico. I helped collect plankton and fish samples and brought home hundreds of fish and invertebrate specimens that I still use in my teaching. I moved to New Mexico to attend the University of New Mexico. While working on my Dissertation, a study of the ecology of mountain stream communities, I taught and did some consulting work for the Public Service Company of New Mexico. I took a job, my first full-time professional job, teaching at Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa, Iowa, in 1981. Since it was a small school I was essentially acting as a department head, lab assistant, purchasing director and teacher, thoroughly enjoying the responsibilities and the variety of courses I was able to teach. I taught there for four years and completed my degree in 1984. I moved to Austin in 1985 and began part time teaching at ACC. By 1987 I was hired full-time at ACC as the Biology Department Head, and the next year I was offered the position as Chairman of the Math/Science Division first at the Ridgeview, then at the Riverside campus. Last year the new administration at ACC reorganized and eliminated the department head and division chair positions so I am now refocusing my work energies away from the administrative duties, that once consumed much of my time, toward improving and further enhancing my classroom skills.

Resume Synopsis

I am trained as a field ecologist with an interest in all aspects of aquatic ecosystems structure and management. I have worked in both the private and public sectors with over 20 years experience in ecosystems research, impact analysis, writing, editing, grantsmanship and publishing. I have been a teacher at the college level for over 25 years and have taught courses in every aspect of biology (general, anatomy, microbiology, botany, zoology, physiology, environmental, etc.) and related sciences (oceanography, earth sciences, astronomy, natural science, physical science, etc.). As an administrator, I am service oriented, flexible, a creative problem solver, highly organized and detail oriented. In my position as Chairman of the RVS Math/Science Division, I supervised over 120 employees, administered a budget in excess of one million dollars, served on numerous committees, and actively pursued donations to the college in excess of $750,000 to improve our laboratory programs. During my tenure as RVS Math/Science Division Chairperson my division was one of the fastest growing, most financially efficient, most service oriented and best enrolled of its kind in the college, and my staff, the most dedicated, student oriented, self motivated and cohesive group of individuals I have ever had the pleasure to work with. Finally, I have a strong interest in promoting science literacy within the local community and have participated in workshops, displays and school presentations. I was instrumental in establishing the RVS Summer Academy for area middle school students, now in its second year. I am a committee member for the citywide Austin Science Fun Day and am a past member of the TNRCC Advisory Board for the Texas Watch statewide volunteer monitoring program. I have also participated in the Bridges Summer Program at the University of Texas which worked to facilitate the successful transfer of community college minority students to Biology programs in four year institutions.

Education

Newport Catholic High School 1964 - 1968 H. S. Diploma Newport, Kentucky:

Thomas More College 1968 - 1972 B.A. Covington, Kentucky

Dept. of Zoology and Physiology 1972 - 1975 M.S. (Zoology) Louisiana State University; Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Department of Biology 1977 - 1984 Ph.D.(Ecology) University of New Mexico; Albuquerque, New Mexico

Employment History:

Teaching Experience.

Professor of Biology. Austin Community College, Austin, Tx. Taught Biology: Introductory Microbiology Lc & Lb; Microbiology Lc & Lb; Anatomy and Physiology I & II, Lc & Lb; General Botany Lc & Lb; General Zoology Lc & Lb; General Biology I & II, Lc & Lb; Environmental Biology; Frontiers in Biology Astronomy: Solar System Astronomy Chemistry: Introductory Chemistry Lb Geology: Oceanography Lc & Lb Nutrition: Human Nutrition Physical Science: Science and Environment; Energy Problems; Science and Contemporary Social Issues Space Science: Space Science. (highlights: served as Biology Department Head; Chairman of the RVS Math/Science Division; Biology Task Force Chairman; my teaching emphasized interdisciplinary teaching, collaborative teaching; developed 'Space Science' course; received minigrant to develop a manual used in Physiology Labs) (1985 - present)

Biology Professor. Indian Hills Community College, Iowa. Taught Biology: General Biology I, II, & III, Lc & Lb; General Botany Lc & Lb; Anatomy and Physiology Lc & Lb; Advanced Anatomy and Physiology Lc & Lb; Microbiology Lc & Lb; Man and His Environment Lc & Lb; General Zoology Lc & Lb; Frontiers in Biology; The Limits of Science Earth Science: Earth Science Lc & Lab. (highlight: designed and taught courses entitled "The Limits of Science" and "Frontiers in Biology"; developed lab manuals for Environmental Biology and Earth Sciences) (1981 - 1985)

Graduate Teaching Assistant. University of New Mexico, Albuquerque. Taught Biology: Introductory Biology Lc & Lb; Microbiology Lb; General Microbiology Lb; Limnology Lb Natural Science: Natural Science Lb. (highlight: lab coordinator, Chairman, Graduate Research Allocations Committee, wrote lab manual for Introductory Biology Lab Program) (1977-1981)

Graduate Teaching Assistant. Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge. Taught Zoology: General Biology Lb; Introductory Vertebrate Zoology Lb; Introductory Invertebrate Zoology Lb; Advance Invertebrate Zoology Lb. (highlight: lab coordinator; 4 weeks of oceanographic research aboard NOAA research ship, "Oregon II", in the Gulf of Mexico) (1972 - 1975)

 

Curriculum Development and Innovation

Created, designed and taught the following courses:

Aquatic Biology (ACC): An overview of aquatic ecosystems and their organisms that focuses on characterizing specific ecosystem types, collecting and identifying aquatic organisms and measuring aquatic ecosystem processes

General Biology - The Unity of Life [Honors] (ACC): An introduction to the nature of science and a study of the broad unifying concepts of the biological sciences.

General Biology: The Diversity of Life (ACC): An introductory course exploring the diversity of life on earth for the nonscience major

Space Science (ACC): An introduction to the basic physical, chemical and biological principles relevant to the design, construction, launch, maintenance and retrieval of both manned and unmanned spacecraft with special emphasis on describing the space environment and its unique effects on human physiology and the operation of satellites, space shuttles, space stations; colonies in space; and life in the universe

Frontiers in Biology (IHCC & ACC): Demonstrates that our daily lives are inextricably interwoven with scientific technology and the better informed that we are of its discoveries and breakthroughs, the better we can make value judgements and moral choices.

The Limits of Science (IHCC & ACC): A philosophy of science course with emphasis on the relationships between science and other disciplines of inquiry.

Environmental Biology Lab (IHCC): Hands-on demonstrations and activities illustrating the impact of human society on the environment.

General Zoology (ACC): a survey of the animal kingdom from an evolutionary perspective with an emphasis on the taxonomy, diversity, behavior and ecology of major animal phyla.

 

Revised and developed many new activities for the following lab programs:

Botany Lab (IHCC & ACC)

Zoology Lab (ACC)

Microbiology Labs (IHCC & ACC)

Anatomy and physiology Labs (IHCC & ACC)

Earth Sciences Lab (IHCC)

Oceanography Lab (ACC)

General Biology Labs (UNM, IHCC & ACC)

 

Collaborative Teaching:

I team-taught sections of the following courses at ACC: Science and Contemporary Social Issues and Space Science

 

Interdiscipinary Courses:

I have taught the following courses which emphasize the interdisciplinary nature of science:

Frontiers in Biology (Biology, Chemistry, Ethics, Writing, Critical Thinking)
The Limits of Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Writing, Critical Thinking, Philosophy, Theology, Writing)
Oceanography (Geology, Chemistry, Physics, Biology)
Science and Contemporary Social Issues (Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Ethics, Politics, Philosophy, Critical Thinking, Writing)
Environmental Biology and Environmental Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Ethics, Morality, Politics, Theology, Critical Thinking, Writing)
Space Science (Astronomy, Physics, Chemistry, Biology)

 

Professional Experience Prior to ACC Employment; (1975 - 1985).

Ecological Consultant. Public Service Company of New Mexico. (highlight: wrote and researched two proposals as part of Geothermal Energy project in Jemez Mountains)

Statistical Consultant. University of New Mexico, Department of Educational Foundations

Research Associate. Department of Entomology, LSU at the USDA Cotton Insects Physiology Research Lab. (highlight: codeveloper of techniques for biological pest control of corn and cotton pests)

Assistant Editor. Iowa Science Teachers Journal

 

Additional Workshops and Training:

Watershed Management: Challenges and Innovations: A nonpoint source pollution Conference. Barton Springs/Edward's Aquifer Conservation District. Austin, Tx. (July, 1996)

Welch Conference for Texas Chemistry Teachers. University of Dallas, Dallas, Tx. (June, 1989)

Lab Explorations in Biology Workshop. AAAS-SWARM (April, 1986)

Communicating About Science Workshop. AAAS-SWARM, Austin, Tx. (April, 1987)

Instream Flow Workshop. Texas Water Development Board, Texas Parks and Wildlife and Texas Water Commission. San Marcos, Tx. (September, 1992)

The Brown Symposium on Evolution. Southwestern University, Georgetown, Tx (February, 1990)

Water For Texas: Setting the Research Agenda. Texas Water Development Board and the Texas Water Resources Institute. (November, 1991)

Benthic Macroinvertebrate Workshop. Texas Natural Resources Conservation Commission. Austin, Tx. (Hosted by RVS Biology Dept.) (August, 1991)

Bridges to The Future. National Institute of Health. Washington, D.C. (March, 1994)

Professional Conferences and Annual Meetings Attended:

Annual Meeting of the Southwestern and Rocky Mountain Division of the American Association for the Advancement of Science: 1976, 1978, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995

North American Lake Management Society: 1988, 1993

Texas Watch; Meeting of the Monitors: 1992, 1996

Science Education Outreach

U T Summer Biology Program for Minority Transfer Students; RVS Summer Youth Academy; U T Annual Science Fun Day; Healthfest; Science Open House; Texas Watch Volunteer Monitoring Program; Austin Water Watchdogs

Honors and Awards:

Teaching Excellence Award, 2000-2001, Austin Community College

NISOD Excellence Award, 1998, University of Texas at Austin

Nominee for Minnie Stevens Piper Professor Award, 1998, University of Texas at Austin

Certificate of Appreciation, 1995, Texas Watch Advisor

Balcomb Award with Stipend,1993. American Association for the Advancement of Science, SWARM Division. For excellence in community college teaching.

Certificate of Recognition, 1993. City of Austin Environmental Resources Management Division.

Certificate of Appreciation, 1992, ACC Self-Study Team Nominee.

Outstanding Iowa College Teacher, 1982

Research Award with Stipend,1980. Roosevelt Foundation of the American Museum of Natural History

 

Organizations and Affiliations

Texas Natural Resources Conservation Commission; past member of advisory council to Texas Watch, a statewide volunteer Environmental Monitoring Network

American Association for the Advancement of Science - Southwestern and Rocky Mountain Division of AAAS; past officer in Environmental Sciences and Science Education Divisions; Recipient of the Balcomb Award for 'Excellence in Community College Teaching', 1993

Texas Academy of Sciences

North American Benthological Society

Federation of American Scientists

Union of Concerned Scientists

Xerces Society

 

11 Scientific Papers in refereed journals 3 Abstracts of presentations to scientific meetings 6 Laboratory Manuals 2 Theses and Dissertations 4 Pamphlets and Directories 3 Media Reviews Stephen W. Ziser, Ph. D.

 

Committees & Memberships

Community Outreach

Research, Publications & Compilations

Grants and Research Funding:

Environmental Resources Management Division, City of Austin. for "A Survey of the Aquatic Macrobenthos of Waller Creek" (1992)

Austin Nature Preserve System Grant, Austin Parks and Recreation Dept. for "A Preliminary Survey of teh Aquatic Macroinvertebrates of the Austin Nature Preserve System" (1989)

Austin Community College Minigrant Program for "An Introduction to the Physiograph and Kymograph" (1987)

Public Service Company of New Mexico Baca Geothermal Project for "Seasonal Aquatic Survey of Redondo Creek" (1981)

Research Allocations Committee Awards (2), UNM for "The Effects of a Small Impoundment on Ecosystem Structure and Function in the Sante Fe River, New Mexico, with Special Reference to the Macrobenthos" (1979,1980)

Publications:

Ziser, S. W. 2008. The Aquatic Invertebrates of Texas. Online:  www.austincc.edu/sziser/txaquaticinverts/

Ziser, S. W. 2006, 2009. Introducrtion to Anatomy & Physiology Lab Manual for Biol 2404. 74p

Ziser, S. W. 2006, 2009.  The Diversity of Life Lab Manual for Biol 1409. 130p

Ziser, S.W. 1997. Austin Reuse and Recycling Guide. RVS Math/Science Division, Austin Community College. Austin, TX. 25p.

Ziser. S.W. 1997. Milestones in Science and Technology; A calendar of significant dates and events in the history of science. 80p. np

Ziser, S.W. 1992. A Survey of the Aquatic Macrobenthos of Waller Creek. City of Austin Environmental and Conservation Services Department. Austin. TX. 11p.

Ziser, S.W. 1989. A Preliminary Survey of the Aquatic Macroinvertebrates of the Austin Nature Preserve System. Austin Parks and Recreation Department, TX 12p.

Ziser, S.W. 1987. An Introduction to the Physiograph and Kymograph. Austin Community College, TX. 110p.

Ziser, S. W. 1986. The effects of a small reservoir on the seasonality and stability of physicochemical parameters and macrobenthic community structure in a Rocky Mountain Stream. Freshw. Invertebr. Biol. 4: 160- 177

Ziser, S.W. and W.W. Burke, III. 1985. A Record of the Freshwater Jellyfish Craspedacusta sowerbii Lankester in Louisiana. Proc. Louisiana Acad. Sci. 47: 45-47.

Ziser, S.W. 1984. The feeding behavior of the giant waterbug. Iowa Sci. Teach. J. 21(2): 14-15. Ziser, S.W. 1984. The Effects of a Small Impoundment on Ecosystem Structure and Function in the Sante Fe River, New Mexico, with Special Reference to the Macrobenthos. Ph.D. Dissertation. Department of Biology, University of New Mexico; Albuquerque, N.M. 167p.

Ziser, S.W. 1983-84. The Identification of Unknown Bacteria. Iowa Sci. Teach. J. 20(3): 17-21.

Ziser, S.W. (Ed.). 1983. The Limits of Science: An Anthology of Scientific Inquiry. Indian Hills Community College, Ottumwa, IA. 156p.

Ziser, S.W. 1982. Laboratory Exercises in Earth Science. Indian Hills Community College, Ottumwa, IA. 138p.

Ziser, S.W. 1981. Seasonal Aquatic Survey of Redondo Creek. Environmental Monitoring Program for the Proposed Baca Geothermal Project. Public Service Company of New Mexico, Albuquerque, N.M. 40p.

Nettles, W.C., Jr., C.M. Wilson, and S.W. Ziser. 1980. A Diet and Methods for the in vitro Rearing of the Tachinid, Eucelatoria sp. Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 73: 180-184.

Ziser, S.W. 1980. Laboratory Exercises for Introductory Biology. Department of Biology, University of New Mexico; Albuquerque, N.M. 152p.

Ziser, S.W. and W.C. Nettles, Jr. 1979. The rate of oxygen consumption by Eucelatoria sp. in relation to larval development and temperature. Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 72: 540-543.

Ziser, S.W. 1978. Seasonal variations of water chemistry and diversity of the phytophilic macroinvertebrates of three swamp communities in southeastern Louisiana. Southwest. Nat. 23: 545-562.

Ziser, S.W. and W.C. Nettles, Jr. 1978. The larval development of Eucelatoria sp. in the host, Heliothis virescens. Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 71: 383-388.

Ziser, S.W. 1978. The larval development and oxygen consumption of the tachinid endoparasitoid Eucelatoria sp. in the host Heliothis virescens (F.). New Mexico Acad. Sci. Bull. 18: 32-33. Ziser, S.W. J.A. Wojotowicz and W.C. Nettles, Jr. 1977. The effects of the number of maggots per host on length of development, puparial weight, and adult emergence of Eucelatoria sp. in the host Heliothis virescens (F.). Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 70: 733-736.

Ziser, S.W. 1977. The development of an artificial diet for rearing Eucelatoria sp. Frass July: 16-17.

Ziser, S.W. and N.B. Causey. 1976. Seasonal abundance and diversity of the phytophilic macroinvertebrates of three swamp communities in southeastern Louisiana. Am. Zool. 16: 194.

Ziser, S.W. 1975. A Seasonal Study of the Phytophilic Macroinvertebrates of a Swamp in Southeastern Louisiana. M.A. Thesis. Department of Zoology and Physiology, Louisiana State University; Baton Rouge, Louisiana. 188p.

Compilations

Taxonomic Bibliography of Texas Life

Earth's History

Number's of Species -all Taxonomic Groups, Fossil and Recent

Austin Nature Preserves

Waller Creek Survey

Urban Area Watersheds

Urban Ecology Survey - Boggy Acres Preserve

Milestones in Science and Technology

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