Helen Boswell
Professor of Biology | Southern Utah University
Cedar City, UT, UNITED STATES
Specializes in animal behavior and evolution, with research emphasis on teaching and outreach strategies.
Biography
Dr. Helen Boswell has been a professor of biology at Southern Utah University since 1999. She teaches general biology, evolution, biomedical ethics, and the evolution of human sexuality, sharing the complexities of biology and its real-world applications. She is also the co-advisor to the outreach group SUU Animal Ambassadors, which teaches the public about animals, behavior, and the importance of animal welfare and conservation.
Along with several works of fiction including the YA Mythology trilogy, Dr. Boswell is the author of the nonfiction work My Fish Ate Your Fish: Can Evolution and Religion Play Nicely? Dr. Boswell earned a Bachelor of Arts in Biological Sciences and a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences with an emphasis in evolution and animal behavior from the University of Buffalo.
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Industry Expertise (3)
Education/Learning
Research
Writing and Editing
Areas of Expertise (4)
Animal Behavior
Outreach Education
Evolutionary Biology
Scientific Literacy
Education (2)
University at Buffalo: Ph.D., Biological Sciences in Evolution and Animal Behavior
University of Buffalo: B.A., Biological Studies
Accomplishments (1)
STEM Outreach Award (professional)
Southern Utah University, 2023
Links (2)
Media Appearances (4)
SUU Offers Mindfulness Mondays: Slowing Down During the Day
SUU News online
2021-01-27
Associate Professor of Biology Helen Boswell-Taylor and Mental Health Support Peer Karina Nay teamed up to host the sessions to help students calm down and focus on their breathing. “We wanted to make it convenient and include a short little activity they could do on their own time,” Boswell-Taylor said.
Celebrated Authors Present at ‘WriteOut’ Camp
St. George News online
2017-06-25
A new writing camp geared especially for youth ages 13-18 is slated to run Wednesday-Friday at Southern Utah University as the WriteOut Foundation brings several successful authors to town. The public is invited to attend some of the camp’s scheduled events Wednesday.
Getting REAL about sex
SUU News online
2016-12-02
Real Education Affecting Life (R.E.A.L) Peers had their annual Sexual Health Week all this week. Nikki Gwin, the Wellness Coordinator for SUU, said the purpose of Sexual Health Week is to make taboo topics less so.
Weird Science: Biology Professor Pens Paranormal Book Series
SUU News online
2013-10-29
Paranormal is said to be beyond the scope of normal scientific understanding, but for Southern Utah University associate professor of biology, Helen Boswell, science can explain everything from clairvoyance to flying, well she can explain it in her books at least.
Articles (4)
Teaching evolution: attitudes & strategies of educators in Utah – an update 20 years later
Journal of Biological Education2024 Previous research on evolution education in Utah college biology courses highlighted how frequently professors faced student challenges to evolution and examined the strategies they used to deal with those challenges. In the twenty years since that study, the population of Utah has become less religious and more diverse. Meanwhile, the US population has become more accepting of evolution.
Reading Fiction in Biology Class to Enhance Scientific Literacy
The American Biology Teacher2016 Students in the United States struggle with literacy skills, a problem that extends into their undergraduate education and beyond. Particularly in the sciences, reading assignments are usually singularly academic in nature and do not impart the importance of creativity and innovation. We propose a curriculum strategy and lesson plan that employs a “reading across the curriculum” approach to enhance literacy skills in biology students while simultaneously encouraging scientific discourse and creativity.
Teaching Evolution: Attitudes & Strategies of Educators in Utah
The American Biology Teacher2003 Method The author sent surveys to professors in biology fields at Utah universities. Participants reported gender, state where they earned their advanced degree, and current educational institution. They also reported number of years taught at the university level (< 3, 3–5, 6–10, 11–15, and> 15 years), if an evolution course was required of all majors in their program, and their opinions of whether an evolution course should be required. Participants rated replies on a scale of one to five for the following: importance of understanding ...
Microsatellite identification of extrapair sires in a socially monogamous warbler
Behavioral Ecology2001 Few studies of avian mating systems have identified the sires of extrapair young, and hence it has been difficult to determine the scale at which reproductive interactions occur. For instance, females may be free to copulate with any male in the population (a “global” scale of interactions), or females may be restricted to copulating only with males on neighboring territories (a “local” scale). The scale of such interactions has important consequences for an understanding of the evolutionary causes and consequences of extrapair fertilizations.
Courses (10)
BIOL 1610 General Biology I
This course provides a basic foundation in the areas of biochemistry, organization and function of cells as well as the transmission of genetic information.
BIOL 1620 General Biology II
This course introduces Science Majors to the study of biology and the diversity of life. It provides fundamental knowledge of morphological complexity, physiology, development, environmental adaptation, and the evolutionary history of life on Earth.
BIOL 1625 General Biology Lab II
Lab to accompany BIOL 1620.
BIOL 2230 The Evolution of Human Sexuality
Study of the scientific basis of human sexuality, encompassing evolutionary adaptations, anatomy, physiology, genetics, and biological diversity.
BIOL 3050 Biomedical Ethics
Exploration of current ethical problems in the medical and psychological disciplines and their impacts on society and the individual.
BIOL 3110 Evolution
Study of pattern and processes shaping the unity and diversity of life. Emphasis on natural selection theory, paleontological evidence, and a neo-Darwinian view of the genetic basis for variation and adaption, speciation, and phylogenetic patterns, including human evolution.
BIOL 4830 Individual Study
Individual study of topics in biology arranged by contract with an appropriate faculty supervisor.
BIOL 4840 Cooperative Education
Observation and activities in professional practice situations on or off campus arranged by contract with an appropriate faculty supervisor.
BIOL 4890 Internship
An off-campus experience with an employer, agency, or organization that will provide hands-on experiences. Internships are initiated by a contract between the student, the provider, and the faculty advisor.
BIOL 4850 Undergraduate Research
Original lab or field research in biology arranged by contract with an appropriate faculty supervisor.
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