Dr.
Ruth Buskirk
Distinguished Senior Lecturer
School of Biological Sciences
The University of Texas at Austin
Contact
Information:
email: rbuskirk@austin.utexas.edu
Office: Biological Laboratories, BIO 316, 512-471-7793
Office Hours (spring 2014)
MWF 10-10:30 am, MW 2-3 pm, Tu 10-12.
U.S. Mail, Campus Mail
Dr. Ruth Buskirk, Biology Instructional Office
Department of Molecular Biosciences
[deliveries - 2506 Speedway, NMS 3.316]
1 University Station, Mail Code A5000
Austin TX 78712-0162
Spring 2014 classes
BIO 311D Introductory Biology II
BIO 325H Honors Genetics
BIO 102C Biology Scholars Program seminar
classes - other semesters
Bio 301E fall 2010 Problems in Modern Biology, Plan II
Bio 311C fall 2010 Introductory Biology I
Bio 315H fall 2011 Advanced Introduction to Honors Genetics
TC 357/BIO 337 (Maymester 2010, 2011, 2013, 2015) Costa Rica: Land Use Issues in Rainforest Conservation
Odyssey spring 2009 "Genetics 101"
Bio 398T fall 2005 Supervised Teaching in Biological Sciences
Buskirk - beyond classes
Provost's Teaching Fellows (Inaugural group 2013-2015 )
Health Science Scholars Program (Interim director 2011-2013)
Biology Honors Advisor - Special Departmental Honors in Biology
Freshman Research InitiativeUTeach Program - Advisor
Introductory Biology Course Transformation Project
Buskirk - beyond UT
Buskirk - research interests
Behavior and web structure of orb-weaving spiders
How undergraduates learn to read scientific papers
Undergraduate biology teaching and curriculum issues
Bio Sketch: Ruth Buskirk earned her A.B. at Earlham College, M.A. at Harvard University, and Ph.D. at the University of California at Davis. Her research on behavior and physiology includes work of orb-weaving spiders, dragonflies, baboons, and unusual animal behavior before earthquakes. She has taught biology courses at the University of Texas at Austin for over 25 years. She especially enjoys her family, music, and being outdoors in different places.
Honors and Awards
Postdoctoral Fellow, American Association of University Women
Outstanding Young Women of America 1974
American Men and Women of Science, 1975 - present
Texas Excellence Teaching Award 1988 and 1991 and 1998
Natural Science Advisory Council Teaching Excellence Award, 1993, 1994 and 1996
Alpha Lambda Delta and Phi Eta Sigma Teaching Excellence Award, 1994, 1998, 2000
Parents' Association, Centennial Teaching Fellowship, Fall 1995
University Student Volunteer Board Award for Outstanding Volunteerism and
Community Service, nominated by SafePlace for hotline volunteer work 2002
College of Natural Sciences Teaching Excellence Award 2003
Alpha Lambda Delta and Phi Eta Sigma Teaching Excellence Award 2003
Outstanding Professor award, freshman honor societies
National Academies Education Fellow in the Life Sciences 2008-2009
Regents Outstanding Teaching Award, The University of Texas System, 2009.
Chad Oliver Award (Plan II teaching excellence) 2012
President’s Associates Teaching Excellence Award 2013
Texas 10, Texas Exes' Outstanding Faculty, 2013