Tim Sellers

Associate Professor of Biology and Environmental Science,
Associate Vice President for Academic Programs

The College’s location on Keuka Lake makes for a picturesque setting.

But Sellers sees the lake—and “all of the Finger Lakes”—as more than that. For him, it is a teaching tool.

Sellers utilizes the lake in his Limnology course—the study of fresh water.

Students also have the opportunity to conduct Keuka Lake water quality research independent of their coursework through the Center for Aquatic Research (CAR), which Sellers created and directs.

Recently, three sophomores presented a poster representing their on-going work in the CAR at the National Conference of Undergraduate Research in La Crosse, Wis. The title of their poster was, “Plankton in the Middle: Small Environmental Changes Could Spell Big Trouble for Lake Ecology.”

Sellers also teaches freshman biology (Organisms and the Environment), an integrated science course for non-science majors (Life and the Universe), and Senior Seminar, the capstone course for biology majors.

“I encourage my students to ask good question and try to answer their own questions,” said Sellers, selected 2008-09 Professor of the Year. “I try to get them beyond their comfort level, to think as a scientist. It’s much more satisfying to work one’s way toward a solution. Science is judged on its methods, not just the results.”

In addition to teaching, advising students, and directing the CAR, Sellers chairs the Curriculum Committee, a College-wide committee that reviews changes to curriculum and assesses general education requirements.

A change was made to the science curriculum last year making biostatistics a requirement for all science majors. Most students will take it during their sophomore or junior years.

“Data and statistical analysis and experimental design are all necessary parts of research,” said Sellers. “This type of course has been lacking in our division, and it happens to be one of my areas of strength. As such, I introduced this course and was happy to see that it was met with divisional and faculty approval.”