Biology (BIOL)

505. Primate Biology (3).  A study of the morphology, behavior, ecology and evolutionary relationships of primates including prosimians, monkeys, apes and hominids.  Prerequisite(s): BIOL 204, 205, 206 and 300; CHEM 106 and 108; or ANTH 202 and permission of instructor.  Notes: Offered every odd year in fall.

508. Invertebrate Biology (4:2:4).  An introduction to the biology of invertebrate animals with emphases on their physiology, anatomy and evolutionary relationships.  Prerequisite(s): BIOL 204, 205, 206 and 300; CHEM 106 and 108.  Notes: Lab Fee: $35. Offered every even year in spring.

510. Vertebrate Natural History (4:2:4).  A course covering the evolution, distribution, ecology and physiology of all classes of fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals.  Prerequisite(s): BIOL 204, 205, 206 and 300; CHEM 106 and 108.  Notes: Lab Fee: $30. Offered every odd year in spring.

511. Ornithology (4:2:4).  A lecture and field course in bird evolution, ecology, behavior and field identification.  Prerequisite(s): BIOL 204, 205, 206 and 300 or permission of instructor.  Notes: Lab Fee: $30. Offered in summer.

513. Organic Evolution (3).  A study of the mechanism of change in the genetic constitution of populations over time with consideration of historical progress toward our present understanding.  Prerequisite(s): BIOL 204, 205, 206, 300 and 317; CHEM 106 and 108.  Notes: Offered in fall.

515. Environmental Biology (4:2:4).  A study of the ways by which human activity alters natural ecosystems and affects human health.  Prerequisite(s): BIOL 204, 205, 206 and 300; CHEM 106 and 108.  Notes: Lab Fee: $35. Offered in spring.

517. Human Genetics (3).  A comprehensive study of human genetics, especially covering the areas of single gene defects, chromosome disorders, cancer, multifactorial inheritance, immunogenetics, behavior and populations.  Prerequisite(s): BIOL 204, 205, 206, 300 and 317; CHEM 106 and 108.  Notes: Offered every odd year in fall.

518. Animal Behavior (3).  A study of the mechanisms and patterns of animal activity, including principles of sociobiology.  Prerequisite(s): BIOL 204, 205, 206 and 300; CHEM 106 and 108.  Notes: Offered every even year in spring.

519.  Mechanisms of Disease (3).  A study of disease cause and progression in humans and animal models at the cellular, molecular and organismal levels.  Prerequisite(s):  BIOL 300 and BIOL 315 or permission of chair.  Notes:  Offered every even year in fall.

520. Entomology (4:2:4).  A study of the morphology, physiology, ecology and behavior of insects with emphasis upon recognition of major insect groups and techniques for preservation and identification.  Prerequisite(s): BIOL 204, 205, 206 and 300; CHEM 106 and 108.  Notes: Lab Fee: $40. Offered on demand.

521. Cytogenetics (4:3:3).  A comprehensive study of the chemical and physical properties of chromosomes and their behavior and role in inheritance.  Prerequisite(s): BIOL 204, 205, 206, 300 and 317; CHEM 106 and 108.  Notes: Lab Fee: $30. Offered every even year in fall.

522. Immunology (4:2:4).  A study of immunity, of the nature and molecular aspects of the immune response, and of antibodies in the laboratory.  Prerequisite(s): BIOL 204, 205, 206, 300 and 315 or CHEM 523; CHEM 106 and 108.  Notes: Lab Fee: $40. Offered in spring.

524. Advanced Botany (3).  Relationship of morphology and physiology to environmental factors that limit plant distribution and growth.  Prerequisite(s): BIOL 204, 205, 206 and 300; CHEM 106 and 108.  Notes: Offered every even year in spring.

525. Mycology (4:3:3).  Survey of major fungal toxins with emphasis on field collection, identification, structural and functional studies and methods of laboratory culture and experimentation.  Prerequisite(s): BIOL 204, 205, 206, 300 and 310; and CHEM 106 and 108.  Notes: Lab Fee: $35. Offered every even year in fall.

526. Applied Microbiology (4:3:3).  Examination of the technological and natural uses of microorganisms in medicine, food industry, agriculture and other fields of applied science.  Prerequisite(s): BIOL 204, 205, 206, 300 and 310; CHEM 106 and 108.  Notes: Lab Fee: $30. Offered on demand.

527. Population Biology (4:3:3).  A survey of the population biology of plants and animals. Emphasizes the assessment and analysis of demographic factors (age, size and community integration) that determine the abundance, distribution and diversity of natural populations.  Prerequisite(s): BIOL 300.  Notes: Lab Fee: $30. Offered every odd year in fall.

530. Methods in Electron Microscopy (4:2:6).  Introduction to theory and methods used in studying biological and materials science-specimens by scanning and/or transmission electron microscopy.  Prerequisite(s): BIOL 204, 205, 206 and 300; CHEM 106 and 108; and CHEM 301, 302, 303, 304 or CHEM 310 and 311.  Notes: Lab Fee: $50. Offered every even year in spring.

540. Special Topics in Biology (3).  A detailed examination of specific subjects in biology.  Prerequisite(s): BIOL 204, 205, 206 and 300; CHEM 106 and 108; or graduate status; or permission of instructor.  Notes: Offered on demand. May be retaken for additional credit when different subjects are taught.

555. Molecular Biology (3). A comprehensive, one-semester study of the molecular basis of life. The course includes the structure and function of macromolecules, synthesis and interactions of biologically important molecules, molecular genetics, biochemical energetics, enzymatics and molecular mechanisms in biological systems. This course is intended for students who plan to enter into a health-professional graduate program (medical school, veterinary school, dental school, medical technology) or a graduate program in biology.  Prerequisite(s): BIOL 300 and CHEM 301. Notes: Offered evey odd year in fall.

556. Molecular Genetics and Recombinant DNA Techniques (4:3:3).  A molecular study of the processes of gene expression and replication in procaryotic and eucaryotic organisms and an examination of the recombinant DNA techniques used in genetic engineering.  Prerequisite(s): BIOL 204, 205, 206, 300 and 317; and CHEM 106 and 108.  Notes: Lab Fee: $50. Offered every even year in spring.

560.  Bioinformatics (3).  An introduction to the application of computing tools for the study of macromolecules and the reconstruction of the evolutionary history of genes and organisms.  This course will apply the use of computer algorithms and computer databases to study proteins, genes and genomes.  Prerequisite(s):  BIOL 300 and BIOL 315, BIOL 555, BIOL 556 or CHEM 523.  Notes:  Offered every even year in fall.

601. Theory and Method in Biology (3).  This course is intended to introduce graduate students to the basic research and communication techniques of biology. Students will also examine key philosophical and ethical issues in biology today.  Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor.  Notes: Offered in fall.

605. Bioethics (3).  This course uses lectures, seminars, and case study discussions to review ethical standards for scientists and ethical issues in biology and medicine. 

610. Recent Advances in Molecular and Cellular Biology (3).  A seminar course with reports and readings that deal with significant recent developments in molecular and cellular biology.  Prerequisite(s): 18 hours of biology courses.  Notes:  Offered every odd year in spring.

611. Recent Advances in Organismic and Developmental Biology (3).  A seminar course with reports and readings that deal with significant recent developments in organismic and developmental biology.  Prerequisite(s): 18 hours of biology courses.

612. Recent Advances in Environmental and Evolutionary Biology (3).  A seminar course with reports and readings that deal with significant recent developments in environmental and evolutionary biology.  Prerequisite(s): 18 hours of biology courses.  Notes:  Offered in spring.

620. Supervised Laboratory Instruction (3:0:6).  Students work directly with a faculty member in the instruction of the laboratory activities of selected BIOL and SCIE courses.  Notes: A grade of S or U is recorded. Offered in fall, spring and summer.

629. Advanced Topics in Cellular/Molecular Biology (3).  An in-depth study of selected topics in cellular and molecular biology, comprising both lecture and seminar-style discussion of recent research literature. Laboratory sections, when offered, emphasize the experimental application of modern molecular techniques.  Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor.  Corequisite(s) : Biology 630 when offered in the same semester.  Notes: May be retaken for additional credit with permission of advisor or chair, Department of Biology.  Offered every odd year in fall.

630. Advanced Cellular and Molecular Biology Lab (1:0:3).  A laboratory course which accompanies Biology 629 in some semesters. The course will cover cellular physiology or offer advanced techniques in molecular biology.  Notes: Lab Fee: $35.

631. Advanced Topics in Organismal and Developmental Biology (3).  Course topics will vary from semester to semester. Topics will include advanced animal social behavior, invertebrate biology and advanced instruction in developmental biology.  Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor.  Notes: May be retaken for additional credit with permission of advisor or chair, Department of Biology.  Offered every even year in spring.

632. Advanced Topics in Ecology/Evolutionary Biology (3).  Course will vary from semester to semester. Course topics will include plant ecology, insect ecology, human ecology and advanced evolutionary biology. Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor.  Notes: May be retaken for additional credit with the permission of advisor or chair, Department of Biology.  Offered every even year in spring.

633. Advanced Topics in Physiology/Integrative Biology (3).  An in-depth study of selected homeostatic mechanisms in animals, comprising both lecture and seminar-style discussion of recent research literature.  Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor.  Notes: May be retaken for additional credit with permission of advisor or chair, Department of Biology.  Offered every even year in fall.

640. Readings in Biology (1).  A seminar in which a book or series of research papers will be read and discussed with reference to important current issues in biology.  Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor.  Notes: Offered in fall, spring and summer. A grade of S or U is recorded. May be retaken for additional credit.  Offered in fall and spring.

671. Graduate Research in Biology (3).  Graduate students participate in scholarly research with a graduate faculty member.  Prerequisite(s):  Graduate standing, non-thesis option students only.  Notes:  Open to non-thesis students only.  May not be repeated for credit.  

695 Thesis (3).  Faculty directed student research, offered individually, culminating in a written thesis for the MS degree in biology degree.  Notes: Offered in fall, spring and summer.  Completion of BIOL 601 with a grade of B or better is required.

697. Presentation of Biological Research (1).  Students will prepare a seminar presentation based on thesis research and will present it as a part of the departmental seminar series. Students may not receive credit for this course and BIOL 609.  Prerequisite(s): Thesis option and permission of instructor.  Notes: A grade of S or U is recorded. Offered in fall, spring and summer.