Course Descriptions

Introduction to the theory and principles underlying systematic botany and to the methodologies of plant classification and nomenclature. Survey of major families of flowering plants that emphasize structure and diversity. (2+2) (Fall)

Study of the nervous system and its regulatory role in the body. Underlying physics and chemistry; molecular and cellular principles; development and plasticity; motor control; rhythms and emotions and evolution and diversity. (Spring)

A comparative study of representative vertebrates. 308/508 (3+4) (Spring)

An introduction to the behavior mechanisms of invertebrate and vertebrate animals that emphasizes the naturalistic point of view. 311/511 (2+2) (spring)

Isolation study, identification and laboratory handling of pathogenic bacteria. 313/513. (0+2) (Spring)

Principles of animal and human molecular virology. Topics include replication; expression; pathogenesis; methods of diagnosis and detection; current use of viruses in gene therapy and vaccine applications; viruses, cancer and other diseases; persistent infections; and emerging viruses. 313/513. (3+0) (Spring)

Developmental biology will examine, at a morphological level, different strategies of embryonic development in diverse organisms; and molecular cues that cells use to migrate, differentiate and eventually form a normal organism. 316/516. (3+0) (Spring)

A study of the fungi: characteristics, physiology, habits and laboratory identification of molds, yeasts, mushrooms and related organisms. 321/521. (2+2)(Fall)

The collection and identification of mushrooms and other fleshy fungi. 322/522. (Fall)

An introductory field ecology course that will cover comparative, experimental and theoretical approaches to basic and applied questions in ecology. Field and laboratory exercises will treat various levels of organization, including populations, communities and ecosystems. Studies will be carried out in a variety of local aquatic and terrestrial habitats. Students will gain first-hand experience with modern sampling and analytical techniques in ecology. (Fall)

The physical, chemical and biological character of lakes and streams. Methods of field measurements and collection and analysis of water samples. Investigation of aquatic communities. 326/526 (2+2)(Fall, odd years)

A study of the activities of microorganisms in a variety of natural habitats and their relevance to the overall quality of the environment. Emphasis on specific processes: transformations in biogeochemical cycles, symbiotic relationships, microbial relationships with other living organisms, hydrocarbon oxidations and biotransformation of novel compounds. 327/527 (2+3)(Fall, odd years)

An introduction to the systematics, evolution, anatomy, behavior and ecology of birds world-wide. Field trips. 328/528. (2+3)(Spring)

The biology of fishes, including functional anatomy, evolution, taxonomy, ecology, physiology, behavior and development. Field trips required. 330/530. (2+3)(Fall, odd years)

An introduction to the study of insects. Principles of biology, ecology and classification are emphasized. Elements of morphology, physiology and collection and preservation techniques are included. Field trips. General collection of insects (assembled during the term is required.) (Spring)

A study of the principles of taxonomy, nomenclature, classification and systematics incorporating the most recent approaches to derivation and application of hierarchical/ classification systems. Quantitative methods, their underlying assumptions and their logical outcomes will be stressed. 335/535. (2+2)(Fall, even years)

Classification, biochemistry, physiology and ecology of fresh water algae. Emphasis on the roles algae play in aquatic ecosystems, applications in environmental monitoring, aquaculture and experimental systems for basic research in photosynthesis. 336/536. (2+2)(Fall, even years)

Structural aspects of cells, tissues and organs comprising the plant body, their function in the plant’s ecology and life history and their relationship to human affairs.

Strongly recommended: Biology 231. 337/537 (Spring, odd years)

A study of microorganisms and microbial processes important to a variety of industrial applications: special reference to food, biotechnical and environmental processes and their applications. 339/539 (Fall, even years)

Principles of immunology, with emphasis on the cellular and molecular basis of immune function, including clinical aspects of host immune processes. Areas of immunology currently under investigation also will be examined.

Strongly recommended: Biology 233 or 309. (3+0)(Fall)

An experimental study of plant growth, metabolism, nutrition, reproduction and response to environment. (4+3) (spring)

Basic principles that influence and govern the plant and animal relations with their environments. An explanation of the distribution, abundance and specialization of the present-day organisms and extinction. 349/549 (2+1) (Fall, Spring)

Electron microscopy is an intensive, hands-on course covering the practices, procedures and operational theories of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Topics covered include specimen preparation, ultramicrotomy, microscope design and microscope function. The laboratory provides experience with all techniques necessary to prepare, observe and photograph biological specimens on the SEM and TEM. (Fall)

The course familiarizes students with the latest biological knowledge on the complex process of aging, a multifaceted phenomenon not unique to the human species. 352/552 (3+3)

312/512 (2+0)(spring)

An introduction to the arachnid orders with emphasis on spiders, harvestmen, scorpions and solfugids. Morphology, classification, ecology and collecting techniques will be emphasized. A collection of spiders and harvest-men is required. Strongly recommended: Biology 230. 353/553 (1+4)

A look at the most common mode of life. Emphasis on parasites of medical and veterinary importance. Topics include life cycles, identification and diagnosis, disease, host-parasite interaction and co-evolution.

Study of Benthic organisms and zooplankton. Sampling techniques for different situations will be used. Data will be analyzed using several diversity techniques. The role of benthos and zooplankton in aquatic systems will be examined. 358/558 (0+4) (Spring Interim, odd years)

An intensive, highly field-oriented course provides the practical, "hands-on" experience essential to students interested in field biology. Field studies will emphasize identification and natural history of local avian species, using a variety of field techniques. In addition to fieldwork, the course will involve lecture, specimen labs and readings to examine important aspects of systematics, anatomy, physiology, behavior, ecology and conservation, as they apply to birds. (spring interim at Pigeon Lake Field Station)

In-depth consideration of topics, such as replication, transcription, translation and regulation of gene expression. Mechanisms that guide and drive cellular function and metabolism will be covered in detail. Studies of aberrant cell behavior (e.g. cancer and cell death) will be included. Emphasizes scientific literature and quantitative problem-solving. 372/572 (Spring)

Formal library and classroom study of an area of interest followed by field study of that area. Study site will change annually and could include Florida Everglades and Keys, Gulf Coast, Desert Southwest, etc. A final examination will follow the trip. 373/573 (Spring)

Laboratory course integrating principles of cell biology and immunology. Techniques employed include, but are not limited to, western blotting, SDS-PAGE, PCR and applications, ELISAs, tissue culture and microscopy. Designed for students interested in molecular methods and who aim to do research or gain jobs in fields of cell and molecular biology, microbiology, medicine and medical technology. 374/574. (Fall)

Structure of microbial genome mutation, expression and exchange of genetic information, genetic analysis, genetic engineering. 375/575 (Fall)

An introduction to the study of populations and communities. Examines population-level phenomena (e.g., density, demography, reproduction) and population level interactions within biological communities (e.g., competition, predation, parasitism). Labs involve discussions of papers from the literature, data analysis and computer simulations. 376/576 (2+3) (Fall)

A laboratory course to study the genetics of bacteria and their viruses. Genetic mapping will be introduced using techniques that involve mutagenesis, recombination, plasmid transfer, transduction and transformation systems. 377/577 (0+4) (Fall)

An introduction to the study of ecosystems with an emphasis on biogeochemical cycles, energy budgets and other emergent properties. Laboratory will focus on comparative and experimental approaches to the study of local ecosystems (streams, lakes, wetlands, forests). Students will acquire hands-on experience with techniques used by ecosystem ecologists, such as nutrient analysis of stream water, determination of ecosystem metabolism and analysis of forest and wetland soils. (2+2) (Spring)

A survey of methods and processes used in industrial microbiology and the techniques used in the development of new processes (recombinant DNA, monoclonal antibodies and genetic improvement). Strongly recommended: Biology 375 or Instructor Consent. 389/589 (3+0) (Spring, even years)

A laboratory course that complements the lecture course Biology 389/589, in biotechnology. Students gain hands-on experience in principles of cell culture, product isolation and purification and molecular genetic manipulation of genes that are basic to many areas of this broad and rapidly changing field. Exercises are planned in cell culture, computer analysis of cell culture parameters, protein isolation and purification, gene cloning and nucleic acid probe techniques, DNA sequencing and computer analysis of DNA and protein sequences. If taken at the undergraduate level, the course may not be repeated for graduate credit. Strongly recommended: Biology 372/572 and 375/575. 390/590 (0+4) (Spring, even years)

Physiological metabolic processes of bacteria with emphasis on growth, nutrition, synthesis of cellular constituents and energy yielding processes. Strongly recommended: Chemistry 302. 450/650 (3+4) (Fall)

Recent advances and debates in evolutionary biology approaches will involve reading primary research articles and books, compiling and analyzing data and preparing research reports.

Topics will change with each offering.

Interrelates and synthesizes the theory of organic evolution in light of findings and practices of two related biological disciplines, viz., 1) Systematic Biology (dealing with the logical and empirical premises of classification systems, species concept, significance of higher taxa, taxonomic methods and their evaluation) and 2) Evolutionary Genetics (dealing with the laws of genetics and biomathematics as applied to evolving populations). (4+0)

This course covers the basic types of statistics used in the analysis of biological data. Topics include descriptive statistics, types of data, comparisons of two populations, probability, multiple comparisons (ANOVA), experimental design, linear regression, power analysis and multivariate analysis. Students will use both calculators and standard statistical programs to explore various data sets.

Students will review the literature, make presentations and critically analyze a current topic in animal science. (Fall, Spring)

Field trips, observing local animals; identification and study of collected species.

DNA structure, replication of genetic material, mutation and genetic exchange in various organisms with emphasis on procaryotes and viruses. (2+2)

Recent advances in bacteriology, virology and immunology will be discussed in detail. Course may be repeated for a total of six (6) credits. (2+0) (Fall, Spring)

Recent advances in biological science examined in detail. Content varies with offering. Course may be repeated for a total of six (6) credits. (Fall, Spring)

Theory and applications of selected analytical methods widely used in biological research. (0+4) (Spring)

Dynamics of the biotic community. Considers nutrient sources, utilization, release and cycling, energy and its sources and flow through trophic components of the community. (4+0)

Each registration with maximum accumulation of six (6) cr. Registration for thesis credit for MS Biology/Microbiology students. Pass/fail course.

Registration for MS Biology/Microbiology students who have filed Independent Study Topic and Instructor Approval Form with Graduate Office.

Required registration for MS Biology/Microbiology students in their final term who are not registered for credit courses. Pass/fail course.

Graduate students formulate a sound approach to biological research.  Objectives include a working knowledge of the literature and techniques of research in the area. (fall, spring; arrange with thesis adviser)