Biology

Conservation of populations, habitats, ecosystems. Demographic techniques, land use, pollution topics.

Structure, dynamics, theory, sampling methods, statistical analyses, and use of models for the study of populations and communities.

Principles of modern evolutionary theory and methods of analysis. In depth study of events and processes that affect the structure of populations, species and ecosystems.

Hydrography, microbiota, plankton, benthos, nekton, physiology, biological production and environmental degradation of estuarine habitats.

In-depth treatment of bacterial structure and function including metabolism, gene function and control mechanisms.

A study of currently emerging infectious diseases, the organisms that cause them, and the environmental, demographic, and economic conditions that influence their emergence.

Biology, systematics, and ecology of freshwater and marine fishes. Laboratory studies stress taxonomic competence with common species native to eastern North America.

The morphology, systematics, and natural history of amphibians and reptiles. Background for conducting research in related fields, such as vertebrate paleontology, ecology, genetics, evolution, embryology, comparative anatomy, physiology, and field natural history.

An advanced physiology course with focus on the cellular mechanisms underlying hormone action. Topics covered include the biosynthesis of hormones, their interaction with receptors, the subsequent signal transduction pathway, their physiological effects and the regulation of their secretion.

Taxonomy, physiology, life cycles, and economic importance of algae with emphasis on marine algae.

Study of the gross microscopic anatomy of plants as it relates to plant physiology, with an emphasis on photsynthesis, hormones, and water relations.

Study of the patterns and distribution of plant and animal life of the world biogeographical realms and the biological and evolutionary principles governing these populations.

In-depth study of the function of cells and selected organ systems suitable for students of health sciences. Cell physiology, nervous system, muscular system, respiratory system, cardiovascular system and excretory system are considered. Scheduled alternate summer terms.

Study of innate and adaptive immunity, the nature of antigens and antibodies, genetics and control of immune response, immunopathologies.

The basic concepts of general virology, biochemistry, molecular biology and cellular aspects of replication of viruses of different groups; also, viruses that are pathogenic for man; emerging viruses; the nature and symptoms of the diseases they cause and methods of treatment and prevention.

Current physiological explanations of all cellular reactions based on protein mechanisms at the cellular and subcellular levels, including metabolism, membrane and filamentous processes.

Design and execution of experimental approaches to biological problems. Emphasis is on use of scientific literature, preparation of the research proposal, modern techniques, and collection and evaluation of experimental data. 2 hours lecture per week; 2 hours lab per week. Scheduled in either fall or spring semesters each academic year.

Biochemical defects, chromosome abnormalities, mutagenic hazards, forensic and pharmacogenetics, human genome project, molecular analysis of genetic disorders, gene therapy.

Discussion of the function and structure of the human nervous system at both cellular and system levels. Also included are recent research topics in developmental neurobiology, neuropharmacology and neurochemistry.

Interdisciplinary approach to the study of cancer, emphasizing genetic and cellular aspects of loss of growth control. Also recombinant DNA technology approaches to the analysis of gene regulation and treatment modalities.

Presentation and discussion of current material in various areas of biology. Always scheduled. (May be repeated.)

Presentation and discussion of current material in a selected area of biology. Always scheduled. (May be repeated.)

Emphasis on the basics of biological illustration and focus on five techniques: pen and ink, carbon dust, colored pencil, transparent watercolors, and watercolor airbrush. Use of mechanical and optical drawing aids (e.g., cameral lucida and microprojector) will be presented along with detailed discussion of the technical aspects of biological illustration. Students complete projects using the techniques presented. Scheduled spring or summer semesters. Also listed as ART 585. Scheduled summer semesters.

Open by departmental permission to candidates for Master of Science degree in biology who are registered in a thesis program. Always scheduled.

Study of an area of theoretical or experimental biology under the direction of a faculty member. Admission by consent of department chairman. May not be used for credit towards thesis research. Always scheduled.