Graduate Courses
BIO 590: INDEPENDENT STUDY
3, 0/0
Independent investigation into a specific area of biology; topic selected by the student in consultation with a faculty member.
BIO 601: FOUNDATIONS OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
3, 3/0
Prerequisites: Undergraduate courses in cell biology and genetics or instructor permission.
Fundamental paradigms in cell and molecular biology as illustrated by current research; mechanisms by which genes control morphogenesis of plants and animals; evolution of the eukaryotic genome; mechanisms by which the transcription of eukaryotic genes is regulated; regulation of the cell division cycle in eukaryotic cells. Emphasizes current literature as well as writing and oral expression about the literature readings.
BIO 602: FOUNDATIONS OF ENVIRONMENTAL PHYSIOLOGY
3, 3/0
Prerequisites: Undergraduate courses in botany and zoology or instructor permission.
Evolution of specialized features in plants and animals that allow them to maintain a stable internal environment while being exposed to a variety of external environmental conditions: adaptations of organisms for environments low in water or oxygen; problems associated with ionic and water regulation in freshwater and marine organisms; fundamental physiological principles that apply to both plants and animals.
BIO 603: FOUNDATIONS OF ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
3, 3/0
Prerequisites: Undergraduate courses in ecology and evolution or instructor permission.
Current theories and paradigms of modern ecology and evolution; population and community interactions of organisms; coevolution; ecological and evolutionary genetics; micro- and macroevolution.
BIO 605: MYCOLOGY
4, 3/3
Prerequisite: General botany or equivalent.
Taxonomy, morphology, reproduction, physiology, ecology, and economic importance of selected groups of fungi.
BIO 608: MOLECULAR GENETICS
3, 3/0
Prerequisite: One course in genetics.
Molecular basis of the structure, replication, and genetic function of DNA; mutation, recombination, and the nature of genes; the genetic code, messenger and transfer RNA, and protein biosynthesis; molecular evolution of proteins.
BIO 612: TOPICS IN ECOLOGY
3, 3/0
Prerequisites: One semester each of ecology and biometrics or equivalent.
Lecture and discussion on a specific topic in ecology, such as population ecology, microbial ecology, plant ecology, ecology of the Great Lakes, or advanced limnology. Topics vary with each session. May be taken more than once.
BIO 616: TOPICS IN ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY
3, 3/0
Prerequisites: General physics, organic chemistry, and one year of physiology.
Lecture and discussion on special topics in animal physiology, such as immunology, advanced animal physiology, and animal responses to stress. Topics vary with each session. May be taken more than once.
BIO 617: RESEARCH SEMINAR
1, 1/0
Presentations and discussions of current research projects by graduate students in biology. Each participant presents a seminar. Required for all candidates for the M.A. degree in biology.
BIO 620: SYMBIOLOGY
3, 3/0
Prerequisites: One semester each of physiology, ecology, and genetics.
Interactions of symbiotes at various levels; physiologic, ecologic, and genetic factors that influence these interactions.
BIO 625: ICHTHYOLOGY
3, 2/3
Prerequisite: One semester of ecology or permission of instructor.
Advanced study of the biology of fishes, including anatomy, physiology, systematic, evolution, ecology, and diversity.
BIO 626: TOPICS IN BOTANY
3, 3/0
Prerequisite: 9 credit hours of botanyoriented courses.
Lecture and discussion on a specific topic in botany, such as biosystematics, dendrology, wetland plants, plant pathology, or plant response to stress. Topics vary with each session. May be taken more than once.
BIO 627: TOPICS IN ZOOLOGY
3, 3/0
Prerequisite: 9 credit hours of zoology oriented courses.
Lecture and discussion on a specific topic in zoology, such as invertebrate zoology, entomology, fisheries biology, or functional vertebrate morphology. Topics vary with each session. May be taken more than once.
BIO 629: FISHERIES MANAGEMENT
3, 3/2
Prerequisite: One semester of ecology or instructor permission.
Advanced study of ecology and management of fish populations emphasizing inland fisheries in North America. Topics include management philosophies, fisheries statistics and modeling, habitat protection and
manipulation, introduced and endangered species, stocking, and Great Lakes fisheries.
BIO 630: STREAM ECOLOGY
Prerequisite: One semester each of ecology and statistics or instructor permission.
Biological, chemical, geomorphic, and hydrologic features affecting the ecology of flowing water systems. Emphasis on freshwater invertebrate life histories, adaptations, and community structure in shallow streams.
BIO/CHE 631: ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY
3, 3/0
Fundamental principles of environmental toxicology, including major environmental pollutants, their sources, toxic effects, mechanism of action, and factors that influence the toxicity of a chemical. Processes that govern the fate of a chemical in biological systems.
BIO 635
GREAT LAKES ECOLOGY
3, 3/0
Prerequisite: One semester of ecology or instructor permission.
Study of the North American Great Lakes: physical and chemical features, biological structure, and ecological interactions. Focus on environmental issues, including water quality and the effect of introduced species.
BIO 665: ALGOLOGY
3, 2/2;
Prerequisite: One course in ecology or equivalent.
Taxonomy, ecology, morphology, ultrastructure, physiology, and economic importance of selected species of freshwater algae. May require Saturday field trips.
BIO 670: BIOLOGICAL DATA ANALYSIS
3, 3/0
Prerequisite: One course in statistics.
Experimental design and statistical analysis of biological data; applications of computers to biological investigations. Designed for students in the initial stages of planning their research.
BIO/CHE 672: FORENSIC MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
4, 3/3
Prerequisites: BIO 303 or BIO 350; FOR 612 or CHE 312; CHE 670, CHE 470 or BIO 305; or equivalents.
Applications of biology, biochemistry, and genetics to forensic science with an in-depth look at the evidential information that can be obtained from blood, semen, saliva, and hair. Details of DNA profiling, including DNA extraction, DNA quantification, PCR amplification, STR analysis and interpretation, and
mtDNA sequencing. Protein polymorphisms and immunological tests. Laboratory component providing hands-on experience with techniques commonly used in a forensic biology laboratory.
BIO 690: MASTER’S PROJECT
3, 0/0
Prerequisites: Approval of proposal by the student’s project committee; open to M.S. in education candidates.
Investigation of a special-interest problem, planned and executed with consultation and advisement from the instructor and the student’s project committee.
BIO 695: RESEARCH THESIS IN BIOLOGY
3–6, 0/0
Prerequisites: Approval of proposal by the student’s thesis committee; open to M.A. or M.S. in education candidates.
Individual investigation of an original problem submitted in acceptable form according to directions given by the Graduate School.
