Undergraduate Course Offerings in BIOLOGY (BIOL)

111. Introductory Biology I (3-3) Credit 4.
First half of an introductory two-semester survey of contemporary biology that covers the chemical basis of life, structure and biology of the cell, molecular biology and genetics.

112. Introductory Biology II (3-3) Credit 4.
The second half of an introductory two-semester survey of contemporary biology that covers evolution, history of life, diversity and form and function of organisms. Prerequisite: BIOL 111.

113/123. Introductory Biology. (3-0). Credit 3.
One-semester survey of basic biological principles, including chemical basis of life, cell biology, bioenergetics, genetics, evolution, anatomy and physiology, reproduction and development, and interaction with the environment. Not suitable for students who plan to take additional courses in the Biology Department. BIOL 123 is the corresponding laboratory course.

213. Molecular Cell Biology. (3-0). Credit 3.
Explores the molecular basis of cell structure, function and evolution; gene regulation, cell division cycle, cancer, immunity, differentiation, multicellularity and photosynthesis. Students may not take concurrently with, or after the completion of, BIOL 413. Prerequisites: BIOL 112; CHEM 227 or concurrent enrollment.

214. Genes, Ecology and Evolution (3-0). Credit 3.
A genetically-based introduction to the study of ecology and evolution; emphasis on the interactions of organisms with each other and with their environment. Prerequisite: BIOL 112.

281. Seminar in Quantitative Biology. (1-0). Credit 1.
Designed to familiarize students with connections to the biological and mathematical worlds; weekly presentations on recent advances in quantitative biology for assessment and discussions; restricted to freshmen and sophomores in biology, botany, microbiology, molecular and cell biology, zoology, math and applied mathematical sciences. Cross-listed with MATH 281.

285. Directed Studies. Credit 1-4.
Problems in various phases of plant, animal and microbial science. Prerequisites: Freshman or sophomore classification; approval of ranking professor in field chosen and Undergraduate Advising Office.

289. Special Topics in... Credit 1-4.
Selected topics in an identified area of biology. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor.

291. Research. Credit 1-4.
Active research of basic nature under the supervision of a Department of Biology faculty member. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisites: Freshman or sophomore classification and approval of faculty member.

330. Molecules and Life. (3-0). Credit 3.
Survey of major biological concepts; readings, integrated lectures and discussions of selected topics such as evolution, developmental biology, recombinant DNA, sociobiology and human origins. Prerequisite: Junior classification.

357. Ecology. (3-0). Credit 3.
Analysis of ecosystems at organismal, population, interspecific and community levels. BIOL 358 is the laboratory for this lecture course. Prerequisite: BIOL 112 or approval of instructor.

358. Ecology Laboratory. (0-3). Credit 1.
Analyses of freshwater, marine and terrestrial ecosystems; field studies emphasized. Prerequisite: BIOL 112 or approval of instructor.

413. Cell Biology. (3-0). Credit 3.
Structure, function, and biogenesis of cells and their components; interpretation of dynamic processes of cells, including protein trafficking, motility, signaling and proliferation. Prerequisite: BIOL 213 and BICH 410.

414. Developmental Biology. (3-0). Credit 3.
Concepts of development in systems ranging from bacteriophage to the mammalian embryo; use of recombinant DNA technology and embryo engineering to unravel the relationships between growth and differentiation, morphogenesis and commitment, aging and cancer. Prerequisite: BIOL 413 or concurrent enrollment or approval of instructor.

423. Cell Biology Laboratory. (0-3). Credit 1.
Modern methods of study of cell structure and cell function. Prerequisites: BIOL 413 and BICH 412 or registration therein; approval of instructor.

430. Biological Imaging. (3-3). Credit 4.
Still and video photography and photomicrography, computer-based digital image analysis and processing of biological images; theory and principles of light and electron microscopy including transmission and scanning electron microscopy; optical contrast methods for light microscopy including phase contrast, DIC, polarizing light and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Prerequisite: Junior classification or approval of instructor.

439. Growth of Biological Thought. (3-0). Credit 3.
Development of biological thought from the ancient Greeks to the present. Prerequisite: 8 hours of biological science or approval of instructor.

440. Marine Biology. (3-3). Credit 4.
Introduction to biology of common organisms inhabiting bays, beaches and near-shore oceanic waters with special reference to Gulf of Mexico biota; emphasis on classification, distribution, history, ecology, physiology, mutualism, predation, major community types and economic aspects of marine organisms. Prerequisite: BIOL 112 or approval of instructor.*

450. Introduction to Genomics. (3-0). Credit 3.
Introductory genomics course designed to provide a basic understanding of the science of genomics, the study of genome data; major emphasis placed on the logic behind genomic approaches and the capabilities and limitations of these approaches to investigate biological processes; discussion of genomics as another extension of the science of genetics. Prerequisite: Junior or senior classification in Biology, Genetics or Biochemistry. Cross-listed with BICH 450.

451. Bioinformatics. (3-0). Credit 3.
Introduction to the entire field of bioinformatics; theoretical background of computational algorithms, with an emphasis on application of computational tools related to modern molecular biological research. Prerequisite: Junior or senior classification, or approval of instructor.

466. Principles of Evolution. (3-0). Credit 3.
Evolutionary patterns, mechanisms and processes at the organismal, chromosomal and molecular levels; modes of adaptation and the behavior of genes in populations. Prerequisite: GENE 302 or approval of instructor.

481. Seminar in Biology. (1-0). Credit 1.
Recent advances. Restricted to senior undergraduate majors in biology, microbiology, botany or zoology.

484. Internship. (1-0). Credit 1 to 4.
Directed internship in a private firm or public agency to provide research experience appropriate to the student's degree program and career objectives. May be taken two times. Prerequisite: Approval of internship agency and advising office.

485. Directed Studies. Credit 1 or more.
Problems in various phases of plant, animal and bacteriological science. Prerequisites: Junior classification; approval of ranking professor in field chosen and Undergraduate Advising Office.

489. Special Topics in ... Credit 1 to 4.
Selected topics in an identified area of biology. May be repeated once for credit.

491. Research. Credit 1 to 4.
Active research of basic nature under the supervision of a Department of Biology faculty member. May be taken two times. Prerequisite: Approval of departmental faculty member.

*Field trips may be required for which departmental fees may be assessed to cover costs.