Department of Natural Sciences

Course Descriptions

Biochemistry (BICH)

BICH 610 (3-3-0) Advanced Biochemistry: A study of the intermediary metabolism of amino acids nucleic acids, carbohydrates and lipids, with emphasis on metabolic pathways and their associated enzymes. Prerequisite: A course in biochemistry or consent of instructor.

Biology (BIOL)

BIOL 610 (3-3-0) Endocrinology: A comprehensive study of anatomy, physiology, and patho-physiology of endocrine glands in animals with particular emphasis on humans. The course will examine the current research on hormonerelated problems in humans such as stress that leads to cardiovascular and gastroenteric diseases. Prerequisite: Undergraduate or graduate physiology course.

BIOL 620 (1-0-2) Seminar: Presentations by faculty, students, and visiting scientists on current research in various specialty areas of biology. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
BIOL 630 (3-3-0) Topics in Biology: Studies of current topics in various areas of biology, with emphasis on significant advancements. Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor.

BIOL 640 (3-3-0) Comparative Physiology: A comparative study of the organ systems of vertebrates and the physiological processes involved in maintaining the homeostasis. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor or previous course in physiology.

BIOL 650 (3-2-2) Communities and Ecosystems: A study of interactions between species, community structure, nutrient and energy flow in ecosystems, and geographical ecology. Prerequisite: A course in ecology or consent of instructor.

BIOL 660 (3-3-0) Evolution: A study of the history of life, evolutionary relationships among organisms, mechanisms of evolution, and speciation. Prerequisite: A course in ecology/evolution or consent of instructor.

BIOL 670 (3-2-2) Physiology: An analysis of the functions of major organ systems, especially in mammals, with attention to and discussions of current research articles published in the American Journal of Physiology. Prerequisite: A course in physiology or consent of instructor.

BIOL 680 (3-2-2) Radiation Biology: A study of the procedures and applications of the principles of atomic radiation, including methods, means of detection, measurement, and utilization in research. Prerequisite: One year of physics, calculus with analytic geometry, and analytical chemistry.

BIOL 690 (6) Research and Thesis: Independent investigation work on an approved program reported in a prescribed written form. A total of six (6) credit hours required, taken in blocks of (1) to (6) hours. Prerequisite: Consent of the research advisor.

BIOL 899 (0-0-0) Thesis Non-Credit: This course is required for students that have completed their course work and the number of thesis hours for credit required in their graduate degree program. Students who will continue to use University resources in completing their thesis must enroll in this course.

Botany (BOTN)

BOTN 620 (3-2-2) Advanced Botany: A study of the metabolism of plant growth and morphogenesis with special emphasis on such aspects as plant hormones, tropisms, water relations, circadian rhythms, and phytochrome, as well as
on the field characteristics, collection, and identification of vascular plants, with intensive study of selected families and genera. Prerequisite: A course in botany or consent of instructor.

BOTN 630 (3-2-2) Plant Development: A study of the developmental anatomy of seed plants, including examinations of the seed structure, seedling development, ontogeny and structure of the primary body, secondary body, flowers, and fruits. Prerequisite: A course
in botany or consent of instructor.

BOTN 640 (3-2-2) Advanced Microbiology: A study of the taxonomic, morphological, cultural, and physiological characteristics of important groups of heterotrophic microorganisms, such as the spore forming group, the pseudomonades, the staphylococcusmicrococcus group, and the enteric forms, with emphasis on the isolation,
characterization, and study of groups of heterotrophic microorganisms. Prerequisite: A course in microbiology or consent of instructor.

Geology (GEOL)

GEOL 311 (3-3-0) Introduction to Geology I: An introductory course in physical geology concerned principally with the composition of the earth’s crust and the processes that act to change its upper surface.

GEOL 312 (3-3-0) Introduction to Geology II: A continuation of GEOL 311, including studies of the active internal processes of the earth, such as plate tectonics and earthquakes, and of the earth’s interior composition and structure, with introductions to historical geology and the succession of life forms that formerly lived on the earth. Prerequisite: GEOL 311.

Zoology (ZOOL)

ZOOL 570 (3-2-2) General Entomology: A study of the morphology, life cycles, physiology, ecology, and behavior of hexapods, with course format including two lectures/discussions and two laboratory hours a week, and with laboratory studies devoted to insect identification, insect physiology, ecology, insect behavior, and individual student projects. Prerequisite: A course in zoology or general biology or consent of instructor.

ZOOL 585 (3-2-2) Introduction to Parasitology: A study of the morphology, life cycles, and classification of parasites of various hosts, with course format including two lectures and two laboratory hours a week, and with laboratory studies devoted to the methods for the collection, culture, and microscopic preparation of parasitological materials. Prerequisite:
A course in zoologyor general biology or consent of instructor.

ZOOL 610 (3-2-2) Advanced Genetics: An advanced study of the physical and chemical organization of prokaryotic and eukaryotic genomes, gene expression and its regulation, genetic mechanisms of evolutionary change, and genetic engineering. Prerequisites: Basic genetics and organic chemistry or permission of the instructor. Prior courses in biochemistry, evolution, and statistics strongly recommended.

ZOOL 630 (3-2-2) Advanced Developmental Biology: An advanced study of animal development, with emphasis on physiological and biochemical aspects, and with laboratory periods devoted to experimental work, literature reviews, and discussions. Prerequisites: Vertebrate embryology, cellular or molecular biology, organic chemistry and/or biochemistry.