BIOLOGY

 

Department of Biology

257 Woodward Building

704-687-2315

www.bioweb.uncc.edu

 

Degrees

M.S., M.A., Ph.D.

 

Coordinators

Dr. Todd R. Steck – Master’s coordinator

Dr. Yvette M. Huet-Hudson – Doctoral coordinator

 

Graduate Faculty 

Juan Anguita, Assistant Professor

Lawrence Barden, Professor

Rob Bierregaard, Adjunct Assistant Professor

Kenneth Bost, Professor

Mark Clemens, Professor

Didier Dréau, Assistant Professor

Michael Hudson, Professor

Yvette Huet-Hudson, Professor

Francis Monty Hughes, Associate Professor

Lawrence Leamy, Professor

Ian Marriott, Associate Professor

Iain McKillop, Associate Professor

James Oliver, Professor

Susan Peters, Associate Professor

Thomas Reynolds, Professor

Amy Ringwood, Assistant Professor

Stanley Schneider, Professor

Laura Schrum, Assistant Professor

Inna Sokolova, Assistant Professor

Todd Steck, Associate Professor

Christopher Yengo, Assistant Professor

Jian Zhang, Associate Professor

 

MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN BIOLOGY

 

The Master of Science degree program is designed for students who desire to pursue advanced studies in professional and graduate schools or various vocational opportunities in biology and related areas (see www.bioweb.uncc.edu/Masters/index.htm). The program provides the opportunity for broad training in a variety of biological areas as well as specialization in areas of particular interest to the student. The department has two areas of research strength: Biomedical/ Biotechnology, and Ecology/Environmental. Students also have the opportunity to conduct their thesis research under the direction of select faculty at the Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte.

 

Additional Admission Requirements

In addition to the general requirements for admission to the Graduate School, the following requirements are specific to the Department of Biology:

Under most circumstances, students admitted to the program will have:

1)       A B.S. or B.A. degree from an accredited university.

2)       Evidence of undergraduate preparation in biology with a minimum 24 semester hours in biology and 24 semester hours of cognate study.

3)       An overall grade point average of at least 3.0 out of 4.0. Additionally, applicants must have a grade point average of at least 3.0 in biology.

4)       A score on the Graduate Record Examination General Test in at least the 50th percentile (average for the verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing sections).

5)       A score of at least 220 on the computer-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) for applicants whose native language is not English. Students who do not pass this examination must pass ENGL 1100 (English as a Foreign Language) with a grade of C or higher. In addition, these students who will be involved in any instructional activity (e.g., teaching assistants) will be required to be evaluated by the English Language Training Institute at UNC Charlotte prior to the beginning of the first semester of study.

6)       Three letters of reference, at least two of which must be from faculty members.

 

Degree Requirements

 

1. Total hours required.  The program leading to the Master of Science degree in Biology requires the successful completion of 30 semester hours of course work approved by a supervisory committee.

In addition to course work, each degree candidate must pass an oral candidacy examination.

 

2. Proportion of courses open only to graduate students.  At least 16 of the 30 required hours, including no more than eight hours of thesis research, must be in courses open to graduate students only.

 

3. Grades required.  A student must maintain a cumulative average of 3.0 in all course work taken for graduate credit.  An accumulation of more than two C grades will result in termination of the student's enrollment in the Masters program. If a student makes a grade of U in any course, enrollment in the program will be terminated.

 

4. Amount of transfer credit accepted.   Up to 6 hours of transfer credit may be applied to the Masters degree.  Only courses with grades of A or B may be accepted for transfer credit.  Courses taken to satisfy the requirements of a previously completed degree can not be counted toward the Masters degree.  All transfer credit must be approved by the Student's Supervisory Committee and the Graduate Coordinator.

 

5. Library workshop.  All Masters students will be required to take the Library workshop offered each fall semester through the Department of Biology.

 

6. Departmental seminars.  Graduate students are expected to attend all seminars sponsored by the Department of Biology.

 

7. Thesis.  The candidate must prepare a thesis based upon original research acceptable to the Supervisory Committee and the Dean of the Graduate School.  The student must orally present and successfully defend the thesis to the student's supervisory committee in a defense that is open to the public.

 

8. Teaching. Every student is required to be a teaching assistant for at least one class in one semester.

 

Admission to Candidacy

General academic regulations will apply to application for admission to candidacy. In addition to these the applicant should have:

1)       Removed any identified entrance deficiencies by the time of application.

2)       Successfully completed the candidacy examination.

3)       Taken at least 15 hours of graduate work with a GPA of 3.0 or better.

4)       Satisfied the supervisory committee that he/she is qualified to become a candidate, i.e., can fulfill the requirements successfully.

 

Assistantships

Teaching and research assistantships are available on a competitive basis for qualified students. A limited number of out-of-state and in-state tuition grants are also competitively awarded.

 

MASTER OF ARTS DEGREE IN BIOLOGY

The Master of Arts degree program is designed for students who choose to write a thesis based upon published scientific literature rather than on laboratory or field research (see www.bioweb.uncc.edu/Masters/index.htm).

 

Degree Requirements

Students who choose to pursue the Master of Arts degree must complete the requirements for the Master of Science degree with the following exceptions: at least 32 hours of course work. A maximum of four hours of credit for thesis research may be included in the required 32 hours, and three courses of the 32 hours submitted for the degree must include a formal laboratory.

 

INTERDISCIPLINARY PH.D. IN BIOLOGY

(Biomedical Science and Biotechnology)

The Interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Biology Program has as its intellectual focus a synthesis of the molecular and integrative bases of biomedical sciences and related biotechnology. In addition to a vigorous research concentration, the program emphasizes the importance of relevant course work. All students are required to complete a series of core courses that stress the interdisciplinary nature of the program. These courses expose students to the biological, chemical, physical, and engineering aspects of biotechnology and to the ethical implications of biomedical and biotechnological research. The cornerstone of the program is the student’s research dissertation. Each dissertation is expected to be a significant scientific contribution based on independent and original research, leading to publications in national/international peer-reviewed journals.

For further information see our website which is updated regularly:  www.bioweb.uncc.edu/doctoral

 

Additional Admission Requirements

In addition to the general requirements for admission to the Graduate School, the following are required for study toward the Interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Biology.

Under most circumstances, students admitted to the program will have:

1)       A B.S. or B.A. degree from an accredited university.

2)       An overall grade point average of at least 3.0 out of 4.0. Additionally, applicants must have a grade point average of at least 3.5 in biology, 3.0 in chemistry, and 3.0 in mathematics.

3)       A score on the Graduate Record Examination General Test in at least the 65th percentile (average for the verbal, quantitative, and analytical sections).

4)       A minimum of 24 hours in biology, which must include at least one course in each of the areas of genetics, physiology, and cell/molecular biology. Additionally, applicants must have one year each of general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, and mathematics (at least one semester each of calculus and statistics). Applicants with academic deficiencies may be admitted on the condition that any deficiencies are corrected during the first year of graduate study. The Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Committee will determine the remediation necessary for identified deficiencies.

5)       A score of at least 220 on the computer-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) for applicants whose native language is not English. Students who do not pass this examination must pass ENGL 1100 (English as a Foreign Language) with a grade of C or higher. In addition, these students who will be involved in any instructional activity (e.g., teaching assistants) will be required to be evaluated by the English Language Training Institute at UNC Charlotte prior to the beginning of the first semester of study.

6)       Three letters of reference, at least two of which must be from faculty members.

 

Degree Requirements

The Ph.D. acknowledges the value of course work as background and preparatory for research, but the primary emphasis of the program is on the development of research skills and the completion of a research project on a significant problem in the area of biomedicine or biotechnology.

 

1. Total hours required.

The program requires 72 post-baccalaureate credit hours. Because of the interdisciplinary nature of this program, all students will be required to take a general curriculum that includes a two-year sequence of core courses as shown below:

 

Core A: 16 semester hours. Four team-taught semester-long courses in Principles of Biochemistry (Fall, 4 credits), Molecular and Cell Biology (Fall, 4 credits), Microbiology and Immunology (Spring, 4 credits), and Integrative Systems Physiology (Spring, 4 credits). These courses will provide the fundamental background for the applied focus of the program.

 

Core B: 12 semester hours. Four team-taught semester-long courses in Biophysics (Fall, 3 credits), Bioethics (Fall, 3 credit; PHIL 8050), Hypothesis Testing (Fall, 3 credits) and Biotechnology and Bioengineering (Spring, 3 credits).  These courses will build on the material presented in Core A and will emphasize the chemistry, physics, and engineering principles as they impact biomedicine and biotechnology.

 

Years 1-4:

Interdisciplinary Colloquium; 4 semester hours (1 hour per year). This course brings together faculty and students from the participating programs in an informal discussion of interdisciplinary research. (Fall semester only).

 

Years 1-4:

Seminar; 4 semester hours (1 hour per year). Formal student presentations of current literature topics in their area of study. (Spring semester only).

 

Years 1 & 2:

Laboratory Research Rotations; a maximum of 6 semester hours total (3 rotations of 2 hours each). These hours will be earned in Year 1 and completed by the beginning of Year 2.

 

Years 2 & 3:

Electives; 8 semester hours minimum. Advanced topics courses to be selected by students in consultation with their dissertation committee. These will be specialty topics in the areas of expertise of program faculty.

 

2. Proportion of courses open only to graduate students.

All the basic core courses, interdisciplinary colloquium, and seminar classes are open to graduate students only. Lab rotations are restricted to doctoral students. At least 4 hours of the minimum 8 hours of electives must be in courses at the 8000 level or higher. The remaining 4 credit hours can be completed in any approved program electives.

 

3. Grades required.

A student must maintain a cumulative average of 3.0 in all course work taken for graduate credit. Lab rotations and the dissertation research will be graded on a Pass/Unsatisfactory basis and therefore will not be included in the cumulative average. An accumulation of two C grades will result in termination of the student's enrollment in the graduate program. If a student makes a grade of U in any course, enrollment in the program will be terminated.

 

4. Amount of transfer credit accepted.

Only courses with grades of A or B may be accepted for transfer credit. Although the maximum amount of credit past the baccalaureate degree that a Ph.D. student may count towards the doctorate is 30 semester hours, only courses appropriate for the program and curriculum in which the student is enrolled may be transferred. This should be determined by the student's Dissertation Committee and approved by the program coordinator, before the request is submitted to the Graduate School. This rule applies whether the courses were taken at UNC Charlotte or elsewhere, and whether a master's degree was earned or not. However, no more than six hours taken when the student was in post-baccalaureate (non-degree seeking) status may be applied toward the doctoral degree.

 

5. Departmental seminars.

Graduate students are expected to attend all seminars sponsored by the Department of Biology.
In addition, each student is required to make a 20 min presentation on his/her research at the departmental seminar after entering his/her 2nd year in the program. He/she is required to make a 40 min presentation at the departmental seminar in his/her 3rd year into the program. The PhD coordinator will work out the logistics with the department seminar coordinator concerning the arrangement of students’ presentations.

 

6. Advancement to candidacy.

For Advancement to Candidacy, a student must complete the following by the end of the 5th semester of study. First, the student must pass the Candidacy Examination. A dissertation topic will then be proposed to the student’s Dissertation Committee. A student advances to candidacy following approval of the proposed dissertation topic by the student’s Dissertation Committee and the Dean of the Graduate School.

 

7. Dissertation.

The doctoral program of study must include a minimum of 18 hours of dissertation credit. The student must complete and defend a dissertation based on a research program approved by the student's dissertation committee which results in a high quality, original and substantial piece of research. The student must orally present and successfully defend the dissertation to the student's dissertation committee in a defense that is open to the public. A copy of the dissertation must be made available for review by the program doctoral faculty at least two weeks prior to the public defense.

A paper reporting results described in the dissertation shall be included in the dissertation (e.g. in an appendix). The paper may be published, accepted for publication, submitted for publication, or a draft following the guidelines of a journal to which the results will be submitted.

 

8. UNC Charlotte residency requirement.

The student must satisfy the UNC Charlotte residency requirement for the program by completing 20 hours, either as course work or research credits. Residence is considered to be continuous if the student is enrolled in one or more courses in successive semesters until 20 hours are earned.

 

9. Laboratory research rotations.

Laboratory research rotations allow the student to sample areas of research and become familiar with program faculty. A student will engage in a minimum of 1 rotation with a maximum of 3 rotations. Each rotation will consist of a minimum of 4 weeks and there is no expectation that the work done during the rotation will result in a publication. By the end of the student's second semester he/she must have determined their major advisor. A rotation must have been completed in the advisor's laboratory.

The purpose of a laboratory rotation is to learn and perform techniques associated with the lab, and to potentially identify a Dissertation Advisor. A typical rotation will involve 5-10 hours per week in the laboratory for 4-10 weeks. Students are encouraged to identify a sponsoring faculty member well in advance of the scheduled rotation. Students must meet with the sponsoring faculty member to determine what will be done during the rotation, i.e. techniques to be learned and identification of the project to be completed.  At the end of the rotation the student must write a one page synopsis of the rotation to be signed by the sponsoring faculty member and turned in to the Ph.D. coordinator.

10. Deadlines 

1)       A student must establish their graduate committee by the end of the 3rd Semester

2)       The student and graduate committee must meet by the end of the 4th Semester to set timeline for candidacy exam.

3)       The student is required to meet with their graduate committee at least once a year

4)       The deadline for completing the candidacy exam is the end of the student’s 5th Semester.

 

11. Time limits for completion.

All requirements for the degree must be completed within eight years after first registration as a doctoral student. The student must achieve admission to candidacy within six years after admission to the program and complete all requirements within six years after admission to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree. These time limits are maximums; students will typically be expected to complete the degree requirements within five years.

 

Courses in Biology

BIOL 5000. Advanced Topics in Biology. (1-4) Courses in selected topics and advanced studies in biology. Lecture and laboratory hours will vary with the topics taught. May be repeated for credit as topics vary. (Fall, Spring)

 

BIOL 5111. Evolution. (3) Theories of evolution and forces which affect gene frequencies. (Fall)

 

BIOL 5121. Biometry. (4) Prerequisite: one course in statistics. Design and analysis of experiments. Three lecture hours and one laboratory period of three hours a week. (Spring)

 

BIOL 5144. Advanced Ecology. (4) Energy flow, nutrient cycles, community structure, population growth and regulation. Three lecture hours and one laboratory period of three hours a week. (Fall)

 

BIOL 5168. Recombinant DNA Techniques. (3) Modern molecular biological methods (such as DNA cloning, gel electrophoresis, nucleic acid hybridization, PCR, and DNA sequencing) data analysis and interpretation. One lecture hour and two laboratory periods of three hours a week. (Fall)

 

BIOL 5171. Cell Physiology. (3) The fundamental physicochemical properties of cells. (Fall)

 

BIOL 5184. Plant Biotechnology. (3) A laboratory-oriented course designed to integrate plant molecular biology, recombinant DNA technology, and plant cell and tissue culture. One lecture hour and two laboratory periods of three hours a week. (Spring) (Alternate years)

 

BIOL 5189. Mechanisms in Development. (3) Cellular and molecular bases of differentiation; an exploration of the experimental analysis of causal and controlling factors in development. (Spring)

 

BIOL 5199. Molecular Biology. (3) Structural and functional interaction of nucleic acids and proteins in the replication, transcription and translation of genetic material. (Fall)

 

BIOL 5205. Advanced Horticulture. (3) Topics in ornamental horticulture and landscaping, including greenhouse projects and field trips. Two lecture hours and three hours of lab a week. (Spring)

 

BIOL 5221. Plant Systematics. (4) Identification and classification of vascular plants, including experimental concepts of speciation. Three lecture hours and one laboratory period of three hours a week. (Spring)

 

BIOL 5223. The Fungi. (3) Morphology, life cycles, ecology, taxonomy, and medical economic significance of the fungi and organisms historically aligned with the fungi. (On demand)

 

BIOL 5223L. The Fungi Laboratory. (1) Co-requisite/prerequisite: BIOL 5223; Consent of department for graduate credit. One laboratory period of three hours a week. (On demand)

 

BIOL 5229. Dendrology. (4) The identification, structure, function, ecology, reproduction, and evolutionary relationships of woody plants. Three lecture hours and one three-hour lab a week. (Fall)

 

BIOL 5233. Parasitology. (4) Morphology, life cycles, ecology, taxonomy and economic importance of parasites. Three lecture hours and one laboratory period of three hours a week. (Spring)

 

BIOL 5234. Wildlife Biology. (3) Concepts, principles and techniques of wildlife biology. Identification and life histories with emphasis on the value, study attraction, management, conservation and control of wildlife species. (On demand)

 

BIOL 5234L. Wildlife Biology Laboratory. (1) Prerequisite or corequisite: BIOL 5234. One laboratory period of three hours a week plus field trips. (On demand)

 

BIOL 5235. Mammalogy. (4) Taxonomy, anatomy, physiology and life histories of the mammals. Three lecture hours and one laboratory period of three hours a week. (Fall)

 

BIOL 5242. The Biology of Birds. (3) Prerequisite: BIOL 3144 or consent of department. Overview of general avian biology, including taxonomy and anatomy, but concentrating on behavior, ecology and conservation of birds. Focus will be on birds of the southeastern U.S. (Spring)

 

BIOL 5242L. The Biology of Birds Lab. (1) Meets for one three-hour period per week. The laboratory and field portion of the Biology of Birds will focus on field identification and inventory techniques, with an introduction to anatomy. Students will need binoculars. (Spring)

 

BIOL 5243. Animal Behavior. (3) An ethological approach to how animals respond to their environment. Causation, development and adaptive significance of behavior in social systems. (Fall)

 

BIOL 5243L. Animal Behavior Laboratory. (1) Prerequisite or corequisite: BIOL 5243. One laboratory period of three hours a week. (Fall)

 

BIOL 5244. Conservation Biology. (3) Conservation values, extinction rates, genetic diversity, demography, habitat fragmentation, reserve management, ecological restoration. (Yearly)

 

BIOL 5244L. Conservation Biology Laboratory. (1) Prerequisite or corequisite: BIOL 5244. One laboratory period of three hours a week plus field trips. (Yearly)

 

BIOL 5250. Microbiology. (3) Morphology, physiology, pathogenicity, metabolism and ecology of micro-organisms. (Spring, Fall)

 

BIOL 5250L. Microbiology Laboratory. (1) Prerequisite or corequisite: BIOL 5250. One laboratory period of three hours a week. (Spring, Fall)

 

BIOL 5251. Immunology. (3) Cellular, molecular and genetic basis for immunity; physical chemistry of antigens and antibodies and their interactions; defense mechanisms. (Spring, Summer)

 

BIOL 5251L. Immunology Laboratory. (1) Prerequisite or corequisite: BIOL 5251. One laboratory period of three hours a week. (Spring)

 

BIOL 5253. Marine Microbiology. (4) Bacteria, fungi and viruses of marine origin, and their response to the salt, temperature, pressure and nutrient environment of the ocean. Roles of marine microorganisms in public health, pollution and fouling. Three lecture hours and one laboratory period of three hours a week. (Spring)

 

BIOL 5254. Epidemiology. (3) History and practices of epidemiology with emphasis on modes of transmission of clinically important infectious agents and the analysis of epidemiological data. Three lecture hours a week. (On demand)

 

BIOL 5255. Bacterial Genetics. (3) Regulation of gene expression in bacterial systems. Bacteriophage genetics. DNA transfer in bacteria. (Spring)

 

BIOL 5256. Pathogenic Bacteriology. (3) Cellular and molecular interactions of mammalian hosts with procaryotic parasites. (Fall)

 

BIOL 5256L. Pathogenic Bacteriology Laboratory. (1) One laboratory period of three hours a week. (Fall)

 

BIOL 5257. Microbial Physiology and Metabolism. (3) Bacterial cell growth and division, transport mechanisms, catabolism and energy production, biosynthesis of cellular components, global regulation of gene expression in response to the environment, and cell-cell communication between bacteria. (Spring)

 

BIOL 5257L. Microbial Physiology and Metabolism Lab. (1).  Laboratory experiments on such topics in general microbiology as the preparation and use of cell-free systems, isolation of auxotrophs, transport mechanisms, radiolabelling and separation of proteins, etc. (Spring)

 

BIOL 5259. Virology. (3) Morphology, classification, genetics and pathogenicity of bacterial and animal viruses. (Fall)

 

BIOL 5259L. Virology Laboratory. (1) Prerequisite or corequisite: BIOL 5259. One laboratory period of three hours per week. (Fall)

 

BIOL 5260. Population Genetics (3) The genetics of qualitative and quantitative traits in populations, including an assessment of the factors affecting the extent and pattern of the genetic variation in these traits. (On demand)

 

BIOL 5277. Endocrinology. (3) Endocrine glands and their physiological roles in metabolism, growth and reproduction. (On demand)

 

BIOL 5277L. Endocrinology Laboratory. (1) Prerequisite or corequisite: BIOL 5277. One laboratory period of three hours a week. (On demand)

 

BIOL 5279. Neurobiology. (3) Physiology and anatomy of nervous systems, especially mammalian. (Spring)

 

BIOL 5279L. Neurobiology Laboratory. (1) Prerequisite or corequisite: BIOL 5279. One laboratory period of three hours a week. (Spring)

 

BIOL 5282. Developmental Plant Anatomy. (3) Study of plant cells, tissues, organs and patterns of growth and differentiation. (Spring)

 

BIOL 5282L. Developmental Plant Anatomy Laboratory. (1) Prerequisite or corequisite: BIOL 5282. One laboratory period of three hours a week. (Spring)

 

BIOL 5283. Animal Development. (3) Developmental processes occurring chiefly during gametogenesis, fertilization, early embryogenesis and organogenesis. (Fall)

 

BIOL 5283L. Animal Development Laboratory. (1) Prerequisite or corequisite: BIOL 5283. One laboratory period of three hours a week. (Fall)

 

BIOL 5291. Histology. (4) Animal tissues and organs; techniques of preparing tissues for analysis. Three lecture hours and one laboratory period of three hours a week. (Spring)

 

BIOL 5292. Advances in Immunology. (3) Current topics in immunology with particular emphasis upon the genetic systems and molecular mechanisms underlying immune reactions. (Fall)

 

BIOL 5293. Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy. (4) Prerequisite: BIOL 2111. Comparative studies of the anatomy, physiology and functional adaptations of selected vertebrates with emphasis on evolutionary developments, especially in mammals. Three lecture hours and one laboratory period of three hours a week. (Spring)

 

BIOL 6000. Special Topics in Biology. (1-4) Prerequisite: consent of department. Courses in selected topics and advanced studies in biology. Lecture and laboratory hours will vary with the courses taught. (On demand)

 

BIOL 6010. Special Topics in Microbiology. (1-4) Prerequisite: consent of department. Advanced courses in microbiology. May be repeated for credit as topics vary. Lecture and laboratory hours will vary with the courses taught. (On demand)

 

BIOL 6020. Special Topics in Systematic Biology. (1-4) Prerequisite: consent of department. Advanced courses in systematic and evolutionary biology. May be repeated for credit as topics vary. Lecture and laboratory hours will vary with the courses taught. (On demand)

 

BIOL 6030. Special Topics in Genetics. (1-4) Prerequisite: consent of department. Advanced courses in genetics. May be repeated for credit as topics vary. Lecture and laboratory hours will vary with the courses taught. (On demand)

 

BIOL 6040. Special Topics in Molecular Biology. (1-4) Prerequisite: consent of department. Advanced courses in biochemistry and molecular biology. May be repeated for credit as topics vary. Lecture and laboratory hours will vary with the courses taught. (On demand)

 

BIOL 6050. Special Topics in Physiology. (1-4) Prerequisite: consent of department. Advanced courses in physiology. May be repeated for credit as topics vary. Lecture and laboratory hours will vary with the courses taught. (On demand)

 

BIOL 6060. Special Topics in Developmental Biology. (1-4) Prerequisite: consent of department. Advanced courses in developmental biology and embryology. May be repeated for credit as topics vary. Lecture and laboratory hours will vary with the courses taught. (On demand)

 

BIOL 6070. Special Topics in Anatomy. (1-4) Prerequisite: consent of department. Advanced courses in anatomy and morphology. May be repeated for credit as topics vary. Lecture and laboratory hours will vary with the courses taught. (On demand)

 

BIOL 6080. Special Topics in Behavior. (1-4) Prerequisite: consent of department. Advanced courses in behavior. May be repeated for credit as topics vary. Lecture and laboratory hours will vary with the courses taught. (On demand)

 

BIOL 6090. Special Topics in Ecology. (1-4) Prerequisite: consent of department. Advanced courses in ecology. May be repeated for credit as topics vary. Lecture and laboratory hours will vary with the courses taught. (On demand)

 

BIOL 6102. Cell and Molecular Biology. (4) Prerequisites: CHEM 6101, or consent of instructor. Structure of cellular components; the cell cycle; regulation of transcription, translation, and protein trafficking; cell membranes and transport; cell-cell communication, including signal transduction; extracellular matrix. Thirty two-hour lectures. (Fall)

 

BIOL 6103. Microbiology and Immunology. (4) Prerequisites: CHEM 6101 and BIOL 6102, or consent of instructor. Function and pathogenesis of prokaryotes, as well as related aspects of host response. Microbial physiology with an emphasis on aspects relevant to pathogenesis; bacterial genetics with an emphasis on operons and regulons as model of control of bacterial gene expression; pathogenic microbiology with an emphasis on invasion and intracellular survival; immunology with an emphasis on the role of the immune response in resistance to infection. Thirty two-hour lectures. (Spring)

 

BIOL 6104. Integrative Systems Physiology. (4) Prerequisites: CHEM 6101, BIOL 6102, BIOL 6103, or consent of instructor. The functioning of an intact mammalian organism with an emphasis on human physiology. Traditional survey of organ systems' functions, and problems of the response of cells within tissues to stress and their impact on organismal response. Thirty two-hour lectures. (Spring)

 

BIOL 6600. Seminar. (1-2) Topics of current emphasis in biology. May be repeated for credit. (Fall, Spring)

 

BIOL 6800. Tutorial. (1-4) Directed study in areas of specialization in biology and related fields. Maximum credit toward degree: four hours. Pass/No Credit or IP grading only. (Fall, Spring)

 

BIOL 6900. Research and Thesis. (1-8) Pass/No Credit or IP grading only. (Fall, Spring)

 

BIOL 7999. Master’s Degree Graduate Residence. (1)

 

BIOL 8000. Special Topics in Biology. (1-4) Prerequisite: consent of department. Courses in selected topics and advanced studies in biology. Lecture and laboratory hours will vary with the courses taught. (On demand)

 

BIOL 8010. Special Topics in Microbiology. (1-4) Prerequisite: consent of department. Advanced courses in microbiology. May be repeated for credit as topics vary. Lecture and laboratory hours will vary with the courses taught. (On demand)

 

BIOL 8030. Special Topics in Genetics. (1-4) Prerequisite: consent of department. Advanced courses in genetics. May be repeated for credit as topics vary. Lecture and laboratory hours will vary with the courses taught. (On demand)

 

BIOL 8040. Special Topics in Molecular Biology. (1-4) Prerequisite: consent of department. Advanced courses in biochemistry and molecular biology. May be repeated for credit as topics vary. Lecture and laboratory hours will vary with the courses taught. (On demand)

 

BIOL 8050. Special Topics in Physiology. (1-4) Prerequisite: consent of department. Advanced courses in physiology. May be repeated for credit as topics vary. Lecture and laboratory hours will vary with the courses taught. (On demand)

 

BIOL 8102. Cell and Molecular Biology. (4) Prerequisites: CHEM 8101, or consent of instructor. Structure of cellular components; the cell cycle; regulation of transcription, translation, and protein trafficking; cell membranes and transport; cell-cell communication, including signal transduction; extracellular matrix. Thirty two-hour lectures. (Fall)

 

BIOL 8103. Microbiology and Immunology. (4) Prerequisites: CHEM 8101 and BIOL 8102, or consent of instructor. Function and pathogenesis of prokaryotes, as well as related aspects of host response. Microbial physiology with an emphasis on aspects relevant to pathogenesis; bacterial genetics with an emphasis on operons and regulons as model of control of bacterial gene expression; pathogenic microbiology with an emphasis on invasion and intracellular survival; immunology with an emphasis on the role of the immune response in resistance to infection. Thirty two-hour lectures. (Spring)

 

BIOL 8104. Integrative Systems Physiology. (4) Prerequisites: CHEM 8101, BIOL 8102, BIOL 8103, or consent of instructor. The functioning of an intact mammalian organism with an emphasis on human physiology. Traditional survey of organ systems' functions, and problems of the response of cells within tissues to stress and their impact on organismal response. Thirty two-hour lectures. (Spring)

 

BIOL 8200. Interdisciplinary Colloquium. (1) Prerequisites: Admission to the Interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Biology Program. Discussion and analysis of topics of current emphasis in biomedicine and biotechnology. May be repeated for credit. Offered on a Pass/No Credit basis only. (Fall)

 

BIOL 8201. Seminar. (1) Prerequisites: Admission to the Interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Biology Program. Formal student presentations of current literature topics. May be repeated for credit. Offered on a Pass/No Credit basis only. (Spring)

 

BIOL 8800. Laboratory Rotations. (2) Prerequisites: Admission to the Interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Biology Program. Directed study in an area of specialization. May be repeated for credit. Offered on a Pass/No Credit basis only. (Fall, Spring, Summer)

 

BIOL 8999. Doctoral Dissertation Research. (0-9) Prerequisites: Admission to the Interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Biology Program. Individual investigation that culminates in the preparation and presentation of a doctoral dissertation. May be repeated for credit. Offered on a Pass/No Credit or IP basis only. (Fall, Spring, Summer)

 

BIOL 9999. Doctoral Degree Graduate Residence. (1)