Graduate Course Descriptions
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Detailed Description of Courses BIOL 5136 - Current Issues in Biology |
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Discussion and analysis of active areas of research in biology at an advanced level. Topics will vary by semester offered. Prerequisite: Graduate Standing. |
| BIOL 5300 - Graduate Biology for Educators |
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This course covers integrated biological principals from molecules through the biosphere, with a focus on specific contributions that knowledge of those principles has made to the physical, intellectual and esthetic welfare of humanity. The course will include lectures, readings of scholarly and popular literature, discussion, and a scholarly paper based on individual investigation of literature. Prerequisite: Graduate Standing. |
| BIOL 5307 - Host-Parasite Relationships |
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A comprehensive analysis of the interrelationships between host and parasite. Modern laboratory techniques essential to understanding these interrelationships will be considered. Laboratory fee. Prerequisite: Graduate Standing. |
| BIOL 5312 - Vertebrate Evolutionary Biol |
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A course covering the theories and techniques employed in the study and conservation of vertebrate populations and their associated habits. Topics include predator/prey relationships, foraging theory, reproductive ecology and mating systems, disease ecology and community structure with a particular emphasis on the evolutionary advantages and pressures associated with development of vertebrate life histories and distributions. Prerequisite: Graduate Standing. |
| BIOL 5313 - Advanced Endocrinology |
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Advanced study of the endocrine system with emphasis on humans. Topics include: hormonal control of homeostasis, feeding, stress and reproduction; function of endocrine organs, cellular mechanisms of hormone action, and animal models of endocrinology, endocrine techniques and endocrine related diseases. Credit Restriction: Credit cannot be given if BIOL 4313 has been taken. Prerequisite: Graduate Standing. |
| BIOL 5316 - Adv Environmental Toxicology |
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An advanced treatment of physiological and systematic interactions of environmental pollutants with biological systems. Prerequisite: BIOL 2401 and 2402 or 3411 and 6 hours of Organic or Biochemistry or consent of instructor |
| BIOL 5317 - Adv Bacterial Genetics |
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Bacterial genetics from both classical and molecular perspectives. Topics include transcription, translation, mutagenesis, transduction, transformation, conjugation and transposition. The lab is structured as a semester-long research project in which bacterial strains are randomly mutagenized, mutants are analyzed, and the mutated gene is identified. Laboratory fee. Prerequisite: Graduate Standing. |
| BIOL 5319 - Adv Medical Entomology |
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Study of medically important insects. The focus will be on insect vectors and the diseases that they can transmit. We will examine insect life history, population dynamics, ecology, and human impact. We will also cover some basic epidemiology and disease transmission models. Prerequisite: Graduate Standing. |
| BIOL 5340 - Statistical Ecology |
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The application, interpretation, and critique of statistical methods for analyzing arrays of species-by-samples data as arise in biological monitoring of environmental impacts and fundamental studies of community ecology. Topics include standard diversity indices, hierarchical clustering, multidimensional scaling, principal components analyses, analysis of similarities and selected advanced topics. This course will emphasize the use of statistical software packages and reporting of results. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and one course in Ecology or consent of constructor. |
| BIOL 5342 - Restoration Ecology |
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This course explores the relevance of ecological principles applicable to the recovery of degraded ecosystems. With an emphasis on the reestablishment of ecosystem functioning to facilitate recovery, topics discussed relate to the implementation and monitoring or restoration projects across systems and disturbances. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and one course in Ecology or consent of constructor. |
| BIOL 5344 - Advanced Mammalogy |
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A study of anatomy, evolution, distribution, systematics, ecology and physiology of mammals of North America. A research project is required. Critical review of current literature and studies of recent advances in Mammalogy are emphasized. Laboratory fee. Prerequisite: Graduate Standing |
| BIOL 5346 - Adv Aquatic Entomology |
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Aquatic insect identification, taxonomy, ecology and use in bioassessment of water quality. Lower Rio Grande regional fauna emphasized. Lecture, lab and field work. Prerequisite: Graduate Standing, |
| BIOL 5388 - Adv Global Change Ecology |
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This course will cover different aspects of global change, a critical environmental problem caused by human activities (e.g., non-sustainable agricultural practices). This course will address lectures, discussion, and assignments related to topics such as habitat transformation, species extinctions, and spread of diseases, invasive species, global warming and the impact of these factors on conservation efforts. Prerequisite: Graduate Standing |
| BIOL 5402 - Molecular Virology |
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This course emphasizes current research on the genome organization and replication of viruses, functions and regulations of viral genes, molecular mechanisms of virus-host and virus-vector interactions, and novel molecular control strategies. Students will be introduced to the history of virology, taxonomy of viruses, symptomatology, epidemiology, diseases and management of viral diseases. Laboratory fee. Prerequisite: BIOL 3403 |
| BIOL 5403 - Adv Remote Sensing Tech |
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This course provides training in the use of electromagnetic radiation for monitoring environmental conditions and resources. Emphasis will be placed on the operation of various remote sensors, collection of analog and digital data, and use of computer software for image processing, interpretation and integration of imagery into geographic information systems. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor |
| BIOL 5404 - Advanced Ichthyology |
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A study of ecology, distribution, adaptations, physiology, systematics and evolution of freshwater and marine fishes, with an emphasis on local forms. Laboratories will stress identification and other practical applications of modern ichthyological techniques. Laboratory fee. Prerequisite: Graduate Standing. |
| BIOL 5405 - Adv Plant Physiology |
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Physiology of plants, cell structure and function, nutrition, metabolism and factors influencing growth and development. Prerequisite: Graduate Standing. |
| BIOL 5406 - Advanced Mycology |
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Subject areas shall include morphology and taxonomy, structure-function relationships, physiology and genetics, molecular biology, parasitism of animals and plants, applied and environmental mycology. Prerequisite: BIOL 3402, BIOL 3412 or BIOL 3413. |
| BIOL 5407 - Plant Ecology |
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This course will introduce students to the theoretical framework and current research in plant ecology. Plant ecology focuses on factors that influence the distribution and abundance of plants and their interactions with each other and their environment. Resource availability, seed dispersal, competition, herbivory, and disturbances all interact to influence plant survival and growth, and topics such as these are the focus of this class. We will also address timely issues relevant to current research in plant ecology such as exotic species invasions, global climate change, and human-driven changes to disturbance regimes. These topics will be discussed in relation to the primary scientific literature and other mainstream sources such as newspapers and magazines. Prerequisite: Graduate Standing. |
| BIOL 5408 - Adv Plant Pathology |
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The causes, nature and control of plant diseases. Principles of plant disease development. Laboratory fee. Prerequisite: Graduate Standing. |
| BIOL 5409 - Advanced Herpetology |
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A study of the anatomy, evolution, distribution, systematics, ecology and physiology of amphibians and reptiles, primarily of North American species with special emphasis on local forms. Laboratory Fee. Prerequisite: Graduate Standing. |
| BIOL 5410 - Marine Plant Science |
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The common local marine flora including the microscopic and algal forms and aquatic angiosperms. Credit Restriction: Not open to students with previous credit for BIOL 4410. Laboratory fee. Prerequisite: Graduate Standing. |
| BIOL 5411 - Adv Ecological Physiology |
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A comparative study of the physiological adaptations of vertebrate animals to their environments. Emphasis is placed on the physiological basis of animal distribution and evolution. Prerequisite: Graduate Standing. |
| BIOL 5412 - Adv Ornithology |
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Studies in avian biology with emphasis on taxonomy, behavior and ecology. Cannot take for credit if have had BIOL 4412 or equivalent. Laboratory fee. Prerequisite: Graduate Standing. |
| BIOL 5414 - Adv Plant Systematics |
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A study of literature and methods of experimental plant systematics, phylogenetic considerations, field and herbarium techniques and modern biosystematic approaches applied to selected taxa will be emphasized. Laboratory fee. Prerequisite: Graduate Standing. |
| BIOL 5418 - Adv Electron Microscopy |
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An introduction to electron microscopy including scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Topics include the principles of electron microscopes, cell ultrastructure, specimen preparation, microtomy, immunocytochemistry, operation of electron microscopes, and graphic arts. Laboratory fee. Prerequisite: Graduate Standing. |
| BIOL 5421 - Biotechnology |
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This course will survey many areas of biotechnology. Human disease, genetic engineering of organisms, forensics and the latest technologies used in biotechnology will be focus areas. The laboratory will be based on discussion groups and internet based exercises to answer questions in a wide variety of questions in areas relating to Biotechnology. |
| BIOL 5422 - Conservation Biology |
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Focus on the controlled use and systematic protection of natural resources such as forests, soils, and water systems. Conservation integrates concepts of geography, climatology, geology, geomorphology, chemistry, and biology into one applied standing. Prerequisite: Graduate Standing. |
| BIOL 5424 - Adv Microbial Ecology |
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An in-depth study of the diversity of microbes found in nature. Emphasis is placed on the ecological significance of bacterial communities found in terrestrial, aquatic and extreme environments, as well as their metabolic activities, interactions and survival strategies. Microbial bioremediation and biogeochemistry are also addressed. Students will develop and conduct an independent research project as a requirement of the course. Prerequisite: Graduate Standing and 3 hours of microbiology, or consent of instructor |
| BIOL 5426 - Advanced Marine Ecology |
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This course will include discussion of marine ecosystems and processes with a focus on the marine environment of South Texas. Prerequisite: BIOL 3409 |
| BIOL 5427 - Coastal Ecology |
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This course examines the major nearshore habitats and communities of the western Gulf of Mexico including: beaches, sand dunes, estuaries, salt marshes, mud flats, sea grass meadows and rocky shores. Emphasis is placed on directed, field-oriented, individual research projects. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and one course in general ecology or zoology or consent of the instructor. |
| BIOL 5432 - Animal Behavior |
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This course examines the biological basis of animal behavior from an evolutionary perspective. Topics include instincts and learning, behavioral genetics, development of behavior, neural and endocrine mechanisms, adaptive significance of behavior and social behavior. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, four semester hours of upper-division biology. |
| BIOL 5452 - Adv Marine Zoology |
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Structural, physiological and ecological relationships of common marine animals, stressing invertebrates of coastal waters. Laboratory fee Prerequisite: BIOL 3414 recommended. |
| BIOL 5480 - Animal Communication |
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This course examines the factors that have shaped the evolution of communication in animals. Topics include the role of physics and physiology in the evolution of signaling adapted to different environment and the role of social context in animal communication. Prerequisite: Graduate Standing. |
| BIOL 6101 - Scientific Thinking |
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Students will review the literature for current research topics, reporting, and discussion with faculty and other students. Students will refine a topic for scientific investigation, formulate testable hypotheses, design controlled experiments, conduct scientific literature searches, and interpret the methods and results of primary literature articles, as well as refine their oral presentation skills. Prerequisite: Graduate Standing. |
| BIOL 6102 - Scientific Writing |
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Students will learn professional skills for a career in the biological sciences such as grant agency selection, grant writing, preparation of curriculum vitae, the peer review process, development and formatting of manuscripts, scientific proposals, review papers, cover letters and preparation of. Students will learn to make proper use of bibliographic citations, write technical papers and prepare documents. Prerequisite: Graduate Standing. |
| BIOL 6185 - Graduate Research |
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Faculty supervised research designed for students who are working on a research or the thesis project. Courses are offered with between 1 and 6 semester credit hours. A maximum of six semester credit hours of graduate research will count toward the degree; subsequent enrollments will not count. Prerequisite: Graduate standing or consent of instructor. |
| BIOL 6198 - Topics in Biology |
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Specialized context and field experiences not available in other courses. Prerequisite: Graduate Standing. |
| BIOL 6285 - Graduate Research |
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Faculty supervised research designed for students who are working on a research or the thesis project. Courses are offered with between 1 and 6 semester credit hours. A maximum of six semester credit hours of graduate research will count toward the degree; subsequent enrollments will not count. Prerequisite: Graduate standing or consent of instructor. |
| BIOL 6301 - Molecular Tech & Lab Instrument |
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This course studies the theory and application of laboratory techniques, with an emphasis on molecular techniques. The course may be team taught by various members of the graduate faculty as expertise dictates. Prerequisite: Graduate standing |
| BIOL 6303 - Advanced Ecology |
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Utilization of modern techniques to analyze interrelationships between plants, animals and the environment. Terrestrial and freshwater environments will be considered. Laboratory fee. Prerequisite: Graduate standing |
| BIOL 6304 - Systematic Biology |
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Theory and methods of taxonomy, classification, phylogeny and biogeography. Prerequisite: Graduate standing |
| BIOL 6305 - Biometry |
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Statistical analysis and principles as applied to biological problems. Laboratory Fee Prerequisite: Recommended: Undergraduate statistics course. |
| BIOL 6307 - Animal Bioenergetics |
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This course provides a detailed examination of the ecology and physiology of energy extraction and allocation in animals. The effects of temperature and the proximate and ultimate mechanisms that drive allocation strategies under varying environmental conditions will be emphasized. Students will gain experience in critical thinking about their own research and the research of others through weekly paper discussions. Prerequisite: Graduate standing |
| BIOL 6308 - Plant-Microbe Interactions |
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The course will cover advanced plant pathology topics and several others not covered in BIOL 4408/5408. The graduate student will become familiar with the concepts underlying the interactions of microbes and plants across a continuum of symbioses. Modern ideas from very recent scientific literature concerning the molecular nature of plant pathogenicity and resistance will be emphasized. Prerequisite: BIOL 4408 or BIOL 5408; BIOL 3401, BIOL 3412, BIOL 3413 or BIOL 3415; consent of instructor. |
| BIOL 6312 - Adv Cellular/Molecular Biology |
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An in-depth study of the physical and molecular activity at the cellular level. Topics to be emphasized include nucleic acid structure and organization, gene expression and its regulation, protein structure and recombinant DNA techniques. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, BIOL 3412 or equivalent, CHEM 3303 or equivalent. |
| BIOL 6316 - Molecular Genetics |
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Subject matter in this course will be dealing with the modern concepts of genetics with emphasis on molecular-level investigations of DNA, gene structure, transcription, translation and gene regulation as elucidated through studies of gene cloning, recombinant DNA technology and biochemical genetics. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and one of the following courses: BIOL 3401 OR BIOL 3406 OR BIOL 3412 OR BIOL 3413 OR BIOL 3415 OR BIOL 4417. |
| BIOL 6319 - Scientific Philosophy |
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A study of the characteristics of science and the relationship between modern science and culture. A student interactive course investigating how science actually proceeds, how it should ideally be carried out, the motivations and roles of the individuals involved, and their interaction with society as a whole. Prerequisite: Graduate standing |
| BIOL 6321 - Applied Microbiology |
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This course is primarily associated with the commercial exploitation of microorganisms, and involves processes and products that are of major economic, environmental and medical importance to humankind. Aspects of industrial microbiology such as production of valuable microbial products via fermentation processes will be emphasized. Key aspects of microbial physiology to elucidate the versatility of microorganisms for their diverse metabolic activities and products will be included in the course. $4 laboratory fee. Prerequisite: BIOL 3401. |
| BIOL 6322 - History of Biology |
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A survey of the events that have led to the development of biology as a science, with in-depth discussions of the order, timing and chronology of discoveries in biology from antiquity to the present. Trends of thought in the biological sciences with emphasis on notable contributors will be highlighted. Prerequisite: Graduate standing |
| BIOL 6324 - Evolutionary Theory |
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Examination of current and historical concepts in research on micro and macroevolution. Topics include natural and sexual selection, adaptation, homology, phylogenetic reconstruction, gene flow, molecular evolution, speciation, hybridization and extinction. Prerequisite: Graduate standing |
| BIOL 6330 - Molecular & Cellular Evolution |
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This course involves the study of the appearance of life on earth and its subsequent evolution at the molecular and cellular levels. Prerequisite: Graduate standing |
| BIOL 6365 - Biological Research Problems |
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The student, in conference with his or her committee chair, will define an independent research problem. If taken in summer, the student should enroll in no other course that summer term. The student's report will be written in an approved scientific style. One copy will be retained by the faculty member directing the research, and one copy will be placed in the student's biology graduate program file. Laboratory Fee. |
| BIOL 6385 - Graduate Research |
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Faculty supervised research designed for students who are working on a research or the thesis project. Courses are offered with between 1 and 6 semester credit hours. A maximum of six semester credit hours of graduate research will count toward the degree; subsequent enrollments will not count. Prerequisite: Graduate standing or consent of instructor. |
| BIOL 6390 - Biology Internship |
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Paid or volunteer work in an industrial, educational, private agency, or government facility, under the general supervision of collaborating personnel. The student must secure the appointment for such work, but faculty will assist in finding opportunities. The collaborating personnel and the student must agree to written terms required by the Biological Sciences Department. Successful completion requires a letter from the collaborating personnel detailing the student’s qualifying experience, an acceptable scholarly report, and a seminar presentation. The instructor must be a full-time member of the Graduate Faculty. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, permission of the instructor and Department Chair. |
| BIOL 6398 - Advanced Topics in Biology l |
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Topics will cover specialized areas of study in the biological sciences that tend not to be part of regular course offerings. Subjects may vary from semester to semester, depending on the faculty member teaching the course. A student may take this course up to two times for credit. Prerequisite: Graduate Standing. |
| BIOL 6400 - Neuroscience |
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This course studies the integrative functions of the animal nervous system from molecules to behavior. Prerequisite: Graduate Standing. |
| BIOL 6404 - Fish Ecology |
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Interactions of fishes especially teleosts, with their physical and biotic environment. The lab emphasizes fieldwork and includes and individual student project. Prerequisite: Graduate Standing. |
| BIOL 6412 - Subtropical Ornithology |
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Ecology, history, behavior and conservation of subtropical bird communities, focusing on breeding birds of the Lower Rio Grande Valley. Students will perform field studies of birds and several field trips will be held. Laboratory fee. Prerequisites: Graduate standing. |
| BIOL 6420 - Plant Biochem/Molecular Biol |
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The lecture portion of this course will present the unique biological aspects of plants in the context of their biochemistry, physiology and cellular and molecular biology. The laboratory portion of this course will teach students the unique lab techniques involved in the study of plant biochemistry and molecular biology. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and one of the following courses: BIOL 3401 OR BIOL 3406 OR BIOL 3412 OR BIOL 3413 OR BIOL 3415 OR BIOL 4417. |
| BIOL 6429 - Advanced Agroecology |
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Ecological concepts and principles are applied to the design and management of sustainable agroecosystems. Alternatives for agriculture are discussed in terms of ecosystem structure and function. A weekly three-hour lab is required, with lab fees charged. Prerequisite: Graduate Standing. |
| BIOL 6485 - Graduate Research |
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Faculty supervised research designed for students who are working on a research or the thesis project. Courses are offered with between 1 and 6 semester credit hours. A maximum of six semester credit hours of graduate research will count toward the degree; subsequent enrollments will not count. Prerequisite: Graduate standing or consent of instructor. |
| BIOL 6499 - Advanced Topics in Biology II |
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Topics will cover specialized areas of study in the biological sciences that tend not to be part of regular course offerings. Subjects may vary from semester to semester, depending on the faculty member teaching the course. A student may take this course up to two times for credit. Prerequisite: Graduate Standing. |
| BIOL 6585 - Graduate Research |
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Faculty supervised research designed for students who are working on a research or the thesis project. Courses are offered with between 1 and 6 semester credit hours. A maximum of six semester credit hours of graduate research will count toward the degree; subsequent enrollments will not count. Prerequisite: Graduate standing or consent of instructor. |
| BIOL 6685 - Graduate Research |
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Faculty supervised research designed for students who are working on a research or the thesis project. Courses are offered with between 1 and 6 semester credit hours. A maximum of six semester credit hours of graduate research will count toward the degree; subsequent enrollments will not count. Prerequisite: Graduate standing or consent of instructor. |
| BIOL 7100 - Thesis Proposal |
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All graduate students undertaking a thesis will be required to enroll for credit in this class. All biology graduate students are strongly encouraged to attend other students’ thesis proposal presentations each semester they are enrolled in graduate school. Students in this class will give a presentation on their planned thesis research before other graduate students and faculty. The presentation should include the conceptual basis for the project, the hypothesis to be tested or questions to be answered, and details of the methodology planned to be used in answering the question. Prerequisite: Graduate standing. |
| BIOL 7300 - Thesis I |
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Supervised research. Will include design of an original research problem with a written proposal, collection and analysis of original data and writing of a scientific report in acceptable publication format. Prerequisite: Instructor’s permission. |
| BIOL 7301 - Thesis II |
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Continuation of BIOL 7300. Prerequisite: Instructor’s permission. |