This is an archived copy of the 2015-16 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.utexas.edu/.

Graduate Courses

The faculty has approval to offer the following courses in the academic years 2015–2016 and 2016–2017; however, not all courses are taught each semester or summer session. Students should consult the Course Schedule to determine which courses and topics will be offered during a particular semester or summer session. The Course Schedule may also reflect changes made to the course inventory after the publication of this catalog.

The abbreviations EEB, MIC, and PB in the following list identify the program(s) in the School of Biological Sciences with which the course is most closely associated. The abbreviation EEB represents ecology, evolution, and behavior; MIC, microbiology; and PB, plant biology.

Related Courses

The following courses are described on the Marine Science page.

Marine Science 382, Principles of Marine Science (Topic 6: Marine Ichthyology). EEB.

Marine Science 384E, Marine Microbial Ecology. MIC.

Biology: BIO

BIO 380M. Topics in Biology (Cooperative Programs).

Formal, organized courses taught at institutions other than the University of Texas at Austin. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Not all topics are offered every year. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, consent of the student's graduate adviser or department chair and the University's graduate dean, and consent of the graduate dean at the host institution; additional prerequisites vary with the topic.

BIO 180R, 280R, 380R. Advanced Readings in the Biological Sciences.

For each semester hour of credit earned, the equivalent of one class hour a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser.

BIO 380T. Current Concepts in Biology.

Designed for beginning graduate students seeking a review of modern biological concepts. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. With consent of instructor, may be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing in the School of Biological Sciences, and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser.

BIO 381K. Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior: Physiology and Biophysics.

Lectures, conference discussion, and laboratory projects, depending on topic. Not all topics are offered every year. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser; additional prerequisites vary with the topic.

Topic 1: Topics in Biophysics. Irritability of living systems and the principles of energy transformation and transfer in organisms; emphasis on bioelectrical processes and electrical energy changes. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.
Topic 2: Comparative Neurophysiology. General treatment of the physiology of neurons, synapses, sensory and motor systems; neural basis of behavior; emphasis on invertebrates. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.
Topic 3: Sensory Physiology. Physiology and biophysics of the transduction and peripheral processes of the major sensory systems. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.
Topic 4: Current Concepts in Neurobiology. A series of seminars designed to give students a broad background in neurobiology. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.
Topic 5: Laboratory in Neurophysiology. Training in research techniques useful for the neurophysiological study of vertebrate and invertebrate nervous systems. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.
Topic 6: Insect Physiology. An in-depth study of the physiology of insect organ systems, development, and behavior. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.
Topic 7: Developmental Neurobiology. Neuronal cell lineage and differentiation, neuronal migration, axon guidance, neural cell death, synapse formation and maintenance. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.
Topic 8: Addiction Biology. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Biology 381K (Topic 8) and Neuroscience 385L (Topic 3: Addiction Biology) may not both be counted.
Topic 9: Comparative Animal Physiology. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.
Topic 11: Current Concepts in Neurophysiology. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.

BIO 381N. Basic Processes of Nerve Cells.

Same as Neuroscience 381N. Degeneration and regeneration in nervous systems following traumatic injury; invertebrate versus vertebrate, peripheral nervous system versus central nervous system, axonal versus cell body, role of glia versus neurons. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Only one of the following may be counted: Biology 381K (Topic 10), 381N, Neuroscience 381N, 385L (Topic 1). Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

BIO 182, 282, 382, 682, 982. Advanced Study and Research.

For each semester hour of credit earned, the equivalent of one class hour a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser.

BIO 382E. Epigenetics.

Same as Neuroscience 382E. Study of how epigenetic modifications are covalent modifications of DNA or histones that cause changes in gene expression and how epigenetic modifications appear to be a method through which nurture or the environment can influence nature. Emphasis on how experience or environmental factors epigenetically modify health or behavior of animals. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Only one of the following may be counted: Biology 381K (Topic: Epigenetics), 382E, Neuroscience 382E. Offered on the letter-grade basis only. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor.

BIO 383K. Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior: Development and Reproduction.

Three lecture hours a week for one semester, or as required by the topic. Not all topics are offered every year. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser.

Topic 1: Hormonal Control of Development and Reproduction. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.
Topic 2: Techniques in the Study of Development and Reproduction. Eight laboratory hours a week for one semester.
Topic 3: Comparative Endocrinology. Structure, function, and interrelationships of endocrine glands, with emphasis on the control of hormone synthesis and secretion and mechanisms of hormone action. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.
Topic 4: Recent Advances in Development and Reproduction. Discussion of recent scientific papers and their contribution to modern work in development and reproduction. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.
Topic 5: Molecular Analysis of Development. Lectures and discussion concerning the principles of animal development at the molecular level. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.
Topic 6: Current Literature in Cell and Developmental Biology. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Offered on the credit/no credit basis only.
Topic 7: Seminar in Physiology and Behavior. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.
Topic 8: Development and Evolution. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.
Topic 9: Survey of Animal Development. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Offered on the credit/no credit basis only.

BIO 384C. Subjects and Skills in Ecology, Evoulution, and Behavior I.

Designed for first-year graduate students in ecology, evolution, and behavior. Study of why animals behave the ways they do. Study of the proximate and ultimate issues of animal behavior, how it is acquired and regulated, and how it evolved. Emphasis on integration of proximate and ultimate analyses in the various domains in which animals behave. First part of a two-semester sequence. Three lecture hours and one discussion hour a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser.

BIO 384D. Subjects and Skills in Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior II.

Designed for first-year graduate students in ecology, evolution, and behavior. Continuation of the study of why animals behave the way they do. Continued overview of both the proximate and ultimate issues of animal behavior, how it is acquired and regulated, and how it evolved. Emphasis on integration of proximate and ultimate analyses in the various domains in which animals behave. Second part of a two-semester sequence. Three lecture hours and one discussion hour a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, Biology 384C, and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser.

BIO 384E. Population Ecology.

Concepts, research methods, and current questions of population ecology. Both plant and animal examples are discussed. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, an upper-division undergraduate course in ecology, and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser.

BIO 384K. Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior.

Basic concepts and methods of laboratory and field analysis in various fields of biology; systematics and ecology of natural populations. Lectures, conference discussions, and laboratory work, depending on topic. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser; additional prerequisites vary with the topic.

Topic 2: Ornithology. Behavior and ecology of birds, with emphasis on recent developments in the field. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.
Topic 3: Herpetology. Classification, speciation, morphological adaptations, mode of life, history, and ecology of amphibians and reptiles; emphasis on recent advances in the field. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.
Topic 4: Ichthyology. Evolution and ecology of fishes. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.
Topic 5: Entomology. Survey of original publications, research methods, and recent developments in the field, with emphasis on taxonomy, insecticides and repellants, and the role of insects in disease transmission. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.
Topic 6: Invertebrate Zoology. Study of the physiological ecology of animals, with emphasis on the invertebrates. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.
Topic 7: Animal Behavior. Causal basis, ontogeny, adaptive significance, and evolution of behavior patterns in animals. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.
Topic 8: Environment and Evolution. The role of environment in shaping populations and communities, with emphasis on terrestrial vertebrate animals and terrestrial communities. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.
Topic 9: Community and Ecosystem Ecology. Study of the ecological processes that produce and bring about change in the functional structure of communities: dispersal, colonization, population growth, competition. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.
Topic 10: Ecological Studies in a Tropical-Temperate Transition. Survey of the variety of habitats along a transect from southeastern Texas to southwestern Tamaulipas, from the standpoint of experimental field ecology. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.
Topic 11: Ecological and Historical Biogeography. Study of geographic assemblages of organisms, of ecological factors governing distributions, and of historical factors producing differences between ecologically similar regions. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.
Topic 12: Mathematical Ecology. An introduction to the mathematical methods and models used in current ecological theory. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.
Topic 13: Aquatic Entomology. A guide to the taxonomy of aquatic insects and to their use in biomonitoring. Two lecture hours and three laboratory hours a week for one semester. Only one of the following may be counted: Biology 321L, 370C (Topic: Applied Aquatic Entomology), 384K (Topic 13).
Topic 14: Advanced Systematics. Survey of systematic theory and methods, with emphasis on molecular phylogenetics and computational methods. Three lecture hours and three laboratory hours a week for one semester. Additional prerequisite: Biology 458L or the equivalent or consent of instructor.
Topic 15: Insect-Plant Relationships. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.
Topic 16: Molecular Evolution. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.
Topic 17: Behavioral Ecology. Advanced topics in behavioral ecology, considering the following in detail: animal communication, altruism, sexual selection, plant-animal interactions. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.
Topic 19: Natural Resource Management. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.
Topic 20: Recent Advances in Computational Biology. Discussion of current scientific papers, methods, and ideas in computational biology and bioinformatics. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.
Topic 21: Recent Advances in Ecology and Systematics. Discussion of recent scientific papers and their contributions to modern work in systematic and environmental zoology. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.
Topic 22: Advanced Topics in Microbial Ecology. Discussion of current scientific ideas and controversies in microbial ecology, including community and ecosystem perspectives. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.
Topic 23: Invasion Ecology. Overview of the study of biological invasions by nonnative species. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.
Topic 24: Coevolution. Explores the reciprocal evolutionary interactions between species (mutualism, symbiosis, predator-prey, herbivore-host, pathogen-host interactions), within-species interactions (male-female or parent-offspring) as well as interactions between several coevolving partners. Three lecture hours and one discussion hour a week for one semester.
Topic 25: Ecological and Evolutionary Genetics. Introduction to quantitative genetic theory and approaches, with emphasis on experimental methods and analysis. Focuses on current subjects including natural selection, response to selection, genetic constraints, evolvability, local adaptation, linkage mapping, and quantitative trait locus and association mapping. Three lecture hours a week for one semester
Topic 26: Research Proposal Design and Writing. Designed for students preparing grant proposals or postdoctoral grant applications. Students write proposals and submit them to a funding agency. Three lecture hours and one discussion hour per week for one semester.
Topic 27: Python Programming for Biology. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.
Topic 28: The Comparative Method: Evolution, Ecology, and Phylogeny. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.

BIO 384L. Issues in Population Biology.

Analysis at an advanced level of currently active areas of research in population biology. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Offered on the credit/no credit basis only. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser.

BIO 385C. Conservation Genetics.

Genetic attributes of rare plant and animal species, especially as they affect conservation; germ plasm resource conservation in wild and domesticated species. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser.

BIO 385K. Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior: Genetics.

Training in the fields of genetics shown by the topics. Lectures, conference discussion, or lecture and laboratory, depending on topic. Not all topics are offered every year. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser; additional prerequisites vary with the topic.

Topic 1: Developmental Genetics. Discussion of biological processes controlling development, with particular attention to recent experimental investigations. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.
Topic 2: Evolution. Current problems and developments in evolution theory. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Biology 370 and 385K (Topic 2) may not both be counted.
Topic 3: Recent Advances in Population Genetics. Discussion of recent scientific papers and their impact on theory and practice in population genetics. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.
Topic 4: Population Genetics. Dynamics and statistics of genetic populations. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.
Topic 5: Research Design in Biology. Formulation and criticism of research plans; the analysis and interpretation of biological observations. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.
Topic 6: Genomics. Genome structure, organization, and function of model organisms; theory and methodology of genetic and physical mapping; sequencing analysis and annotation; genome duplication and evolution; and ethics for biotechnology and cloning. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Biology 384K (Topic: Genomics) and 385K (Topic 6) may not both be counted.

BIO 386. Topics in Plant Science: Ecology and Evolution.

Three lecture hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser; additional prerequisites vary with the topic.

Topic 1: Biogeography.
Topic 2: Methods of Systematics.
Topic 3: Philosophies of Systematics.
Topic 4: Plant Population Biology Seminar.
Topic 5: Plant Population Ecology Seminar.
Topic 6: Principles and Methods of Plant Monography.
Topic 7: Principles of Pollination Biology.
Topic 8: Global Environmental Change. Global change as it affects terrestrial ecosystems, including feedbacks between ecosystems and the atmosphere. Topics include greenhouse gases and global warming, ozone, biological invasions, and land-use change.
Topic 9: Synantherology.

BIO 386P. Foundations of Plant Biology.

Restricted to students in the plant biology graduate program. Study of foundational ideas across the breadth of plant biology. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Offered on the credit/no credit basis only. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, and consent of the instructor and the graduate adviser.

BIO 387C. Plant Genetics.

Genes, gene systems, linkage systems, and genetic systems in higher plants. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser.

BIO 387D. Biometry.

An introduction to a variety of statistical techniques, including ANOVA, regression, and contingency table analysis. Students analyze their own data. Emphasis on biological applications. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser.

BIO 387E. Plant Speciation.

Nature of species in higher plants, speciation phenomena in plants, natural hybridization, polyploidy, agamospermy, evolution of hybrid complexes. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Biology 363 and 387E may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser.

BIO 287F. Plant Systematics.

Principles of plant taxonomy, as exemplified by families of flowering plants found seasonally around Austin. Two lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser.

BIO 487G. Taxonomic Plant Anatomy.

An advanced course that emphasizes those aspects of plant anatomy that are most reliable and useful for systematic purposes. Three lecture hours and two laboratory hours a week for one semester. Biology 472L and 487G may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser.

BIO 387J. Advanced Plant Anatomy.

Plant anatomy in relation to development and differentiation, systematics, and evolution. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, consent of instructor and the graduate adviser, and concurrent enrollment in Biology 187L.

BIO 387K. Plant Evolution.

The properties of plant populations, considered from genetic and ecological perspectives; mechanisms of evolution within and among populations. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser.

BIO 187L. Laboratory in Advanced Plant Anatomy.

Demonstration of cellular details and tissue systems of plant organs, and instruction on the preparation of plant materials for histological examination. Three laboratory hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, consent of instructor and the graduate adviser, and concurrent enrollment in Biology 387J.

BIO 387M. Reproductive Biology of Flowering Plants.

Pollination biology, breeding systems, and fruit and seed dispersal from evolutionary and ecological vantage points. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser.

BIO 387N. Plant Ecology.

Advanced topics in plant ecology, including evaluation of ecological concepts, aspects of experimental ecology, and the principles of plant distribution. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser.

BIO 187P. Plant Ecology Laboratory.

Demonstrations and experiments stressing plant ecological principles, including laboratory and field exercises. Three laboratory hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, consent of instructor and the graduate adviser, and credit or registration for Biology 387N.

BIO 387R. Population Ecology of Plants.

A combination of lectures and student-led discussions covering major concepts and current literature in plant population ecology. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser.

BIO 387S. Laboratory Methods in Molecular Ecology and Systematics.

An introduction to DNA methods in the study of molecular ecology, systematics, and evolution: DNA isolation and purification; DNA quantification; polymerase chain reaction; restriction fragment length polymorphism; random amplified polymorphic DNA; amplified fragment length polymorphism; cloning; simple sequence repeat (microsatellite) marker development; DNA sequencing; automated sequencing; automated genotyping; phylogenetic and population genetic analyses. Seven laboratory hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser.

BIO 287T. Angiosperm Diversity Laboratory.

Practical experience in recognizing, identifying, and classifying families of flowering plants. Four laboratory hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser.

BIO 388C. Transmembrane Signaling Mechanisms.

Mechanisms by which hormones, light, and other stimuli trigger changes in plant and animal cell metabolism. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Biology 343M and 388C may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser.

BIO 388D. Research Topics in Plant Biology.

An introduction to various fields of plant biology. Students attend seminars, faculty research presentations, and other meetings. Three lecture hours a week for one semester, with additional meeting times to be arranged. Prerequisite: Graduate standing in the School of Biological Sciences.

BIO 388E. Plant Growth and Development.

Emphasis on whole plant physiology, especially growth and development, water relations, and mineral nutrition of vascular plants. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser.

BIO 388J. General Phycology.

Survey of the algae, including significant biological aspects of selected genera, research techniques, and readings in the literature. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Biology 327 and 388J may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, consent of instructor and the graduate adviser, and concurrent enrollment in Biology 188K.

BIO 188K. Laboratory in General Phycology.

Survey of various algal groups, including direct observations of their biology, exposure to research techniques, and instruction in cultural procedures. Three laboratory hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, consent of instructor and the graduate adviser, and concurrent enrollment in Biology 388J.

BIO 388L. Laboratory Studies in Cell Biology: Plant Biology.

Research exercises involving light microscopy, including polarization, phase contrast, Nomarski interference, dark field, fluorescence, and bright-field optics. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy. Hands-on experience with atomic and molecular imaging, including digital image processing and time-lapse video microscopy. One lecture hour and four laboratory hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser.

BIO 388M. Plant Molecular Biology.

Fundamentals of plant molecular biology, including structure and expression of the chloroplast and mitochondrial genomes. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Biology 350M and 388M may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser.

BIO 389. Topics in Plant Science: Cell and Development.

Topic 1: Advanced Studies in Light Microscopy.
Topic 2: Biology of the Blue-green Algae.
Topic 3: Cell Biology Seminar.
Topic 4: Genetic Engineering of Plants: Basic and Applied Aspects. Strategies for isolation and characterization of genes; transfer of genes into plants; basic and applied uses of genetic engineering and the impact on agriculture and the environment.
Topic 5: Medical Plant Chemistry.
Topic 6: Natural Products Chemistry.
Topic 7: Phycology Seminar.
Topic 8: Plant Molecular Biology Seminar.
Topic 9: Seminars in Phytochemistry.
Topic 11: Structure and Function of the Cell Nucleus. Structure of the nuclear envelope and nuclear pores, the assembly and disassembly of the lamin layer, regulation, transport of RNA and protein into and out of the nuclei, RNA and DNA polymerases, topoisomerases, cyclin, aspects of cell nucleus activity.
Topic 12: Advanced Plant Physiology. General principles of mineral nutrition, water relations, metabolic activities, growth and development of green plants.

BIO 389C. Chemistry and Biology of Membranes.

Consideration of the origin and structure of biological membranes at the microscopic and molecular levels; describes membrane function, especially with regard to transport properties. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, Chemistry 339K or the equivalent, and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser.

BIO 389K. Advanced Cell Biology.

Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser.

BIO 390C. Fundamentals of Evolution.

Introduction to major principles and questions in evolutionary biology. Subjects include population genetics, genetic diversity, adaptation, origin of species, phylogenetics, molecular evolution, and macroevolution. Emphasis on identifying open questions, analysis and interpretation of data, and gaining familiarity with the primary scientific literature. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Offered on the letter-grade basis only. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser.

BIO 390D. Fundamentals of Integrative Animal Behavior.

Introduction to major principles and questions in animal behavior with emphasis on why animals behave the way they do. Study of both the proximate and ultimate issues of animal behavior, how it is acquired and regulated, and how it evolved. Emphasis on integration of proximate and ultimate analyses in the various domains in which animals behave. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Offered on the letter-grade basis only. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser.

BIO 390E. Fundamentals of Ecology.

Introduction to major principles and questions in ecology. Subjects may include individual ecology, population dynamics, species interactions, mathematical models of ecological processes, community ecology, and ecosystem dynamics. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Offered on the letter-grade basis only. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser.

BIO 890G. Applied Public Health and Medical Microbiology.

One semester (or one summer session) of full-time training in the Texas Department of Health Laboratories, with rotation in the divisions of medical microbiology, mycology, parasitology, virology, sanitary bacteriology, and biologics. Assigned reading and regular meetings with the Department of Health Laboratories staff and the molecular genetics and microbiology faculty. Forty hours of supervised fieldwork a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, consent of instructor and the graduate adviser, and courses in immunology, public health bacteriology, and virology.

BIO 290K. Scanning Electron Microscopy, Theory and Practice.

Theory of scanning electron microscopy and basic principles of instrument design; basic procedures in specimen preparation; hands-on experience. Two lecture hours and six laboratory hours a week for six weeks. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser.

BIO 490M. Electron Microscopy I: Theory and Practice.

An introduction to electron optics; emphasis on basic operation and maintenance of the transmission microscope; theory and practice of basic preparative techniques. Two lecture hours and six laboratory hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser.

BIO 390P. Techniques in Molecular Genetics.

Laboratory training in modern molecular genetics, with emphasis on the manipulation of bacterial plasmid DNA as a model system. DNA purification, gene mapping and cloning, site-directed mutagenesis, polymerase chain reaction, and DNA sequencing. One lecture hour and seven laboratory hours a week for one semester. Biology 368L and 390P may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, consent of instructor and the graduate adviser, and Biology 366.

BIO 391. Grant Writing and Presentation Skills.

Restricted to second-year graduate students in the microbiology and cell and microbiology programs. Preparation of a detailed proposal of the dissertation research goals of each student with a presentation in the form of a short talk. Emphasis on critical evaluation of research aims, methodology, and communication skills. Designed for second-year doctoral students in biology. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Biology 391 and 394 (Topic: Grant Writing and Presentation Skills) may not both be counted. Offered on the letter-grade basis only. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser.

BIO 391K. Cellular Immunology.

Cell-associated immune responses, with emphasis on transplantation, immunity, tumor immunology, delayed hypersensitivity, and acquired cellular resistance. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, consent of instructor and the graduate adviser, and Biology 360K and 160L.

BIO 391P. Advanced Virology.

Replication of and transformation by DNA and RNA animal viruses. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, consent of instructor and the graduate adviser, and Biology 330.

BIO 391R. Advanced Metabolism and Biochemistry of Microorganisms.

Study of the metabolic processes of microorganisms, using a biochemical approach. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Biology 339 and 391R may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser.

BIO 391S. Microbial Genetics.

Molecular biology of nucleic acids; biosynthesis of macromolecules, transfer of genetic material from cell to cell, recombination, mutagenesis, and regulatory mechanisms. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Biology 366 and 391S may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser.

BIO 392. Problems in Host-Parasite Biology.

Topic 1: Current Topics in Virology and Immunology.
Topic 2: Current Topics in Pathogenic Mechanisms.

BIO 392D. DNA Repair.

Broad overview of the repair of DNA in archae, prokaryotes, eukaryotes, and viruses, focusing on the primary research literature, and developing critical thinking and presentation skills. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Biology 392D and Biology 393 (Topic: DNA Repair) may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

BIO 393. Problems in Molecular Genetics.

Topic 1: Current Topics in DNA Transactions.
Topic 2: Current Topics in Fungal and Cell Molecular Biology.
Topic 3: Current Topics in Gene Regulation.

BIO 394. Problems in Microbial Physiology.

Topic 1: Current Topics in Cell Envelope Structure and Functions.
Topic 2: Current Topics in Microbial Signal Transduction.

BIO 394M. Advanced Studies in Microbiology.

In-depth study of microbiology topics. Students read original research papers in addition to text assignments. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser; additional prerequisites vary with the topic.

Topic 1: Advanced Immunology. Studies in cell signaling in the immune system, transgenic and knockout gene analysis, T and B cell selection and maturation, and development of the immune system.
Topic 2: Advanced Microbial Signal Transduction. Studies in molecular and cellular biology of a wide variety of signal transduction systems in diverse microorganisms; the role of signal transduction across biological membranes in allowing cells to recognize and respond to their environment.
Topic 3: Advanced Medical Mycology. Studies in medical mycology and an overview of research involving both the fungal zoopathogen and its host.
Topic 4: Advanced Fungal Cell and Molecular Biology. Studies of the structure, function, and biological activities of fungi, with emphasis on recent advances in research.

BIO 395. Plant Biology: Laboratory Studies in Molecular Biology.

Laboratory experience in modern molecular biology, including cloning using recombinant DNA methods, organelle isolation, purification of eukaryotic DNA and RNA, blot hybridization and transformation. One lecture hour and six laboratory hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing; consent of instructor and the graduate adviser; and one of the following courses: Biology 320, 325, 328, 344, Chemistry 339L.

BIO 395F. Genetics.

Same as Chemistry 395F and Molecular Biology 395F. Basic principles of Mendelian and molecular genetics, and an exploration of the genetic toolbox using examples of analytic methods and modern genetic manipulations. Focus on the genetic analysis of model organisms. Use of genetic tools in dissecting complex biological pathways, developmental processes, and regulatory systems. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing. An introductory course in genetics, such as Biology 325, is strongly recommended.

BIO 395G. Structure and Function of Proteins and Membranes.

Same as Biochemistry 395G and Molecular Biology 395G. Detailed consideration of the structure and function of proteins, with discussion of enzyme mechanisms and kinetics, the biochemistry of energy production, and the metabolism of lipids and nucleotides. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Only one of the following may be counted: Biochemistry 395G, Biology 395G, Chemistry 395G, Molecular Biology 395G. Prerequisite: Graduate standing; a one-year undergraduate sequence in biochemistry, such as Chemistry 339K and 339L, is strongly recommended.

BIO 395H. Cell Biology.

Same as Chemistry 395H and Molecular Biology 395H. Detailed consideration of mechanisms of growth control, cell cycle regulation, mitosis, cell signaling, protein targeting, and the integration of these processes. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing; and consent of instructor or Biology 395F and 395G, Chemistry 395F and 395G, Molecular Biology 395F and 395G.

BIO 395J. Genes, Genomes, and Gene Expression.

Same as Biochemistry 395J and Molecular Biology 395J. Detailed consideration of prokaryotic and eukaryotic mechanisms of DNA replication and transcription; posttranscriptional processing of transcription products; and mechanism and regulation of the translation of messenger RNAs. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Only one of the following may be counted: Biochemistry 395J, Biology 395J, Chemistry 395J, Molecular Biology 395J. Prerequisite: Graduate standing; and Biology 395F and 395G, or Chemistry 395F and 395G, or Molecular Biology 395F and 395G, or consent of instructor.

BIO 395M. Advanced Microbiology.

Restricted to microbiology students. Prokaryotic and lower eukaryote genome organization; control of gene/operon/regulon expression; chromosome replication and its control; signal transduction; protein trafficking; organelle assembly; the cell cycle and its control; developmental processes; cell to cell communication; and DNA polymorphisms and adaption. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser.

BIO 396. Membranes and Walls of Bacteria.

Structure, biosynthesis, and function of bacterial envelopes and walls, including associated optional components. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, consent of instructor and the graduate adviser, and a course in general microbiology and a course in general biochemistry.

BIO 396R. Microbiology Research Seminar.

Students present their research findings and receive feedback from faculty and peers. Designed to help students refine their presentation techniques, practice giving critical feedback, and gain familiarity with a wide variety of research topics. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

BIO 197. Seminar in Microbiology.

One lecture hour a week for one semester. Required of all molecular genetics and microbiology majors. May be repeated for credit. Offered on the credit/no credit basis only. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser.

BIO 397J. Advanced Genetics.

Intended mainly for first- and second-year graduate students. Selected related topics of current interest with an emphasis on molecular developmental genetics, and any needed review of classical genetics. Designed to help the student to read the literature critically, deliver a good seminar, and participate in thoughtful discussion. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. May not be counted toward the doctoral degree in microbiology. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, consent of instructor and the graduate adviser, and a course in genetics.

BIO 698. Thesis.

The equivalent of three lecture hours a week for two semesters. Offered on the credit/no credit basis only. For 698A, graduate standing in the School of Biological Sciences and consent of the graduate adviser; for 698B, Biology 698A or the equivalent.

BIO 398R. Master's Report.

Preparation of a report to fulfill the requirement for the master's degree under the report option. The equivalent of three lecture hours a week for one semester. Offered on the credit/no credit basis only. Prerequisite: Graduate standing in the School of Biological Sciences and consent of the graduate adviser.

BIO 398T. Supervised Teaching in Biological Sciences.

Teaching under the close supervision of course instructors; weekly group meetings with the instructor, individual consultations, and reports throughout the teaching period. The equivalent of three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and appointment as a teaching assistant.

BIO 399R, 699R, 999R. Dissertation.

Offered on the credit/no credit basis only. Prerequisite: Admission to candidacy for the doctoral degree.

BIO 399W, 699W, 999W. Dissertation.

May be repeated for credit. Offered on the credit/no credit basis only. Prerequisite: Biology 399R, 699R, 999R, or the equivalent.