Graduate Catalog 2012-2013
Course Descriptions
All course descriptions indicate in parentheses the number of credit hours, lecture hours, and laboratory hours per week. For example: ACCT 555 (3-3-0). The first number within the parenthesis indicates the credit hours (3) for the course; the second number indicates the number of lecture hours (3) per week; and the third number indicates the number of lab hours per week (0).
Department of Biological Sciences
BIOL 610 (3-3-0)
Endocrinology:
A comprehensive study of anatomy, physiology, and patho-physiology of endocrine glands in animals with particular emphasis on humans. The course will examine the current research on hormone-related problems in humans such as stress that leads to cardiovascular and gastroenteric diseases. |
BIOL 620 (1-1-2)
Seminar:
Presentations by faculty, students, and visiting scientists on current research in various specialty areas of biology. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. |
BIOL 630 (3-3-0)
Topics in Biology:
Studies of current topics in various areas of biology, with emphasis on significant advancements. |
BIOL 640 (3-3-0)
Comparative Physiology:
A comparative study of the organ systems of vertebrates and the physiological processes involved in maintaining the homeostasis. |
BIOL 650 (3-3-2)
Communities and Ecosystems:
A study of interactions between species, community structure, nutrient and energy flow in ecosystems, and geographical ecology. |
BIOL 660 (3-3-0)
Evolution:
A study of the history of life, evolutionary relationships among organisms, mechanisms of evolution, and speciation. |
BIOL 670 (3-2-2)
Physiology:
An analysis of the functions of major organ systems, especially in mammals, with attention to and discussions of current research articles published in the American Journal of Physiology. |
BIOL 680 (3-2-2)
Radiation Biology:
A study of the procedures and applications of the principles of atomic radiation, including methods, means of detection, measurement, and utilization in research. |
BIOL 690 (1-1-0)
Research and Thesis:
Independent investigation work on an approved program reported in a prescribed written form. A total of six (6) credit hours required, taken in blocks of (1) to (6) hours. |
BIOL 899 (0-0-0)
Thesis Non-Credit:
This course is required for students that have completed their course work and the number of thesis hours for credit required in their graduate degree program. Students who will continue to use University resources in completing their thesis must enroll in this course. |
BOTN 620 (3-2-2)
Advanced Botany:
A study of the metabolism of plant growth and morphogenesis with special emphasis on such aspects as plant hormones, tropisms, water relations, circadian rhythms, and phytochrome, as well as on the field characteristics, collection, and identification of vascular plants, with intensive study of selected families and genera. |
BOTN 630 (3-2-2)
Plant Development:
A study of the developmental anatomy of seed plants, including examinations of the seed structure, seedling development, ontogeny and structure of the primary body, secondary body, flowers, and fruits. |
BOTN 640 (3-2-2)
Advanced Microbiology:
A study of the taxonomic, morphological, cultural, and physiological characteristics of important groups of heterotrophic microorganisms, such as the spore forming group, the pseudomonades, the staphylococcusmicrococcus group, and the enteric forms, with emphasis on the isolation, characterization, and study of groups of heterotrophic microorganisms. |
BOTN 650 (3-2-2)
Plant Genetics and Genomics:
This course is a graduate level course intended to acquaint the student with recent advances in plant genomics and statistical genomics with applications to agriculture. Principles and methods for constructing genetic maps comprised of molecular and other genetic markers, and methods for mapping genes underlying phenotypically complex traits are studied. Methods of DNA sequencing, physical mapping, genomic libraries construction, and positional cloning are also discussed. |
ZOOL 570 (3-2-2)
General Entomology:
A study of the morphology, life cycles, physiology, ecology, and behavior of hexapods, with course format including two lectures/discussions and two laboratory hours a week, and with laboratory studies devoted to insect identification, insect physiology, ecology, insect behavior, and individual student projects. |
ZOOL 585 (3-2-2)
Introduction to Parasitology:
A study of the morphology, life cycles, and classification of parasites of various hosts, with course format including two lectures and two laboratory hours a week, and with laboratory studies devoted to the methods for the collection, culture, and microscopic preparation of parasitological materials. |
ZOOL 610 (3-3-0)
Advanced Genetics:
A lecture class to study the genomics, genetic analysis, gene expression and regulation, genetic mechanisms of evolutionary change, and genetic technologies. |
ZOOL 630 (3-2-2)
Advanced Developmental Biology:
An advanced study of animal development, with emphasis on physiological and biochemical aspects, and with laboratory periods devoted to experimental work, literature reviews, and discussions. |