Graduate Level Courses in Biology
All 400-level courses may be applied toward master’s degree requirements except the following, subject to limits established by the department and approval of the graduate adviser: BIOL 499 and all courses with the suffix N. Classified graduate standing is required for admission to all 500 level courses.
BIOL 500 Graduate Orientation (1)
Requirements and expectations of the M.S. degree program in Biology, introduction to good practices of laboratory science and research, future career paths. Must be taken during the first quarter of the degree program. Graded CR/NC.
BIOL 501 Seminar: Development of Biological Concepts (3)
Impact of great concepts in biological science on human thought and activities and on present day understanding. May be repeated once for credit as subject matter changes.
BIOL 503 Seminar: Special Topics in Microbiology (3)
Prerequisite: Instructor consent. Special topics of current interest in microbiology as announced in Schedule of Classes. May be repeated, as subject matter changes, to maximum of 9 units.
BIOL 510 Seminar: Biology (1)
Attendance at regular departmental seminar program: participation in seminar training program with course instructor; presentation of a departmental seminar. Graded CR/NC.
BIOL 511 Seminar: Environmental Science (1) (also listed as ENVS 511)
Attendance at regular seminar program; participation in seminar training program with course instructor; presentation of a seminar. Graded CR/NC. May be repeated to a maximum of 2 units.
BIOL 515 Seminar: Genetics (3)
Prerequisite: BIOL 340. Recent developments in various fields of genetics. May be repeated once for credit as subject matter changes.
BIOL 516 Microbial Genetics (3)
Prerequisite: BIOL 340. Concepts of microbial genetics, including dissociation, transformation, transduction, gene transfer, and biochemical mutation; laboratory techniques, practical aspects such as antibiotic resistance. Lecture 3 hours.
BIOL 517 Seminar: Gene Manipulation (3)
Prerequisites: BIOL 417; instructor consent. Critical evaluation and communication of recent literature in molecular biology. May be repeated to maximum of 6 units.
BIOL 518 Biotechnology Skills Laboratory I (5)
Prerequisite: MICR 430 or CHEM 431 ABC or instructor consent. A project team based course that covers various stages of generic drug discovery process.
BIOL 519 Genetic Engineering Laboratory (8)
Prerequisites: BIOL 417; BIOL 380; CHEM 431ABC; instructor consent. Introduction to basic techniques. Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 18 hours.
BIOL 520 Seminar: Advanced Immunology (3)
Prerequisite: Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Advanced principles and concepts of immunology, fundamental biological significance of the immune reaction.
BIOL 522 Seminar: Morphology (3)
Advanced studies in animal or plant morphology, with emphasis on evolutionary and environmental adaptations. May be repeated to maximum of 6 units as topic changes.
BIOL 525 Seminar: Developmental Biology (3)
Prerequisites: BIOL 380, instructor consent. Discussion of recent advances in the field of plant and/or animal embryonic and postembryonic development. May be repeated to maximum of 6 units as topic changes.
BIOL 530 Advanced Microbial Physiology (3)
Prerequisite: Consent of graduate adviser. Biochemical aspects of microbial physiology and metabolism, with special emphasis on recent advances in field.
BIOL 534 Seminar: Systems Physiology (3)
Prerequisite: BIOL 380. Advanced study in various areas of systems physiology. May be repeated to maximum of 6 units as subject matter changes.
BIOL 535 Seminar: Biology of Human Aging (4)
Prerequisites: BIOL 380 for Biology graduate students; BIOL 384N for students in the Graduate Certificate Program in Applied Gerontology. Advanced study of selected topics related to the anatomical, biochemical and physiological changes that occur during the aging process. May be repeated by Biology graduate students to a maximum of 8 units.
BIOL 537 Seminar: Endocrinology (3)
Prerequisite: BIOL 437. Discussion of current topics and trends in endocrine physiology. May be repeated to maximum of 6 units as subject matter changes.
BIOL 538 Seminar: Environmental Physiology (3)
A course in animal or plant physiology. Mechanism and specialization of animals or plants as related to their environment. May be repeated once for credit as subject matter changes.
BIOL 539 Seminar: Cell Biology (3)
Prerequisites: BIOL 380, CHEM 431C. Major cell functions considered primarily from standpoint of causative and control mechanisms. May be repeated once for credit as subject matter changes.
BIOL 540 Seminar: Biological Systematics (3)
Prerequisites: A course in genetics, statistics, and either a botany or zoology systematics course. Fundamental concepts and problems in definition and recognition of species and higher taxa, and the special experimental or biometric techniques used. May be repeated to maximum of 6 units as subject matter changes.
BIOL 559 Seminar: Foundations of Ecology (3)
Reading and discussions of the historical origins of contemporary ecological concepts. Course provides experience in reading and interpreting scientific literature. Acquaints students with foundation concepts of the discipline.
BIOL 560 Workshop in Environmental Science (4)
Prerequisite: BIOL 360. Advanced studies in ecological relationships of plants and animals; hypothesis testing in theory and practice; student-led class, field and/or laboratory research projects involving data gathering, analysis and synthesis. May be repeated once for credit. Lecture 2 hours, laboratory/field work 6 hours.
BIOL 561 Seminar: Professional Development in Environmental Science (4)
A survey of techniques and conventions for writing scientific manuscripts, preparation of a prospectus, grantsmanship, presentation, and peer review. Seminar 2 hours, laboratory 6 hours.
BIOL 562 Advanced Topics in Plant Ecology (3)
Prerequisite: BIOL 462. Analysis of selected plant communities to determine structure, pattern, and interrelationships; discussion of current theories, problems, and methods of vegetational sampling, analysis, and synthesis. Lecture 2 hours, laboratory and/or field work 3 hours.
BIOL 563 Seminar: Ecology (3)
Prerequisite: BIOL 360. Recent advances and current research in ecology. May be repeated once for credit.
BIOL 575 Seminar: Animal Behavior (3)
Prerequisite: BIOL 475. Current topics in animal behavior, with emphasis on origin and ecological significance of behavioral patterns. May be repeated for credit to maximum of 6 units as subject matter changes.
BIOL 580 Seminar: Microbiology (1)
Attendance at departmental seminar program; participation in seminar training; presentation of a satisfactory departmental seminar. Must be repeated to maximum of 3 units. Graded CR/NC.
BIOL 594 Graduate Thesis Prospectus (1)
Prerequisites: admission to the M.S. program in Biological Sciences, consent of research advisor, establishment of thesis committee. Directed literature research and writing culminating in thesis research prospectus. Must be taken no later than the third quarter after joining a research laboratory and before enrolling in BIOL 597 and BIOL 599. May not be repeated. Graded CR/NC.
BIOL 595 Individual Research in Gene Manipulation (4)
Prerequisites: BIOL 517, 519. Laboratory research project conducted in approved on- or off-campus laboratory. Graded CR/NC.
BIOL 597 Graduate Research (1–6)
Prerequisites: BIOL 594, approval of program committee. Conducting research toward master’s degree. Must be repeated until 6 units have been completed, after which no additional units may be taken. Graded CR/NC.
BIOL 598 Graduate Directed Study (1-4)
Prerequisites: Consent o instructor to act as sponsor and approval of graduate program by department. Directed study of advanced topics in the biological sciences. Assigned readings, conferences, lectures, seminars, and research. Graded CR/NC. May be repeated twice for credit. Units may not be used toward a M.S. degree in Biology.
BIOL 599 Thesis (1–9)
Prerequisites: BIOL 594, advancement to candidacy, instructor consent to act as sponsor. Independent research culminating in a written thesis, seminar presentation, and oral defense. Must be repeated until 9 units have been completed, after which no additional units may be taken. Graded CR/NC.
Note: This information was taken from the University Catalog.