Upper Division Courses in Biology
BIOL 300 Biometrics (4)
Prerequisites: Grade of C or higher in BIOL 100C; MATH 105 for Biology and Microbiology majors and MATH 104B for other majors. Statistical analysis applied to biological problems, with emphasis on sampling, experimental design, chi-square analysis, t-test, analysis of variance, regression analysis, and correlation analysis. Lecture 3 hours, laboratory 3 hours.
BIOL 320 Writing for Biologists (4)
Prerequisites: BIOL 300, satisfactory completion of the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR). Introduction to writing skills and techniques necessary for presentation of biological information; intensive practice in writing abstracts, reports, reviews, and other forms of scientific papers. Lecture 2 hours, activity 6 hours.
BIOL 340 General Genetics (4)
Prerequisite: BIOL 300. Principles of classical and molecular genetics as demonstrated in plants, animals, and microorganisms; emphasis on mechanisms of inheritance, structure of genetic material, breeding experiments with suitable organisms, analysis and interpretation of data. Lecture 3 hours, laboratory 3 hours.
BIOL 341N Evolution of Earth and Life through Time (4) (also listed as GEOL 341)
Prerequisite: Completion of Basic Subjects (Block A) and one course from Block B. Evolution of prehistoric life and geological features of the earth. Catastrophic extinctions of dinosaurs and other life forms. The drifting, rifting, colliding continents. Ice ages, volcanoes, earthquakes, and mountain building. No credit for Biology major or minor. GE Theme G
BIOL 355N Scientific Perspectives on Global Change (4) (also listed as CHEM 355N and GEOL 355)
Prerequisite: Completion of Basic Subjects (Block A) and one course in Block B. Natural and human-induced origins of global change; alteration of earth’s natural cycles; impacts of climate change and loss of physical and biological resources; achieving a sustainable future. Lecture 4 hours. No credit toward Biology major or minor. GE Theme G
BIOL 360 General Ecology (4)
Prerequisite: BIOL 300. Relationships of plants and animals to their environment and to each other; ecophysiology, population growth, species interactions, ecological communities, and ecosystems. Lecture 3 hours, laboratory and field work 3 hours.
BIOL 380 Cell Biology (4)
Prerequisites: BIOL 100C, CHEM 301A. Structure and function of the cell surface, membranes, organelles, and of the cytosol; control of information flow and of metabolism. Lecture 3 hours, laboratory 3 hours.
BIOL 384N Biology of Human Aging (4)
Prerequisites: Completion of Basic Subjects (Block A) and one course from Block B. Age-related changes in human physiology and anatomy at the molecular, cellular, and organismal levels; relationship of late-onset disease to the aging process. No credit toward Biology Major or Minor. GE Theme F
BIOL 388N Sex and Gender (4) (also listed as PSY 388)
Prerequisite: Completion of Basic Subjects (Block A) and one course from Block B. Biological and psychological differences between the sexes; topics include genetics of sexual determination, sexual development and anomalies, hormones in physiology and behavior, measurement of gender, psychological differences in behavior. No credit toward Biology or minor. GE Theme C
BIOL 396 Honors Thesis (1–3)
Prerequisites: Upper division standing, 40 units in the major, ENGL 102, admission to Biology Honors Program. Independent research in culminating in a written thesis, seminar presentation, and oral defense. Must be repeated until 5 units have been completed, after which no additional units may be taken. Graded CR/NC.
BIOL 398 Cooperative Education (1-4)
Prerequisites: Courses appropriate to the work experience: approval by major department Cooperative Education coordinator. Integration of work experience with academic program, individually planned through coordinator. Minimum of 10 hours per week required for each unit. Graded CR/NC.
400-level Courses
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.
BIOL 402 Electron Microscopy (4)
Prerequisite: CHEM 301A, senior standing in a biological or physical science major, instructor consent. Theory of electron microscopy; practical experience in the preparation of biological and physical materials for examination and operation of transmission and scanning electron microscope. Lecture 1 hour, laboratory 9 hours.
BIOL 408 Experimental Design and Advanced Biometry (4)
Prerequisite: BIOL 300. Experimental design in statistical procedures, advanced topics in analysis of variance, linear and nonlinear regression analysis, covariance; introduction to multivariate techniques used in biological research. Lecture 3 hours, laboratory 3 hours.
BIOL 412 Human Genetics (4)
Prerequisite: BIOL 340. Overview of the latest developments in human genetics from the discovery of human disease genes to interpretation of the latest Human Genome Project data. Discussion of major human genetic disorders.
BIOL 413 Molecular Diagnostics (4)
Prerequisites: BIOL 380 or MICR 401 or CHEM 431A and CHEM 431C (may be taken concurrently). Biological and technical aspects of molecular approaches to diagnosis of disease. Recommended for individuals considering careers in either clinical or research applications of biotechnology. Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 6 hours.
BIOL 414 Cytogenetics (4)
Prerequisite: BIOL 340 . Physical basis of heredity in plants, animals, and humans; structure, function, number, and behavior of chromosomes in normal and abnormal conditions.
BIOL 415 Population Genetics (4)
Prerequisite: BIOL 340. Forces that shape the genetic structure of populations; random genetic drift; mutation; natural selection; inbreeding; assortative mating; molecular evolution; quantitative genetics; ecological genetics. Lecture 3 hours, laboratory 3 hours.
BIOL 416 Molecular Genetics (4)
Prerequisites: BIOL 340, CHEM 301A. The structure and function of genes and genomes. Topics include the assembly and analysis of genomes, the regulation of genome expression, replication and repair.
BIOL 417 Gene Manipulation (4)
Prerequisites: BIOL 340 or MICR 340; BIOL 380 or CHEM 431AB and 432A. Genetic engineering and its application in molecular biology and biotechnology.
BIOL 418 Evolution (4)
Prerequisite: BIOL 340. Genetic and ecological bases of evolutionary changes in animals and plants; microevolution, speciation, and macroevolution.
BIOL 420 Global Change (4)
Prerequisites: BIOL 300, 320, 360; CHEM 103. Considers major transformations in the Earth's interlinked physical and biological environments, the causes of these changes (both anthropogenic and natural), and their likely consequence for the Earth's biological systems. Lecture 4 hrs, Laboratory 0 hrs.
BIOL 422 Vertebrate Structure and Function (5)
Prerequisite: BIOL 100C with grade of C or higher. Evolution of vertebrate structure and functional morphology; evolutionary adaptations of vertebrates presented in a phylogenetic text. Lecture 3 hours, laboratory 6 hours.
BIOL 424 General Embryology (4)
Prerequisites: Grade of C or higher in BIOL 100C; CHEM 301C. Molecular biology of genetic programming, cellular events of early embryogenesis, mechanisms of differentiation, and elements of organogenesis. Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 6 hours.
BIOL 425 Plant Anatomy (4)
Prerequisite: Grade of C or higher in BIOL 100C. Microscopic structure of vascular plants with emphasis on organization and functioning of meristems; structure, function, and differentiation of cells and tissues; development and comparative anatomy of stem, leaf, and root. Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 6 hours.
BIOL 429 Animal Histology (5)
Prerequisite: Grade of C or higher in BIOL 100C. Basic structural, chemical, and physiological aspects of tissues, recent advances in histological technology; traditional microscopic study of tissues and organs, primarily mammalian. Lecture 3 hours, laboratory 6 hours.
BIOL 430 Plant Physiology I (5)
Prerequisites: Grade of C or higher in BIOL 100C; CHEM 103. Growth and development, growth regulation, plant-water relations, mineral nutrition, photosynthesis and respiration. Lecture 3 hours, laboratory 6 hours.
BIOL 431 Plant Physiology II (4)
Prerequisite: BIOL 430. Ecological physiology of plants: physiological adaptations to stress, seasonal environmental changes, aquatic and various terrestrial habitats. Lecture 4 hours.
BIOL 432 Fundamentals of Toxicology (4)
Prerequisites: BIOL 380, CHEM 301C, 302B. A Survey of important drugs and environmental toxicants; absorption, distribution metabolism, and excretion of drugs and toxic compounds; mechanisms of toxic action; human and ecological risk assessment. Lecture 3 hrs, Laboratory 3 hrs.
BIOL 433 Animal Physiology I (4)
Prerequisite: BIOL 380. Physiological phenomena at the organismic level. Muscular, nervous, endocrine, and reproductive systems; laboratory techniques and principles. Lecture 3 hours, laboratory 3 hours.
BIOL 434 Animal Physiology II (4)
Prerequisite: BIOL 380. Physiological phenomena at organismic level; digestive, respiratory, excretory, and circulatory systems. Laboratory techniques and principles. Lecture 3 hours, laboratory 3 hours.
BIOL 435 Neurobiology: Neuroanatomy (4)
Prerequisite: BIOL 380. Gross and Microscopic structure of the mammalian nervous system, organizational aspects, classical lesions and deficits.
BIOL 436 Neurobiology: Neurophysiology (4)
Prerequisite: BIOL 380. Basic cellular physiology of the vertebrate nervous system.
BIOL 437 Advanced Cell Physiology (4)
Prerequisite: BIOL 380. A topical course on cellular phenomena such as information flow, bioenergetics, control mechanisms, motility phenomena, and molecular behavior of reactive surfaces. Lecture 3 hours, laboratory 3 hours.
BIOL 439 Endocrinology (4)
Prerequisite: BIOL 380. Anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, and molecular biology of the endocrine system. Includes in depth consideration of the mechanisms regulating hormone production, synthesis, and action.
BIOL 440 Taxonomy of Angiosperms (4)
Prerequisite: Grade of C or higher in BIOL 100C. Identification, classification, and nomenclature of angiosperms; speciation and population structure. Lecture 2 hours, laboratory or field work 6 hours; weekend field trips may be required.
BIOL 444 Drug Discovery and Development (4) (also listed as CHEM 444)
Prerequisite: CHEM 301C and either BIOL 380 or CHEM 435 or CHEM 431A. An overview of the process of drug discovery and development, with an emphasis on academic and industrial research methodology.
BIOL 448 Molecular Biology of the Brain (4)
Prerequisite: BIOL 380. A study of the molecules of the nervous system and their roles in neural function. Lecture 4 hrs.
BIOL 449 Neurobiology of Development (4)
Prerequisite: BIOL 380. To understand current concepts of and experimental approaches to the development of the nervous system; as well as the maintenance and remodeling of neuronal connections. Lecture 4 hrs.
BIOL 451 Ornithology (4)
Prerequisite: Grade of C or higher in BIOL 100C. Taxonomy, distribution, physiology, life history, ecology, and behavior of birds. Lecture 2 hours, laboratory and field work 6 hours.
BIOL 454L,P Special Topics in Biology (1–4)
Prerequisites: Upper division standing, others as needed for specific topic. Topics of current interest in biology as announced in Schedule of Classes. May be repeated to maximum of 16 units.
BIOL 455 Mammalogy (4)
Prerequisite: Grade of C or higher in BIOL 100C. Taxonomy, distribution, ecology, and physiology of mammals. Lecture 2 hours, laboratory and field work 6 hours.
BIOL 457 Marine Invertebrate Zoology (5)
Prerequisite: Grade of C or higher in BIOL 100C. Taxonomy, phylogeny, and natural history of major marine invertebrates taxa; laboratory work emphasizes species from local fauna and those of economic importance. Lecture 3 hours, laboratory 6 hours.
BIOL 462 Plant Ecology (4)
Prerequisite: BIOL 360. Plants and plant communities in relation to physical and biotic environments, ecophysiology, demography, species interactions, community structure, and ecosystem function. Lecture 3 hours, laboratory and/or field work 3 hours.
BIOL 465 Issues in Environmental Biology (4)
Prerequisites: BIOL 100C, CHEM 103. A review of crucial issues in environmental biology.
BIOL 470 Conservation Biology (4)
Prerequisite: BIOL 360. Biological diversity of animals and plants; genetics and ecology of small populations; protection and management of threatened species and communities. Lecture 3 hours, laboratory or field work 3 hours.
BIOL 472 Marine Ecology (4)
Prerequisite: BIOL 360. Population and community ecology of major habitats in marine environment; lecture emphasizes contemporary theories in marine ecology; laboratory offers practical field experience. Lecture 3 hours, laboratory or field work 3 hours.
BIOL 473 Molecular Ecology (4)
Prerequisite: BIOL 360. Applications of molecular tools to the study of ecology and evolution. Includes consideration of techniques, analytical methods, and case studies in conservation genetics, population genetics, and environmental science.
BIOL 476 Physiological Animal Ecology (4)
Prerequisite: BIOL 380. Physiological responses of animals in various environments; emphasis on energetics and thermal relationships of animals. Lecture 3 hours, laboratory 3 hours.
BIOL 480 Modeling Biological Systems (4) (also listed as MATH 480)
Prerequisites: minimum grade of C in MATH 205 or in both MATH 215 and MATH 255. Modeling techniques applied to biological systems. Topics include nonlinear dynamics, stochastic models, compartmental and spatial models, parameter estimation, methods of model evaluation, modeling complexities.
BIOL 499 Undergraduate Directed Study (1–4)
Prerequisites: Consent of full-time faculty member in consultation with department chair, grade point average of 2.5 or higher. Project must be approved before registration. Student must have ability to assume responsibility for independent research and analysis. Regular discussion of progress with sponsor before presentation of final written report. Graded CR/NC.
Note: This information was taken from the University Catalog.