BIOLOGY (BIOL)

Biology Courses for Non-Majors

BIOL 1370 Survey of Life Science. Three semester hours.

A basic introductory course stressing fundamental biological principles and concepts. It is designed to acquaint the future elementary teacher with the various structures, functions, life histories, and occurrence of local plants and animals. Must be taken concurrently with BIOL 1170. Required for elementary education certification. Not for students majoring or minoring in science. Fulfills the laboratory science core curriculum requirement.

BIOL 1170 Survey of Life Science Laboratory. One semester hour.

Laboratory course to accompany BIOL 1370. Must be taken concurrently with BIOL 1370. Required for elementary education certification. Not for students majoring or minoring in science. Fulfills the laboratory science core curriculum requirement. Laboratory fee: $15.00

BIOL 1411 Man and Environment. Four semester hours.

Examination of current environmental issues affecting humans. Discussion of cause and effect of environmental degradation with emphasis on culturally compatible solutions. Laboratory section required. Carries no credit for biology majors. Fulfills laboratory science core curriculum requirement. Laboratory fee: $15.00.

BIOL 2401 Anatomy and Physiology I Four semester hours.

A study of the structure and function of the human body including cells, tissues, and organs of the following systems: integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous system and special senses. Prerequisites: consult your departmental advisor or obtain instructors permission. Carries no credit for biology majors. Lecture/laboratory. Laboratory fee $15.00.

BIOL 2402 Anatomy and Physiology II Four semester hours.

A continuation of BIOL 2401 that includes endocrine, circulatory, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems. Other topics include metabolism, acid-base balance, development, and heredity. Prerequisites: BIOL 2401 . Carries no credit for biology majors. Lecture/Laboratory. Laboratory fee: $15.00.

BIOL 3411 Natural History of South Texas. Four semester hours.

An exploration of the animals and plants in the Tamaulipan Biotic Province. Will include a study of regional geology and its influence on the biota. Saturday field trips required. Prerequisites: interest and curiosity. Fulfills the laboratory science core curriculum requirement. Laboratory fee: $15.00.

Biology Courses for Majors

BIOL 1406 General Biology I Four semester hours.

This course is designed to introduce biology majors to the evolution, diversity, and ecology of life. Concurrent enrollment in CHEM 1411 or CHEM 1405 is strongly recommended. Required for all biology majors. Laboratory/lecture. Fulfills the laboratory science core requirement. Laboratory fee: $15.00.

BIOL 1407 General Biology II Four semester hours.

A study of the basic principles of Biology. Topics will include biochemistry, cell structure and function, photosynthesis and respiration, DNA structure and function, mitosis, meiosis, and Mendelian genetics. Prerequisite: CHEM 1411 or CHEM 1405. Required for biology majors. Laboratory/lecture. Fulfills the laboratory science core requirement. Laboratory fee $15.00.

BIOL 2404 Animal Physiology Four semester hours.

An in-depth study of functions and mechanisms related to homeostasis, energetics, temperature and fluid regulation, and nervous and hormonal control. Prerequisites: BIOL 1407, CHEM 1411 , CHEM 2423 . Lecture/laboratory. Laboratory fee: $15.00.

BIOL 2406 Environmental Biology Four semester hours.

A consideration of the biological problems of population expansion, environmental destruction, and resource conservation. Laboratories include environmental quality testing/monitoring. Prerequisites: BIOL 1407, or by permission of the instructor. Laboratory fee: $15.00.

BIOL 2410 Plant Physiology Four semester hours.

A study of physiology of plants with emphasis on nitrogen metabolism, respiration, mineral nutrition, photosynthesis, physiological effects of hormones and photoperiodism, and growth. Prerequisites: BIOL 1407. CHEM 2423 is strongly recommended. Lecture/laboratory. Laboratory fee: $15.00.

BIOL 2420 General Microbiology Four semester hours.

A survey of microbiology. Topics include structure, growth, reproduction, metabolism, genetics, and taxonomy of microorganisms; a survey of microorganisms of soil, water, foods, and industry. Prerequisites: BIOL 1407 and either CHEM 1406 or CHEM 1411. Prerequisite for nursing students: BIOL 2402 and CHEM 1406. Lecture /laboratory. Laboratory fee: $15.00.

BIOL 3406 Evolution Four semester hours.

Genetic and ecological basis of evolutionary changes within populations of plants and animals. Historical, morphological, biochemical, behavioral, and biogeograhical evidence will be considered. A three hour discussion section is required. Prerequisite: twelve hours of biology, or permission of the instructor.

BIOL 3407 Animal Behavior. Four semester hours.

An evolutionary perspective of behavioral diversity in animals. Topics covered will include the genetics of behavior and levels of selection, predator/prey interactions, mating systems, parental care, resource competition, feeding ecology, communication, social behavior, and learning. Students will begin developing and testing their own hypotheses in animal behavior. Field work required. Prerequisite: twelve hours of biology. BIOL 3406 recommended. Laboratory fee: $15.00.

BIOL 3410 Ecology. Four semester hours.

A study of inter-relationships of plants and animals and their natural environment. Topics include distribution and abundance of plants and animals with respect to population, community, and ecosystem structure and function. Emphasis will be placed on local flora, and fauna. Extensive field work required. Prerequisite: twelve hours of biology, or permission of the instructor. Required for biology majors. Laboratory fee: $15.00.

BIOL 3412 Cell Biology. Four semester hours.

An introduction to the structure and function of eukaryotic cells. Emphasis is placed on the biochemical and biological characteristics of macromolecules and organelles. The major experimental tools used in modern biology are presented in the context of research. Topics include membranes, structure and function of proteins, energy conversion, the maintenance of cellular compartments, and transmembrane and cell-cell signaling. May be taken concurrently with prerequisites. Prerequisites: twelve hours of biology, CHEM 2423 and CHEM 2425. Laboratory fee: $15.00.

BIOL 3413 Genetics. Four semester hours.

A study of genes and heredity. Topics include Mendelian genetics, sex linkage, DNA structure and function, gene mapping, mutation, regulation of gene expression, and developmental genetics. Prerequisites: twelve hours of biology, and CHEM 2425. Required for biology majors. Laboratory fee: $15.00.

BIOL 3414 Invertebrate Zoology. Four semester hours.

Study of the comparative morphology, evolution, systematics, and natural history of the invertebrates. Emphasis will be place on local fauna. Field work required; including one weekend field trip to the Gulf of Mexico. Prerequisites: eight hours of biology. Laboratory fee: $15.00.

BIOL 4170 Biology Seminar. One semester hour.

A study of current biological literature and the discussion of research in progress. May be repeated when topic changes. Required of all biology majors in their junior or senior year.

BIOL 4309 Experimental Design and Analysis. Three semester hours.

An introduction to problems in experimental design. Emphasis on hypothesis generation and testing, critical thinking skills, data collection, management, and analysis. Practice in critical analysis of methods and design, and interpretation of results from selected publications. Prerequisites: senior standing and permission of the instructor.

BIOL 4310 Vector-Borne Diseases. Three semester hours.

An introduction to diseases of humans and animals that are transmitted by arthropods. Topics will include epidemiology of disease incidence, biology of vectors, pathogen/parasite biology, disease transmission cycles, and impact on human and animal health. Prerequisites: senior standing and permission of the instructor.

BIOL 4401 Plant Taxonomy. Four semester hours.

Principles and practices in the classification and identification of flowering plants. Classical herbarium techniques will be presented as well as current systematic techniques such as DNA fingerprinting, phytochemistry, and cladistic analysis via computer programs. One weekend field trip required. Prerequisite: twelve hours of biology, or permission of the instructor. Laboratory fee: $15.00.

BIOL 4402 Mammalogy. Four semester hours.

A tudy of anatomy, evolution, distribution, systematics, ecology, and physiology of mammals - with special emphasis on local representatives. Prerequisite: twelve hours of biology, or permission of the instructor. Saturday field trips required. Laboratory fee: $15.00.

BIOL 4403 Biology of Fishes Four semester hours.

Ecology, evolution, physiology, morphology, and taxonomy of marine and fresh water fishes. Discussion of characteristics of aquatic and marine environments (streams, lakes, estuaries, oceans, etc.) will complement the study of the fishes. Prerequisite: twelve hours of biology, or permission of the instructor. Saturday field trips required. Laboratory fee: $15.00.

BIOL 4404 Herpetology. Four semester hours.

A study of the anatomy, evolution, distribution, systematics, ecology, and physiology of amphibians and reptiles; primarily North American species with special emphasis on local representatives. Prerequisite: twelve hours of biology, or permission of the instructor. Saturday field trips required. Laboratory fee: $15.00.

BIOL 4405 Ornithology. Four semester hours.

A study of the anatomy and physiology, evolution, systematics, ecology, and behavior of birds. Emphasis on resident and migratory birds in south Texas. Early morning field trips required. Prerequisite: twelve hours of biology, or permission of the instructor. Saturday field trips required. Laboratory fee: $15.00.

BIOL 4406 Ecological Physiology Four semester hours.

A comparative study of the physiological adaptations of vertebrate animals to their environment. Emphasis is placed on the physiological basis of animal distribution and evolution. Prerequisite: twelve hours of biology, or permission of the instructor. Laboratory fee: $15.00.

BIOL 4407 Parasitology. Four semester hours.

Introduction to study of endo- and ectoparasites of animals including humans. Topics will include taxonomy and identification, anatomy and physiology, evolution, and host-parasite interactions. Prerequisite: twelve hours of biology, or permission of the instructor. Laboratory fee: $15.00.

BIOL 4408 Entomology. Four semester hours.

An introduction to the study of insects. Topics will include anatomy and physiology, evolution, and behavior. Special emphasis will be placed on insect diversity and identification of local families of insects. A collection of local representatives is required. Prerequisite: twelve hours of biology, or permission of the instructor. Saturday field trips required. Laboratory fee: $15.00.

BIOL 4471 Current Topics in Biology. Three - Four semester hours.

A seminar course on topics of current biological interests. Laboratory section included at discretion of instructor. May be repeated when topic changes. Prerequisites: junior standing and permission of the instructor. Laboratory fee: $15.00, if appropriate.

BIOL 4473 Undergraduate Research. One - Four semester hours.

A course adapted to the study of special topics in biology. For advanced students capable of developing a problem independently through conference and activities directed by the instructor. Problem is chosen by the student with the approval of the instructor prior to registration. Prerequisites: permission of the instructor. Laboratory fee: $15.00.