Biology (BIOL)
Presentation of research conducted for MS degree. Should be taken the last semester of resident graduate study. Open only to MS Thesis and Non-thesis Degree Candidates in Biology. Students can enroll in any semester with the approval of their graduate advisory committee chair.
Survey of bacteriophages and major pathogenic plant and animal viruses including Baltimore classification, viral replication, and emerging viral diseases. Emphasis on analysis and review of primary literature on viruses.
Selected reading, discussion and projects concerning the geographic distribution of plants and animals.
Introduction to the theories and methods of biological systematics and phylogenetics. Offered spring semester of odd-numbered years. Stacked woth BIOL 4309
A study of the physiological adaptations of animals to their environment, including osmoregulatory and temperature regulatory mechanisms.
Prerequisite: BIOL 3430.
Using vertebrate and invertebrate animal models, this graduate-level course explores how behaviors emerge from the activity of neural circuits and how experience modulates these circuits.
Adaptive aspects of animal behavior related to how and why behaviors develop, how behaviors affect fitness, and how behaviors evolve. Offered in the fall semester. Stacked with BIOL 4315
Introduction to marine mammals, with a focus on their interactions with their biotic and abiotic environment.
In-depth study of the molecular basis of genetic interactions; focus on molecular mechanisms of mutation, suppression and recombination.
Emphasis on living gymnosperms and angiosperms and their adaptive significance.
Principles of and threats to the conservation of biological diversity in its many forms, as well as the contemporary tools to solve conservation problems including patterns and processes creating biological diversity, causes of diversity loss, the role of economics, policy, ethics, and institutions, and the use of models in conservation planning and evaluation. Advanced courses in ecology or marine biology would benefit students. Offered in the fall semester. Stacked with BIOL 4330.
This course will introduce the biology of corals, describe the abiotic and biotic interactions among coral reef ecosystem inhabitants, identify the threats of climate change, and discuss the conservation and management of reefs for the future. Offered every spring.
Types and distribution of microorganisms in aquatic environments. Interactions with other organisms. Role in nutrient cycling, degradation of organic substances, pollution, water purification.
Prerequisite: BIOL 2421.
Integrative biological study using genome-wide approaches and bioinformatics. The "-omics" technologies (Genomics, Proteomics, Metabolomics, etc) will be reviewed. Applications to understanding biological function in various biological disciplines will be emphasized. Offered during fall. Cross listed with MARB 6342.
This course examines the unique requirements needed for aquariums and zoos to balance animal care and health with public display for general education and conservation research.
This course is designed to prepare students to use computational tools for bioinformatic applications in advanced courses and independent research projects. Students will be introduced to powerful open-source computing tools used in biological research for creation, organization, manipulation, processing, analysis, and archiving of “big data.” While not a formal requirement, it is assumed that students have a firm command of basic algebra. Offered every fall semester Stacked with BIOL 4360
EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS An advanced introduction to evolutionary processes and their genetic basis, focusing on theoretical and experimental approaches to the study of population genetics, phylogeography, coalescence theory, evolutionary ecology, and molecular evolution.
Thesis track students must complete a proposal for their thesis project. A proposal is considered complete when it is approved and signed by all members of the student's graduate advisory committee. Open only to thesis track students in the MS Biology program. Qualified students can enroll in any semester with the approval of their graduate advisory committee chair.
Implementation of the Thesis Proposal, and the production of a rough draft of the thesis submitted for initial editing and comment. A course section will be created for the student to enroll. Students can enroll in any semester with the approval of their graduate advisory committee chair.
Prerequisite: BIOL 5392.
The final draft of the thesis is completed, approved by the graduate advisory committee, and is readied for distribution. Students can enroll in any semester with the approval of their graduate advisory committee chair.
Study in areas of current interest. Credit is not given for research on the thesis project. A total of six semester hours of Directed Independent Study may be counted toward the MS degree.
For students in the MS Biology Professional track. Field, laboratory, and/or library research that results in the production of the professional paper, its approval by the graduate advisory committee, and its final submission. Students can enroll in any semester with the approval of their graduate advisory committee chair. This course must be successfully completed for the professional track student to complete the MS degree.
An in-depth study of immunology. Emphasizes function and interaction of specific cells, cytokines, lymphokines, antibodies and molecules that are the essential components of the immune system. The course includes up-to-date coverage of both innate and adaptive immunity, and the immune system in health and disease.
Prerequisite: BIOL 2421.
Biology, classification, and ecology of the fungi. Applied aspects and current topics in mycology and mycological techniques.
Prerequisite: BIOL 2421.
Relationships between microorganisms and their biotic and abiotic environments. Role of microorganisms in biogeochemical cycling. Methodology in microbial ecology. Biotechnological aspects.
The course is designed for graduate students in biology wanting to acquire a more detailed working knowledge and appreciation of mammalian diversity in structure, function, ethology, and ecology. Knowledge and skills acquired in this course will be useful to field and laboratory studies in ecology, evolution, animal behavior, biogeography, wildlife management, and related disciplines. Offered in even Fall semester.
ECOLOGY OF FRESH WATERS Ecological relationships and productivity of freshwater communities, including rivers, lakes and wetlands. Focus is on interactions of the physical, chemical and biotic environment and influence of human activities on systems.
A survey of insects and their kin including natural history, classification, phylogeny, ecology, behavior, development, and physiology. Offered in spring semester of even years. Stacked with BIOL 4413.
Special topics involving growth and development in plants and animals.
Systematics, distribution, and ecology of estuarine macrofauna and macroflora. Weekend field trips and individual study required.
Prerequisite: BIOL 3413.
is a hands-on course designed to teach students key concepts by immersing them in nature. Topics include adaptations of plants and animals in different habitats, food web interactions, and how biotic and abiotic forces interact to structure natural communities including spatial and temporal variation in communities.
Prerequisite: BIOL 3428.
Application of DNA-RNA technology to selected scientific problems. Emphasis on current research techniques.
Experimental and analytical approaches to plant variation and evolution, breeding systems, cyto- and molecular genetics, hybridization and phylogeny. The course will present a foundational approach to the methods, research and terminology of plant systematics and summarize information on the most recent knowledge of evolutionary relationships as well as practical information vital to field work.
The course is designed for graduate students in biology wanting to acquire a more detailed working knowledge and appreciation of avian diversity in structure, function, ethology, and ecology. Knowledge and skills acquired in this course will be useful to field and laboratory studies in ecology, evolution, animal behavior, biogeography, wildlife management, and related disciplines. Offered in odd Fall semesters.
COASTAL ECOLOGY OF TEXAS Study of the ecology and environmental issues of the Texas coast. Includes field trips along the entire Texas coastline.
FISHERIES BIOLOGY Advanced study of theory and techniques in fisheries science including behavior of fisheries populations and applications to resource management with emphasis in tidal-influenced waters. Includes readings in the current literature and a research project. The laboratory will emphasize practical sampling design and data interpretation.
Marine plants are a diverse group that includes unicellular algae, seaweeds, seagrasses, salt marshes, and mangrove forests. The goal is to present taxonomic, physiological, chemical, and ecological aspects of marine plants, their adaptations, and how abiotic and biotic factors interact in their communities. The use of recent journals and original scientific research will allow the student to evaluate anthropogenic effects to these communities and develop methods of restoration and management.
Investigation of the systematics, distribution, and ecology of marine plankton. Cross listed with MARB 6430.
Study of the major groups of freshwater and marine algae; morphology, ecology, systematics, life cycles, and physiology. Laboratories emphasize collection, identification, and culturing techniques.
The study of fish encompassing species diversity, natural history, and evolutionary and ecological relationships of fishes. This course will consist of four major parts: (1) Evolution, (2) Systematics, (3) Biology, and (4) Ecology of fish. Laboratory identification of marine and freshwater fishes from the University archives and collected during field excursions.
The theory and practice of using histochemical and microscopic techniques to prepare tissues and small specimens for research analysis.
Prerequisite: CHEM 3411.
Advanced studies in structure and habitats of marine environments. Emphasis on factors influencing distribution of marine organisms, including field trips to areas along the Texas coast.
Prerequisite: BIOL 3428.
This course combines the study of human bones (osteology) with hands-on examination of disarticulated skeletal remains using established and validated forensic anthropological methods to develop the demographic profile of the living individual, including assessment of trauma and pathological conditions. Offered in the spring semester. Stacked with BIOL 4439. Cross-listed with BIMS 4439.
Prerequisite: BIOL 2401.
A global perspective and current research topics on the biology of amphibians and reptiles.
This is an overview course in major ecosystems in both the New and Old World tropics, the ecological principles at work in these systems, and the current threats and conservation approaches being used. It will be a hybrid course including lectures and journal readings/discussion (seminar-style).
Prerequisite: BIOL 3428.
This course covers aspects of fish ecology from individual, population, community, and ecosystem levels. We discuss the role of the environment on fish physiology and behavior, food-web dynamics, community assembly and diversity, ecosystem interactions, and anthropogenic impacts on fishes with a focus on conservation.
An advanced study of a biological topic. May be repeated with full credit in another area of biology. Topics vary by semester.
Experience in field studies, organizing field notes, collecting and methods of preserving organisms for teaching and museum purposes. The course includes field ecological sampling methods, environmental data collection, safety, logistics, and proper scientific equipment operation.
Research related to the MS project. Open only to degree candidates in biology with consent of the graduate advisor. This course may be repeated as needed but a maximum of 4 hours can be applied to the MS degree in biology. Course is taken as credit/non-credit. Students can enroll in any semester with the approval of their graduate advisory committee chair.
TROPICAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION Ecological processes and conservation issues in the tropics. Laboratory focuses on field techniques used to study tropical forest ecology. Principals of Ecology (BIOL 3428) or equivalent, or permission of instructor. SMTE 0091 is a co-requisite for this course. Documented completion of this safety training is required early in the semester for continued participation in this course.