Biomedical Sciences (BIMS)
This course stresses familiarity with and facility in scientific terminology. Areas of focus include: an introduction to scientific terminology, word analysis, etymologies, spelling and pronunciation. Offered fall and spring semesters every year.
Presentation and discussion of selected topics relating to the professional skills of practicing scientists including literature searches, reviews, paper presentation, professional opportunities and job requirements. Biomedical Sciences and Biology majors only.
Introduction to general laboratory procedures related to the criminal investigation system and regulations (especially related to Texas), lab safety, quality assurance and quality control, professional ethics, specimen acquisition and maintenance and chain of custody.
Application of essential practices for forensic science. Offered fall semester every year.
Prerequisite: BIMS 3200*.
* May be taken concurrently.
Examines the dietary requirements of both companion animals and livestock. Includes the anatomy, physiology and biochemistry of the gastrointestinal system, nutrient procurement and use, feed additives, growth stimulants, metabolic diseases, and diet therapy. Cross listed with BIOL 3300. Offered spring semester every year.
This course is an orientation into animal science as it relates to agriculture and veterinary medicine. Students will also be guided on issues to ensure successful veterinary school matriculation.
A survey of the methods and materials used to gather and process evidence at potential crime scenes. Students are introduced to the legal rules of evidence and their practical ramifications during scientific criminal investigations. In laboratory, students use commonly available processing items and tools to investigate a simulated crime scene. Offered fall semester every year.
An introduction to industry standards and ethics for professional forensic scientists. This course analyzes cognitive processes, scientific methods and quality control/quality assurance issues in forensic investigations. It also stresses maintaining credibility in an adversarial legal system through the development of technical/scientific speaking and writing skills. Offered spring semester every year.
Prerequisite: BIMS 3320.
This course is a study of the biological basis of human disease. It includes an investigation of inflammation, immunity, and neoplasia, as well as the more common presenting dysfunctions of body systems. Offered every fall. Offered fall semester every year.
This course introduces the student to the osteological examination of the human skeletal system as practiced by professional forensic anthropologists. It is designed to equip the student with introductory understanding of the anatomy and normal appearance of the human skeleton as well as some of its variations, including pathological conditions, traumatic injury, and postmortem damage.
Principles of molecular biology including advanced concepts of gene structure, expression and regulation, chromatin structure, recombination, and current molecular biology techniques. Laboratory emphasis is on basic skills for nucleic acid analyses, including extraction, PCR amplification, quantification, restriction, and electrophoresis. DNA sequencing-based approaches are covered including bioinformatics for sequence comparisons, polymorphisms, and molecular identification. Cross listed with BIOL 3403. Offered spring semester every year.
The Major Field Test (MFT) in Biology is a national examination given in the Fall and Spring semesters only. It is a graduation requirement for all Biology and some Biomedical Sciences students. Students enroll in this course during the semester that they plan to take the MFT. There is no cost to the student for either this course or for the MFT. Admission is limited to students who have completed 90 or more semester credit hours.
Students read one non-fiction book per month addressing some aspect of medicine, science or history (four books per semester), then meet once per month to discuss, analyze and defend their perceptions about the book. Preference will be given to students accepted into the Partnership for Primary Care and the Joint Admissions Medical Program (JAMP), those who are seeking admission into JAMP by participating in the pre-JAMP and students in other sponsored programs. Other students may be allowed to take upon permission of instructor. This course may be repeated once for full credit in subsequent semesters.
A series of seminars on current topics of biomedical research. This course may be repeated once for full credit in subsequent semesters.
Prerequisite: BIOL 1407.
Supervised learning experience with a community professional in health care (e.g., physician, dentist, veterinarian, chiropractor, pharmacist, physician assistant or physical therapist). On-campus meetings, oral and written reports are required. (Cannot be taken by Clinical Laboratory Science students in lieu of CLSC 4297 - Professional Practicum I.) This course may be repeated once for full credit in subsequent semesters. Requires permission of instructor. Offered fall and spring semesters every year.
Prerequisite: BIOL 1407.
Students will actively perform clinical research and learn from and interact with health care professionals such as physicians, nurses, physical therapists, pharmacists, etc. The student will be a functioning member of a research team with specific, measurable responsibilities in clinical studies.
Prerequisite: BIOL 1407.
PROFESSIONAL PRACTICUM I Supervised learning experience in selected departments of the clinical laboratories. Clinical Laboratory Science students only. Requires permission of instructor and application.
Independent laboratory- or field-based research project on topic of current interest. Project developed and funded in conjunction with a faculty advisor. Written report required. May be repeated for a maximum of 4 semester credit hours. Offered any semester upon request by a student and consent of the instructor.
This course is a study of the profile of a cancer cell, and the various causes of human cancer. Contribution of heredity, environmental factors, and infectious agents to oncogenesis will be studied. Cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment will be discussed. Various types of cancer will be presented. Offered fall semester of even-numbered years.
Prerequisite: BIOL 2416.
Studies the anatomy and physiology of the nervous system. Includes an examination of evolutionary trends in nervous system development, neural function, nerve impulse transmission, sensory and motor systems, behavior, emotional states, learning and memory. Particular emphasis is placed on human functioning. Offered spring semester every year.
Prerequisite: BIOL 2416.
Principles of toxicology including absorption and excretion, biotransformation, chemical carcinogenesis, developmental toxicology and toxic agents.
Molecular aspects of aging and disease, including biological mechanisms and theories involving cells, tissues, and organ systems.
An introduction to arthropods of medical and veterinary importance with particular emphasis on the critical roles that they play in their host group's health and well-being.
Prerequisite: BIOL 1407.
Introduction to the genetic aspects of health and disease. Classic Mendelian and chromosomal disorders are examined as well as the relationship of genetic predisposition to the healthy state and to diseases/conditions.
Basic biochemical and molecular aspects of hormone physiology, basic endocrine function and hormone action, immune-endocrine interactions, and clinical examples of the outcomes of abnormal function in human disease.
Students will learn legal procedures, rules of evidence, and applications of forensic science in the area of criminal law. Students will also develop skills in report writing and testifying in court.
Prerequisite: BIMS 3320.
This course will examine the social/societal, physical/environmental, biological, and genetic/epigenetic factors that are fundamental in creating disparities in health in America. This course will also focus on the formulation and implementation of public policy objectives to reduce and ultimately eliminate health disparities. Students may not take both this course and either SOCI 4325 Medical Sociology or BIMS 4350 Global Health Disparities for credit. Offered fall semester every year.
Prerequisite: BIOL 1407.
Provides students with an historical perspective on global health issues and leads to an understanding of current and future concerns. Emphasis is on the global burden of disease and determinants of health as well as health disparities. Provides students with an introduction to the study of health disparities in the United States, examining how health disparities are defined and measured and exploring issues such as how the structure of American society affects who gets sick and who gets care. Case studies expose students to a variety of real-life scenarios and explore a range of issues. This is an intensive writing course. This course is cross-listed with HCAD 4350. Students cannot take this course and BIMS 4341 Health Disparities in the US for credit.
Study of common human pathogenic organisms. Includes bacterial, parasitic, viral and fungal infections with emphasis on pathogenesis and treatment.
Prerequisite: BIOL 2421.
Studies of how microorganisms invade the host and produce pathological symptoms associated with diseases. Emphasis is on the interaction between various host cells and pathogens, especially molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis and host immune responses.
Prerequisite: BIOL 2421.
This course is designed to bridge the gap between academic instructions and the forensic science industry by providing real world experience in forensic investigations. Students attend lectures on campus, plus spend five hours/week at a crime laboratory. Students will accompany crime scene investigators to actual crime scenes and participate in several hands on forensic exercises involving mock as well as real investigations. Some activities may result in students spending more that five hours of laboratory or practicum time.
Prerequisite: BIMS 3320.
Research in areas of current interest. Written report required.
An overview of immunology with emphasis on current knowledge of the immune system. Detailed examination of the specific cells, cytokines, antibodies, and molecules that comprise the immune system. Laboratory exercises demonstrate the basic principles and techniques used in immunologic studies. Offered every Spring semester. Cross listed with BIOL 4406.
Prerequisite: BIOL 2421.
The study of cells and tissues, especially the manner in which they are organized to form organs and systems. Laboratories involve intensive use of the microscope to identify cells, tissues and organs.
This course is designed to provide an introduction to the essential procedures of forensic death investigation. Students are instructed in the process of investigating all aspects of a death case falling under the jurisdiction of medical examiners in Texas. The importance of scene management and documentation, case file management, review of physical and psychological evidence, autopsy procedures, and consultation with other forensic science experts leading to the correct classification of cause and manner of death are emphasized. Course may be repeated only once with permission of instructor.
This course combines the study of human bones (osteology) and skeletal anatomy with established and validated forensic anthropological methods to solve theoretical and actual forensic cases involving human remains. Cross listed with BIMS 5439, BIOL 4439, and BIOL 5439.
Variable content. May be repeated for credit.