Biomedical Sciences, BS
Program Description
Purpose of the Biomedical Sciences Program
The Biomedical Sciences Program serves the Coastal Bend region, the state of Texas, and the nation by preparing students for biomedical career opportunities including health services, research, forensic science, genetic engineering, biotechnology, bioinformatics, product sales, and services dealing with analysis, assessment and inspection. A few biomedical careers are available to a student with a baccalaureate degree, but most will require the student to complete post-baccalaureate course work or to earn a graduate degree. Core courses in biology and chemistry provide students with critical thinking skills in the pure sciences; specific courses allow students to further develop these skills and utilize them in solving problems. This unique combination provides students with a strong conceptual framework and also allows students to focus upon applied biomedical sciences. The two options in the Biomedical Sciences Program prepare students
- to enter post-baccalaureate or graduate programs in the health professions (e.g., medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physician assistant, physical therapy, occupational therapy, etc.) or in related sciences.
- for careers and/or graduate training in forensic science and related areas.
Student Learning Outcomes
Students will:
- Possess a broad understanding of science and its in-depth application to their specific option within the biomedical sciences major.
- Demonstrate critical thinking skills
- Practice the oral and written communication skills necessary to share biomedical information with a range of audiences and in a variety of venues.
The Honors Program
The Honors Program (admission by application only) offers highly motivated students from any academic discipline an enriched program of study in which to develop global perspectives. Appropriate courses approved by both a student’s BIMS faculty mentor and Honors advisor may count toward the BIMS degree. BIMS students wishing to participate in the Honors track may require some additional course work. For more information, consult the section entitled “Honors Program”.
Related Programs
Numerous undergraduate programs complement a major in Biomedical Sciences. In addition to the “traditional” partners (Biology, Chemistry, Physics), students should also examine courses in the Department of Computing Sciences, the Department of Mathematics and Statistics and the College of Nursing and Health Sciences. Students should also consider courses in the College of Liberal Arts (social sciences, languages, criminal justice), in the College of Business, and in the College of Education and Human Development (kinesiology). Details of these programs are available in their respective sections of this catalog.
Minor
Although Biomedical Sciences does not offer a minor, many upper-division BIMS courses may count toward the Biology Minor (see the Biology section of this catalog). Students majoring in Biomedical Sciences may not minor in Biology.
General Requirements
The Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences degree requires a minimum of 120 semester hours: 42 are from designated Core Curriculum Program courses, 17 are from biomedical sciences core courses, and 61 are from biomedical sciences option courses. Students select one of two biomedical sciences options: (A) Pre-Professional Option or (B) Forensic Science Option. A student should select an option after completion of a minimum of 35 semester hours of university course work, but before the completion of 50 semester hours. After their sophomore year (60 semester hours), students must have (and maintain) a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or above in their course work, with no course work older than 5 years. No “D” or “F” grades will be accepted as credit within the biomedical sciences core or option courses.
Grade-Point Average
A minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.0 (“C”) on a 4 point scale (4.0 = A) in all work taken and a minimum grade-point average of 2.25 in all courses in the major field of study taken at this University are required. The courses in the major field of study are defined for each major, and can be found on the pages for that major. For teacher certification, grade point average requirements are higher. Refer to “Teacher Certification Programs” in the College of Science and Engineering.
Requirements | Credit Hours |
---|---|
First-Year Seminars (when applicable) or Professional Skills1 | 0-2 |
Core Curriculum Program2 | 42 |
Biomedical Sciences Core Courses | 17 |
Biomedical Sciences Option Courses | 59-61 |
Total Credit Hours | 118-122 |
1 | Full-time, first time in college students are required to take the first-year seminars. Students entering with some college credit may not be required to take one or both of the First-Year Seminar courses (see The First Year Learning Communities Program for rules and exceptions concerning these courses). Students in the Pre-Professional or Forensic Science options who are not required to take these First-Year Seminar courses must take BIMS 2200 Professional Skills (2 sch) Professional Skills (see below). |
2 | Three 4-hour science and mathematics courses are required for all Biomedical Sciences students: BIOL 1406 Biology I (4 sch), BIOL 1407 Biology II (4 sch), and MATH 1442 Statistics for Life (4 sch)). Only the 3 lecture hours of each will apply to the Core Curriculum Program. Each one-hour laboratory component will be counted in the Component Area Option of the University Core Curriculum. The 3 lecture hours of General Chemistry I (CHEM 1411 General Chemistry I (4 sch)) will also be counted in the Component Area Option of the University Core Curriculum, but the 1 laboratory hour will be counted as part of the Biomedical Science core. |
Program Requirements
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Full-time, First-year Students/Professional Skills | ||
UNIV 1101 | First-Year Seminar I * | 1 |
UNIV 1102 | First-Year Seminar II * | 1 |
Students in the Pre-Professional or Forensic Science option who are not required to take these First-Year Seminars must take: | ||
Professional Skills | ||
Core Curriculum Program | ||
University Core Curriculum | 42 | |
Biomedical Sciences majors must take: 1 | ||
Biology I | ||
Biology II | ||
Statistics for Life | ||
General Chemistry I | ||
Biomedical Sciences Core Courses | ||
Biology I (included in University Core) | ||
Biology II (included in University Core) | ||
BIOL 2416 | Genetics | 4 |
BIOL 2421 | Microbiology | 4 |
CHEM 1411 | General Chemistry I (lecture hours included in University Core) | 1 |
CHEM 1412 | General Chemistry II | 4 |
CHEM 3411 | Organic Chemistry I | 4 |
Biomedical Sciences Options | ||
Select one of the following Options: | 59-61 | |
Total Hours | 120-122 |
1 | Only the 3 lecture hours of each will apply to the Core Curriculum Program. Each one-hour laboratory component will be counted in the Component Area Option of the University Core Curriculum. The 3 lecture hours of General Chemistry I (CHEM 1411 General Chemistry I (4 sch)) will also be counted in the Component Area Option of the University Core Curriculum, but the 1 laboratory hour will be counted as part of the Biomedical Science core. |
2 | Unless student has credit for MATH 1442 Statistics for Life (4 sch) |
* | Online offering |
^ | Blended offering |
+ | Select at least one Forensic Science Option—Elective |
Biomedical Sciences Options
Each multi-disciplinary option provides specific background in an area of biomedical sciences that corresponds to the student’s career choice. For the baccalaureate degree, an option consists of requirements and electives totaling 59-61 semester hours of course work.
Pre-Professional Option
This option is designed for students who plan to continue their education in a professional school (e.g., medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician assistant, etc.) or graduate school. Students in this option must choose either MATH 1442 Statistics for Life (4 sch) or MATH 2413 Calculus I (4 sch) to satisfy the University Core requirement in mathematics, and they must complete BIMS 4085 Major Field Test in Biology (0 sch) during their senior year, prior to graduation.
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Pre-Professional Option Required Courses | ||
BIMS 4085 | Major Field Test in Biology | 0 |
CHEM 3412 | Organic Chemistry II | 4 |
MATH 1442 | Statistics for Life (lecture hours included in University Core) 1,*,^ | 1 |
Pre-Professional Option Electives | ||
Select 49 hours of the following: | 49 | |
Medical Terminology | ||
Animal Nutrition | ||
Introduction to Animal Science | ||
Pathophysiology | ||
Molecular Biology | ||
Biomedical Seminar ^ | ||
Biomedical Practicum ^ | ||
Clinical Research | ||
Directed Independent Research | ||
Biology of Cancer ^ | ||
Neurobiology | ||
Introduction to Toxicology | ||
Biological Basis of Aging ^ | ||
BIMS 4331 | ||
Medical Entomology | ||
Human Genetics | ||
Endocrinology ^ | ||
Medical Microbiology | ||
Mechanisms of Microbial Pathogenesis ^ | ||
Directed Independent Study | ||
Immunology | ||
Histology | ||
Selected Topics (with approval of faculty mentor) ^ | ||
Cell Physiology | ||
Cell Biology | ||
Functional Anatomy | ||
Physiology | ||
Embryology | ||
Biology of Viruses | ||
GENOMICS, PROTEOMICS AND BIOINFORMATICS | ||
Research and Design | ||
MICROBIAL DIVERSITY AND ECOLOGY | ||
Parasitology | ||
Biological Microtechniques | ||
Drugs, Toxins and Natural Products Chemistry | ||
Biochemistry I | ||
Biochemistry II | ||
Calculus I (if not counted in the University Core) | ||
Applied Probability and Statistics 2,*,^ | ||
General Physics I | ||
General Physics II | ||
12 hours of other approved electives | ||
Total Hours | 54 |
1 | The 3 lecture hours count as Math foundations in the University core. The 1 hour of lab counts in the Component Area Option |
2 | Unless student has credit for MATH 1442 Statistics for Life (4 sch) |
* | Online offering |
^ | Blended offering |
Additional Information
This option has flexible degree requirements with many electives to accommodate the different professional schools’ diverse entrance requirements. In the list of electives above, however, not every course is appropriate for every student and some courses are best taken at a particular time. For example:
Students should take basic science courses such as BIMS 3403 Molecular Biology (4 sch), BIMS 4406 Immunology (4 sch), BIOL 3425 Functional Anatomy (4 sch), BIOL 3430 Physiology (4 sch), CHEM 4401 Biochemistry I (4 sch), CHEM 4402 Biochemistry II (4 sch), PHYS 1401 General Physics I (4 sch), PHYS 1402 General Physics II (4 sch) before they attempt standardized admissions tests (usually at the end of their junior year). Most professional schools encourage applicants to have a broad background in the basic sciences, and these courses are helpful even if they are not specifically required for admission to a particular career area.
To decide which electives to choose, students should:
- consult their faculty mentor and academic advisor who can also provide information about the “other mentor approved electives” which may include nonlisted courses in natural sciences (biology, biomedical sciences, chemistry, physics), social sciences (psychology, sociology), computer science, health sciences, criminal justice, kinesiology, or business.
- contact the appropriate school(s) to determine their specific entrance requirements.
- obtain a sample degree plan for a particular career field. These are available on the BIMS web site, from the student’s faculty mentor or academic advisor, or through the Pre-professional website (http://prepro.tamucc.edu).
Forensic Science Option
This interdisciplinary option allows students to prepare for careers in forensic science (including entrance into graduate programs in forensic science and related areas). Prospective students should be aware that employers in forensic science typically require employees to meet personal suitability requirements (e.g., honesty, integrity, and scientific objectivity). Background checks and drug tests similar to those required for law enforcement officers are likely to be a condition of employment. Students in this option must choose MATH 2413 Calculus I (4 sch) to satisfy the University Core requirement in mathematics. Elective courses allow the student to begin to specialize in an emphasis area such as forensic biology (mainly biology and biomedical sciences courses), forensic chemistry (mainly chemistry courses), or general forensic science. A student’s degree plan may include a maximum of six hours of internship, research, or independent study (e.g., BIMS 4295 Biomedical Practicum (2 sch), BIMS 4299 Directed Independent Research (1-2 sch), BIMS 4396 Directed Independent Study (1-3 sch), or BIOL 4350 Research and Design (1-3 sch)). Students in this option must take a standardized assessment test during their senior year, prior to graduation.
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Forensic Science Option Required Courses | ||
CLSC 3200 | Essentials for Applied Laboratory Sciences | 2 |
BIMS 3103 | Essentials Laboratory for Forensic Science | 1 |
BIMS 3320 | Survey of Forensic Science | 3 |
BIMS 3325 | Professional Practice in Forensic Science | 3 |
BIMS 4340 | Forensic Science in Criminal Law | 3 |
CHEM 3412 | Organic Chemistry II | 4 |
CHEM 3418 | Instrumental Analysis | 4 |
CRIJ 4340 | Criminal Investigation | 3 |
Select one of the following: | ||
Statistics for Life *,^ | ||
Applied Probability and Statistics *,^ | ||
MATH 2413 | Calculus I (3 hours included in University Core) | 1 |
Select one of the following: | 4 | |
University Physics I (preferred) | ||
General Physics I | ||
Select one of the following: | 4 | |
University Physics II (preferred) | ||
General Physics II | ||
Forensic Science Option Electives | ||
Select 18-19 hours of the following: | 18-19 | |
Pathophysiology | ||
Molecular Biology 1 | ||
Biomedical Practicum ^ | ||
Directed Independent Research | ||
Forensic Science Internship | ||
Clinical Chemistry I | ||
Clinical Chemistry II | ||
Introduction to Toxicology | ||
Medical Entomology | ||
Directed Independent Study | ||
Immunology | ||
Histology | ||
Selected Topics (with approval of faculty mentor) ^ | ||
Principles of Botany ^ | ||
Cell Biology 1 | ||
Functional Anatomy | ||
Physiology | ||
GENOMICS, PROTEOMICS AND BIOINFORMATICS | ||
Research and Design | ||
Population Genetics | ||
Parasitology | ||
Biological Microtechniques | ||
Quantitative Analysis 1 | ||
Drugs, Toxins and Natural Products Chemistry | ||
Biochemistry I 1 | ||
Biochemistry II | ||
Advanced Inorganic Chemistry 1 | ||
Advanced Instrumental Analysis | ||
Physical Biochemistry | ||
Physical Chemistry I | ||
Physical Chemistry II | ||
Technical and Professional Writing | ||
Calculus II 1 | ||
12 hours of other approved electives | ||
Total Hours | 50-51 |
1 | Select at least one of these courses |
* | Online offering |
^ | Blended offering |
Courses
Biology Courses
A NON-MAJORS SCIENCE COURSE IN WHICH STUDENTS WILL LEARN BASIC BIOLOGICAL PRINCIPLES, IDENTIFY THE RELEVANCE OF SCIENCE IN EVERYDAY LIFE, AND WILL UNDERSTAND THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD. HANDS-ON LAB ACTIVITIES WILL REINFORCE COURSE CONCEPTS. THIS COURSE DOES NOT SUBSTITUTE FOR BIOL 1406 - BIOLOGY I OR BIOL 1407 - BIOLOGY II FOR SCIENCE MAJORS.
PRESENTATION OF BASIC BIOLOGICAL CONCEPTS INCLUDING SCIENTIFIC METHOD, CYTOLOGY, ENERGETICS, NUCLEIC ACIDS AND GENETICS. THIS COURSE IS SUITABLE FOR ALL MAJORS.
Prerequisite: (MATH 1314, 1316, 2305, 2413, minimum score of 21 in 'ACT Math' or minimum score of 550 in 'SAT Math').
THIS COURSE IS AN OVERVIEW OF THE MAJOR CONCEPTS IN BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY AND PLANT AND ANIMAL BIOLOGY. LABORATORY WORK WILL INCLUDE INDIVIDUAL/TEAM ACTIVITIES AS WELL AS TECHNOLOGY-RELATED ASSIGNMENTS.
Prerequisite: BIOL 1406.
THIS COURSE INVOLVES PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION OF SELECTED TOPICS RELATING TO THE PROFESSIONAL SKILLS OF PRACTICING BIOLOGICAL SCIENTISTS, INCLUDING BASIC SOFTWARE INSTRUCTION, A REVIEW OF LIBRARY SERVICES PERTINENT TO SCIENCE, THE APPLICATION OF SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE RESEARCH SKILLS, HYPOTHESIS GENERATION AND STATISTICAL TESTS, CRITICAL REVIEWS OF SCIENTIFIC ARTICLES, AND AN INTRODUCTION TO ETHICAL ISSUES IN SCIENCE.
AN OVERVIEW OF THE MECHANISMS BY WHICH HERITABLE INFORMATION CHANGES, ADAPTATIONS DEVELOP, AND SPECIES DIVERSIFY. PROVIDES A FOUNDATION FOR MOLECULAR, CELLULAR, AND ORGANISMAL STUDIES IN THE BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES.
Prerequisite: BIOL 1407.
STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF THE HUMAN BODY EMPHASIZING BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY, CELL BIOLOGY, TISSUES, AND THE INTEGUMENTARY, SKELETAL, MUSCULAR, AND NERVOUS SYSTEMS. NOT RECOMMENDED FOR MAJORS IN THE COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING. TO COUNT THIS COURSE TOWARD A MAJOR IN THE DEPARTMENT OF LIFE SCIENCES, A STUDENT MUST DEMONSTRATE THAT IT IS REQUIRED BY PROFESSIONAL SCHOOLS IN HIS OR HER CAREER TRACK AND OBTAIN APPROVAL FOR A SUBSTITUTION FROM HIS OR HER FACULTY MENTOR. STUDENTS MAY NOT RECEIVE CREDIT FOR BOTH THIS COURSE AND EITHER BIOL 3425 - FUNCTIONAL ANATOMY OR BIOL 3430 - PHYSIOLOGY.
STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF THE HUMAN BODY EMPHASIZING BLOOD, GROWTH, DEVELOPMENT, GENETICS, AND THE ENDOCRINE, DIGESTIVE, RESPIRATORY, CARDIOVASCULAR, LYMPHATIC, IMMUNE AND UROGENITAL SYSTEMS. NOT RECOMMENDED FOR MAJORS IN THE COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING. TO COUNT THIS COURSE TOWARD A MAJOR IN THE DEPARTMENT OF LIFE SCIENCES, A STUDENT MUST DEMONSTRATE THAT IS IS REQUIRED BY PROFESSIONAL SCHOOLS IN HIS OR HER CAREER TRACK AND OBTAIN APPROVAL FOR A SUBSTITUTION FROM HIS OR HER FACULTY MENTOR. STUDENTS MAY NOT RECEIVE CREDIT FOR BOTH THIS COURSE AND EITHER BIOL 3425 - FUNCTIONAL ANATOMY OR BIOL 3430 - PHYSIOLOGY.
Prerequisite: BIOL 2401.
PRINCIPLES OF GENETIC TRANSMISSIONS AND MOLECULAR BASIS OF HEREDITY AND VARIATION. WEEKLY RECITATION PERIODS WILL INVOLVE TEAM ASSIGNMENTS, PROBLEM SOLVING ACTIVITIES, AND SEMINARS.
INTRODUCTION TO MICROORGANISMS WITH EMPHASIS ON THOSE OF IMPORTANCE IN PATIENT CARE. PRINCIPLES OF DISINFECTION, STERILIZATION, IMMUNITY. THIS CLASS IS INTENDED FOR NURSING MAJORS; IT CANNOT SUBSTITUTE FOR BIOL 2421 - MICROBIOLOGY.
AN INTRODUCTION TO MICROORGANISMS INCLUDING THE BACTERIA, FUNGI, AND VIRUSES. LABORATORY INVOLVES MICROBIOLOGICAL TECHNIQUES AND DEVELOPMENT OF BASIC LABORATORY SKILLS.
INTRODUCTION TO THE STRUCTURE, FUNCTION, DIVERSITY AND APPLICATION OF PLANTS. LABORATORY FOCUS ON ANATOMICAL FEATURES, PHYSIOLOGICAL ADAPTATIONS, CLASSIFICATION, AND LIFE CYCLES.
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 BIMS 3300.
THE APPLICATION OF STATISTICAL ANALYSES TO BIOLOGICAL DATA. STUDENTS WILL GAIN AN UNDERSTANDING OF HOW TO APPLY STATISTICAL ANALYSES TO BIOLOGICAL DATA THROUGH STUDY OF THE PRINCIPLES OF EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN INCLUDING HOW TO FRAME INFORMATIVE RESEARCH QUESTIONS. AT A FUNDAMENTAL LEVEL, THESE CONCEPTS ARE LINKED TO THE PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE AND OUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE WAY THE WORLD WORKS.
Emphasis on cellular functions that underlie physiological processes, transport across membranes, membrane potential and excitability, the cell nucleus, and organelles and their relationship to energy, metabolism, and transport mechanisms within the cell. Offered during Spring semester of odd-numbered years
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 BIMS 3403.
STUDY OF CELLULAR ARCHITECTURE AND FUNCTION. TOPICS INCLUDE MEMBRANES, TRANSPORT, ORGANELLES, CYTOSKELETON, AND SIGNALING MECHANISMS. INTERRELATIONSHIPS OF STRUCTURE, FUNCTION, ENERGY AND METABOLISM ARE EXPLORED. LABORATORY WILL EMPHASIZE BASIC TECHNIQUES OF CELL BIOLOGY.
STRUCTURE, LIFE HISTORY, AND EVOLUTION OF THE INVERTEBRATES WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON THE PHYLOGENY AND ECOLOGICAL RELATIONSHIPS OF THE MAJOR PHYLA. LABORATORY WILL INVOLVE FIELD TRIPS AND SURVEY COLLECTIONS.
Prerequisite: BIOL 1407.
STRUCTURE, LIFE HISTORY, AND EVOLUTION OF THE VERTEBRATES WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON THE PHYLOGENY AND ECOLOGICAL RELATIONSHIPS OF THE CLASSES. LABORATORY WILL INVOLVE FIELD TRIPS AND SURVEY COLLECTIONS.
Prerequisite: BIOL 1407.
GENERAL TRENDS IN MORPHOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT AND ADAPTATION AS DEMONSTRATED BY THE ANATOMY AND EMBRYOLOGY OF LIVING AND EXTINCT CHORDATES. STUDENTS MAY NOT RECEIVE CREDIT FOR BOTH THIS COURSE AND EITHER BIOL 2401 - ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY I OR BIOL 2402 - ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY II.
Prerequisite: BIOL 1407.
INTRODUCTION TO THE INTERRELATIONSHIPS OF ORGANISMS AND THEIR ENVIRONMENT. POPULATION STRUCTURE, COMMUNITY CLASSIFICATION AND REGULATION, AND ENERGY FLOW IN ECOSYSTEMS WILL ALSO BE COVERED. LABORATORY SECTIONS WILL FOCUS ON EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN AND FIELD TECHNIQUES IN ECOLOGY.
Prerequisite: BIOL 1407 and (BIOL 2200, 2300, BIMS 2200 or UNIV 1101 and UNIV 1102) and CHEM 1411 and (MATH 2413 or 2413*).
* May be taken concurrently.
THE STUDY OF PHYSIOLOGICAL PROCESSES THAT ARE THE PRODUCT OF COMPLEX INTERACTIONS BETWEEN TISSUES, ORGANS AND ORGAN SYSTEMS, WITH EMPHASIS ON THE CIRCULATORY, RESPIRATORY, ENDOCRINE, MUSCULAR, DIGESTIVE, AND UROGENITAL SYSTEMS. PARTICULAR FOCUS ON HOMEOSTASIS, AND THE ROLE OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND EVOLUTION ON ORGAN SYSTEMS. STUDENTS MAY NOT RECEIVE CREDIT FOR BOTH THIS COURSE AND EITHER BIOL 2401 - ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY I, OR BIOL 2402 - ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY II.
Prerequisite: BIOL 1407.
ANATOMY OF VEGETATIVE AND REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS OF PLANTS, UNIQUE CELLULAR FEATURES, DEVELOPMENT AND DIFFERENTIATION OF CELL AND TISSUE TYPES. EMPHASIS ON PHYSIOLOGICAL MECHANISMS OF RESPONSE AND ADAPTATION TO THE ENVIRONMENT.
Prerequisite: BIOL 1407.
STRUCTURE, PHYSIOLOGY, LIFE CYCLES, AND ECONOMIC IMPACT OF PLANTS. FACTORS INFLUENCING DIVERSITY, SUCCESSION AND ECOLOGICAL DISTRIBUTION OF PLANTS.
Prerequisite: BIOL 1407.
A COURSE DESIGNED TO ENHANCE THE PROFESSIONALISM OF UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCHERS. THIS COURSE DISCUSSES THE CODIFIED ASPECTS OF RESEARCH ETHICS, INCLUDING FABRICATION, FALSIFICATION AND PLAGIARISM OF DATA; ASSIGNING AUTHORSHIP, SUBMITTING MANUSCRIPTS TO MORE THAN ONE JOURNAL AND MANAGEMENT OF LAB TEAMS. IT ALSO ADDRESSES CAREERS IN SCIENCE, RESUME WRITING, PRODUCING THE SUCCESSFUL APPLICATION AND INTERVIEWING SKILLS.
STUDIES THE EVENTS THAT OCCUR JUST PRIOR TO AND DURING GESTATION. INCLUDES GAMETOGENESIS, CHROMOSOMAL AND SINGLE GENE ABERRATIONS, TERATOLOGY, AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE BODY SYSTEMS.
Prerequisite: BIOL 2416.
SURVEY OF CHALLENGES AND THREATS FACING CORAL REEF ECOSYSTEMS IN THE 21ST CENTURY AND DISCUSSION OF CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES. TOPICS INCLUDE BIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY OF REEF ECOSYSTEMS, CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS, COARAL BLEACHING, OVER-FISHING AND THE EFFECTIVNESS AND DESIGN OF MARINE PROTECTED AREAS.
INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY OF VIRUSES, INCLUDING VIRAL LIFE CYCLES, REPLICATION SCHEMES AND BALTIMORE CLASSIFICATION OF REPRESENTATIVE BACTERIOPHAGES, PLANT AND ANIMAL VIRUSES. EMPHASIS ON ANALYSIS AND REVIEW OF PRIMARY LITERATURE ON VIRUSES.
THIS COURSE OFFERS AN OVERVIEW OF THE THEORIES, METHODS, AND CURRENT DIRECTIONS IN MODERN BIOGEOGRAPHY, EMPHASIZING MARINE AND TERRESTRIAL PLANT AND ANIMAL SPECIES AND COMMUNITIES. OFFERED SPRING EVEN YEARS.
THIS LECTURE-BASED COURSE EXAMINES THE PROCESSES BY WHICH NEURONAL CIRCUITS GENERATE BEHAVIORS AND THE MECHANISMS BY WHICH EXPERIENCE MODULATES THE ACTIVITY OF THESE CIRCUITS.
Prerequisite: BIMS 4323.
THE STUDY AND HANDS-ON APPLICATION OF BIOLOGICAL, MECHANICAL, AND OTHER CONCEPTS REQUIRED TO DEVELOP THE SKILLS AND TECHNIQUES NECESSARY FOR EFFICIENT OPERATION AND MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE AQUACULTURE FACILITIES. OFFERED IN FALL OF ODD-NUMBERED YEARS.
Prerequisite: BIOL 4370.
INTRODUCTION TO MARINE MAMMALS, WITH A FOCUS ON THEIR INTERACTIONS WITH THEIR BIOTIC AND ABIOTIC ENVIRONMENT
Prerequisite: BIOL 1407.
AN INTRODUCTION TO THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATIC AND ANTHROPOGENIC CHANGE ON TERRESTRIAL AND AQUATIC STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION. INCLUDES READINGS FROM THE CURRENT LITERATURE AND DISCUSSION OF CONTROVERSIAL ARTICLES. OFFERED SPRING ODD YEARS.
Prerequisite: BIOL 3428.
A STUDY OF THEORY AND TECHNIQUES IN FISHERIES SCIENCE, INCLUDING PRACTICAL FISHERIES SAMPLING DESIGNS AND TECHNIQUES, BEHAVIOR OF FISHERIES POPULATIONS AND APPLICATION TO RESOURCE MANAGEMENT WITH EMPHASIS IN TIDE-INFLUENCED WATERS. INCLUDES READINGS IN THE CURRENT LITERATURE. OFFERED SPRING EVEN YEARS.
Prerequisite: BIOL 1407.
THIS CLASS IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE IN THE THEORY AND APPLICATION OF TRADITIONAL AND MODERN FISHERIES SAMPLING AND ANALYTICAL TECHNIQUES USED IN FISHERIES SCIENCE AND MANAGEMENT. THIS IS A HANDS-ON FIELD- AND LABORATORY-BASED COURSE THAT WILL DEVELOP SKILLS THAT ARE MOST COMMONLY USED BY FISHERIES BIOLOGISTS AND TECHNICIANS. OFFERED IN FALL OF EVEN-NUMBERED YEARS.
Prerequisite: BIOL 4328.
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.
Prerequisite: BIOL 3428.
PRINCIPLES AND THEORIES RELATING TO THE CONSERVATION OF BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY, INCLUDING PATTERNS AND PROCESSES CREATING BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY, ESTIMATES OF EXTINCTION RATES, CONSEQUENCES OF LOSSES OF BIODIVERSITY AND CAUSES OF DIVERSITY LOSS.
Prerequisite: BIOL 3428.
HABITATS AND COMMUNITY STRUCTURE IN MARINE ENVIRONMENTS; BIOTIC AND ABIOTIC FACTORS GOVERNING THE DISTRIBUTION OF MARINE ORGANISMS.
AN INTRODUCTION TO INTEGRATIVE BIOLOGICAL STUDY USING GENOME-WIDE APPROACHES AND BIOINFORMATICS. THE "-OMICS" TECHNOLOGIES (GENOMICS, PROTEOMICS, METABOLOMICS, ETC.) WILL BE SURVEYED FOR CURRENT AND POTENTIAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO UNDERSTANDING BIOLOGICAL FUNCTION AT MOLECULAR, CELLULAR, ORGANISMAL AND ECOSYSTEM LEVELS.
HEALTHY OCEANS ARE ESSENTIAL TO THE HABITABILITY OF OUR PLANET – FOR HUMANS AND ALL OTHER FORMS OF LIFE. STUDENTS WILL EXPLORE LINKS BETWEEN OCEANS, POLLUTION, HUMAN WELL-BEING, ECOSYSTEM SERVICES, RESOURCE MANAGEMENT, AND THE SCIENCE AND LEGISLATION GOVERNING THE ENFORCEMENT OF WATER QUALITY STANDARDS. OFFERED FALL EVERY YEAR.
COURSE WILL INCLUDE EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN, LITERATURE REVIEW OF A RESEARCH TOPIC AND LABORATORY WORK ON THE RESEARCH TOPIC.
THIS COURSE COVERS ASPECTS OF ECOLOGY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY OF RIVERINE AND ESTUARINE FISHES WHILE EXPOSING STUDENTS TO FIELD SAMPLING TECHNIQUES AND MUSEUM PREPARATION OF SPECIMENS. THIS WILL BE A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS TO GAIN AN IN-DEPTH UNDERSTANDING OF THE BIOLOGICAL COMPLEXITY OF TEXAS GULF COAST RIVER SYSTEMS WHILE GAINING HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE IN FIELD AND MUSEUM ICHTHYOLOGICAL TECHNIQUES THAT ARE EMPLOYED BY STATE, FEDERAL AND ACADEMIC RESEARCHERS ALIKE.
THIS COURSE EXAMINES THE UNIQUE REQUIREMENTS NEEDED FOR PUBLIC AQUARIUMS AND ZOOS TO BALANCE ANIMAL CARE AND HEALTH WITH PUBLIC DISPLAY FOR GENERAL EDUCATION AND CONSERVATION RESEARCH.
SURVEY OF THE PHYSIOLOGICAL, BEHAVIORAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, AND ECONOMIC PARAMETERS GOVERNING THE CULTURE OF SELECTED AQUATIC SPECIES. INCLUDED ARE TECHNIQUES EMPLOYED WORLDWIDE TO PRODUCE AQUATIC PRODUCTS.
Prerequisite: BIOL 1407.
AN INTRODUCTION TO EVOLUTIONARY PROCESSES AND THEIR GENETIC BASIS, THIS COURSE FOCUSES ON THEORETICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL APPROACHES TO THE STUDY OF POPULATION GENETICS, QUANTITATIVE GENETICS, EVOLUTIONARY ECOLOGY, AND MOLECULAR EVOLUTION. OFFERED FALL ODD YEARS.
RESEARCH IN AREAS OF CURRENT INTEREST. WRITTEN REPORT REQUIRED. MAY BE REPEATED FOR A MAXIMUM OF 6 SEMESTER HOURS.
3-6 sem. hrs. Independent laboratory- or field-based research project on topic of current interest. Project developed in conjunction with a faculty advisor. Written report required. May be repeated once for a total of 6 semester credit hours
THE STUDY OF THE FUNCTIONAL RELATIONSHIPS AND PRODUCTIVITY OF AQUATIC COMMUNITIES AS THEY ARE AFFECTED BY THEIR PHYSICAL, CHEMICAL, AND BIOTIC ENVIRONMENT. THE INFLUENCE OF MAN'S ACTIVITIES ON THESE SYSTEMS WILL BE THE FOCUS OF THE COURSE.
Prerequisite: BIOL 3428.
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. CROSS LISTED WITH BIMS 4406.
Prerequisite: BIOL 2421.
BIODIVERSITY AND ROLES OF MICROORGANISMS IN NATURAL ENVIRONMENTS. INTERACTIONS WITH OTHER MICRO- AND MACRO-ORGANISMS (HUMANS, ANIMALS AND PLANTS) AND WITH ABIOTIC FACTORS. UNIQUE ABILITIES OF MICROORGANISMS SUCH AS NITROGEN FIXATION AND ADAPTATION TO EXTREME ENVIRONMENTS.
SYSTEMATICS AND ECOLOGY OF MAMMALS.
Prerequisite: BIOL 1407.
AN UNDERSTANDING OF WHY ANIMALS BEHAVE IN THE MANNER THEY DO, THROUGH EXAMINATION OF BOTH INVERTEBRATE AND VERTEBRATE SPECIES.
Prerequisite: BIOL 1407.
A BROAD OVERVIEW OF THE NATURAL HISTORY, CLASSIFICATION, PHYLOGENY, ECOLOGY, BEHAVIOR, DEVELOPMENT AND PHYSIOLOGY OF INSECTS AND THEIR KIN. THE LAB WILL INVOLVE FIELD WORK, COLLECTION AND CURATION. OFFERED SPRING EVEN YEARS.
Prerequisite: BIOL 3413.
FIELD BIOLOGY 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.
PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE IN THE CLASSIFICATION OF FLOWERING PLANTS. FIELD TRIPS ARE REQUIRED. OFFERED SPRING EVEN YEARS.
Prerequisite: BIOL 1407.
SYSTEMATICS, ANATOMY, PHYSIOLOGY, ECOLOGY, BEHAVIOR, AND FIELD IDENTIFICATION OF BIRDS.
Prerequisite: BIOL 1407.
THE ECOLOGY OF MARINE PLANTS WITH EMPHASIS ON IDENTIFICATION, LIFE HISTORIES, AND ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS OF DISTRIBUTION.
Prerequisite: BIOL 1407.
IN THIS CLASS WE WILL INVESTIGATE THE SYSTEMATICS, DISTRIBUTION, AND ECOLOGY OF MAJOR MARINE PLANKTON GROUPS AND INTRODUCE MAJOR CONCEPTS IN BIOLOGICAL OCEANOGRAPHY. OFFERED IN SPRING OF ODD-NUMBERED YEARS.
SYSTEMATICS, EVOLUTION, BIOLOGY, AND ECOLOGY OF FISHES. LABORATORY IDENTIFICATION OF MARINE AND FRESHWATER FISHES COLLECTED DURING FIELD EXCURSIONS.
Prerequisite: BIOL 1407.
AN INTRODUCTION TO PARASITOLOGY WITH EMPHASIS ON INTERNAL PARASITES AND APPROPRIATE REFERENCES TO HUMAN ENDOPARASITES AND PARASITES OF VETERINARY IMPORTANCE.
Prerequisite: BIOL 2421.
THEORY AND TECHNIQUES OF PROCESSING SPECIMENS FOR HISTOCHEMISTRY AND MICROSCOPIC EXAMINATION. LABORATORY INCLUDES PREPARATION OF TISSUES AND SMALL SPECIMENS FOR ANALYSIS AND DISPLAY.
SYSTEMATICS, ECOLOGY, AND BEHAVIOR OF AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES. OFFERED SPRING ODD YEARS.
Prerequisite: BIOL 1407.
SYSTEMATICS, DISTRIBUTION, AND ECOLOGY OF ESTUARINE MACROFAUNA AND MACROFLORA. WEEKEND FIELD TRIPS AND INDIVIDUAL STUDY REQUIRED.
Prerequisite: BIOL 3413.
SURVEY OF THE ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION ISSUES OF THE MAJOR ECOSYSTEMS IN THE TROPICS AND FIELD TECHNIQUES USED TO STUDY TROPICAL FOREST ECOLOGY. OFFERED FALL ODD YEARS.
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.
Prerequisite: BIOL 4432.
STUDENTS LEARN TECHNIQUES REQUIRED TO PROPERLY CONDUCT MARINE SCIENCE FIELD RESEARCH. PRACTICAL, HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE IS GAINED IN A VARIETY OF TOPICS INCLUDING BIOTIC AND ABIOTIC SAMPLE COLLECTION AND PROCESSING, QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF FIELD DATA, EVALUATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS, SURVIVAL AND DISTRIBUTION OF LIVING ORGANISMS, AND THE STRUCTURE OF BIOTIC COMMUNITIES.
VARIABLE CONTENT. MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT.
TWO TO SIX SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS MAY BE EARNED BY WORKING IN AN INTERNSHIP POSITION IN A GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY, PRIVATE INDUSTRY, OR OTHER APPROPRIATE VENUE.
THE STUDY OF TECHNIQUES REQUIRED FOR PROPER FIELD WORK IN THE BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES. THE COURSE INCLUDES ECOLOGICAL SAMPLING METHODS, SAFETY, LOGISTICS, EQUIPMENT OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE AND TRAVEL CONCERNS.
Biomedical Sciences Courses
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.
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.
ESSENTIALS FOR LAB SCIENCE Introduction to general laboratory procedures, laboratory safety and regulations, quality assurance, professional ethics, specimen acquisition, sample maintenance and microscopy. Includes an introduction to the health care, public health and criminal investigation system.
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.
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.
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.
Prerequisite: BIOL 2401.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. ONLY OPEN 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. THIS COURSE MAY BE REPEATED ONCE FOR FULL CREDIT IN SUBSEQUENT SEMESTERS.
THIS PRACTICUM COURSE IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE LABORATORY AND PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE FOR THE INVESTIGATION OF DEATHS UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF TEXAS MEDICAL EXAMINERS. THIS COURSE MAY INVOLVE VISITS TO THE OFFICE OF MEDICAL EXAMINERS AND ACTUAL SITES OF DEATHS.
Prerequisite: BIMS 4328.
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.)
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.
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.
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.
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.
Prerequisite: BIOL 2416.
PRINCIPLES OF TOXICOLOGY INCLUDING ABSORPTION AND EXCRETION, BIOTRANSFORMATION, CHEMICAL CARCINOGENESIS, DEVELOPMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND TOXIC AGENTS.
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.
Prerequisite: BIMS 4128.
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.
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.
Prerequisite: BIOL 1407 and CHEM 1312.
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. 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.
VARIABLE CONTENT. MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT.
Chemistry Courses
A ONE-SEMESTER PRINCIPLES COURSE FOR STUDENTS IN NON-SCIENCE RELATED MAJORS COVERING THE MAJOR CONCEPTS OF CHEMISTRY (ATOMIC STRUCTURE, BONDING, STOICHIOMETRY, ELEMENTARY THERMODYNAMICS) AND THE ROLE OF CHEMISTRY IN CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY (POLYMERS, ENERGY, POLLUTION, ETC.). WILL NOT SUBSTITUTE FOR CHEM 1411.
THE FOUNDATION COURSE IN CHEMISTRY. STOICHIOMETRY, CHEMICAL EQUILIBRIA, ATOMIC STRUCTURE, CHEMICAL BONDING, PERIODIC PROPERTIES, THERMODYNAMICS, CHEMICAL KINETICS, AND DESCRIPTIVE CHEMISTRY OF THE ELEMENTS. LABORATORY INVOLVES DEVELOPMENT OF BASIC SKILLS. THIS COURSE COUNTS TOWARD THE NATURAL SCIENCE COMPONENT OF THE UNIVERSITY CORE CURRICULUM. EITHER CHEM 1305 - INTRODUCTORY CHEMISTRY OR CHEM 1411, BUT NOT BOTH, MAY BE APPLIED TOWARDS THE CORE REQUIREMENT. THIS COURSE IS OFFERED IN FALL, SPRING AND TYPICALLY DURING BOTH SUMMER SESSIONS .
THE CONTINUATION OF CHEM 1411 - GENERAL CHEMISTRY I*, THE FOUNDATION COURSE IN CHEMISTRY WITH EMPHASIS ON QUANTITATIVE ASPECTS. LABORATORY INVOLVES DEVELOPMENT OF BASIC SKILLS. THIS COURSE COUNTS TOWARD THE NATURAL SCIENCE COMPONENT OF THE UNIVERSITY CORE CURRICULUM. PREREQUISITE: CHEM 1411 - GENERAL CHEMISTRY I* AND MATH 1314 - COLLEGE ALGEBRA OR EQUIVALENT MATH COMPETENCY. THIS COURSE IS OFFERED IN FALL, SPRING AND TYPICALLY BOTH SUMMER SESSIONS.
Prerequisite: CHEM 1411.
MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT. SUBJECT MATERIALS VARIABLE. OFFERED ON SUFFICIENT DEMAND.
THE STRUCTURE, NOMENCLATURE, SYNTHESIS, REACTIONS, AND REACTION MECHANISMS OF THE PRINCIPAL CLASSES OF ORGANIC COMPOUNDS. STEREOCHEMISTRY AND SPECTROSCOPY OF ORGANIC COMPOUNDS. LABORATORY INVOLVES SEPARATION AND SYNTHETIC TECHNIQUES AND DEVELOPMENT OF BASIC SKILLS. THIS COURSE IS OFFERED IN FALL, SPRING AND TYPICALLY DURING THE SUMMER I SESSION.
Prerequisite: CHEM 1411.
A CONTINUATION OF CHEM 3411 . THE COURSE CONCLUDES WITH A SURVEY OF THE STRUCTURES OF BIOMOLECULES. LABORATORY INVOLVES SPECTROSCOPY AND QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS TECHNIQUES. THIS COURSE IS OFFERED IN FALL, SPRING AND TYPICALLY DURING THE SUMMER II SESSION.
Prerequisite: CHEM 3411.
A COURSE IN QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS, WHICH INCLUDES CHEMICAL STATISTICS AND THE USE OF ACID-BASE, COMPLEXATION, PRECIPITATION, AND REDOX REACTIONS TO PERFORM ANALYSES AND SEPARATIONS. LABORATORY INCLUDES STANDARD VOLUMETRIC AND GRAVIMETRIC METHODS AND DEVELOPMENT OF BASIC QUANTITATIVE TECHNIQUES. THIS COURSE IS TYPICALLY OFFERED IN SPRING.
Prerequisite: CHEM 1412.
AN INTRODUCTION TO INSTRUMENTAL METHODS OF ANALYSIS: SPECTROSCOPY, CHROMATOGRAPHY, AND ELECTROCHEMICAL METHODS. LABORATORY INVOLVES USE OF INSTRUMENTATION IN CHEMICAL ANALYSIS. THIS COURSE IS TYPICALLY OFFERED IN FALL AND SPRING.
Prerequisite: CHEM 1412.
THE MAJOR FIELD TEST (MFT) IN CHEMISTRY IS A NATIONAL EXAMINATION GIVEN IN THE FALL AND SPRING SEMESTERS ONLY. IT IS A GRADUATION REQUIREMENT FOR ALL CHEMISTRY 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.
PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION OF SELECTED TOPICS IN CHEMISTRY. INCLUDES LITERATURE SEARCHES AND REVIEWS, PAPER PRESENTATIONS, SURVEY OF PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND REQUIREMENTS, CAREER GUIDANCE AND JOB SEARCHING SKILLS.
AN ADVANCED COURSE IN ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY COVERING THE UNDERLYING THEORIES OF INSTRUMENTAL METHODS. THIS COURSE IS TYPICALLY OFFERED ON AN IRREGULAR BASIS.
THE CHEMISTRY AND BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY OF PHARMACEUTICALS, TOXINS AND SELECTED NATURAL PRODUCTS. EXAMINES HOW CHEMICAL STRUCTURE RELATES TO BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY. ALSO EXAMINES ACTION OF ANTIBIOTICS, CHEMOTHERAPY AGENTS, ANALGESICS, STEROIDS, AND COMPOUNDS TARGETING THE CENTRAL AND PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM. THIS COURSE IS TYPICALLY OFFERED IN FALL AND SPRING .
Prerequisite: CHEM 4401.
THE STUDY OF THE OCEANS AND SEAS AS A CHEMICAL SYSTEM, INCLUDING INTERACTIONS WITH BOTH THE BIOTA AND THE SOLID EARTH. THIS COURSE IS TYPICALLY OFFERED IN SPRING.
Prerequisite: CHEM 1412.
AN ADVANCED LECTURE COURSE IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY. CHARACTERIZATION OF POLYMERS. POLYMERIZATION MECHANISMS. CURRENT RESEARCH DIRECTIONS SUCH AS BIOMEDICAL APPLICATIONS AND ELECTROACTIVE POLYMERS. THIS COURSE IS OFFERED ON AN IRREGULAR BASIS.
Prerequisite: CHEM 3412.
THE STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF CARBOHYDRATES, LIPIDS, PROTEINS, AND NUCLEIC ACIDS. AN INTRODUCTION TO ENZYME KINETICS, CELL MEMBRANE STRUCTURE AND BIOCHEMICAL SIGNALING. LABORATORY EXERCISES DEMONSTRATE THE BASIC PRINCIPLES AND TECHNIQUES USED IN BIOCHEMISTRY. THIS COURSE IS TYPICALLY OFFERED IN FALL, SPRING AND SUMMER.
A CONTINUATION OF CHEM 4401 . BIOCHEMICAL ENERGETICS, INCLUDING GLYCOLYSIS, FATTY ACID OXIDATION, AMINO ACID OXIDATION, CITRIC ACID CYCLE, OXIDATIVE PHOSPHORYLATION, PHOTOPHOSPHORYLATION AND PHOTOSYNTHESIS. CARBOHYDRATE, FATTY ACID AND AMINO ACID BIOSYNTHESIS. LABORATORY IS A CONTINUATION OF BIOCHEMICAL TECHNIQUES. THIS COURSE IS TYPICALLY OFFERED IN FALL AND SPRING.
Prerequisite: CHEM 4401.
A SURVEY OF INORGANIC CHEMISTRY. THEORIES OF ATOMIC STRUCTURE, COVALENT BONDING, IONIC SOLIDS, METALLIC SOLIDS, AND COORDINATION COMPOUNDS. MODERN ACID?BASE CONCEPTS. LABORATORY INVOLVES THE SYNTHESIS OF INORGANIC COMPOUNDS.
Prerequisite: CHEM 3412.
A FUNDAMENTAL APPROACH TO THE STUDY OF PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PHENOMENA, INCLUDING THE STUDY OF THERMODYNAMICS, GASES AND PHASE EQUILIBRIA. THIS COURSE IS TYPICALLY OFFERED ON AN IRREGULAR BASIS.
A FUNDAMENTAL APPROACH TO THE STUDY OF PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PHENOMENA, INCLUDING THE STUDY OF THERMODYNAMICS, GASES AND PHASE EQUILIBRIA. THIS COURSE IS TYPICALLY OFFERED IN FALL.
A CONTINUATION OF CHEM 4423 , INCLUDING THE STUDY OF CHEMICAL KINETICS, ELECTROCHEMISTRY, MOLECULAR STRUCTURE, AND QUANTUM MECHANICS. THIS COURSE IS TYPICALLY OFFERED IN SPRING.
Prerequisite: CHEM 4423.
A STUDY OF THE IMPACT OF CHEMISTRY ON THE ENVIRONMENT, INCLUDING TOPICS OF AIR POLLUTION, WATER POLLUTION, AND BENEFICIAL CHEMICAL MODIFICATIONS OF THE ENVIRONMENT. LABORATORY DEVOTED TO FIELD TECHNIQUES OF SAMPLING, SAMPLE PRESERVATION, AND ANALYTICAL TECHNIQUES APPLIED TO THE ENVIRONMENT. THIS COURSE IS TYPICALLY OFFERED IN SPRING.
MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT. SUBJECT MATERIALS VARIABLE.
REQUIRES A FORMAL PROPOSAL OF STUDY TO BE COMPLETED IN ADVANCE OF REGISTRATION, TO BE APPROVED BY THE SUPERVISING FACULTY, THE CHAIRPERSON AND THE DEAN OF THE COLLEGE.