Course Descriptions

Undergraduate Program

BIOL 1306: General Biology I [TCCN:BIOL 1306]-The scientific study of life at the molecular and cellular levels including mechanisms of inheritance, development and evolution. Co-requisite: BIOL 1106.

BIOL 1106: General Biology I Laboratory [TCCN: BIOL 1101]-Experimental and observational techniques used to study life at the molecular and cellular levels including techniques in the study of inheritance and development. Co-requisite: BIOL 1306.

BIOL 1307: General Biology II [TCCN: BIOL 1307]-The scientific study of life at the organismal, population, and community levels including form, function, reproduction, taxonomy, systematics, ecology and evolutionary history of biodiversity. Co-requisite: BIOL 1107.

BIOL 1107: General Biology II Laboratory [TCCN: BIOL 1107]-Experimental and observational techniques used to study life at the organismal, population, and community levels including morphology, physiology, reproduction, and ecology. Co-requisite: BIOL 1307. 

BIOL 2301: Anatomy and Physiology I [TCCN: BIOL 2301]-An introductory course examining the organization of the human body and mechanisms of homeostasis. Topics include cellular mechanisms and nervous, skeletal, muscular and endocrine systems. Designed for nursing students and related health areas. Pre-requisite: 8 hours of laboratory science. Co-requisite: BIOL 2101.

BIOL 2101: Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory [TCCN: BIOL 2101]-The study of the anatomy and physiology of the nervous, skeletal, muscular and endocrine systems at the cellular, organ and system level. Pre-requisite: 8 hours of laboratory science.  Co-requisite: BIOL 2301.

BIOL 2302: Anatomy and Physiology II [TCCN: BIOL 2302]-Continuation of BIOL 2301 Topics include cardiovascular, immune, respiratory, digestive, urinary and reproductive systems. Pre-requisite: 8 hours of laboratory science.  Co-requisite: BIOL 2102. Prerequisite BIOL2301/2101.

BIOL 2102: Anatomy and Physiology II Laboratory [TCCN: BIOL 2102] - The study of the anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular, immune, respiratory, digestive, urinary and reproductive systems at the cellular, organ, and system level. Pre-requisite: 8 hours of laboratory science.  Co-requisite: BIOL 2302. 

BIOL 2320: Introduction to Microbiology [TCCN: BIOL 2320] - Microbial structure, metabolism, and genetics. Microorganisms of medical importance are stressed. Co-requisite: BIOL2120. Prerequisites: CHEM 1311/1111 or CHEM 1307/1107. May not be used for major in biology..

BIOL 2120: Introduction to Microbiology Laboratory [TCCN: BIOL 2120]-Laboratory techniques for microbiology. Methods for handling and identifying microbes will be stressed. Co-requisite: BIOL 2320. Prerequisite: CHEM 1311/1111 or CHEM 1307/1107. 

BIOL 3329: Genomics - Covers emerging fields of genomics and proteomics. Discusses key technologies and their applications to the study of human and model organism genomes. Prerequisite: BIOL 1306, BIOL 1106, BIOL 1307, BIOL 1107

BIOL 3332: Genetics-Principles and concepts of inheritance. Co-requisite: BIOL 3133. Prerequisites: BIOL1306/1106, BIOL 1307/1107, CHEM 1311/1111, CHEM 1312/1112. 

BIOL 3133: Genetics Laboratory-An introduction to experimental and quantitative laboratory techniques fundamental to genetic analysis. Co-requisite: BIOL 3332. Prerequisites: BIOL1306/1106, BIOL 1307/1107, CHEM 1311/1111, CHEM 1312/1112.

BIOL 3334: Cell Biology-Essential processes of cells. Emphasis on cell structure, metabolism, components of membranes and organelles, and intracellular trafficking. Co-requisite: BIOL 3134. Prerequisites: BIOL 1306/1106, BIOL 1307/1107, CHEM 1311/1111, and CHEM 1312/1112. 

BIOL 3134: Cell Biology Laboratory-Modern principles of study of cell structure, components of membranes and membrane bound organelles, with emphasis on metabolism. Co-requisite: BIOL 3334. Prerequisites: BIOL 1306/1106, BIOL 1307/1107, CHEM 1311/1111 and CHEM 1312/1112. 

BIOL 3336: Ecology-Study of the interrelationships of plants and animals with the environment. Co-requisite: BIOL 3137. Prerequisites: BIOL 1306/1106,BIOL 1307/1107.

BIOL 3137: Ecology Laboratory Application of ecological theory with emphasis on field and experimental studies. Co-requisite: BIOL 3336. Prerequisites: BIOL1306/1106, BIOL 1307/1107. 

BIOL 3338: Biological Evolution-Mechanisms and processes of change at the population, organismal, cellular, and molecular levels. History of earth and its biota including geologic time, fossils, and man. Prerequisite: BIOL 3332. 

BIOL 3343: Physiology-Principles of general physiology, with emphasis on cell metabolism, nerve-muscle relations, endocrine, nervous, excretory, respiratory, circulatory, and digestive systems. Co-requisite: BIOL 3144. Prerequisites: CHEM 3342/3143, BIOL1306/1107 and BIOL 1307/1107. 

BIOL 3144 : Physiology Laboratory-Investigations of chemical reactions of the body and factors influencing these reactions. Co-requisite: BIOL 3343. Prerequisites: CHEM 3342/3143, BIOL1306/1106 and BIOL 1307/1107.

BIOL 3345: Plant Morphology-Form and reproduction of plants emphasizing algae, fungi, mosses, and ferns. Co-requisite: BIOL 3146. Prerequisites: BIOL 1306/1106, BIOL 1307/1107.

BIOL 3146: Plant Morphology Laboratory-Observations of representative types of algae, fungi, mosses, and ferns. Co-requisite: BIOL 3345. Prerequisites: BIOL 1306/1106, BIOL 1307/1107. 

BIOL 4300: Microbiology-Introduction to procaryotes and selected protists with an emphasis on bacteriology. Bacterial classification, physiology, and genetics will be stressed. Co-requisite: BIOL 4101. Prerequisite: CHEM 3344/3145, BIOL1306/1106, BIOL 1307/1107.

BIOL 4101: Microbiology Laboratory-Principles of isolation and characterization of bacteria with emphasis on taxonomy; independent work will be stressed. Corequisite: BIOL 4300. Prerequisite: CHEM3344/3145, BIOL 1306/1106, BIOL 1307/1107.

BIOL 4302: Cell and Molecular Biology-Regulatory processes of cellular activities. Emphasis on genetic regulation, membranes and transport, replication and cell cycle, and cell signaling. Co-requisite: BIOL 4102.Prerequisites: BIOL 3332/3133 and BIOL3334/3134. 

BIOL 4102: Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory-Advanced techniques for the study of the cellular and molecular basis of biology. Emphasis on genomic and proteomic analysis of cells. Co-requisite: BIOL 4302. Prerequisites: BIOL 3332/3133 and BIOL3334/3134.

BIOL 4304: Biogeography-Study of flora and fauna of the world and factors affecting their distribution. Prerequisite: Eight hours upper-division biology. 

BIOL 4306: Bioinformatics - Covers principles and methods of analyzing large biological datasets with emphasis on genomes and transcriptomes. This is a practical course in Bioinformatics which will emphasize how to use the computer as a tool for genomic data analysis. Corequisite: BIOL 4106 Bioinformatics Lab: Analysis of large biological datasets with emphasis on genomes and transcriptomes.

BIOL 4106: Bioinformatics Lab - Analysis of large biological datasets with emphasis on genomes and transcriptomes. This is a practical course.

BIOL 4114: Seminar I-Current topics in biology. Reports on research published in professional journals. Oral presentation required. This course is primarily designed for students enrolled in seminar for the first time though students presenting their second seminar may enroll. May be repeated once for credit. Prerequisite: 12 hours upper-division biology.

BIOL 4115: Seminar II-Current topics in biology. Reports on research published in professional journals. Oral presentation required. This course is primarily designed for students enrolled in seminar for the second time though first time seminar presenters may enroll. May be repeated once for credit. Prerequisite: 12 hours upper-division biology. 

BIOL 4330: Herpetology-The study of the diversity of amphibians and reptiles including their evolution and distributions. Also covered will be their physiology, ecology, and conservation. Field trips will be required. Co-requisite: BIOL4131. Prerequisites: BIOL 1306/1106 and BIOL 1307/1107. 

BIOL 4131: Herpetology Laboratory-Laboratory examination of the diversity of amphibians and reptiles. Study of the anatomy and physiology of amphibians and reptiles and ecological and behavioral experiments. Co-requisite: BIOL 4330. Prerequisites: BIOL1306/1106, BIOL 1307/1107. 

BIOL 4331: Entomology-Physiology, morphology, life history, and control of insects. Co-requisite: BIOL4132. Prerequisites: BIOL 1306/1106, BIOL1307/1107.

BIOL 4132: Entomology Laboratory-Systematics and taxonomy of insects and related forms with emphasis on collection and identification. Co-requisite: BIOL 4331.Prerequisites: BIOL 1306/1106, BIOL 1307/1107.

BIOL 4335: Vertebrate Natural History-Taxonomy, evolution, and natural history of the vertebrates of the world with emphasis on North American and East Texas species. Co-requisite: BIOL 4136. Prerequisites: BIOL 1306/1106, BIOL 1307/1107. 

BIOL 4136: Vertebrate Natural History Laboratory-Field study, collection, and identification of vertebrates emphasizing techniques of modern museum work. Co-requisite: BIOL 4335. Prerequisites: BIOL 1306/1106, BIOL 1307/1107.

BIOL 4340: Ornithology-Course will cover diverse aspects of avian biology, including anatomy, physiology, evolution, classification, ecology, reproduction, and behavior. Co-requisite: BIOL 4141. Prerequisites: BIOL 1306/1106 and BIOL1307/1107.

BIOL 4141: Ornithology Laboratory-Laboratory course will focus on identification (by sight and sound), taxonomy, natural history, and behavior of local species. Co-requisite: BIOL 4340. Prerequisites: BIOL 1306/1106 and BIOL 1307/1107.

BIOL 4350: Immunology-Study of the biology and chemistry of humoral and cell-mediated immunities. Prerequisites: CHEM 3344/3145 and BIOL4300/4101. 

BIOL 4199 - 4399: Independent Study-Independent study in specific areas of biology not covered by organized undergraduate courses. A maximum of six credit hours for independent study courses may be applied toward an undergraduate degree. Prerequisite: Consent of department chair.