4000

Faculty-supervised experience in assisting with laboratory studies. May be repeated subject to availability of assignments. Prerequisite: Approval of department chairperson.

The Surgical Scholars Program includes discussions with and shadowing of surgeons, as well as other activities designed to provides students additional preparation for career choices and medical school. Enrollment is by application only. Background check and drug screening are required. Prerequisite: Meet minimum application requirements and approval of the Associate Dean for Natural Sciences. Course fees.

Students majoring in Biology must complete the biology achievement examination prior to graduation. This exam should be taken during the senior year. Examination fee.

This is the laboratory component for BIOL 4300. Laboratory fee.

Laboratory fee.

This is the laboratory component for BIOL 4315. Laboratory fee.

This is the corequisite laboratory for BIOL 4320. Laboratory fee.

This is the laboratory component for BIOL 4345. Laboratory fee.

This is the laboratory corequisite for BIOL 4355. A study of the application of evolutionary theory, primarily through the study of genetic characteristics of populations and inference of phylogenetic relationships among biological taxa using various types of comparative data. Prerequisite: BIOL 3310. Corequisite: BIOL 4355.

This is the laboratory for BIOL 4367. Laboratory Fee.

This is the corequisite lab for BIOL 4370 required for Biology majors. Prerequisites: MATH 2303 and a minimum "C" in BIOL 3310/3110. Laboratory fee.

Students will evaluate published primary biological literature and present selected publications orally. Faculty will select specific research topics for exploration, and these topics may vary by semester. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisites: BIOL 2170 and BIOL 3310

This course will introduce students to bioinformatics research. Students will survey bioinformatics research literature, present primary research articles, perform individual research in bioinformatics, and report their research findings. Focus will be on application of bioinformatics tools to biological data. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisites: BIOL 3310, MATH 1430, and CISC 1305. Or approval of the instructor.

An introduction to research representing individual work of senior level.  Conferences and laboratory work to be specified according to the subject at the discretion of the instructor.  Prerequisite:  12 hours of Biology, 6 of which must be advanced level, and permission of the instructor. Laboratory fee.

Requirements may include classroom study, fieldwork, or a weekend field trip. Expenses for field trip will be shared by participants. Prerequisite: BIOL 3310 or permission of instructor. May be repeated for credit as topics vary.

Students will conduct biological research under the supervision of a faculty member. Students will be expected to keep a research notebook according to standard laboratory practices and may be required to submit a research proposal at the discretion of the faculty member. A final written report of work accomplished will be required. A minimum of 3 clock hours of laboratory per week will be required for each semester hour of credit. Prerequisite: Approval of department chairperson. Laboratory fee.

This is a Writing Emphasis course that prepares students for authentic writing in Biology through the production of a formal research proposal that requires an extensive search of scientific literature and documentation of appropriate sources. Students will also produce personalized documents typically included in a professional portfolio. Prerequisite: Senior classification and a minimum “C” standing in each of BIOL 2170, 2171, 3110, 3310, and grade of C or better in ENGL 1321 and ENGL 1322.

Requirements include a literature search, oral presentation, and discussion on a relevant topic in Biology. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisites: Senior classification and permission of the instructor.

Requirements include a literature search, oral presentation, and discussion on a relevant topic in Biology. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisites: Senior classification and permission of the instructor.

Students will conduct biological research under the supervision of a faculty member. Students will be expected to keep a research notebook according to standard laboratory practices and may be required to submit a research proposal at the discretion of the faculty member. A final written report of work accomplished will be required. A minimum of 3 clock hours of laboratory per week will be required for each semester hour of credit. Prerequisite: Approval of department chairperson. Laboratory fee.

Identification, life histories, distribution, and adaptations of vertebrate animals. Extensive field work and one weekend trip. Prerequisites: BIOL 1360/1160 and one of the following: BIOL 2330 or BIOL 2340/2140. Laboratory fee. Fall only.

A study of the structure, function, reproduction and biochemistry of eukaryotic cells and their organelles. Prerequisites: BIOL 3310 and CHEM 1420.

An introduction to the cell behavior and molecular pathways that control embryonic development. Several representative organisms-- invertebrate, vertebrate, and plant-- will be utilized along with an introduction to recent advances and techniques in developmental biology. Those techniques will be applied in the laboratory to study such organisms as sea urchins, chickens, and Arabidopsis. Prerequisites: BIOL 2170/2171 and BIOL 3310.

A general study of the biotic and abiotic components of estuarine and marine systems, with emphasis on the Gulf Coast of Texas. Weekend field trip required. Prerequisites BIOL 1360/1160 and either BIOL 2330 or BIOL 2340/2140. Corequisite: BIOL 4120
 

This course explores the processes of transformation and tumor formation, focusing on the molecular and cellular mechanisms of carcinogenesis, tumor pathology and metastasis. Topics include: molecular and cellular basis of cancer, including viral and cellular oncogenes, tumor suppression mechanics, cellular immortality, genomic integrity, angiogenesis, metastasis, and traditional and developing theories. Open to upper-division students only. Prerequisite: BIOL 3310.

This course serves to provide a diverse knowledge in the fields of public health and ethics as it contributes to its global application within the international realms of healthcare, health diplomacy, law and foreign policy. Students will gain competencies in critical evaluation of global health cases, policy briefs and peer reviewed publications addressing ethical issues as they pertain to the multidisciplinary interaction among the areas of public health, health-related research, human rights, social justice, international law, health diplomacy, and foreign policy. In the process, students will be taught to demonstrate moral character, as well as social, cultural, and political awareness through their ability to form public health recommendations that enable global health programs to become established in socioeconomically disadvantaged regions around the world.  Prerequisite: BIOL 3310/3110.

This course examines the various approaches to reproduction used by plants and animals. Topics include asexual and sexual reproduction, modes of sex determination, mating strategies, selection and parental care. Students must be biology majors or minors having completed BIOL 3310.

This course is designed to provide students with an understanding of the alterations in brain structure and chemistry as a result of different types of addiction. The course will cover the brain mechanisms underlying motivated behaviors and the dysfunction that can lead to addictive behaviors. Addiction will be studied at different levels from how drugs affect neurons to how drugs impact society. Much of the course relates the important mood-elevating effects of drugs to their biological actions. The course will also look into addictive behaviors that do not appear to have a pharmacological underpinning, such as internet addictions and gambling. Prerequisite: BIOL 3310 and BIOL 3110.

An introduction to the taxonomy, ecology, morphology and behavior of amphibians and reptiles. Weekend field trip may be required. Prerequisite: BIOL 1360/1160 and one of the following: BIOL 2330, 2340/2140 or 2370/2175.

A study of evolutionary biology. Emphasis on evolutionary patterns, mechanisms and processes contributing to biological diversity, biological adaptation, biogeography, and speciation.   Prerequisite:  BIOL 3310

A study of the foundations and principles of regenerative medicine. Major emphasis will be on understanding stem cell research relating to stem cell types, sources, characteristics, modifications, and applications for therapy. Prerequisites: BIOL 2170 and BIOL 3310.

Students explore plant structure and function, including genes and genomes, biotechnology, cell biology, metabolism, diversity, and development. Plant interactions with other organisms, including plant-derived pharmaceuticals, are considered. Prerequisites: BIOL 2170, 2171, and 3310 or permission of the instructor.

A study of the interrelationships between organisms and their environment. Emphasis on environmental characteristics, population dynamics, community structure, modes of reproduction and foraging and inter- & intra-specific relationships. Prerequisites: MATH 2303 and a minimum “C” in BIOL 3310/3110. Biology majors are required to take BIOL 4170 concurrently.

This course will introduce students to the key concepts of bioinformatics. Major emphasis will be on the integration of biological and computational sciences and the many tools of bioinformatics that can be applied to analysis of biological data. Prerequisites: BIOL 3310, MATH 1430, and CISC 1305. Or approval of the instructor.

A study of the isolation, identification, control, morphology, physiology, and immunogenicity of disease-causing bacteria, viruses, and eukaryotic parasites.

Students will conduct biological research under the supervision of a faculty member. Students will be expected to keep a research notebook according to standard laboratory practices and may be required to submit a research proposal at the discretion of the faculty member. A final written report of work accomplished will be required. A minimum of 3 clock hours of laboratory per week will be required for each semester hour of credit. Prerequisite: Approval of department chairperson. Laboratory fee.

Consists of an extended field trip to different ecological regions of the United States or Mexico with an emphasis on the geology, climate, flora, fauna, and culture of the area visited. Participants will be responsible for maintenance of expedition equipment and may collect and identify geological and biological specimens where appropriate. Natural History Expedition is not intended to be a substitute for those academic courses required of a major or for the teaching field in Biology. Enrollment will be limited and will require permission of the instructor. Expenses will be shared by participants. May be repeated for credit. Laboratory fee.

Students will conduct biological research under the supervision of a faculty member. Students will be expected to keep a research notebook according to standard laboratory practices and may be required to submit a research proposal at the discretion of the faculty member. A final written report of work accomplished will be required. A minimum of 3 clock hours of laboratory per week will be required for each semester hour of credit. Prerequisite: Approval of department chairperson. Laboratory fee.