Courses

Graduate Courses

BIOL 310 Quantitative Methods in Biology; 3 cr.
A course that emphasizes advanced statistical methods for biology; includes use of computers and some software and hardware applications in various fields in biology. Prerequisites: Graduate standing and consent of instructor.

BIOL 315 Research Techniques in Biology; 3 cr.
A core course that provides practical experience in a variety of techniques currently employed in biological research, providing an understanding of their application and result interpretation. Prerequisites: Graduate standing and consent of instructor.

Biol 322 Advanced Biochemistry; 3 cr.
This course presents the relationship of biomolecular structure to function, enzyme catalysis, the regulation of protein activity, multi-component systems, and selected examples of current biochemical research. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.  

BIOL 324 Protein Structure and Function; 3cr
A course that covers the structure-function relationship of proteins, both as model systems and as part of biological systems, with special attention to current issues in protein science. Biophysical approaches, structure determination, protein engineering, protein folding, advance enzymology, and biological systems with which to study proteins are included. Prerequisite: consent of instructor

BIOL 328 Plant Biochemistry; 3 cr.
A course that provides information in areas of biochemistry unique to plants, including that of the cell wall, photosynthesis, assimilation of mineral nutrients, natural products, and growth substances. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

BIOL 330 Advances in Molecular Genetics; 3 cr.
A discussion of recent developments in molecular genetics that provides an understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying gene regulation and tissue-specific gene expression. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

BIOL 331 Nucleic Acid Structure and Function; 3 cr.
This course covers the principles by which nucleic acid structures regulate gene expression and replication, with special attention to unusual roles and applications. Antiviral drugs, RNA catalysis, mRNA UTR elements, and the origin of life will be discussed. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

BIOL 332 Advances in Cell Biology; 3 cr.
A discussion of recent findings in cell biology, emphasizing understanding of the research approaches used to elucidate major processes that regulate the normal function of the cell. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

BIOL 333 Signal Transduction; 3 cr.
A study of the common signal transduction pathways mediating the effect of different first messengers. Prerequisites: Graduate standing and consent of instructor.

Biol 334 Cellular Biophysics; 3 cr.
An application of physical concepts and techniques to the study of cell structure and functions. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

BIOL 335 Molecular Biology of Cancer; 3 cr.
A course that deals with the regulatory mechanisms of neoplastic cell growth and cancer cell metastasis. This course includes a discussion of recent developments in molecular genetics of the intra- and/or intercellular mechanisms involved in tumor formation, cellular proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, and metastasis. Prerequisites: Graduate standing and consent of instructor.

BIOL 336 Mechanisms of Development; 3 cr.
A course that employs an experimental analysis approach for the study of different developmental events with emphasis on cellular and molecular mechanisms. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

BIOL 337 Molecular Biology of Cell Death;3 cr.
This course reviews recent developments regarding the signaling and regulation of the different modes of cell death and their particular relevance to multi-step carcinogenesis.  It aims at providing a general understanding of the different death processes which will provide a means of manipulating the system for the activation of apoptotic and other modes of cell death in refractory cells. Prerequisites: Graduate standing, Molecular Biology of Cancer, Biol. 335, or consent of instructor.

BIOL 338 Cancer and Natural Products;3 cr.
This course is designed to introduce students to the numerous natural compounds that show promise in the treatment of cancer and the mechanism-based approaches to cancer treatment using these compounds. In addition, the course provides information on the research designs, protocols and assays involving natural compounds. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

BIOL 339 Membranes and Membrane Transport;3 cr.
An in-depth study of membrane structure and of different biological transport mechanisms covering their kinetics and regulation. The structure and function of the most important channels, pumps and carriers are emphasized together with their importance in regulating the intracellular environment and their implication in health and disease. Common research methods for the assay of transport processes are also discussed. Prerequisite: consent of instructor

BIOL 341 Advances in Microbiology; 3 cr.
A study of energy metabolism of various microbial groups emphasizing degradation of organic compounds under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. This course also deals with applications of microorganisms in industrial, medical, and environmental fields. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

BIOL 342 Microbial Genetics; 3cr.
A course that trains students to solve problems in bacterial genetics; develop a comprehension of bacterial genetics including the organization and activation of genes; understand and apply a genetic approach to biology's basic questions: read, understand, and critically evaluate scientific research papers published in leading international journals; identify areas that require further investigation and for which a genetic approach can be designed and pursued; design laboratory experiments in bacterial genetics; write and submit a grant proposal to seek funds for research in this area, and present up-to-date published research findings to a specialized audience. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

BIOL 350 Advanced Reproductive Physiology; 3cr.
A course that examines the comparative mechanisms of all major aspects of male and female reproductive physiology. Emphasis is given to species variation in regard to reproductive function and to detailed examination of key reproductive events in both sexes. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

BIOL 355 Neuroimmunology; 3cr.
A course that focuses on the interactions between the nervous, endocrine, and immune systems. The role of the various biologically important molecules that play an important role in the bi-directional communication between those three systems and their physiological and pharmacological actions is studied. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

BIOL 362 Advanced Ecology ; 3 cr.
A discussion and analysis of topics of current interest in ecology with emphasis on population and community dynamics; methods of ecological investigation and analysis; includes field work. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

BIOL 363 Population and Community Ecology; 3 cr.
A course that introduces the various models and theories of population dynamics and community structure and their applications in assessing the complex interactions that occur in natural plant-animal systems as a result of long co-evolution with emphasis on chemical ecology. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

BIOL 364 Conservation and Restoration Ecology; 3 cr.
A course that introduces various concepts and applications in the field of conservation and landscape ecology. Degradation processes, principles of restoration ecology and models of conservation biology are discussed. A part of this course concentrates on the use of remote sensing, GIS and GPS as tools in landscape ecology. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

BIOL 390 Special Topics in Biology; 1, 2, 3 or 4 cr.
Prerequisites: graduate standing and consent of instructor. May be repeated for Credit.

BIOL 391/392 Tutorial; 2 or 3 cr.
Prerequisites: Graduate standing and consent of instructor.

BIOL 393/394 Seminar; 1 cr.
Prerequisites: Graduate standing and consent of instructor.

BIOL 399 MS Thesis; 9 cr.