400

BIO 400 Evolution

A study of the scientific foundations of evolutionary theory and the mechanisms responsible for evolutionary change. Topics covered include a historical perspective of evolution, origin of life, natural selection and adaptation, levels of selection, fitness concepts, speciation, Darwinian evolution and punctuated equilibria, extinction, the fossil record, life history evolution and human evolution. Lecture only.

Credit Hours: 4

Prerequisites

Biology lower-core curriculum.

BIO 405 Human Evolution

A study of the evolution of humans, beginning with the origin of primates. Course includes emphases on evolutionary phenomena, morphological and molecular evolution, extinct and modern human diversity, primate behavior, and human functional anatomy and paleontology.
Credit Hours: 4

Prerequisites

Biology lower-core curriculum: BIO 225, BIO 250 or BIO 400 recommended

BIO 405L Human Evolution Laboratory

A study of the evolution of humans, beginning with the origin of primates. Course includes emphases on evolutionary phenomena, morphological and molecular evolution, extinct and modern human diversity, primate behavior and human functional anatomy and paleontology.
Credit Hours: 0

Prerequisites

Biology lower-core curriculum; BIO 225, BIO 250, or BIO 400 recomended

BIO 408 Bioinformatics and Genomics

This course introduces fundamental concepts, algorithms, and methods in bioinformatics and genomics.  Topics include, but are not limited to: pairwise sequence alignment, multiple sequence alignment, biological database searching, phylogenetic analysis, protein structure prediction, genome annotation, and comparative genomics.  The course introduces the use of computer programming and various computational tools to analyze biological data.  Understanding of bioinformatics methods and the practical application of these methods are emphasized.  No prior programming experience is necessary.
Credit Hours: 4

Prerequisites

Biology lower-core curriculum and one of the following: BIO 300, BIO 320, BIO 370, or CHE 320

BIO 408L Bioinformatics and Genomics Laboratory

This course introduces fundamental concepts, algorithms and methods in bioinformatics and genomics.  Topics include, but are not limited to: pairwise sequence alignment, multiple sequence alignment, biological database searching, phylogenetic analysis, protein structure prediction, genome annotation and comparative genomics. The course introduces the use of computer programming and various computational tools to analyze biological data. Understanding of bioinformatics methods and the practical application of these methods are emphasized. No prior programming experience is necessary.
Credit Hours: 0

Prerequisites

Biology lower-core curriculum and one of the following: BIO 300, BIO 320, BIO 370 or CHE 320

BIO 410 Senior Seminar

An in-depth study of a current topic in biology. Requires independent study project and presentation.

Credit Hours: 1

Prerequisites

Senior standing in biology or marine science.

BIO 440 Selected Topics in Biology

Students select a topic of interest in biology and explore the subject thoroughly through directed literature-based research. Requires at least two hours each week for each credit attempted and a formal paper with extensive literature review. Oral presentation of results can be used in place of BIO 410. Counts as general elective credit only.

Credit Hours: 2-6
W

Prerequisites

At least 16 credit hours in biology, and faculty and department chair consent

BIO 445 Biological Research

Research questions must be selected with the professor in charge of the project with approval from the department chair. Requires at least two hours each week for each credit attempted. Counts as general elective credit only.
Credit Hours: 2-6

Prerequisites

At least 16 credit hours in biology, and faculty and department chair consent

BIO 450 Biological Research - Capstone

Research topics must be selected in consultation with the professor in charge of the project with approval from the department chair. Usually requires preliminary library or laboratory research prior to attempting a BIO 450 project (volunteer research, BIO 440 or BIO 445 recommended). Requires at least two hours each week for each credit attempted, a research paper and oral presentation of topic. Oral presentation of results may be used in place of BIO 410. Counts as general elective credit only.

Credit Hours: 2-6
W

Prerequisites

At least 16 credit hours in biology, and faculty and department chair consent

BIO 480 Biology Laboratory Practicum

Through direct involvement both in and out of the classroom students gain practical knowledge of instruction in a college biology laboratory. Under the supervision of faculty, students are involved in the aspects pertaining to teaching a semester's biology laboratory. This may include but is not limited to presenting introductory material, aiding students during laboratories, development and critique of evaluation component(s), and laboratory preparation and maintenance. Counts as general elective only.

Credit Hours: 1

Prerequisites

Permission of the instructor.

BIO 490 Biological Internship

Provides practical experience in science-related programs in a firm or agency under the supervision of faculty and firm representatives. Can be accomplished on a part-time or full-time basis. Graded on a pass/fail basis. Counts as a general elective only.

Credit Hours: 1-8

Prerequisites

BIO 203 and BIO 204, 56 credit hours, minimum GPA of 3.0 in the major or approval of the department. Note: Prerequisite courses may be specified by the employer.

BIO 495 Special Topics

A lecture or laboratory course offered at the discretion of the Department of Biology. Subject may focus on a current issue in biology, training in a specific research technique, or an area of biology that is of interest to a particular group of students.

Credit Hours: 1-4

Prerequisites

Permission of instructor.