Graduate Catalog 2016-2017

5000

BIOL 5010 Integrated Life Science

(2-2-3) Prerequisite: Permission of Instructor, PHSC 4010 recommended. A content course clarifying concepts in life science for middle grades teachers. Students acquire a depth of understanding of foundational life science concepts such as unity and biodiversity of life such that they can effectively assist others in learning. Course credit may not count toward M.S. Degree Biology Major Requirements. Additional laboratory fee required; see semester course schedule for amount.

3

BIOL 5050 Teaching Techniques

(3-0-3) The goal for this course is to prepare biology graduate students to fulfill departmental teaching duties and to develop their teaching skills and techniques as part of their professional development. This course is restricted to biology graduate students.

3

BIOL 5110 Animal Development

(3-2-4) The embryological development of vertebrates. Includes study of relevant biochemistry, germ cell production, fertilization, differentiation, and the origin of organ systems. Additional laboratory fee required; see semester course schedule for amount.

4

BIOL 5120 Endocrinology

(3-0-3) An in-depth study of the mechanisms of hormone secretion and interactions with receptors, specific endocrine tissues and their secretions, assaying methodology, and diseases and dysfunctions that involve the endocrine glands.

3

BIOL 5130 General Pharmacology

(3-0-3) An overview of the interaction of drugs with tissue receptors; topics include the absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination of drugs.

3

BIOL 5140 Histology

(2-3-4) The microscopic anatomy of vertebrate tissues and organs, with an emphasis on human organ systems. Additional laboratory fee required; see semester course schedule for amount.

4

BIOL 5150 Immunology

(3-0-3) The structure and the normal and abnormal function of the vertebrate immune system, including the interactions of the cellular and humoral components.

3

BIOL 5155 Biology of Cancer

(4-0-4) Prerequisite: Undergraduate Genetics (BIOL 2100) and Cell Molecular Physiology (BIOL 3200) or equivalent courses are required. Additional graduate level molecular cellular courses are highly encouraged. The course satisfies the biology major requirement as an upper level course. This course is designed to introduce the mechanistic fundamentals as to how the cancer arises and how this desease should be treated in the future. Emphases are given on understanding of current cancer research directions based on reading and analyzing scientific literature and future perspectives.

4

BIOL 5180 Microbiology

(3-2-4) Prerequisite: BIOL 3200. A study of bacteria and viruses. Emphasis on physiologic processes that are peculiar to non-eukaryotic cells and their usefulness as model biological systems. Additional laboratory fee required; see semester course schedule for amount.

4

BIOL 5185 Medical Microbiology

(3-0-3) Prerequisite: BIOL 2100. This course will focus on mechanisms of microbial pathogenesis and the host response, and the scientific approaches that are used to investigate these processes.

4

BIOL 5195 Molecular Biology

(3-0-3) Prerequisite: BIOL 2100. An advanced study of the molecular basis of inheritance. DNA structure, replication, transcription and translation will be presented in detail.

3

BIOL 5210 Plant Physiology

(3-3-4) A presentation of the principles of plant physiology through lecture topics, lab demonstrations, and experiments. Additional laboratory fee required; see semester course schedule for amount.

4

BIOL 5215 Plant Cell Physiology

(3-2-4) Prerequisites: Undergraduate BIOL 3400 and CHEM 1211 or CHEM 2100. A presentation of the principles of plant cell physiology through lecture topics, lab demonstrations, and experiments. Additional laboratory fee required; see semester course schedule for amount.

4

BIOL 5235 Molecular Biotechniques

(1-6-4) Prerequisite: BIOL 2100. A laboratory-intensive course designed to introduce the student to experimental techniques, instrumentation, and methodology commonly used in the laboratory investigation of molecules and cells. Additional laboratory fee required; see semester course schedule for amount.

4

BIOL 5240 Neurophysiology

(3-0-3) An introduction to the physiology of the vertebrate nervous system, primarily from a cellular point of view.

3

BIOL 5260 Environmental Toxicology

(3-0-3) Prerequisite: BIOL 1107. This course will provide a general understanding of toxicology related to the environment. Fundamental concepts will be covered including fate, transport, biotransformation, natural attenuation of toxicants; target organ toxicity and mutagenesis along with risk assessment. The course will examine chemicals of environmental interest and how they are tested and regulated.

3

BIOL 5300 Human Biol Sex & Drugs

(3-0-3) This course is designed to provide an examination of drugs and drug use, human sexuality and reproduction from a biological perspective. Various historical and social issues related to these topics will also be discussed.

3

BIOL 5410 Biological Systematics

(3-2-4) A study of taxonomy and systematics and the reasons why we name biological organisms and what classifications represent. Additional laboratory fee required; see semester course schedule for amount.

4

BIOL 5420 Clinical Parasitology

(3-0-3) Symptomatology, pathogenesis, epidemiology and treatment of the major protozoans, trematodes, cestodes and nematodes that most commonly infect humans.

3

BIOL 5440 Comparative Animal Physiology

(2-4-4) Comparisons of organ function in both invertebrate and vertebrate animals. Interactions with environmental factors and control mechanisms emphasized. Additional laboratory fee required; see semester course schedule for amount.

4

BIOL 5450 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy

(2-4-4) A study of the gross anatomy, biomechanics, and evolutionary relationships of the chordates. Several types of vertebrates are dissected. Additional laboratory fee required; see semester course schedule for amount.

4

BIOL 5460 General Entomology

(3-2-4) A study of the natural history, morphology, physiology, taxonomy, evolutionary relationships and behavior of insects. Covers the economic and medical importance of insects. Additional laboratory fee required; see semester course schedule for amount.

4

BIOL 5470 Herpetology

(3-2-4) Principles of evolution, classification, structure, distribution, adaptation, and life history of amphibians and reptiles. Laboratory and field work deals with various aspects of Georgia species. Additional laboratory fee required; see semester course schedule for amount.

4

BIOL 5480 Ichthyology

(3-2-4) Taxonomy, morphology, life history, ecology, and distribution of fishes. Laboratory deals with taxonomy and natural history of fishes found in central Georgia. Additional laboratory fee required; see semester course schedule for amount.

4

BIOL 5490 Phycology

(3-2-4) Prerequisite: BIOL 2800 taken as undergraduate student. Taxonomy, morphology, life history, ecology, and distribution of algae. This course is non-repeatable. Additional laboratory fee required; see semester course schedule for amount.

4

BIOL 5500 Invertebrate Zoology

(3-2-4) A study of invertebrate animals covering anatomy, physiology, ecology, taxonomy, evolutionary relationships and behavior. Additional laboratory fee required; see semester course schedule for amount.

4

BIOL 5530 Mammalogy

(3-2-4) A study of the phylogeny, adaptations, and natural history of mammals worldwide. Additional laboratory fee required; see semester course schedule for amount.

4

BIOL 5540 Ornithology

(3-2-4) An introduction to the scientific study of birds, which includes the fossil record, anatomy, identification, systematics, and biogeography. Additional laboratory fee required; see semester course schedule for amount.

4

BIOL 5580 Morphology & Anatomy of Plants

(2-4-4) A comprehensive survey of the morphology, anatomy, economic importance and evolution of vascular and nonvascular plants. Additional laboratory fee required; see semester course schedule for amount.

4

BIOL 5590 Vertebrate Biomechanics

(3-0-3) An advanced study of the structure and function of the vertebrate musculoskeletal system.

3

BIOL 5610 Vertebrate Zoology

(3-2-4) A study of the classes of vertebrates in relation to taxonomy, life history, population, and evolution. Includes laboratory and field collections emphasizing Georgia vertebrates. Additional laboratory fee required; see semester course schedule for amount.

4

BIOL 5705 Population & Community Ecology

(3-0-3) Prerequisite: BIOL 2800. An introduction to quantitative, theoretical and applied population and community ecology including population dynamics, species interactions and community structure.

3

BIOL 5710 Biogeography

(4-0-4) Theories and principles concerning regional patterns of plant and animal distributions.

4

BIOL 5725 Community & Ecosystem Ecology

(2-3-4) Prerequisite: BIOL 2800. The ecological study of community structure, function, and the interrelated dynamics. major communities of Georgia and the major biomes of North America will be studied. Additional laboratory fee required; see semester course schedule for amount.

4

BIOL 5730 Comparative Animal Behavior

(3-0-3) Prerequisite: 12 hours of BIOL and/or PSYC. The behavior of organisms ranging from bacteria to humans from the standpoint of genetics, evolution, physiology, ecology, and social organization.

3

BIOL 5740 Environmental Conservation

(2-2-3) A consideration of major environmental questions of today’s world and the ecological aspects relating to the conservation of man’s renewable and non-renewable resources.

3

BIOL 5750 Environmental Microbiology

(3-0-3) Prerequisite: BIOL 1107. A study of interaction of microorganisms with their environment. Emphasis on microorganisms of terrestrial and aquatic environments, and environmental determinants that control their distribution, activities, and cross-interactions in these environments.

3

BIOL 5760 Plant Systematics

(2-4-4) A course using local flora to teach principles of plant systematics. Additional laboratory fee required; see semester course schedule for amount.

4

BIOL 5770 Field Ornithology

(2-4-4) An introduction to field techniques for studying birds, e.g., field identification by sight and song, census taking, developing a field study. Additional laboratory fee required; see semester course schedule for amount.

4

BIOL 5780 Freshwater Biology

(3-2-4) The study of freshwater organisms, their identification, natural history, and environmental relationships. Particular emphasis will be given to lotic systems. Additional laboratory fee required; see semester course schedule for amount.

4

BIOL 5785 Eco of Wetland Ecosystems

This course introduces students to the principles of wetland science and our practices in managing them, with emphasis on the ecosystem perspective. Students will be expected to develop an understanding of physical, chemical, and biological aspects of wetlands including the processes that form wetlands and their associated plant and animal communities and how we manage these ecosystems. Prerequisite: BIOL 2800

4

BIOL 5795 Aquatic Ecology

This is an advanced course designed to familiarize students with the ecology of freshwater and coastal ecosystems (both "lotic" and "lentic"). This course will introduce students to field and laboratory techniques, current theory regarding structure and function, important areas of research, and applied issues regarding conservation and management of aquatic habitats. The course will consist of a mixture of lectures and group discussions, coupled with field and laboratory exercises.

4

BIOL 5800 People & Plants of the World

(3-0-3) Critical examination of the role neotropical plant resources have played in the culture, economics, and history of Latin America and the world. This course is repeatable for credit.

3

BIOL 5820 Topics in Avian Evolution

(3-0-3) An advanced course in ornithology with varying course topics (to be announced before term, e.g., origin of birds, fossil record of birds, migration, avian anatomy). This course is repeatable for credit.

3

BIOL 5850 Vertebrate Paleontology

(3-2-4) A detailed study of the evolution and phylogenetic relationships of the major groups of vertebrates. Additional laboratory fee required; see semester course schedule for amount.

4

BIOL 5860 Vertebrate Field Techniques

(2-4-4) A survey of field techniques used to sample nongame wildlife to include experimental design, data collection, field notes, and final report writing. Group field project required. Additional laboratory fee required; see semester course schedule for amount.

4

BIOL 5870 Wildlife Management

(3-2-4) Survey of the techniques and methodologies used in wildlife management of game and nongame animals. Field project required. Additional laboratory fee required; see semester course schedule for amount.

4

BIOL 5915 Graduate Seminar

The goal of this course is to develop research, presentation, and writing skills in the context of thesis or non-thesis research.

2

BIOL 5950 Special Topics

(VAR 1-4) Consideration of topics in which courses are not offered otherwise, but for which there is current need. Subject matter varies. This course is repeatable for credit.

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BIOL 5951 Special Topics with Lab

Consideration of topics in which courses are not offered otherwise, but for which there is current need. Subject matter varies. This course is repeatable for credit.

4

BIOL 5980 Study Abroad

(VAR 1-15) See the International Studies section of the catalog for details. This course is repeatable for credit.

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