Isolation, culture, morphology, and biochemical activities of microorganisms. Aseptic technique, microbiological staining, environmental sampling, and identification of unknown organisms will be covered. Does not count toward a major in Biology.

Laboratory experiments illustrating topics in human ecology such as biodiversity, population growth, and conservation.

Laboratory experiments illustrating modern concepts in the biological sciences, with emphasis on cell biology, metabolism, and genetics. A student will be granted a maximum of two attempts (where an earned grade or a “W” notation counts as an attempt) to earn a higher grade in BIO 1105 in order to fulfill a prerequisite or a course requirement for a degree, major, or minor.

Laboratory experiments illustrating modern concepts in the biological sciences, with emphasis on morphology, general physiology, and ecology. A student will be granted a maximum of two attempts (where an earned grade or a “W” notation counts as an attempt) to earn a higher grade in BIO 1106 in order to fulfill a prerequisite or a course requirement for a degree, major, or minor.

An examination of the types of biological research, including an introduction to the research faculty and facilities of the Department of Biology, experimental design, safety and ethics in research, analysis of scientific data, and writing in the sciences. A discussion of career planning is included.

Credit or concurrent enrollment in BIO 1102. Introduction to microbiology including the study of microbial growth, control of growth, microbial genetics, virulence factors, epidemiology, and the wide variety of contributions microbes make to quality of life. Does not count toward a major in biology.

Ecological issues in the media, including ecosystems and biodiversity. For non-majors.

Unifying principles common to all levels of biological organization, with emphasis on cell biology, metabolism, and genetics. A student will be granted a maximum of two attempts (where an earned grade or a “W” notation counts as an attempt) to earn a higher grade in BIO 1305 in order to fulfill a prerequisite or a course requirement for a degree, major, or minor.

Continuation of the study of biological concepts with emphasis on morphology, general physiology, evolution, and ecology. A student will be granted a maximum of two attempts (where an earned grade or a “W” notation counts as an attempt) to earn a higher grade in BIO 1306 in order to fulfill a prerequisite or a course requirement for a degree, major, or minor.

An introductory course for non-biology majors examining biological issues in the current media, focusing primarily on the human subject.

Biological concepts with emphasis on cell biology, metabolism, and genetics. Students will work in small groups on inquiry-based projects in the area of microbiology, genetics, molecular biology, and genomics. Credit may not be received after receiving credit in BIO 1305 and BIO 1105. A student will be granted a maximum of two attempts (where an earned grade or a “W” notation counts as an attempt) to earn a higher grade in BIO 1405 in order to fulfill a prerequisite or a course requirement for a degree, major, or minor.

Biological concepts with emphasis on morphology, general physiology, evolution, and ecology. Includes field trips and small-group, hypothesis-based projects that will require outside class time. Credit may not be received after receiving credit in BIO 1306 and BIO 1106. A student will be granted a maximum of two attempts (where an earned grade or a “W” notation counts as an attempt) to earn a higher grade in BIO 1406 in order to fulfill a prerequisite or a course requirement for a degree, major, or minor.

For undergraduates who wish to study individual topics not available in formal courses of the department. Directed reading, independent study or research, supervised library, laboratory or fieldwork, or presentation of material. Open project, which must be approved by the director. May be repeated once when different topics are studied.

Undergraduate research undertaken under the supervision of a faculty member. May be taken for a maximum of 6 hours.

Laboratory studies illustrating the principles of genetics in living organisms.

Explores the interdisciplinary nature of global health challenges and identifies biological principles that explain the emergence, virulence, and spread of infectious diseases.

Basic principles of genetics including Mendelian inheritance, molecular genetics, and population genetics.

The organization and movement of the human body and mechanisms for maintaining homeostasis via innervation. Topics include the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems. Emphasis is placed on the integration of systems as they relate to normal health. Designed for students who will pursue a career in nursing, nutrition science, and other health fields. Will not apply toward requirements for a major in biology.

The organization of the human body as related to metabolic processes and reproduction. Topics include the endocrine, cardiovascular, lymphatic, immune, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems. Aspects of development and inheritance are also covered. Will not apply toward requirements for a major in biology.

Undergraduate research undertaken under the supervision of a faculty member. May be taken for a maximum of 6 hours.

Contemporary topics in biological sciences. Requirements may include directed readings and discussions of advanced topics in biology, attendance at public seminars, presentations, and preparation of a research paper.

Field and laboratory experiences in ecological investigations.

Instructor approval required. Must also enroll in BIO 3111. Pedagogy course that integrates current learning theory and evidence-based teaching for the Learning Assistant Program.

Credit or concurrent enrollment in BIO 3110. Instructor approval required. Application of pedagogical techniques developed in BIO 3110 through the design of active learning content and the practice of student engagement in a classroom setting. May be repeated once for credit.

Laboratory applies conceptual ideas through the collection and analysis of real time human data, including reaction times, electrocardiograms, electromyograms, spirometry and urinalysis.

Collection, preservation, identification of insects. Collection required.

Advanced topics in biology not covered in other biology courses. Can be repeated once for credit if topic is different.

Lectures and discussions that illustrate the basic concepts in evolutionary, behavioral population, community, ecosystem, and conservation ecology.

See ENV 3314 for course information.

Biological and conservation responses to human-induced climate change, emphasizing the climate system, past climate influences, range shifts, phenological changes, extinction, predictive modeling, connectivity and landscape management, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and extinction risk from climate change solutions.

Either BIO 1105 and 1305, or BIO 1405; and either BIO 1106 and 1306, or BIO 1406; all with grades of C or better. Basic physiologic principles and concepts associated with the normal function of human cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems. This course is intended for the pre-profession student who requires a complex survey of human physiology.

Taxonomy, morphology, physiology, and behavior of insects.

Study of Mendelian principles applied to humans, genetic defects, chromosomal aberrations, biochemical disorders, pedigrees, and probability. Genetic diagnostic techniques, gene therapy, genetic engineering, genetic counseling and the social, ethical, and legal problems associated with recent advances in genetics will be addressed.

See GEO 3341 for course information.

Students who already have credit for BIO 4307, BIO 4308, or CHE 4341 are not eligible to enroll in BIO 3342. Cell structure and function at the cellular and molecular levels. Topics include molecular components of cell membranes, membrane-bound organelles, cytoskeleton, cell division, gene regulation, and principles of bioenergetics.

See BINF 3350 for course information.

Comprehensive survey of evolutionary biology, including a fundamental framework to address causative issues in the biological sciences, and an understanding of the basic processes contributing to biological diversification.

Structural, functional, and evolutionary relationships of the chordates, particularly vertebrates.

See GEO 3435 for course information.

Individual topics not available in formal courses of the department. May include independent study or research, directed reading, supervised library, laboratory, or fieldwork, or presentation of material. Open to all undergraduates. Prior to registration the student will choose a project that must be approved by the director. May be repeated when different topics are studied. A maximum of 3 semester hours of Individual Topics may apply toward a major in biology.

Undergraduate research undertaken under the supervision of a faculty member. May be taken for a maximum of 6 hours.

Biology achievement test for seniors given during fall and spring semesters. A minimum score is required to receive credit.

Laboratory experiments and techniques to culture microorganisms. Analyses of biochemical tests, quantitative and qualitative procedures, and identification of unknown organisms.

Collection, preservation, identification, taxonomy and biology of medically important arthropods, especially insects. Survey collection required for graduate credit.

Laboratory experience in basic field and laboratory methodologies for the study of aquatic ecosystems. Overview of collection, analysis and interpretation of physical, chemical and biological variables commonly used in the field.

Modern experimental techniques of developmental biology.

Experimental techniques of genetics and developmental biology such as genome editing and genotyping taught through laboratory exercises. Includes an independent research project resulting in a publishable manuscript.

Laboratory experiments illustrating modern concepts in plant physiological research, with emphases on form, function relationships, technological innovations, and organismal adaption.

Detection and identification of human parasite diagnostic forms. Power Point presentation required for graduate credit.

Examination of various methods of scientific communication with critical analysis and evaluation of scientific presentations and the current scientific literature.

Basic principles of resistance to disease, host-antigen interactions, immunologic response mechanisms, immunologic techniques, and correlations of disease and the immune response.

An introduction to the major areas of microbiology, including microbial morphology, metabolism, genetics, evolution, taxonomy, ecology, and disease.

Identification, biology, and management of arthropod pests, especially insects, transmitting diseases affecting man, livestock and wildlife.

Major aquatic ecosystems including oceans, estuaries, rivers, streams, lakes, reservoirs, ponds and wetlands. Addresses the fundamental physical, chemical and ecological factors that govern the structure and function of each ecosystem.

Techniques and strategies central to the analysis of genomic and genetic experimental data with emphasis on experimental design. Training in computational methods such as R and Unix; no previous computing experience is required.

The roles of biologically important molecules in cellular structure and function, emphasizing an integrated understanding of the characteristic of the four major classes of biological molecules and the chemical interactions that support living systems. May not receive credit for both BIO 4307 and CHE 4341.

Examination of mechanisms that regulate the development of multicellular organisms using biochemical genetic and cell biological approaches. Investigates the role that gene regulation, cell-cell communication, cell adhesion, cell motility, signal transduction, and intracellular trafficking play in the commitment, differentiation and assembly of stem cells into specialized cell types and organs.

Patterns of geographic distributions of animals and plants, and the physical and biological factors, and processes affecting geographic distributions.

Examines virus classification, host cell infection and defenses, and how viruses cause disease in humans and animals. Emphasis placed on how viral epidemics influences history and religion, viral emergence and re-emergence in new locations, zoonotic viruses, the development of antivirals and vaccines, as well as the impact on public health and agriculture.

Experimental studies of important physical and chemical processes related to plant function.

Pathophysiology of disease with emphasis on immunology, communicable disease, neoplasia, heredity, congenital problems, and degeneration as expressed in each organ system.

Introduction to study of parasites and vectors, emphasizing life cycles and control of those affecting humans. Research paper required for graduate credit.

Development of science leadership skills through community-based research problems.

Development of science leadership skills through community-based research on improvement of science education.

See GEO 4339 for course information.

See ENV 4344 for course information.

Introduction to medically relevant pathogens with an emphasis on bacterial pathogenesis.

Core principles in genetics and cellular and molecular biology to understand the causation, pathogenesis, and control of the major neglected tropical diseases, defined as a group of poverty-promoting chronic infectious diseases.

Processes which establish or eliminate variation in populations and how these mechanisms affect biological diversity.

See ENV 4380 for course information.

See GEO 4386 for course information.

Explores topics in molecular microbiology, microbial diversity, and microbial biochemistry to better understand the roles of microbes in ecosystems. Emphasis on gut microbial contributions to human physiology in states of health and disease.

Lecture, laboratory, and field studies of lakes and streams. Emphasis on analysis and interpretation of physical, chemical, and biological factors relating to metabolism and production of aquatic communities. Overnight trips may be required.

Laboratory and field studies of lakes, streams, and estuaries. Primarily for advanced students of zoology and botany who are interested in aquatic organisms and their ecology. Emphasis is on collection, preservation, and identification of all aquatic biota except fishes. Overnight trips may be required.

See ANT 4416 for course description.

Anatomy of seed plants, with emphasis on structure-function relationships that occur during growth and development.

Taxonomy, ecology, structure, distribution, and economic significance of aquatic vascular plants.

An introduction to the biology of the vertebrates, emphasizing recognition and classification of modern taxa, adaptations to diverse lifestyles, and importance to humans in context of diseases, domestication and conservation.

Fish fauna of the area with emphasis on morphology, ecology, economics, and systematics. Overnight trips may be required.

Microscopic structure of vertebrate tissues and organs.

An introduction to the biology of mammals, emphasizing recognition and classification of modern taxa, adaptations to diverse lifestyles, and importance to humans in context of diseases, domestication and conservation.

Evolution, morphology, physiology, behavior, reproduction, ecology, geography, and migration of birds of the world. Includes field identification of Central Texas species.

Evolutionary history and biogeography of vertebrate animals, based primarily on fossil evidence. Laboratory activities include study of fossil material, field excavations, and visits to museums.

Vertebrate physiology in a comparative evolutionary context. Emphasis on general principles, with unique examples supplied from all major vertebrate taxa.

Either BIO 1105 and 1305, or BIO 1405; and either BIO 1106 and 1306, or BIO 1406; all with grades of C or better. The organs and systems of the human body emphasizing relationships between structure, function, development and microscopic anatomy.

Organisms, environments, and methods of field study. Available for one to four hours of credit, with each hour of credit corresponding to one week of study in field. Four hours required to satisfy field course requirement.

Highly intensive clinical training at an affiliated institution in preparation for national certification as a clinical laboratory scientist. A grade of “C-“ or better is required for course credit. Can be taken for 6 to 12 hours per semester for a maximum of 4 times with a total of no more than 42 hours.

Independent research project conducted under the supervision of a faculty member. May be repeated for a total of 3 hours. Presentation of the project required at the end of each semester. Presentation and defense of thesis required for third semester hour.

Undergraduate research undertaken under the supervision of a faculty member. May be taken for a maximum of 6 hours.