Biological Sciences Courses

BSC
500
Hours
4
Vertebrate Funct Morphol

Morphology of animals, primarily vertebrates, with emphasis on functional aspects of anatomy. Laboratory deals mainly with comparative anatomy of the vertebrates. Offered fall semester.

BSC
501
Hours
3
Molecular Ecology

This course examines how variation in nucleic acid or protein sequences allow organisms or populations to function within, and adapt to, their environment.

BSC
505
Hours
2
Introduction to Graduate Studies in Biological Sciences

This graduate level course presents topics designed to accelerate the progress and success of incoming and early stage graduate students as they transition into a M.S. or Ph.D. program in Biological Sciences. As a career preparation course, it aims to provide graduate students the practical skills and tools that will be applicable throughout their careers, regardless of their research focus.

BSC
507
Hours
1-6
Research Tech In By

Individualized instruction and the application of research techniques to specific problems for graduate students in the department. Offered fall and spring semesters.

BSC
511
Hours
3
Phage Discovery Laboratory

A research-based laboratory course that isolates and characterizes bacterial viruses (phages) using modern microbiology, microscopy, and molecular biology techniques.

Prerequisite(s): Graduate Standing or permission of the instructor.
BSC
512
Hours
3
Limnology

A study of freshwater environments and organisms living in lakes, ponds, and streams. Offered fall semester.

BSC
513
Hours
3
Cave Biology

This class focuses on biology related to caves and subterranean habitats, including biodiversity, ecology, evolution, microbiology, conservation, and applications to human health.

Prerequisite(s): Undergraduate courses in genetics and ecology or permission of the instructor
BSC
514
Hours
3
Marine Biogeography and Evolution

Although the study of biogeography and evolution isn't fundamentally different in the ocean than it is on land, important differences exist in the history and pace of discovery, as well as in the mode and tempo of how biodiversity is generated, distributed, and maintained across geographic space. In this course we will focus on historical and contemporary biogeography in the marine realm, and compare and contrast evolutionary processes between marine and terrestrial ecosystems. There will be a special focus on the origin of marine biodiversity hotspots, geological processes & extinction, ocean currents, temperature gradients, depth gradients, the relative contribution of allopatric and sympatric speciation, gene flow, and effective population sizes.

Prerequisite(s): Undergraduate courses in general biology, genetics, and ecology or by instructor permission
BSC
515
Hours
3
Wetland Ecology

An in-depth analysis of wetland ecology emphasizing the biology and ecology of vascular plants, including plant adaptations to anaerobic soils, reproductive adaptations, habitat, and plant zonation, and the role of plants in ecosystem function.

BSC
516
Hours
3
Disease Ecology

This class will focus on the study of host-pathogen interactions within the context of their environment and evolution.

BSC
517
Hours
3
Environmental Modeling

An integrated survey of quantitative principles and computer-based solution techniques important for understanding environmental systems and for environmental problem solving. Offered alternate fall semesters.

BSC
518
Hours
3
Comparative Neuroanatomy

This course covers the study of the general principles of neuroanatomy across invertebrates and vertebrates, including their evolutionary relationships, brain morphology, and cellular biology. Anatomy will be learned via hands-on dissection and illustrations of various neural structures from flies to sheep.

Prerequisite(s): Undergraduate courses in cell biology and ecology or by permission of instructor
BSC
519
Hours
3
Evolutionary Genomics

Evolutionary Genomics explores fundamental aspects of genome structure and function in an evolutionary context. Course topics range from chromatin structure evolution to whole genome duplication, and explores how these genomic traits impact the evolution of different organisms.

BSC
520
Hours
4
Principles Of Systematics

An introduction to the principles, methods and applications of systematic zoology and the zoological classifications. Offered alternate fall semesters.

BSC
521
Hours
3
Personalized and Genetic Medicine

This course will examine biological techniques that are advancing medical research and care. Topics include personalized medicine, direct-to-consumer genetic testing, predictive medicine, pharmacogenomics, and preimplantation genetic diagnosis. It will also explore concomitant ethical, legal, and societal ramifications related to many of these discoveries, such as ownership of biological material, informed consent for human experimentation, the burden of knowledge regarding genetic information, eugenics, and the Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act.

BSC
522
Hours
3
Biology of Cancer

This course is an introduction to the biological principals that explain the origins, development, pathology, and treatment of cancer. Students will work in teams assigned to particular types of cancer and will investigate what is known on various topics as related to that type of cancer.

Prerequisite(s): Must be enrolled in university graduate program.
BSC
524
Hours
3
Human Physiology

Examines the cardiovascular, digestive, endocrine, muscular, neural, renal, reproductive and respiratory systems. Offered spring semesters.

BSC
525
Hours
2
Human Physiology Lab

Centers on principles of physiology and instrumentation for physiology. Offered alternate fall semesters.

Prerequisite(s): None. Corequisite: BSC 524.
BSC
526
Hours
3
Computational Biology Lab

Computational Biology Lab introduces the programming skills, statistical methods and conceptual foundations necessary to pursue computational analysis and modeling of biological systems. This course is designed for biology students, and it is not expected that students will have prior with experience with computing or programming.

BSC
528
Hours
4
Biology Of Fishes

A survey of the structure, function, ecology, and classification of fishes. Offered alternate spring semesters.

BSC
530
Hours
3
Introduction to Pharmacology

This course will cover the basic principles of pharmacology including mechanisms of drug action and drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion.

BSC
531
Hours
3
Pathogenic Microbiology

A study of microorganisms related to health and disease. Offered spring semester.

BSC
534
Hours
4
Plant Systematics

Characteristics and distribution of the major families of vascular plants, and practice in the collection and identification of flowering plants. One weekend field trip is required. Offered alternate spring semesters.

BSC
535
Hours
4
Immunology

Thorough exploration of various aspects of modern immunology at the molecular and cellular levels. Offered fall semester.

BSC
537
Hours
3
Epidemiology of Pathogens

This course will acquaint students with the principles of epidemiology and provide an understanding of the applications of epidemiology to public health and global disease burden. Major concepts include introductions into the various applications of epidemiological studies; discrimination between epidemics caused by infectious organisms, genetic backgrounds, and human behavior; and examples of how epidemiology can be applied in a clinical setting.

Prerequisite(s): Undergraduate course in microbiology or permission of the instructor
BSC
539
Hours
3
Bch/Molecular Biology Lab

A survey of the common analytical techniques used in molecular biology. Topics include protein purification and characterization, enzymology, DNA isolation and restriction endonuclease mapping, and gene cloning. Offered spring semester.

BSC
541
Hours
3
Developmental Biology

The course provides basic information about events in developing animal systems, emphasizing cellular, molecular, and genetic research approaches to the study of development. Offered spring semester.

BSC
542
Hours
4
Integrated Genomics

This advanced undergraduate/graduate level course will introduce you the major technologies and concepts in genomics, familiarize you with some publicly available of bioinformatics databases and tools, contribute to the public knowledge base through your own bioinformatics and literature based research, and give you hands-on experience with genomics wet lab methods. This course will also provide information on careers in biotechnology.

BSC
544
Hours
3
General Virology

The molecular biology of bacterial, animal, and plant virus replication, including the biophysical, biochemical, and biological properties of virus particles. Offered spring semester.

BSC
548
Hours
3
Animal Behavior

This course is designed to provide modern perspectives on the study of animal behavior, pulling from fields as diverse as evolutionary biology, ecology, neurobiology and economics. However there will be a historical undercurrent which will illustrate the roots of this truly interdisciplinary field.

BSC
549
Hours
3
Endocrinology

A detailed examination of the vertebrate endocrine system that uses a comparative approach to explore intricate relationships between the brain, endocrine glans, hormones and target organs.

BSC
550
Hours
3
Fundamentals of Biochemistry

A one-semester survey of protein structure, enzyme kinetics, bioenergetics, and metabolism and its regulation. Offered fall and spring semesters.

BSC
551
Hours
3
Bch/Molecular Biology II

A one-semester survey of the synthesis, processing, and degradation of DNA, RNA, and protein and the regulation of these processes. Offered spring semester.

BSC
553
Hours
3
Biochemistry Lab

This course is an advanced laboratory course which will introduce students to some basic concepts and common modern techniques used in biochemical/molecular biology/cell biology research. A broad spectrum of techniques will be presented to students, including native protein purification from animal tissue, chromatography, electrophoresis, characterization of molecular weight and sequences of the purified protein through mass spectrometry, enzymatic kinetics studies, and spectroscopic analysis. For students who have interest and aspire to pursue a research career in biochemistry, cell biology, molecular biology, immunology and/or other related biological science areas, this course will provide basic training and experience for a smooth start for their future laboratory work.

BSC
555
Hours
3
Chemical Ecology

Chemical interactions underlie and generate the biotic environment in which we live. This course will examine chemical interactions between organisms that can happen on different levels, from cell-cell interactions, intraspecific and multitrophic-level interactions, to community-wide interactions and ecological processes.

BSC
556
Hours
3
Microbial Ecology

A study of microorganisms in the environment, with emphasis on their roles in energy transformations, biogeochemical cycles, and biotic interactions. Offered alternate fall semesters.

BSC
558
Hours
3
Drug Discovery Laboratory

A research-based laboratory course that focuses on the identification of new drug leads from natural products using modern pharmacognosy, phytochemistry and phytopharmacology techniques.

BSC
560
Hours
4
Human Developmental Biology

Development of the human embryo and fetus, including molecular, physiological, and structural aspects of morphogenesis and functional development. Offered irregularly.

BSC
561
Hours
3
Ecohydrology

Ecohydrology is the interdisciplinary study of how water flows through and interacts with ecosystems. In this course, students will explore fundamental concepts in hydrology; plant-water interactions and their impact on the structure and function of ecosystems; the movement of materials and energy through watersheds; and ecohydrologic concepts in natural resource management.

Prerequisite(s): BSC 385 or permission of instructor.
BSC
562
Hours
3
Biological Barriers in Health and Disease

The biological barriers offer a formidable separation between various compartments in the body or to the environment. Often times these are cellular barriers that when functioning properly, allow for normal healthy tissue function. However, when these barriers fail, complications such as infection, cancer, cystic fibrosis, and other diseases can occur. This course will examine the various physical and cellular barriers with special emphasis on human and biologically relevant model systems, to study their function in health and dysfunction in disease.

Prerequisite(s): BSC 300 or permission of instructor
BSC
564
Hours
4
Biology Of Algae

Freshwater and marine algae and their structure, development, taxonomy, and distribution. Offered irregularly.

BSC
565
Hours
3
Principles Of Toxicology

A study of the extent and significance of toxic agents in the environment and the biological processes which determine their behavior, fate, and ultimate effect on human health. We will cover basic principles of toxicology, including cellular penetration, distribution, metabolic conversion, and elimination of toxic agents, as well the basics of different body systems, and the effects of exogenous chemicals upon those systems.

Prerequisite(s): BSC 300 and BSC 315 or equivalent courses, or permission of the instructor
BSC
567
Hours
3
Data Management and Visualization in R

An introduction to the R computing environment with emphasis on data management and visualization.

Prerequisite(s): BSC 300 Minimum Grade of B or BSC 310 Minimum Grade of B or BSC 385 Minimum Grade of B
BSC
569
Hours
4
Histology Of Vertebrates

No description available.

BSC
570
Hours
3
Principles of Population Genetics

Population genetics is the study of how evolutionary forces (genetic drift, natural selection, mutation, and gene flow) affect allele and genotype frequencies in populations. Population genetics is a field with a rich theoretical history that has allowed scientists to make predictions about these evolutionary processes. With the advent of massive amounts of genetic data in many species, it is now possible to test these predictions, and a solid foundation in theory, its expectations, and assumptions is crucial for interpreting results from genetic analyses. Students should expect to learn how evolutionary forces acting on individuals affect patterns of inheritance and ultimately drive the changes we see between species.

Prerequisite(s): Must be enrolled in university graduate program.
BSC
571
Hours
3
Plant Physiology

Plant physiology is a survey sourse covering all aspects of plant transport, translocation of nutrients, plant biochemistry, plant metabolism and plant growth and development considered in depth.

BSC
573
Hours
3
Bioinformatics

Bioinformatics BSC 473/573 is a lecture course that covers the tools and approaches necessary to perform computational analysis of large datasets. We will focus on analyzing high-throughput sequencing data although the tools we will learn are applicable to a wide range of modern biological questions. Specific topics include operating in a UNIX/bash shell environment, scripting, genome assembly, alignment, and algorithms. BSC 473/573 is a writing course and writing proficiency within this discipline is required for a passing grade in this course.

Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing
BSC
575
Hours
4
General Entomology

A survey of the structure, function, classification, and habits of insects. Offered irregularly.

BSC
576
Hours
4
Aquatic Insects

A survey of aquatic insects, with emphasis on their identification, life histories, and ecology. Offered alternate spring semesters.

BSC
577
Hours
4
Invertebrate Zoology

The classification, morphology, evolution, and ecology of invertebrate animals.

BSC
578
Hours
3
Microbiomes in Health and Disease

This class focuses on the study of host-microbiome interactions within the context of their environment, evolution, and global health.

BSC
580
Hours
3
Plant Ecology

This course will examine the ecology of plants at different levels: individual, population and community.

Prerequisite(s): None
BSC
581
Hours
3
Foundations in Advanced Biostatistics with Applications to R

This course provides an overview to common statistical methods used in biological research, using case studies from biology, ecology, and natural resources management. The overarching objective of this course is to give students the ability to use and effectively evaluate biological data. We will demonstrate and conduct statistical analyses with an emphasis on utilizing the statistical computing language, R, to apply statistical concepts to biological and ecological data.

Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing or permission of the instructor.
BSC
582
Hours
3
Conservation Biology

A thorough examination of the principles of conservation biology. Offered alternate spring semesters.

BSC
583
Hours
3
Evolution

No description available.

BSC
584
Hours
1
Aquatic Biology Seminar

Review and discussion of current topics in aquatic biology. Offered spring semester.

BSC
585
Hours
4
Foundations in Forest Resources and Conservation

This course provides an introduction to the foundational ideas of forest resources and conservation. The course includes a history of the forestry profession and a variety of perspectives to develop students' knowledge of forestry field and research methods. This course also helps students develop an understanding and appreciation of the diversity of forest resources both here in Alabama and globally.

BSC
587
Hours
3
Biogeography

Examination of the ecological and historical factors influencing the geographical distribution of plants and animals.

Prerequisite(s): Undergraduate or graduate-level course in ecology.
BSC
590
Hours
4
Stream Ecology

A thorough study of the structural (physical and biological) and functional (energy flow, nutrient cycling, community structure) attributes characteristic of stream and river ecosystems. Offered alternate spring semesters.

BSC
594
Hours
3
Signal Transduction Neuroby

Seminar on current topics related to signal transduction, as it pertains to the molecular basis of neurobiology and development. Offered alternate fall semesters.

BSC
598
Hours
1-15
Non-Thesis Research

Non-Thesis Research.

BSC
599
Hours
1-15
Thesis Research

This independent research course partially fulfills required master’s-level research thesis hours toward the master’s degree in Biology. The course is conducted under the guidance of the thesis advisor. Material covered will be of an advanced nature aimed at providing master's students with an understanding of the latest research and current developments within the field. Discussion and advisor guidance will be directed towards readings of research articles and development of research methodology, with the aim of producing an original research contribution that represents a novel development in the field, or a novel perspective on a pre-existing topic in the field.

BSC
601
Hours
1
Biological Sciences Seminar

This course will introduce graduate students to a diversity of current topics and expand their knowledge of the methodology and application of research and research methods in the biological sciences. In addition to attending seminars by invited speakers and departmental faculty members, the course will also provide graduate students with instruction and practice in the oral presentation of research data.

BSC
604
Hours
3
Scientific Writing and Data Presentation

This course will teach students writing skills for grant proposal and research paper preparation as well as other data presentation techniques in the biological sciences.

Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing or permission of the instructor.
BSC
607
Hours
1-6
Adv Research Tech In By

Individualized instruction and the application of research techniques to specific problems at an advanced level for graduate students in the department. Offered fall and spring semesters.

BSC
610
Hours
3
Pedagogy in Biological Sciences

Discussion of topics associated with teaching biology at the college-level, including reviews of the literature associated with science education, metacognition, and the scholarship of teaching and learning.

BSC
615
Hours
1
Integrative Biology Seminar

This course is designed to provide modern perspectives on integrative biology through primary literature review and by reviewing graduate student manuscripts, conference presentations, and grant proposals. The course also will provide opportunities for graduate students to gain professional development advice and to learn more about statistical techniques for analyzing experimental data.

BSC
620
Hours
4
Molecular Systematics

Theory and methods of phylogenetic analyses using molecular sequence data. Students will be able to select appropriate loci for the desired level of phylogenetic analysis, align sequences, generate phylogenetic hypotheses with a variety of inference methods, generate and evaluate branch-support values, and infer evolutionary patterns of from phylogenetic trees. Students will be able to critically evaluate phylogenetic methods and the support for conclusions reached in the phylogenetic literature for organisms across the Tree of Life.

Prerequisite(s): BSC 520
BSC
650
Hours
3
Foundations of Ecology

This course emphasizes the current big ideas in ecology and the history behind these concepts. Students will gain an understanding of a common set of concepts and major lines of ecological development that characterize current research by reading early papers from the Foundations of Ecology. They will match current journal papers on a similar topic to compare changes in ecological thought over the decades. The progression of ideas will move from early to current work on populations, models of population growth, competition, and predator-prey dynamics as well as the early and more recent niche concepts. Students then consider community ecology, succession, and plant-animal interactions as well as ecosystem research on food webs, energy flow, and nutrient cycling. Students refine their research interests by leading discussions and selecting some of the papers for discussion that relate to their own research projects. Papers are meant to help students to initiate writing an introduction to their dissertation or thesis prospectus and prepare to meet with their dissertation committee members for further developing their ideas.

BSC
652
Hours
3
Community Ecology

Thorough investigation of theory and empirical studies of ecological communities (plant, animal, microbial), including methods, community structure, diversity, succession, links to ecosystem function, resource management. Offered alternate spring semesters.

BSC
656
Hours
4
Microscopical Techniques

An introduction to the methods and applications of electron microscopy in biological research, including techniques for preparation of biological specimens, operation of the transmission and scanning electron microscopes, and photography. Offered irregularly.

BSC
657
Hours
1
Advanced Techniques in Microscopy

This course provides individual training on the use of different equipment in the Optical Analysis Facility in support of graduate student research. Emphasis will be placed on sample preparation techniques and advance microscopy usage (e.g., confocal microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy).

BSC
666
Hours
3
Disease Models and Mechanisms

A graduate level seminar on current topics related to use of animal model systems, as they pertains to the molecular basis of human disease. This course is designed to expose students to recent research in a variety of diseases. The instructor and students will give lectures that provide a general survey of current disease research topics. During each class, a student will give an introduction on the particular disease being discussed that week. This introduction usually contains some basic information about the disease (e.g. symptoms, incidence rate, diagnosis and prognosis) as well as the known and unknown aspects of what causes the disease. Detailed student presentations will then follow on specific and recent literature within that topic with a focus on molecular mechanisms. This is designed to foster interactive class discussion and to strengthen the analytical and presentation skills of graduate students in cell and molecular biology. Emphasis on critical thinking and evaluation of scientific approaches and application of methods will be a major component of this course. In addition to the presentation of a disease topic and participation of the course in each class, as a final assignment, students will be asked to write a “News and Views” type “preview” article on a recent or in-press article related to human disease modeling. If demonstrating appropriate scholarly value, select articles might be revised under the supervision of the instructor and then submitted for publication to an appropriate journal, such as Disease Models and Mechanisms or the Journal of Neuroscience. Specific guidelines for this assignment are provided. Assessment of student progress in terms of pre-test/post-test, written critiques of presentations and writing assignments will be provided. Following each class, Dr. Caldwell will provide immediate feedback on their presentation and suggest areas for improvement. Outline of Course Topics: 1) the molecular basis of select diseases 2) strengths/weaknesses of specific animal model systems (worms, flies, mice, zebrafish) 3) role of genetic, cellular, and molecular processes in disease 4) application of model systems toward therapeutic development.

Prerequisite(s): Graduate Student Status
BSC
675
Hours
3
Global Change Biology

Students will take a detailed look at climate change across a variety of scales (species to biomes) using primary literature sources. Each student will lead a discussion in an area of climate change of their choice (e.g. climate change leading to disease, climate change and biological feed backs, alteration in climate and storm intensity, decline of amphibians); these topics need not be limited to biological subjects. Students will be expected to participate in critiques of primary literature, class discussions, and the development of an individual proposal (including preproposal, budgets, and panel discussions of funding).

Prerequisite(s): Must be enrolled in University Graduate Program.
BSC
681
SP
Hours
1
Topics in Drosophila Biology

This is a graduate level course on the current genetic research methods and technologies using Drosophila as a model system. The course covers topics including using Drosophila to model human disease, developmental biology, evolution and development, and ethics and professionalism in science.

Special Topics Course
BSC
695
SP
Hours
1-4
Spec Topics Biolog Sci

Courses with this number may address any biological topic not covered by existing courses. The credit hours and format are arranged as appropriate to each topic. The specific course title is added at the time the course is taught. Offered irregularly.

Special Topics Course
BSC
696
Hours
2-6
Resident Study

Credit for the course is determined by the extent of the coursework. Offered fall and spring semesters.

BSC
698
Hours
1-15
Res Not Rel Dissertation

Research Not Related to Dissertation.

BSC
699
Hours
1-15
Dissertation Research

Dissertation Research.

Marine Science Course

MS
548
Hours
4
Intro To Oceanography

A general introduction to the oceans, with emphasis on chemical, physical, and geological processes and the relationship of these processes to biological systems.