This course is a pass/fail course for master's students in their final semester. It may be taken to fulfill the registration requirement necessary for graduation. All master's students are required to be registered for at least one graduate credit hour in the semester of their graduation.
The major objective of this hands-on course is to prepare students to independently perform basic laboratory techniques, assays, and experiments commonly used in entry-level immunology laboratory positions. The course will cover theory, sample and reagent preparation, instrumentation, data analysis and interpretation, and applications in immunology. Several topics covered in-class include ELISAs, mammalian cell culture, and flow cytometry; however, additional topics (such as confocal microscopy) will be covered using virtual technologies.
Review and discussion of current papers in the areas of biomedical sciences. Student presentation, discussions and readings in this field required.
Discover the incredible secrets behind what makes our green friends tick. This course includes a traditional lecture covering the physiological and chemical processes occurring in plants. A laboratory, greenhouse, and/or field-oriented lab will provide hands-on opportunities to understand plant stress responses, nutrient use, cell metabolism-respiration, photosynthesis, hormones, and processes driving growth patterns. Prerequisites: BIOL 292 OR BIOL 308 must be passed with a grade of C or higher. Pre- or corequisite: BIOL 293 and CHEM 211.
This is the first course of a two-semester laboratory and analysis sequence that is designed to provide a genuine research experience for undergraduate students. Students will design a novel research question in pathogen biology, then use modern laboratory techniques such as polymerase chain reaction and next-generation DNA sequencing to examine this question and test hypotheses. Data generated in this course will be analyzed in the second course in the series, BIOL 381. Data and analyses generated during these courses may be used for publication in scientific journals.
Animal behavior with special attention to its evolution and ecological significance. Field and laboratory activities will emphasize the observational and experimental techniques used to study behavior. Prerequisites: BIOL 291 and BIOL 292 must be passed with a grade of C or higher and junior standing or permission of the instructor.
This lecture course will focus on concepts related to the spread and control of infectious diseases. This course is a writing-intensive course. Prerequisites: BIOL 293, and BIOL 294, and MATH 200 or MATH 163 or MATH 211 or MATH 205, and STAT 130M or STAT 310, and ENGL 231C or ENGL 221C or ENGL 211C; all must be passed with a grade of 'C' or higher.
This course provides a detailed understanding of the four major classes of organic biological molecules as well as inorganic biological molecules (vitamins and trace minerals). The course focuses on how these biomolecules relate to everyday life for a diversity of organisms. This course will additionally emphasize current research and topics in the media as they pertain to biomolecules.
This course explores theoretical concepts in plant ecology through review of classical and cutting-edge literature and practice with field-based experimental design and statistical methods. This course emphasizes the structure, development, and processes that drive patterns in plant communities and the ecological communities they support. Weekly field-based laboratories involve hands-on experience and opportunities to explore field methods in ecological research.
A comprehensive survey of the insects, including taxonomy, morphology, physiology, reproductive and developmental biology, and ecology. Research techniques in entomology will be learned through both field and laboratory work. Writing skills will be learned through written summaries, essay exams, laboratory reports and research proposals. This is a writing intensive course. Prerequisites: BIOL 291 and BIOL 292 must be passed with a grade of C (2.0) or higher.