BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
- BSC 1005General Biology for NonmajorsThis course consists of four units of contemporary biology topics, taught by biology professors/researchers who specialize in the subject matter. Topics vary each semester. The course emphasizes the development of science proficiency by teaching students to understand, use, and interpret scientific explanations of the natural world and apply this knowledge to social, environmental, political or wellness issues.
- BSC 1005LGeneral Biology Laboratory for NonmajorsThis course emphasizes the development of multiple aspects of science proficiency for all students: knowing, using, and interpreting scientific explanations of the natural world; generating and evaluating scientific evidence and explanations; understanding the nature and development of scientific knowledge; and participating productively in the practices and discourses of science. Specifically, this course includes multiple investigations of the core concepts in biology that engage students in the practices of scientific inquiry. Biological systems are analyzed through experimentation, dissection, observation, and modeling.
- BSC 2010Biological Science IThis course is the first part of a two-semester introductory biology course designed for those interested in pursuing a career in life sciences. The course provides the building blocks necessary for a student to gain a strong foundation in general biology. Topics covered provide an overview of biological processes and function at the molecular, cellular and organismal level.
- BSC 2010LBiological Science I LaboratoryThis course introduces basic chemistry, energetics, metabolism, and cellular organization; molecular genetics and information flow; animal and plant function.
- BSC 2011Biological Science IIThis course is the second part of a two-semester introductory biology course designed for those interested in pursuing a career in life sciences. The course provides an overview of the processes underlying animal embryonic development, inheritance genetics, evolution and ecology.
- BSC 2011LBiological Science II LabThis course focuses on reproduction and development, transmission (Mendelian) genetics, population biology, ecology, and evolution.
- BSC 2085Anatomy and Physiology IThis course is the first of a two-semester human anatomy/physiology sequence emphasizing the cell, stimulus-response concept, and the skeletal-muscular and first half of the nervous systems.
- BSC 2085LAnatomy and Physiology I LaboratoryThis course is the first of a two-semester human anatomy/physiology sequence emphasizing the cell, stimulus-response concept, and the skeletal-muscular and first half of the nervous systems.
- BSC 2086Anatomy and Physiology IIThis course is a continuation of a two-semester human anatomy/physiology sequence beginning with the second half of the nervous system, then continuing with endocrine, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, excretory, and reproductive systems. Also included are fluid-electrolyte balance and immunity.
- BSC 2086LAnatomy and Physiology II LaboratoryThis course is a continuation of a two-semester human anatomy/physiology sequence beginning with the second half of the nervous system, then continuing with endocrine, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, excretory and reproductive systems. This course also covers fluid-electrolyte balance and immunity.
- BSC 3016Eukaryotic DiversityThis course provides an overview of the diversity of eukaryotic organisms (protists, plants, fungi and animals), the evolutionary origin of this diversity, and its societal relevance. Comparisons of exemplar organisms are used to illustrate broad themes in the anatomy, physiology, behavior, life cycles, and ecologies of all eukaryotes.
- BSC 3052Conservation BiologyThis course focuses on the history of the conservation movement, the research on populations of animals and plants that is relevant to man's impact upon the environment, pollution in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, endangered species, government regulation, and sustainable development.
- BSC 3312Marine BiologyThis course explores marine geology, chemistry of the oceans, oceanic circulation, oceanographic techniques, the marine environment and marine life.
- BSC 3402LExperimental Biology LaboratoryThis course is designed to teach students about the process of biological research. Each section of the course is organized around a particular biological concept. The focus in this course is two-fold. First, students are provided with basic background in the field of study. This is done through lab work and lecture. Students are provided with documents to help them with their work. Second, and more important, is the development of skills in biological research. The skills are developed in laboratory and lecture exercises as well as outside of class assignments, culminating in an independent research project, which they present both orally and in writing. This course meets the University's Oral Communication Competency Requirement, and the Upper Division Writing Requirement. Developing oral and written communication skills are major components of this course.
- BSC 3930Seminar in Biological FrontiersThis course is a weekly seminar covering topics in biological research. Not repeatable for credit toward major requirements.
- BSC 3938Careers in the Biological SciencesThis course is intended for biology sciences majors at any point in their undergraduate career, but is most beneficial to those in their first three years. Career options in biology-related fields (including health professions) and the preparation they require are presented for students planning to immediately enter the job market or to continue their academic careers upon graduation. Not repeatable for credit toward major requirements.
- BSC 4424NanotechnologyThis course provides an introduction to interdisciplinary nanotechnology. Students are provided with the basic understanding of the relevant aspects of biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, and business to follow a typical lecture at an interdisciplinary nanotechnology conference and/or work in a small nanotechnology start-up company. Specific nanotechnologies, both real and imagined, are discussed in the context of scientific papers, patent literature, and popular media. Examples of topics include lithography, synthetic nanomaterials, and bionanotechnology. Emphasis is placed on industrial implications in computing and communications, medicine, materials, and other topics of interest to the interdisciplinary students.
- BSC 4473CIntroduction to Scientific DivingThis course is designed for the scientist or scientist in training who plans to use SCUBA diving as a tool for underwater research. Skills covered include dive planning, emergency management, underwater navigation, survey techniques, and instrument deployment and recovery.
- BSC 4821CBiogeographyThis course emphasizes ecological and evolutionary biogeography, the physical processes and organismal characteristics that determine distributions, and the analytical methods used to describe distributions and test processes. Geographic data sets are analyzed in lab sessions to search for patterns and test hypotheses with the scientific method.
- BSC 4900Directed Individual StudyThis course is a supervised study of a special topic or research participation in the area of the faculty member's research. Graduate students may not register for this course. A maximum of six semester hours may be applied to biological science major credit. May be repeated within the same semester to a maximum of twelve semester hours.
- BSC 4901Directed Individual Study IIIn this course, students communicate the results of their research in writing or through an oral presentation.
- BSC 4910Directed Independent StudyIn this course, students communicate the results of their research in writing or through an oral presentation.
- BSC 4931Senior Tutorial in Biological ScienceThis course focuses on selected topics in contemporary biological science; maximum enrollment of five students in each tutorial. May be repeated to a maximum of two hours.
- BSC 4933Selected Topics in Biological ScienceMay be repeated to a maximum of eight semester hours.
- BSC 4941Internship in Biological Science IThis internship course is designed for majors in the department of Biological Science who wish to gain real world experience in their field of interest through on-the-job practice and have this experience reflected on their transcript. Students work under the supervision of an approved professional in the field of biological science with oversight by the Associate Chair of Undergraduate Studies. May be repeated to a maximum of six semester hours, but only four hours may count towards the major.
- BSC 4942Internship in Biological Science IIThis internship course is designed for majors in the department of Biological Science who wish to gain real world experience in their field of interest through on-the-job practice and have this experience reflected on their transcript. Students work under the supervision of an approved professional in the field of biological science with oversight by the Associate Chair of Undergraduate Studies.
- BSC 4943Computational Biology PracticumThis course entails a research thesis project to be completed under the guidance of a faculty committee. This committee is comprised of a research advisor and two other professors. Upon completion of the research thesis project, students seek final approval from their committee through a written and oral defense.
- BSC 4945Undergraduate Supervised TeachingIn this course, students as Laboratory Assistants in BSC1005L or as Tutors in BSC2010 or BSC2011, or BSC1005. Students also receive training in interactive teaching techniques and use this training to lead classroom discussions and interactive exam review sessions.
- BSC 4970Honors Work in Biological ScienceThis course involves participation in a supervised research problem. May be repeated to a maximum of nine (9) credit hours; repeatable within the same term.
- BSC 5458BioinformaticsThis course provides students with a practical introduction to bioinformatics, including hands-on experience with some of the major current data types and software, while addressing enough of the theoretical underpinnings of common approaches in the field to ensure that students can critically evaluate existing and future bioinformatic tools.
- BSC 5476CIntroduction to Scientific DivingThis course is designed for the graduate student who plans to use SCUBA diving as a tool for underwater research. Skills covered include dive planning, emergency management, underwater navigation, survey techniques, and instrument deployment and recovery. Students learn to plan and lead scientific expeditions in any environment and to write proposals that effectively outline using diving as a tool in research.
- BSC 5900Directed Individual StudyCourse Description not on file
- BSC 5932Graduate Tutorial in Biological ScienceThis course involves selected topics in contemporary biological science along with reading and analysis of primary literature. May be repeated to a maximum of fifteen semester hours within the same term.
- BSC 5936Selected Topics in Biological ScienceMay be repeated to a maximum of sixteen semester hours within the same term.
- BSC 5971ThesisAfter a graduate student meets minimum requirements and is working on thesis research, registration for Thesis is required. A minimum of six semester hours of credit must be earned.
- BSC 6921Colloquium in Biological ScienceThis course is required of all graduate students throughout their residence. May be repeated to a maximum of twenty semester hours.
- BSC 6980DissertationFor this course, the student must register for a minimum of two dissertation research hours each term until graduation. A minimum of twenty-four semester hours of credit must be earned.
- BSC 8964Preliminary Doctoral ExaminationA comprehensive examination. Students with a master's degree should take it during the second semester in residence; those without a master's degree should take it during the fourth semester in residence. Passing exam required for admission to doctoral candidacy.
- BSC 8976Master's Thesis DefenseThis is the oral defense of master's research and thesis. Students should register during the term in which they intend to defend their master's thesis.
- BSC 8985Dissertation DefenseThis is the oral defense of dissertation research. One-time registration during the term in which student expects to defend.