Biological Science (BIOL)
BIOL 501 Discoveries in Current Biology 3 Credit Hours
Current issues in biology based on an inquiry approach to learning with a primary emphasis on laboratory, field observations, and discussion. Students will help to develop the specific topics within the subject areas that include the environment, heredity, and health. Projects will have direct applications for classroom teaching. Lecture and laboratory. Permission of College of Education, Health, and Human Services advisor. Teacher experience. (S).
BIOL 508 Invasive Species Ecology 3 Credit Hours
This course will examine the biological, ecological and societal impacts of invasive species. Major issues including characteristics of invasive species, invaded communities, origins and success rates of invaders, economic and health effects, methodologies and regulatory strategies for dealing with invasive species will be discussed. Students will investigate an invasive species and make oral and written reports.
BIOL 514 Applied Ecology 3 Credit Hours
An advanced treatment of the principles of ecology especially as they relate to environmental problems and environmental management. This course is intended for graduate students and for undergraduate fulfillment of the biology capstone requirement. Students should have earned a C or above in Ecology (BIOL/ESCI 304) or equivalent.
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 304 or ESCI 304
Restriction(s):
Can enroll if Class is Graduate
Cannot enroll if Level is Undergraduate or Professional Development
BIOL 515 Aquatic Ecosystems 4 Credit Hours
Advanced course based on the comparative study of the structure and function of lakes, wetlands and rivers. The physical, geological, chemical and biological characteristics of natural and disturbed ecosystems will be emphasized. (F, AY).
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 130 and CHEM 124 and GEOL 118
Restriction(s):
Can enroll if Class is Graduate
BIOL 516 Limnology 3 Credit Hours
The study of the structural and functional relationships and productivity of organisms in lakes and streams as they are regulated by their physical, chemical and biotic environments. BIOL/ESCI 304 or ESCI 275 required. Not open to undergraduates or students who have taken BIOL/ESCI 414.
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 304 or ESCI 301 or ESCI 304 or ESCI 275
Restriction(s):
Can enroll if Level is Rackham or Graduate
BIOL 517 Wetland Biology 3 Credit Hours
An in depth examination of wetlands from functional, habitat and management perspectives. Topics include hydrology, soils, biogeochemical cycling, biological adaptations, major wetland types, regulation, restoration and creation. Two all-day Saturday field trips required.
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 304 or ESCI 304
Restriction(s):
Can enroll if Class is Post-baccalaureate NCFD or Post-baccalaureate Cert only or Senior or Graduate
BIOL 519 Behavior and Evolution 3 Credit Hours
An in depth examination of how evolutionary processes shape behavior, focusing on the influence of natural, sexual, and kin selection. Topics include behavioral genetics, natural selection, sexual selection, kin selection, optimality, game theory, evolutionary stable strategies, phylogenetics, and the comparative method. Additional assignments will distinguish this course from the undergraduate version.
Restriction(s):
Can enroll if Class is Graduate
BIOL 522 Conservation Biology 3 Credit Hours
This course is a study of the historical and current preservation of global biodiversity. The value of biodiversity, extinction, threats to biodiversity, and both ex situ and in situ conservation strategies are considered. A student may not receive credit for both BIOL/ESCI 422 and BIOL 522. (W, AY)
Restriction(s):
Can enroll if Class is Graduate
BIOL 524 Biology of Spiders 4 Credit Hours
An introduction to the biology of spiders and related arachnids. Lectures include spider anatomy, natural history, ecology, and evolution. Laboratory work includes specimen preparation, use of dichotomous keys, spider behavior, field methods, rearing and collecting techniques, and identification of spiders and their webs. Three hours lecture, four hours laboratory. Students cannot receive credit for both Biology 424 and Biology 524.
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 130
Restriction(s):
Can enroll if Class is Graduate
BIOL 545 Restoration Ecology 3 Credit Hours
Restoration Ecology is an interdisciplinary course that develops theories and practices that help rehabilitate impaired ecosystems towards a sustainable state. Bioremediation and phytoremediation are some approaches to be discussed. Short-term site management is discussed, often including continued resource or recreational use, with the eventual site sustainability in mind. (F, AY)
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 304 or ESCI 304
Restriction(s):
Can enroll if Class is Graduate
BIOL 552 Med & Env Toxicology 3 Credit Hours
Mechanistic concepts of toxicology at the cellular and molecular levels. The course is taught from a human health perspective focusing on contemporary problems and environmental associations. Three hours lecture.
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 140 and CHEM 225 and (BIOL 301 or BIOL 303 or BIOL 385 or BIOL 370 or BIOL 455 or BIOL 470)
Restriction(s):
Can enroll if Level is Rackham or Graduate
BIOL 556 Behavioral Ecology 4 Credit Hours
This course uses evolutionary and ecological theory to evaluate behavioral adaptations of organisms to their environment. Topics discussed include game theory, kin selection, sexual selection, eusociality, orientation and navigation, and signal evolution. Laboratory sessions include: observations of animal behavior, working with live animals, and field trips. Three hours of lecture, one four-hour laboratory.
Corequisite(s): BIOL 556L
Restriction(s):
Cannot enroll if Class is Undergraduate NCFD or Freshman or Sophomore or Junior or Senior
BIOL 561 Advances in Cell Biology 2 Credit Hours
Normal and environmentally changing circumstances regulate genes and proteins affecting many important cellular processes. This course will link recent discoveries in cell biology to organisms and the environment that the cell inhabits. Lectures will discuss the roles of organelle and membrane structure and function, gene regulation, metabolism, immunology, and cellular pathology. (OC).
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 140 and CHEM 225 and (BIOL 301 or BIOL 303 or BIOL 304 or BIOL 306 or BIOL 307 or BIOL 309 or BIOL 310 or BIOL 311 or BIOL 312 or BIOL 313 or BIOL 315 or BIOL 320 or BIOL 326 or BIOL 333 or BIOL 335 or BIOL 350 or BIOL 351 or BIOL 360 or BIOL 361 or BIOL 370 or BIOL 380 or BIOL 385 or BIOL 390 or BIOL 405 or BIOL 406 or BIOL 414 or BIOL 416 or BIOL 420 or BIOL 450 or BIOL 455 or BIOL 459 or BIOL 470 or BIOL 471 or BIOL 472 or BIOL 473 or BIOL 474 or BIOL 485 or BIOL 489 or BIOL 490 or BIOL 495 or BIOL 497 or BIOL 498 or BIOL 499 or BIOL 501 or BIOL 514 or BIOL 515 or BIOL 545 or BIOL 552 or BIOL 590)
Restriction(s):
Can enroll if Class is Senior or Graduate
Can enroll if Level is Rackham or Graduate
BIOL 590 Topics in Biology 1 to 4 Credit Hours
Current topics in Biology. One to four credit hours. (OC)
Restriction(s):
Can enroll if Class is Graduate
*An asterisk denotes that a course may be taken concurrently.
Frequency of Offering
The following abbreviations are used to denote the frequency of offering: (F) fall term; (W) winter term; (S) summer term; (F, W) fall and winter terms; (YR) once a year; (AY) alternating years; (OC) offered occasionally