Biological Science (BIOL)

BIOL 500     Graduate Seminar in Biology     3 Credit Hours

In this course, the students will gain experience in the various forms of science communication within the broad field of natural sciences, which comprises a spectrum of disciplines within it. In addition to gaining knowledge in communicating both basic and applied biology, students will also learn about the variety of techniques used in the various disciplines within the field. Through attendance of weekly seminars, students will be exposed to research talks from senior faculty in different fields of study. Additionally, through weekly evaluation and presentations of scientific journal articles, students will hone their critical analysis and scientific communication skills. (F).

Restriction(s):
Can enroll if Class is Graduate

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 502     Physiology of Excitable Cells     3 Credit Hours

An in-depth analysis of the mechanisms underlying electrical communication within and between mammalian cells. The major emphasis is on excitable cells in the brain, heart, and skeletal muscle and their functional integration. Fulfills the Biology major capstone requirement. (W).

Prerequisite(s): BIOL 130 and BIOL 140 and (BIOL 303 or BIOL 305 or BIOL 350 or BIOL 357)

Restriction(s):
Can enroll if Class is Graduate

BIOL 504     Mechanisms of Chronic Human Disease     3 Credit Hours

This course focuses on the biochemical, molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the progression of chronic diseases, such as diabetes mellitus and atherosclerosis. Techniques in epidemiology, pathology, genetics, molecular biology, and biochemistry are used to understand how relevant physiological processes become pathological. The examination of chronic diseases provides an opportunity to understand biological processes across many scales of life, from extracellular matrix proteins to cells in blood vessel walls to risk factors in patient populations to the pharmacology of treatments. Use of primary literature is emphasized. Three hours lecture. (AY).

Prerequisite(s): BIOL 301 or BIOL 306 or BIOL 357 or BCHM 370 or BIOL 370 or CHEM 370 or BCHM 471 or BIOL 471 or CHEM 471

Restriction(s):
Can enroll if Class is Graduate

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.

Prerequisite(s): BIOL 304 or BIOL 320

BIOL 512     Vertebrates     3 Credit Hours

A comparative study of the functional anatomy of vertebrates, including an analysis of structural and functional features, diversity, history, and macroevolution. Three hours lecture. Fulfills the biology major capstone requirement (AY).

Prerequisite(s): BIOL 303 or BIOL 317 or BIOL 360

Restriction(s):
Can enroll if Class is Graduate

BIOL 515     Aquatic Ecosystems     3 Credit Hours

An introduction to aquatic ecosystem ecology. Course topics include physical and chemical properties of water and how this contributes to a unique ecological environment, freshwater and marine biomes and their ecology, and threats that face these systems. Some weeks instruction will take place in the field. Some local travel may be required. (AY).

Prerequisite(s): BIOL 130 and (CHEM 124 or GEOL 118 or ESCI 118)

Restriction(s):
Can enroll if Class is 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 520     Advanced Field Ecology     1 to 4 Credit Hours

An intense study of organisms and ecosystems at an advanced level, utilizing ecological habitats in a local or remote setting. Students will learn data collection and hypothesis testing as applied to investigations of behavior, biotic interactions, and biodiversity patterns in a focal ecosystem. The course may require travel. See current schedule of classes for destination and travel dates. Hours are variable depending on the field location. Repeats allowed if different location. (OC).

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     Integrative and Comparative Zoology     3 Credit Hours

Study of the organismal biology, evolution, and natural history of a representative focal animal group designated for the semester. Lecture topics include morphology, classification, diversity, evolutionary history, anatomy, physiology, movement, reproduction, behavior, communication, ecology, and conservation. Practical work includes species identification, collection study, field methods, and behavioral observation. Students develop individual projects. Three hours lecture plus local field trips. Course may be repeated for credit when focal animal group varies. See current schedule of courses for focal animal group. Students cannot receive credit for both Biology 424 and Biology 524. (AY).

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)

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 555     Immunology     3 Credit Hours

This course provides an understanding of basic concepts in immunology. Among the topics covered are various aspects of the immunological response, such as humoral or cell-mediated immunity, cell-cell interactions, and immunology as related to the cause and prevention of disease. Emphasis will be placed on characterizing the innate and adaptive immune responses and understanding the dynamics between innate and adaptive responses. The molecular details governing immune system development will also be covered. Consideration will be given to allergies, autoimmunity, and host defense against infection. Topics introduced in this course will include vaccines, manipulation of immune responses, and advances in immunotherapies. (F, AY).

Restriction(s):
Can enroll if Class is Graduate

BIOL 556     Behavioral Ecology     3 Credit Hours

An in depth examination of what processes shape behavior, focusing on the influence of ecology and evolution. Topics include behavioral ecology and genetics, natural and sexual selection, kin selection, optimality modeling, game theory modeling, evolutionary stable strategies, life-history traits, demographics, ecological interactions (predator, prey, parasitism, mutualism, competition), phylogenetics, the comparative method and both parametric and non-parametric statistics. Students cannot receive credit for both BIOL 456 and BIOL 556. Students seeking undergraduate credit should elect BIOL 456. (YR).

Restriction(s):
Cannot enroll if Class is Undergraduate NCFD or Freshman or Sophomore or Junior or Senior

BIOL 557     Behavioral Ecology Lab     2 Credit Hours

An experimental approach to examining behavior in a scientific and objective way, focusing on the influence of ecology and evolution. Topics include experimental design, hypothesis testing, statistical analysis, ethological methods, behavioral ecology and genetics, natural and sexual selection, kin selection, optimality modeling, game theory modeling, evolutionary stable strategies, life-history traits, demographics, ecological interactions (predator, prey, parasitism, mutualism, competition), phylogenetics, the comparative method and both parametric and non-parametric statistics. (YR).

Prerequisite(s): BIOL 556*

BIOL 560     Sequence Analysis and Bioinformatics     3 Credit Hours

Use of computer resources to access and analyze nucleic acid and protein sequences. Emphasis is placed on practical approaches to visualize, analyze, and interpret the function and evolution of genes, genomes, and proteins, including database searches, sequence alignment and assembly, gene identification and annotation, and phylogenetic analysis. Students complete individual projects and develop research, writing, and presentation skills. Three hour meetings per week. (YR).

Prerequisite(s): BIOL 306 or BIOL 360

Restriction(s):
Can enroll if Class is Graduate

BIOL 561     Advances in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology     3 Credit Hours

This course will introduce the fundamentals of molecular cellular biology and their fundamental roles in the development of multicellular organisms. These areas are the focus of a great deal of fascinating research with far-reaching biomedical, ethical, and social implications. The structure and function of cellular components will be discussed in the context of their contribution to the functioning of organisms, highlighting the importance of organelles in the function of eukaryotic cells and ultimately higher tissue assemblies. Textbook readings will be used to develop a foundation of basic facts and concepts. Lectures will build on this foundation to dive into key concepts, explore the experimental logic and techniques used to study molecular, cellular and developmental biology, and develop a deep understanding of the application of these ideas. Although some review level introductory information will be presented, it is important to note that this is a graduate course and students will be expected to know fundamental of the topics presented. Emphasis will be placed on human physiology and disease. Lectures are also complemented by a graduate wet lab course BIOL 562- Techniques in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, which can be taken concurrently or following BIOL 561 (OC).

Restriction(s):
Can enroll if Class is Senior or Graduate
Can enroll if Level is Rackham or Graduate

BIOL 562     Methods in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology     3 Credit Hours

This course is designed to introduce students to general methods used in molecular, cellular and developmental biology as well as their application in research and industry. Each laboratory section will include a short lecture and accompanying text that will used to orient you to the upcoming laboratory, teach the theory behind the methods you will be using, and acquaint you with additional methodologies and their applications that we do not have time to cover in lab. In this course you will learn techniques such as RNA and DNA extraction, cloning and sequencing of DNA, CRISPR gene editing, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), as well as determining how experimental treatments regulate mRNA and protein levels using quantitative RT-PCR and western immunoblotting, respectively. In addition to “wet lab” techniques, you will also learn about in silico analysis of genomic data through mining of databases such as NCBI and UCSC as well as BLAST and basics of next-generation sequence analysis. Lab is designed to complement the graduate lecture course BIOL 561- Advances in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, which can be taken concurrently or prior to BIOL 562 (OC).

Prerequisite(s): BIOL 561*

Restriction(s):
Can enroll if Class is Graduate

BIOL 574     Molecular Biology     3 Credit Hours

This course emphasizes the cellular mechanisms of information flow and regulation from DNA to RNA to proteins in eukaryotes. Topics will include chromatin structure, DNA replication, transcription, RNA modification, regulatory RNA, translation, DNA repair, genetic rearrangement, and genome organization. Experimental design, data interpretation and data analysis are emphasized. Four hours lecture (F). (F).

Prerequisite(s): (BCHM 470 or BIOL 470 or CHEM 470 or BCHM 370 or BIOL 370 or CHEM 370) and CHEM 227

Restriction(s):
Can enroll if Class is Graduate

BIOL 576     Cancer Cell Biology     3 Credit Hours

Cancer is a disease of anti-social cell behavior. This course educates students on the genetics, molecular and cellular changes that normal cells undergo to become cancer cell. Major emphasis is on providing a mechanistic insight into fundamental questions in cancer cell biology. The course also discusses currently available therapeutic treatments and emerging issues in cancer therapy research. Fulfills capstone requirement for biology majors. Three hours lecture. (OC).

Prerequisite(s): BIOL 130 and BIOL 140 and (BIOL 301 or BIOL 306 or BIOL 370 or BCHM 370 or CHEM 370 or BIOL 385 or MICR 385)

Restriction(s):
Can enroll if Class is 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

BIOL 599     Graduate Independent Research     3 Credit Hours

Provides graduate students the opportunity to participate in individual research projects with faculty support and supervision. (F).

Restriction(s):
Can enroll if Class is Graduate

BIOL 699     Master's Thesis     3 Credit Hours

Graduate students electing this course, are expected to plan and conduct a research project themselves, to submit a thesis for review and approval, and to present an oral defense of the thesis. (F).

Restriction(s):
Can enroll if Class is Graduate