Biology

BIO 5502 Spring Flora (4)
    A survey of vascular plants from different habitats in southeast Alabama.  Principles of plant taxonomy, including history and systems of classification and nomenclature, the use of dichotomous keys, and general herbarium techniques.  Emphasis is placed on plant identification and habitat types.  Prerequisites:  general biology, general ecology.
BIO 5505 Entomology (3)
    A study of the orders of insects with the emphasis on morphology, taxonomy, and life cycles.  Prerequisites:  general biology.  Corequisite:  BIO L505.
BIO L505 Entomology Lab (1)
    A study of morphology, classification, and identification of insects.  A collection is required.  Corequisite:  BIO 5505.
BIO 5510 Animal Behavior (3)
    A study of the classical and current concepts of animal behavior including individual and social behavioral patterns.  Prerequisite:  genetics.  Corequisite:  BIO L510.
BIO L510 Animal Behavior Lab (1)
    Experimental and observational techniques in behavior.  Corequisite:  BIO 5510.
BIO 5513 Limnology (3)
    A study of the physical, chemical, geological, and biological aspects of freshwater ecosystems as influenced by activities in surrounding watersheds.  Prerequisites:  general biology, general ecology, general chemistry.  Corequisite:  BIO L513.
BIO L513 Limnology Lab (1)
    Field and laboratory exercises in lake and stream science, including instrumentation, measurement, sampling, and analysis.  Corequisite:  BIO 5513.
BIO 5516 Environmental Microbiology (3)
    A study of the taxonomy, diversity, and ecology of microbial populations in ecosystems, with the emphasis on the roles that they play in biogeochemical cycles, their contributions to metabolic diversity, their interactions with animals and plants, their niches and bioremediation.  Prerequisites:  microbiology, organic chemistry.  Corequisite:  BIO L516.
BIO L516 Environmental Microbiology Lab (1)
    Environmental microbiological laboratory techniques including isolation, identification, and enumeration of microorganisms from aquatic and terrestrial environments.  Corequisite:  BIO 5516.
BIO 5520 Field Vertebrate Zoology (4)
    A study of the basics of vertebrate identification, with emphasis on phylogeny, anatomy, morphology, life histories, habitats, distributions, and conservation.  Prerequisites:  general biology, general chemistry.
BIO 5521 Population Ecology (3)
    This course covers animal and plant populations, food supply, competition, disease, fecundity, distribution, and other environmental factors.  Management of endangered species and protected ecosystems are included.  Prerequisites:  general ecology, genetics, general chemistry, statistics.  Corequisite:  BIO L521.
BIO L521 Population Ecology Lab (1)
    Field exercises in identifying ecological problems, formulating and testing hypotheses, and evaluating data using standard statistical methods.  Corequisite:  BIO 5521.
BIO 5525 Field Botany (4)
    A survey of vascular plants from different habitats in southeast Alabama.  Principles of plant taxonomy, including history and systems of classification and nomenclature, the use of dichotomous keys, and general herbarium techniques.  Emphasis is placed on plant identification and habitat types.  Prerequisites: general biology, general ecology.
 See semester hour limits listed under Course Restrictions in General Regulations section.
BIO 5530 Applied Genetics (3)
    Advanced studies in genetics with emphasis on cytogenetics and molecular genetics. Prerequisites: genetics, organic chemistry.  Corequisite:  BIO L530.
BIO L530 Applied Genetics Lab (1)
    An introduction to procedures and equipment used in the study of cytogenetics and molecular genetics.  Corequisite:  BIO 5530.
BIO 5532 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy (3)
    A detailed study of vertebrate organ-systems with emphasis on structural and functional morphology and evolutionary relationships.  Prerequisites:  Any 3000-level BIO lecture and lab.   Corequisite:  BIO L532.
BIO L532 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy Lab (1)
    A detailed study of the shark, mudpuppy, and cat with emphasis on structural and functional morphology. Prerequisites: Any 3000-level BIO lecture and lab. Corequisite:  BIO 5532.
BIO 5533 Embryology (3)
    A study of embryonic development of vertebrates.  This course links cellular and molecular mechanisms to morphogenesis. Prerequisites:  genetics, cell biology, organic chemistry. Corequisite: BIO L533.
BIO L533 Embryology Lab (1)
    A study of embryonic development of vertebrates as illustrated by the frog, chick, and pig. Lab includes experimental investigations of developing systems. Corequisite:  BIO 5533.
BIO 5545 Ichthyology (3)
    This course covers the morphology, anatomy, physiology, taxonomy, life histories, distribution, and adaptations of fishes.  Prerequisites:  general biology, general ecology.  Corequisite:  BIO L545.
BIO L545 Ichthyology Lab (1)
    A study of the structural features, identification, and classification of freshwater and marine fishes.  Corequisite:  BIO 5545.
BIO 5546 Herpetology (3)
    A study of the morphology, anatomy, physiology, taxonomy, life histories, distribution, and adaptations of amphibians and reptiles.  Prerequisites:  general biology, general ecology.  Corequisite:  BIO L546.
BIO L546 Herpetology Lab (1)
    A study of the structural features, identification, and classification of amphibians and reptiles.  Corequisite:  BIO 5546.
BIO 5547 Ornithology (3)
    A study of the morphology, anatomy, physiology, taxonomy, life histories, distribution, and adaptations of birds.  Prerequisites:  general biology, general ecology.  Corequisite:  BIO L547.
BIO L547 Ornithology Lab (1)
    A study of the structural features, identification, and classification of birds.  Corequisite:  BIO 5547.
BIO 5548 Mammalogy (3)
    A study of the morphology, anatomy, physiology, taxonomy, life histories, distribution, and adaptations of mammals.  Prerequisites:  general biology, general ecology.  Corequisite:  BIO L548.
BIO L548 Mammalogy Lab (1)
    A study of the structural features, identification, and classification of mammals.  Corequisite:  BIO 554.
BIO 5551 Toxicology (3)
    A study of the principles related to the adverse effects of chemicals on living organisms. Prerequisite:  organic chemistry. Corequisite:  BIO L551.
BIO L551 Toxicology Lab (1)
    An assessment of terrestrial and aquatic toxicity of chemical agents following standard protocols.  Corequisite:  BIO 5551.
BIO 5571 Parasitology (3)
    This course covers the taxonomy, structure, life histories, distribution, pathogenesis, and control of parasitic protozoa, helminths, and arthropods, with the emphasis on those of medical importance. Prerequisites: Any 3000-level BIO lecture and lab.  Corequisite:  BIO L571.
BIO L571 Parasitology Lab (1)
    A laboratory study of parasitic protozoa, helminths, and arthropods, with the emphasis on those of medical importance.  Corequisite:  BIO 5571.
BIO 5576 Special Topics (1 to 4 credit hours per course per semester)
    Specialized topics not generally included in course offerings.  Prerequisite:  Permission of instructor.
BIO 5578 Cell Biology (3)
    A study of cell structure and function with the emphasis on biochemical and molecular mechanisms.  Topics include cell division, movement, differentiation, and recognition.  Prerequisites:  genetics, microbiology, organic chemistry.  Corequisite:  BIO L578.
BIO L578 Cell Biology Lab (1)
    Experimental approaches for studying cells at the biochemical and molecular levels.  Corequisite:  BIO 5578.
BIO 5580 Histology (3)
    A study of the microscopic anatomy and function of cell types and tissues of mammalian organs.  Prerequisite:  general biology.  Corequisite:  BIO L580.
BIO L580 Histology Lab (1)
    A study of the microscopic anatomy of cell types and tissues of mammalian organs.  Corequisite:  BIO 5580.
BIO 5582 Molecular Biology (3)
    The study of the fundamental principles of chromosomal organization and gene expression, with emphasis on the structure and function of nucleic acids and proteins.  Prerequisites:  genetics, microbiology, organic chemistry.  Corequisite:  BIO L582.
BIO L582 Molecular Biology Lab (1)
    Experimental approaches in molecular analyses of nucleic acids and proteins, with the emphasis placed on common techniques utilized in clinical and research settings.  Corequisite:  BIO 5582.
BIO 5592 Guided Independent Research (1-4 credit hours per course per semester)
    Additional information is indexed under “Guided Independent Research and Study.”
BIO 5594 Guided Independent Study (1-4 credit hours per course per semester)
    Additional information is indexed under “Guided Independent Research and Study.”
BIO 6600 Aquatic Entomology (3)
    A study of the morphology, physiology, taxonomy, life histories, and ecology of aquatic insects.  Prerequisites:  general biology, general ecology.  Corequisite:  BIO L600.
BIO L600 Aquatic Entomology Lab (1)
    Classification and identification of immature and adult aquatic insects.  A collection is required.  Corequisite:  BIO 6600.
BIO 6602 Human Pathophysiology (3)
    This course covers the structural and functional changes in tissues and organs of the human body which cause or are caused by disease.  Prerequisites:  human anatomy & physiology and histology, or permission of instructor.  Corequisite:  BIO L602.
BIO L602 Human Pathophysiology Lab (1)
    A study of the microscopic anatomy of normal and diseased tissues and organs.  Corequisite:  BIO 6602.
BIO 6606 Economic Botany (3)
    This course covers plants of importance in natural ecosystems and human affairs, with the emphasis on food plants, trees, and medicinal plants.  Prerequisites:  Any upper-level botany course.   Corequisite:  BIO L606.
BIO L606 Economic Botany Lab (1)
    A study of the basic plant anatomy and taxonomy of plants of significance. Corequisite:  BIO 6606.
BIO 6620 Field Protistology (4)
    An advanced study of protists from freshwater and marine habitats including collection techniques, taxonomy, specimen preparation and protistan ecology.
BIO 6621 Environmental Toxicology (3)
    An examination of toxicity, distribution, sources, and fate of chemicals in the environment.  Impacts of toxic materials on ecosystem dynamics and survivors and physiology of humans and other living organisms.  Design in microcosm, meosocosm, and in situ bioassay experiments to determine acute, chronic, and lethal effects on ecosystems and individuals.  Protocols for use of mammalian and non-mammalian models in testing for human health effects and fish and invertebrate models for ecosystem effects.  Management alternatives to control basic categories of toxicants.  Prerequisites:  8 semester hours or equivalent of chemistry.
BIO 6624 Public Health (3)
    The impact of the environment on humans as well as the human impact on the environment serve as the dual focus of this course.  Environmental agents of physical, chemical, and biological nature with adverse effect on human health will be considered.  The physiological, molecular, cellular, genetic, and biochemical mechanisms of action of environmental carcinogens, toxins, pollutant, and other disease-causing environmental agents and the interaction of various environmental agents with biological systems will be addressed.  Prerequisite:  None
BIO 6625, Specialized Study in Biology (1-4)
  6626 The student has the opportunity to engage in intensive study of a particular subject or learn a pertinent skill, which fits his/her academic and/or professional needs but is not available in the regular curriculum.  This study may include educational activities or training outside of the University.  The student will follow the guidelines that the Department established for the supervision and   and the pursuance of this study.  Requires approval of the student’s adviser and chairs.
BIO 6660 Issues in Aquatic Ecology (3)
    Case studies on the overexploitation and degradation of aquatic ecosystems and their resources, with a primary focus on freshwater systems. Prerequisite:  an undergraduate ecology course is highly recommended.
BIO 6661 Conservation Biology (3)
    Examination of the principles, practices, and philosophy of measuring, maintaining, and enhancing biological diversity.  The course focuses on the applications of ecology, population biology, and genetics of the conservation of keystone and rare species and ecosystems.  Prerequisite:  an undergraduate ecology course is highly recommended.
BIO 6662 Invasive Species Biology (3)
    This course will familiarize students with the principles of ecological invasions and factors affecting the spread and impacts of invasive species.  Students will also become familiar with major sources of exotic species introductions, and methods available for prevention and control.  Prerequisite:  None
BIO 6664 Restoration Ecology (3)
    An introduction to ecological approaches toward reconstruction of degraded or destroyed ecosystems.  Ecological basis of creating self-sustained ecosystems.  Planning, implementing and assessing restoration programs.  Economic and social context of restoration.  Prerequisites:  an ecology course and one year of general chemistry. 
BIO 6665 Sustainable Development (3)
    This course will increase student awareness of sustainability issues concerning the future survival of human and other organisms on the planet.  The course specifically covers the following:  biological diversity trends, human population growth, agriculture and food consumption issues, water use and supplies, global warming and effects on biological diversity, sustainable fisheries, forest products and services, and other issues.  Prerequisites:  none.
BIO 6670, Special Topics (1-4)
  6671 Specialized topics not generally included in course offerings.  A maximum total of 4 semester hours is allowed for program credit.