Master of Science
Application Deadline: February 1, 2023
Successful applicants should have identified a faculty mentor with whom to complete their thesis research.
The Department offers a Master of Science degree in Biological Sciences. Basic requirements include a minimum of 30 semester hours and include 6 semester hours of Thesis, a minimum of 21 semester hours of graduate level work (including Thesis), a minimum of 3 semester hours of Seminar (BIOL 5130) or equivalent Special Topics Seminar courses, a maximum of 9 semester hours of approved upper-division undergraduate work, and a maximum of 6 semester hours of BIOL 5302 or BIOL 5502 (Research in the Biological Sciences) to count toward the degree.
A thesis based on original work is required and must be defended orally. The student should decide on an area of specialization and select a supervising professor within the first semester or 12 hours of admission. The supervising professor will act as chairperson of the thesis committee, which will be comprised of a minimum of three graduate faculty members, including one outside of the Department of Biological Sciences.
Biology (BIOL)
For Undergraduate and Graduate Students
BIOL 3119 Experimental Embryology (0-3)
BIOL 4321 Developmental Biology (3-0)
BIOL 3320 Genetics (3-0)
BIOL 3321 Evolutionary Theory (3-0)
BIOL 3326 Animal Ecology (3-0)
BIOL 3330 Histology (2-2)
BIOL 3341 Plants in Southwest Cultures (3-0)
BIOL 3416 Ecology (3-3)
BIOL 3427 Desert Ecology (3-3)
BIOL 3414 Molecular Cell Biology (3-3)
BIOL 4198 Special Problems (0-0-2)
BIOL 4223 Transmission Electron Microscopy (0-4)
BIOL 4298 Special Problems (0-0-4)
BIOL 4322 Biological Ultrastructure interpretation (3-0)
BIOL 4324 Animal Behavior (3-0)
BIOL 4325 Field Biology (0-0-9)
BIOL 4326 Bioarcheology (2-3)
BIOL 4390 Biological Practicum (0-0-6)
BIOL 4398 Special Problems (0-0-6)
Botany (BOT)
For Undergraduate and Graduate Students
BOT 3330 Comparative Plant Morphology (3-0)
BOT 3340 Plant Physiology (3-0)
BOT 3437 Plant Taxonomy (2-4)
Microbiology (MICR)
For Undergraduate and Graduate Students
MICR 3128 Microbial Ecosystems Techniques (0-3)
MICR 3328 Microorganisms in Ecosystems (3-0)
MICR 3443 Pathogenic Microbiology (3-3)
MICR 3445 Microbial Physiology (3-3)
MICR 3449 Prokaryotic Molecular Genetics (3-3)
MICR 4152 General Virology Techniques (0-3)
MICR 4351 General Virology (3-0)
MICR 4355 Medical Mycology (3-0)
MICR 4453 immunology (3-3)
Zoology (ZOOL)
For Undergraduate and Graduate Students
ZOOL 4155 Vertebrate Paleontology Techniques (0-3)
ZOOL 4157 Advanced Vertebrate Paleontology Techniques (0-3)
ZOOL 4181 Vertebrate Physiology Methods (0-3)
ZOOL 4354 Paleozoic and Mesozoic Vertebrate Paleontology (3-0)
ZOOL 4356 Cenozoic Vertebrate Paleontology (3-0)
ZOOL 4380 Vertebrate Physiology (3-0)
ZOOL 4384 Neurobiology (3-0)
ZOOL 4476 Fish, Amphibians, and Reptiles (3-3)
ZOOL 4478 Birds and Mammals (3-3)
For Graduate Students Only
Biology (BIOL)
5130 Seminar (1-0)
Topics vary and are presented by enrollees and other speakers.
5131 Ethical, Social, and Political Dimensions of Science (1-0)
Readings and discussion on the philosophical and social structure, ethical climate, and public policy environment of the modern scientific research establishment.
5301 Selected Advanced Topics in the Biological Sciences (3-0)
Course in the form of formal classes. May be repeated for credit when topics vary. 5302 Research in the Biological Sciences (0-0-3)
5502 Research in the Biological Sciences (0-0-5)
Emphasizes research, with writing and discussion. Not given as a formal class. May be repeated, but no more than six hours of credit will be counted towards degree. Laboratory fee required.
5305 Herpetology (2-3)
A study of the morphology, taxonomy, and life histories of reptiles and amphibians. Laboratory fee required.
5307 Biology of the Pleistocene (3-0)
A study of the organisms of the Pleistocene.
5309 Regulation of the Eukaryotic Genome (3-0)
The molecular biology of eukaryotes including genetic engineering, structure and organization of the eukaryotic genome, regulating the expression of eukaryotic genes, and the role of oncogenes in eukaryotes. Prerequisite: (1) BIOL 3320 or equivalent or (2) instructor's approval.
5313 Biogeography (3-0)
Geographic distribution of plants and animals, and analysis of causative factors.
5316 Biosystematics (3-0)
Methods and principles of taxonomy, classification, and systematics.
5318 Ecology of Desert Organisms (2-3)
Study of the physiological, morphological, and behavioral adaptations of desert plants and animals. Effects of desert abiotic factors on species, populations, and communities. Laboratory fee required.
5320 Endocrinology (2-3)
A study of the effects and actions of vertebrate hormones with an emphasis on neuroendocrine control. Laboratory fee required.
5323 Ultrastructure (3-0)
Current research advances in cellular biology.
5324 Mammalogy (2-3)
Class Mammalia, with emphasis on morphological, physiological, ecological, and behavioral adaptations to past and present environments. Laboratory fee required.
5326 Advances in Immunological Concepts (3-0)
Study of immunological and immunochemical concepts. Emphasis will be placed on recent experimental advances in immunology. Prerequisite: MICR 4453 or instructor approval.
5327 Advances in Ecological Theory (3-0)
Study of recent advances in ecological theory with special emphasis on adaptation, population structure and dynamics, behavioral processes, and species interactions.
5328 Numerical Analysis in Biology (2-3)
Study and application of specialized numerical methods in biological sciences. Prerequisite: instructor approval.
5329 Physiology of the Bacterial Cell (3-0)
The study of the biochemical and physiological processes occurring in the bacterial cell. Emphasis will be placed on recent experimental approaches that are in current use in microbial physiology research. Prerequisite: instructor approval.
5340 Structure and Function of Macromolecules (3-0)
Functional biology of cells, with emphasis on the relationship between molecular structure and function.
5342 Synthesis and Degradation of Macromolecules (3-0)
In-depth discussion of the mechanisms and pathways for the synthesis of amino acids, lipids, membranes, and nucleic acids and for the degradation of carbohydrates, lipids, and the salvage pathways. Prerequisite: BIOL 5340 or instructor approval.
5343 Mechanisms of Cellular Toxicity (3-0)
Theory and application of toxicology. Focus will be on the absorption, distribution, excretion, and metabolism of xenobiotic and toxic materials and the molecular approaches to the study of toxicology.
5344 Molecular Pathogenesis (3-0)
Cellular and molecular basis of diseases induced or exacerbated by microbes, parasites, pollutants, poor sanitation, and malnutrition.
5346 Ecosystem Toxicology (3-0)
Practical analysis of degraded natural communities of plants and animals, including biotic inventories, detection of bio accumulated toxins, and the use of indicator species.
5360 Limnology (3-0)
Study of the freshwater environment, including chemical parameters and biological populations.
5398 Thesis (0-0-3)
Initial work on the thesis.
5399 Thesis (0-0-3)
Continuous enrollment required while work on thesis continues. Prerequisite: BIOL 5398.
5401 Molecular Biology Techniques (2-6)
Theory and application of modern molecular and cell biology techniques. Student projects combine theory and practical application in the laboratory. Laboratory fee required.
Professional Master’s Degree in Bioinformatics
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