Students learn the professional and academic expectations of the graduate biology programs through in-class activities, readings, and small group discussions.
Prerequisite: enrollment in a graduate biology program. Graded: S/U.
A comprehensive course dealing with the cellular, neuromuscular, and endocrine functions of the human body. The emphasis of the course is on the relationship of structure to function. Fulfills the Anatomy & Physiology core area in Human Biology.
Prerequisites: 1 course each in biology and chemistry.
A regional anatomy course with full human cadaver dissection.
A regional anatomy course with full human cadaver dissection.
A survey of the evolution, structure, and adaptations of the major living and extinct classes of vertebrates, with regular comparisons to human anatomy as appropriate. Lab exercises include wet dissection, examination of preserved and dry animal specimens, and low-level microscopy. Fulfills the Anatomy & Physiology core area in Human Biology.
Prerequisite: 1 course in anatomy, zoology, organismal biology, or osteology.
The anatomy of the central nervous system from a functional perspective. Fulfills the Anatomy & Physiology core area in Human Biology.
Prerequisite: 1 course in human anatomy, or BIOL 504.
An in-depth examination of the structure and function of vertebrate tissues. Emphasis will be on developing laboratory skills, slide preparation, and microphotography.
Prerequisite: 1 course in human or vertebrate anatomy with dissection, or cell biology.
An introduction to the molecules and chemical reactions that are characteristic of living things. The course will discuss the structures of important biological molecules including amino acids, proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids and metabolic processes that extract and store metabolic energy. Three hours of lecture per week.
A study of the molecular processes involved in gene function and the regulation of cell activities. Topics covered include the mechanisms of DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis in bacteria and eukaryotes, mutation and repair, regulation of gene activity, and recombinant DNA methods.
Prerequisite: 1 course each in genetics, biology, and chemistry.
A comprehensive overview of animal development, from the cellular and molecular mechanisms that guide tissue and organ formation to general embryology. A variety of animals will be explored to compare and contrast developmental processes and organization.
Prerequisites: 1 course each in biology and evolution.
An introduction to core concepts in human genetics, including DNA structure and function, Mendelian inheritance, single-gene and complex traits, genetic disorders, gene therapy, DNA fingerprinting, and population genetics. Fulfills the Human Variation core area in Human Biology.
Prerequisite: 1 course each in biology and chemistry.
An examination of the theoretical approaches to and practical applications of molecular analysis of forensic and historic specimens. Laboratory exercises will focus primarily on DNA profiling of vertebrate skeletal remains.
Prerequisites: 1 course in genetics and 2 courses in chemistry.
An examination of the genetic changes and molecular events that lead to abnormal cell growth and cancer. Topics covered include oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, angiogenesis, invasion and metastasis, cancer stem cells, therapeutic approaches for cancer treatment, and cancer prevention.
Prerequisites: 1 course in genetics.
Students will use molecular and cellular techniques to conduct research projects that examine the hallmark characteristics of cancer cells. One scheduled laboratory per week with additional independent laboratory time as needed.
Prerequisite: 1 course in genetics and concurrent enrollment in BIOL 540.
An examination of current issues in evolutionary biology. Fulfills the Evolutionary Science core area in Human Biology.
Prerequisite: 1 course in evolutionary biology or biological anthropology.
Study of the organization and function of the vertebrate immune system. Topics covered include types of immunity, serology, molecular, cellular, and biochemical properties of the immune system, immunoglobulin structure, organs of the immune system, immunogenetics, immune surveillance, immunological therapies, autoimmunity, immunodeficiency, and immunology of tumors. Emphasis will be placed on problem solving, case study, evaluation, primary literature analysis, writing a review of immunological literature, and presenting and explaining immunological research.
An examination of human physical and behavioral variation, with special emphasis on adaptation, heritability, microevolutionary processes, demography, and the concept of race. Fulfills the Human Variation core area in Human Biology.
Prerequisite: 1 course in biological anthropology or evolutionary biology, or BIOL 528.
This course was designed for students interested in the field of forensic anthropology and planning to sit for Board Certification through the American Board of Forensic Anthropology. This course was designed to include transcript evidence of the following requirements: universal dental charting, basic forensic science documentation, evidence handling, field recovery of human remains, processing human remains and ethics in forensic science.
A survey of advanced methods used to construct a biological profile for human skeletal remains. Topics covered include the estimation of stature and age at death, the determination of sex and ancestry, the use of unique skeletal and dental features to establish positive identification, and the role of osteology in the medicolegal setting.
Prerequisite: 1 course in human osteology.
A broad study of aspects of human evolution, including evolutionary theory, fossil and archeological evidence, aspects of comparative anatomy, behavior, and ecology, and the genetics and variation of modern human populations in order to reconstruct the biological and cultural prehistory of our species. Fulfills the Evolutionary Science core area in Human Biology.
An examination of current developments and issues in human evolution. Fulfills the Evolutionary Science core area in Human Biology.
Prerequisite: 1 course in human evolution.
An in‑depth examination of the human skeletal system with an emphasis on systematic variability. Issues such as bone growth, histology, pathology, and forensic anthropology are addressed. Fulfills the Human Variation core area in Human Biology.
Prerequisite: 1 course in human anatomy.
A laboratory-based survey of the hard tissue morphology and adaptations of the major living classes of vertebrates, including fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.
Prerequisite: 1 course in human or vertebrate anatomy with dissection, or 1 course in human osteology.
Students hone their college-level teaching skills while under the mentorship of a qualified instructor. Work may include developing lesson plans, delivering lectures, preparing prosections, and assisting in labs. Students may receive credit more than once for this course, but no more than 3 credit hours can count towards the graduate degree. Normally, payment cannot be received for work completed under the auspices of this course.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of either BIOL 504, 505, 512, or 515. Graded: S/U.
Special topics courses include directed readings and small group discussions on a focused topic of interest. Students may receive credit more than once for these courses if a different topic is covered each time.
- BIOL 560 Topics in Anatomy
- BIOL 561 Topics in Physiology
- BIOL 562 Topics in Evolution
- BIOL 563 Topics in Ecology
- BIOL 564 Topics in Osteology
- BIOL 565 Topics in Systematics
- BIOL 566 Topics in Animal Behavior
- BIOL 567 Topics in Forensics
Students present progress reports on their research or present reviews of the current status of research in a particular area of biological interest. Graded: S/U.
Students design and complete a research project in consultation with a faculty member. Students may receive credit more than once for this course, but no more than four credit hours can count towards the graduate degree.
Prerequisite: Consent of the student’s advisor.
This course provides an opportunity for the student to develop a thesis or comparable project under the direction of a Human Biology faculty member. The final written proposal must be accepted by the student’s Thesis or Research Committee before credit can be awarded and prior to enrolling in BIOL 590.
Prerequisites: 18 hours of graduate coursework completed with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and consent of the student’s advisor. Graded: S/U.
The student completes a thesis or comparable project under the direction of a Human Biology faculty member. The final written work must be accepted by the student’s Thesis or Research Committee before credit can be awarded.
Prerequisites: Completion of BIOL 589 and consent of the student’s advisor. Graded: S/U.
Students may register for this course in order to maintain active student status while working on a proposal, thesis, or project.
Prerequisites: 30 hours of graduate coursework completed with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and consent of the student’s advisor. Graded: S/U.
The student engages in advanced study or a research project in a selected area of interest. Students may receive credit more than once for this course, but no more than four credit hours can count towards the graduate degree.
Prerequisite: Consent of the student’s advisor.