Course Number: 5101
Credit Hours: 1
Title: Special Topics

Course Description:
Research in areas other than thesis. May be repeated when topic changes

Course Number: 5110
Credit Hours: 1
Title: Graduate Seminar

Course Description:
Current topics in biological research. See requirement 3 under Degree Requirements.

Course Number: 5201
Credit Hours: 2
Title: Special Problems in Biology

Course Description:
Physiological, anatomical, taxonomic, molecular, and ecological biology. Laboratory, field, and/or library work and conferences with a faculty member. May be repeated for credit when the area of study differs.

Course Number: 5301
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Special Topics

Course Description:
Research in areas other than thesis.

Course Number: 5302
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Graduate Conservation Biology

Course Description:
Introduces general concepts of conservation biology, with an emphasis on basic and applied research in such fields as ecology, behavior, population genetics, and systematics, as they relate to the preservation of biodiversity at all levels. Emphasizes analysis and synthesis of scientific literature and communication of scientific knowledge.

Course Number: 5303
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Graduate Medical Microbiology

Course Description:
This is an advanced medical microbiology course built from courses taught in medical schools that examines the direct interactions between humans and microorganisms. Advanced principles will be introduced and then applied to the clinical relevance in four segments of the academic preparation for the students: bacteriology, virology, mycology and parasitology. This course includes major etiological agents responsible for global infectious diseases. Because the territory covered by infections and the host’s immune response expands each year, the focus is on pathogenic mechanisms in order to foster a student’s ability to solve problems in their future career.

Course Number: 5307
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Life in the Extreme

Course Description:
Examines the basic physiological problems that all organisms face and then sees these principles applied to extreme environments.

Course Number: 5344
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Dev of Biological Thought

Course Description:
The history of biological thought and the development of evolutionary concepts and inheritance will be examined. The influence of prevailing philosophies and social contexts and scientific discoveries on how biological systems and concepts were interpreted and theories were formulated will be emphasized.

Course Number: 5390
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Thesis

Course Description:
This is a research project under the guidance of the thesis supervisor and thesis committee. The project is chosen by the student in agreement with the thesis supervisor, and is approved by the thesis committee, before the student starts the research work.

Course Number: 5391
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Thesis

Course Description:
This is a continuation of the research project under the guidance of the thesis supervisor and thesis committee. No credit is assigned until thesis has been completed and submitted to the graduate dean. Must be enrolled at time of completion. May be enrolled in multiple times but only three credits are applied to the number needed to complete the degree.

Course Number: 5401
Credit Hours: 4
Title: Special Topics

Course Description:
Research in areas other than thesis. May be repeated when topic changes

Course Number: 5403
Credit Hours: 4
Title: Field Botany

Course Description:
A field-oriented course that will introduce students to the flora of the surrounding region. Emphasis will be placed on the sight identification of common species as well as the use of dichotomous keys in identification to the family level.

Course Number: 5404
Credit Hours: 4
Title: Graduate Molecular Biology

Course Description:
Principles of Molecular Biology is a course that addresses many of the core topics in molecular biology that all graduate students in the biomedical sciences address in their research. The goal of this course is to establish a broad and strong basic knowledge of the workings of a cell, to set the stage for future explorations of specific cellular contexts. The broad area of molecular biology is explored through the lens of gene regulation. Fundamental principles central to molecular biology are discussed as well as the key experimental techniques that have been used to revamp the central theories driving both fields

Course Number: 5405
Credit Hours: 4
Title: Graduate Immunology

Course Description:
Graduate Immunology is designed to provide the basic scientist with an enhanced understanding of immunological concepts and techniques applicable to research in immunology and related fields. Specifically, the goal is to familiarize students with the current immunological concepts, paradigms, and techniques that are applicable not only to research in immunology but are also increasingly necessary for an enhanced understanding of all biological disciplines.

Course Number: 5406
Credit Hours: 4
Title: Graduate Parasitology

Course Description:
A graduate level study of the morphology, life history and host-parasite relationships of parasites of humans and other animals.

Course Number: 5409
Credit Hours: 4
Title: Graduate Ornithology

Course Description:
The lecture will introduce you to the general concepts of avian biology with an emphasis on the evolution, ecology and behavior of birds. The lecture emphasizes scientific analysis and synthesis of scientific literature and communication of scientific knowledge. The lab will introduce you to the external anatomy of birds and will explore how form is related to function in birds. The lab will also introduce you to the identification of common birds of southeast Texas.

Course Number: 5410
Credit Hours: 4
Title: Animal Behavior

Course Description:
An analysis of the development and significance of various behavior patterns in animals from an evolutionary point of view.

Course Number: 5411
Credit Hours: 4
Title: Graduate Biomedical Technology

Course Description:
Explores advanced topics in biotechnology field including subjects in molecular and engineering applications, recombinant DNA techniques, bioinformatics algorithms, and bioethics. Lab exercises examines biomaterials, clinical diagnostics, DNA/RNA/protein biomarker analysis, forensics, cryobiology, and 3D printing technologies.

Course Number: 5412
Credit Hours: 4
Title: Graduate Molecular Genetics

Course Description:
In this course you will learn advanced knowledge about human genes and their contribution to human traits and disorders. The course focuses on the mode of inheritance of human genes, structure and organization of the human genome, mapping of the human genome, the technology behind sequencing the human genome, identifying human disease genes, cancer genetics, pharmacogenetics and new approaches to treating diseases (gene therapy). The course is designed to provide academic training to graduate students to extend their knowledge for additional post-graduate training or professional appointment.

Course Number: 5413
Credit Hours: 4
Title: Graduate Medical Neuroscience

Course Description:
This course is an introduction to neuroscience and nervous system disorders. It will focus on cellular and molecular neuroscience in individual nerve cells and system neuroscience based on the nerve cells connection and performance. the course is designed to provide the foundations needed for upper division courses in the health sciences and related fields.

Course Number: 5416
Credit Hours: 4
Title: Field Parasitology

Course Description:
A laboratory and field based study of the major parasitic animal groups. Several required field trips.

Course Number: 5430
Credit Hours: 4
Title: Graduate Limnology

Course Description:
A graduate-level course introducing freshwater ecosystems and habitats. It will focus on the structure, development, chemistry, and biology of lake, groundwater, wetland, and riverine systems as well as the influence of human activity in these systems. More intense study, additional assignments, and higher expectations than the undergraduate course.

Course Number: 5431
Credit Hours: 4
Title: Graduate Ichthyology

Course Description:
Taxonomy of freshwater and marine fishes, current issues in fisheries, experimental design and a professional publication.

Course Number: 5432
Credit Hours: 4
Title: Tropical Terrestrial and Watershed Biology

Course Description:
This is a two part course, combining traditional lecture with practical field experience. The lecture portion will examine the basic principles of terrestrial and aquatic ecology as they apply to tropical watersheds. Special emphasis will be given to the biogeography, water cycle and watersheds, nutrient cycling, biodiversity and evolution, animal natural history, land-sea margins, and conservation of tropical ecosystems. The practical field experience takes the form of a mandatory two week field trip to Belize where students will experience first-hand biographically distinct watersheds, terrestrial biomes, fish and wildlife, as well as interact with native people and cultures.

Course Number: 5435
Credit Hours: 4
Title: Environmental Toxicology

Course Description:
Principals of how contaminants are absorbed, transformed, and eliminated in different organisms. Toxin effects on organismal physiology. Student-led laboratory experimentation and field trips.

Course Number: 5437
Credit Hours: 4
Title: Environmental Microbiology

Course Description:
Ecology and application of microorganisms in natural and synthetic environments.

Course Number: 5440
Credit Hours: 4
Title: Graduate Vertebrate Natural History

Course Description:
Collection, identification and natural history of area fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. The course emphasizes analysis and synthesis of scientific literature and communication of scientific knowledge.

Course Number: 5443
Credit Hours: 4
Title: Graduate Embryology and Development

Course Description:
A graduate-level lecture and laboratory course in developmental biology, emphasizing embryological development of animal.

Course Number: 5445
Credit Hours: 4
Title: Graduate Herpetology

Course Description:
Classification, evolution, natural history, and conservation of amphibians and reptiles. The course emphasizes analysis and synthesis of scientific literature and communication of scientific knowledge.

Course Number: 5450
Credit Hours: 4
Title: Mammalogy

Course Description:
Natural history, taxonomy and ecology of mammals. Required field trip.

Course Number: 5452
Credit Hours: 4
Title: Tropical Marine biology

Course Description:
This is a two part course, combining traditional lecture with practical field experience. the lecture portion will examine the basic principles of marine biology as they apply to tropical waters. Special emphasis will be given to the tropical ocean and coastal ecosystems of seagrass beds, mangals and coral reefs. the practical experience takes the form of a two-week field trip to Belize where students will get to examine these systems firsthand as well as interact with native cultures.

Course Number: 5455
Credit Hours: 4
Title: Marine Biology

Course Description:
A graduate level field study and identification of area species; current research. Required field trips.

Course Number: 5460
Credit Hours: 4
Title: Graduate Ecology

Course Description:
A graduate level quantitative approach to both field and experimental studies. Interrelationships of organisms and their environment.

Course Number: 5475
Credit Hours: 4
Title: Cell Biology

Course Description:
A graduate level study with focus on mammalian cells. In addition to structural and physiological functions, special emphasis on the molecular and metabolic mechanisms, as well as genetic/epigenetic to phenotype regulations topics are included.

Course Number: 5480
Credit Hours: 4
Title: Aquatic Entomology

Course Description:
Biology morphology, life history and classification of aquatic insects. Field trips and personal collection required.

Course Number: 5490
Credit Hours: 4
Title: Comparative Physiology

Course Description:
Fundamental physiological processes in animals from the Phylogenetic viewpoint.