Return to Biology | Courses Index
[1] Graduate Courses in Biology (BIOL)
5100 FIELD STUDIES IN BIOLOGY This course is designed to broaden the student’s field experience beyond that obtained in regular campus courses through concentrated firsthand observations of organisms and their environments. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. On demand.
5171, 5271, 5371, 5471 INDEPENDENT STUDY Individual work under supervision, designed to supplement regularly organized courses in biology, and independent thesis research. On demand.
5205 CONSERVATION EDUCATION Grounded in place-based teaching and using the environment as a context for learning. The course will provide students with activities, lesson plans, and resources in four nationally recognized conservation education curriculum: Project WET, Project WILD, Project Learning Tree, and Leopold Education Project. Upon completion the student will be a certified educator and receive a certification document for each curriculum. This course is designed for undergraduates majoring in Biology and Environmental Science, for graduate students in Biology and Science Education, and for classroom and non-classroom educators seeking ADE professional development credit. The course meets three times over a semester on Friday evenings and Saturdays for training and will conclude with a youth teaching experience. Fall or spring semester.
5210 SEMINAR IN BIOLOGY Ideas, concepts, philosophies, and trends in biological science. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. On demand.
5250 SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY AND MICROANALYSIS Theory and practice of scanning electron microscopy and microanalysis with training in sample preparation, examination and analysis, and imaging. Students will complete independent research projects. Prerequisites: PHYS 1420 or 1422. Spring.
5311 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY Discussion of disruptions in normal physiology, including the alterations, derangements, and mechanisms involved in these disruptions and how they manifest themselves as signs, symptoms, and laboratory findings. Prerequisite: BIOL 2405, 2407, 4460, or consent of instructor. Spring, Summer.
5320 NEURODEVELOPMENT AND PATHOLOGY This course examines current issues in neuroscience with emphasis on disorders and development of the mammalian central nervous system. Lecture only. Prerequisite: BIOL 2490. Alternate Fall semesters.
5330 PRINCIPLES OF THE CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM Students will analyze heart anatomy and function, how blood flows through the blood vessels, and the impact of the nervous system on cardiovascular function using primary literature. Prerequisite(s): “C or better” in BIOL 3404. Alternate summers.
5340 IMMUNOLOGY Cellular and molecular aspects of immunity (humoral and cell-mediated), cells and molecules of the immune system, and the role of the immune system during infections and cancer. Lab teaches contemporary techniques. Prerequisites: BIOL 2490, and BIOL 3402 or 4420. Spring.
5351 GENERAL PHARMACOLOGY How the body handles drugs and the effects of the various classes of drugs on body systems, including sites and mechanisms of action, therapeutic effects, side effects, and toxicology. Prerequisite: BIOL 2405, 2407, 4460, or consent of instructor. Fall.
5360 ENDOCRINOLOGY Study of the function and functioning of endocrine glands and the brain of the vertebrate body in regard to growth, puberty, reproduction, metabolism, stress, etc. Prerequisite: BIOL 3402. Fall.
5390, 5490 SPECIAL TOPICS IN BIOLOGY This course examines diverse subjects that would otherwise be unavailable through traditional course offerings. Topics will vary. On demand.
5400 HISTOLOGY Surveys the microscopic anatomy of the vertebrate body. Fall.
5401 INVERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY Survey of the classification, functional morphology, and natural history of the invertebrate animals. Spring.
5404 PLANT TAXONOMY The identification, nomenclature, and classification of vascular plants dealing largely with Arkansas flora; emphasis on plant families. Fall.
5405 DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY Basic principles of development, covering genetic and cellular regulation of embryogenesis. Lab work includes experimental manipulation of vertebrate and invertebrate embryos. Spring.
5406 MAMMALOGY Biology of mammals including systematics, classification, evolution, physiological and behavioral adaptive strategies, conservation, and economic importance. Lab introduces students to Arkansas mammal identification and distribution, and to field study techniques and museum preservation and curation. Prerequisite(s): Required BIO 3490 (Genetics); Recommended BIO 3403, and/or BIO 3410, and/or BIO 3415. Alternate fall semesters.
5407 ORNITHOLOGY Study of birds including classification, identification, evolution, physiological and behavioral adaptive strategies, conservation, management, and economic importance of birds, with an emphasis on North American avifauna. Lab introduces students to bird identification and distribution, and to field study techniques and museum preservation and curation. Prerequisite(s): Required BIO 3490 (Genetics); Recommended BIO 3403, and/or BIO 3410, and/or BIO 3415. Alternate spring semesters.
5410 BIOLOGY OF LOWER PLANTS AND FUNGI The plant kingdom, excluding gymnosperms and angiosperms, with emphasis on the structure and reproductive habits of representatives of major plant groups. Alternate spring semesters.
5412 ORGANISMS IN EXTREME ENVIRONMENTS An elective course for biology and environmental science majors. This course will examine the physiology and ecology of eukaryotic organisms that are known to survive major environmental stresses including high and low temperatures, desiccation, osmotic stress, high irradiance and exposure to toxins. Lecture and laboratory. Prerequisites: MATH 2311 (or equivalent statistics course) and BIOL 2490 with a grade of C or better. Offered spring alternate years.
5415 EVOLUTION Biological evolution from the Darwinian and Neo-Darwinian perspective; mechanisms of evolutionary change and overview of the history of life on earth. Prerequisite: BIOL 2490. Fall, spring, summer..
5418 BIOLOGY OF THE REPTILIA This course examines the biology, reproduction, ecology, and conservation biology of reptiles. Laboratory exercises emphasize species identification, field techniques, as well as population and community analysis. Prerequisites: BIOL 3403 and 2490 (C or better). On demand.
5425 EXPERIMENTAL NEUROBIOLOGY Introduction to the structure and function of invertebrate and vertebrate nervous systems. Laboratory exercises involving invertebrates present techniques for studying nervous system function and research design. Alternate fall semesters..
5428 ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGICAL ECOLOGY This course examines the various physiological adaptations that animals use to cope with environmental stress. Prerequisites: BIOL 3403 and BIOL 2490 (C or better). On demand.
5430 COMPARATIVE VERTEBRATE ANATOMY Comparative gross anatomy of the vertebrates. Laboratory work includes dissection of the dogfish shark, Necturus, and cat. Spring.
5435 ANIMAL BEHAVIOR Analysis of animal behavior from an ecological and evolutionary perspective. Prerequisite: MATH 2311 or equivalent. Spring.
5440 ENTOMOLOGY A study of the classification, evolution, anatomy, physiology, behavior, and ecology of insects. The course also explores how insects affect our lives and how harmful insects are controlled. Alternate fall semesters.
5442 RESTORATION ECOLOGY: PRINCIPLES AND APPLICATION An elective course for biology majors. The course focuses on the ecological principles used in ecosystem restorations, the application of restoration to different ecosystems, and the evaluation of actual restorations in both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Lecture and laboratory. Prerequisite: BIOL 3403 (C or better). Fall alternate years.
5445 BIOMETRY Applied biological statistics with an emphasis on experimental design and data analysis. Prerequisite: MATH 2311 or equivalent. Fall.
5450 PLANT ECOPHYSIOLOGY Study of the environment’s impact on plant physiological processes with emphasis on carbon assimilation and plant water relations. Laboratory work includes learning field methods used in plant ecophysiology. Alternate fall semesters.
5455 ICHTHYOLOGY Study of diversity, ecology, life history, and physiology of fishes as well as aspects of fisheries management. The lab will use a systematic approach to study the taxonomic identification of fishes, stressing identification and sampling of southeastern freshwater fishes. Prerequisite: BIOL 2490 (C or better). Alternate spring semesters.
5460 ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY Study of how animals (vertebrates and invertebrates) meet normal functional needs and environmental changes. Laboratory work includes measurements and collection of data using living material. Prerequisite: BIOL 3402. Spring.
5461 PARASITOLOGY A course designed to familiarize students with the taxonomy, morphology, ecology, and life cycles of animal parasites. Alternate spring semesters.
5465 ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY An introduction to the fate, toxicity, and effects of contaminants in ecological systems. Students will gain an understanding of the properties and behavior of major classes of chemicals, toxicity testing procedures, concepts and application of ecological risk assessment for regulation, and current issues in the field. Prerequisites CHEM 1451; MATH 2311, PSCI 3312, or PSYC 2330; BIOL 2490 or permission of instructor. Alternate fall semesters.
5470 BIOLOGY OF SEED PLANTS Life cycles, external structure, anatomy of gymnosperms and angiosperms. Alternate spring semesters.
5475 ADVANCED CELL BIOLOGY This course explores advanced concepts in cell function and cell communication by introducing topics including but not limited to cytoskeletal function, the extracellular matrix, apoptosis, cell division, and motility. This course emphasizes the molecular basis of cellular function and communication and considers how they relate to overall function of both unicellular and multicellar eukaryotic organisms. Prerequisite: BIOL 3402 (C or better). Alternate fall semesters.
5480 HISTORY OF LIFE An elective for biology majors. This course is an introduction to paleobiology, the study of Earth’s life as preserved in the fossil record. Topics will include the fundamentals of historical geology, geologic dating and correlation, the major groups of animals, plants, and microorganisms at different periods in the past, the reconstruction of past environments, and the use of fossil and geological evidence in studying environmental change. Lecture and laboratory. Prerequisite: BIOL 2490. Alternate fall semesters.
5530 EXPERIMENTAL MOLECULAR BIOLOGY Molecular biology of nucleic acids with an emphasis on biotechnology and genetic engineering. The laboratory experience is a major component of the course. Prerequisite: BIOL 3402 or CHEM 4320. On demand.
6101, 6201, 6301 THESIS RESEARCH A maximum of six credit hours will count towards a degree. On demand.
6102 GRADUATE SEMINAR Skills and understanding pertaining to independent work at the graduate level. An emphasis is placed on written and oral communication in the sciences. Fall, spring.
6171, 6271, 6371, 6471 INDEPENDENT STUDY Individual work under supervision, designed to supplement regularly organized courses in biology, and independent thesis research. On demand.
6195, 6295, 6395, 6495 SPECIAL TOPICS IN BIOLOGY This course examines diverse subjects that would otherwise be unavailable to graduate students through traditional course offerings. Topics will vary. On demand.
6290 BIOLOGICAL LITERATURE Use of abstracts, journals, and reference books in biology to prepare a comprehensive literature review and seminar. Prerequisite: Consent of advisory committee. On demand.
6376 ADVANCED IMMUNOLOGY Currents topics in transplantation immunology, oncological (cancer) immunology, and autoimmunity will be discussed with examination and presentation of current peer-reviewed literature. Prerequisites: BIOL 3402 and 5340 (or instructor permission). Alternate fall semesters.
6382 RECENT ADVANCES IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY Literature-based course focused on molecular and cellular biology. Alternate fall semesters.
6430 PROTEIN AND ENZYME BIOLOGY In-depth study of proteins and enzymes, including protein engineering. Emphasis is placed on the laboratory experience. On demand.
6440 ADVANCED DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY Advanced studies of animal and plant development at the molecular, cellular, and tissue levels. On demand.
6442 AQUATIC ECOLOGY A study of the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of bodies of water and the interrelationships of these characteristics. Alternate fall semesters.
6443 ADVANCED ECOLOGY Contemporary ideas and practices in several subdisciplines within ecology. Prerequisite: BIOL 3403. Alternate spring semesters.
6450 SYSTEMATICS AND CLASSIFICATION An in-depth study of the methods and underlying philosophies of classifying organisms, emphasizing phylogenetic approaches. Application to the study of evolution, ecology, genetics, biogeography, behavior, and conservation. Alternate fall semesters.
6455 REGULATORY PHYSIOLOGY Some environmental influences on animals and plants and their responses to these influences. Prerequisite: BIOL 4450 or 4460. Alternate fall semesters.
6480 ADVANCED GENETICS A course designed to follow one in elementary genetics. Special emphasis is placed upon molecular aspects of the subject. Prerequisite: A course in elementary genetics. Alternate spring semesters.