Texas A&M University Undergraduate Catalog 2002-2003 Edition

Department of Biology

Professors V. M. Cassone (Head), J.W.Golden, S. S. Golden, I.F.Greenbaum, L. A. Guarino, T.C.Hall, A. K. Holzenburg, R. L. Honeycutt, T.D.McKnight, M.D.Manson, H.W.Sauer, M. D. Summers, T.L.Thomas, M.K.Wicksten, H.D.Wilson, P. A. Youderian, R. F. Young; Associate Professors K.J.Aufderheide, D. Bell-Pedersen, L Campbell, S. Datta, D. J. Earnest, J. Erickson, L.R.Griffing, D.S.MacKenzie, J.R.Manhart, D.M.Mueller, Jr., C.O.Patterson, A. E. Pepper, B. B. Riley, P.J.Rizzo, G.L.Schroeter, D.A.Siegele, M. J. Zoran; Assistant Professors R. Aramayo, L. R. Garcia, A. C. Lekven, J. Xiong; Senior Lecturers R. B. Moyes, T. P. Scott, L. Winemiller

Biology

(BIOL)

113. Introductory Biology. (3-0). Credit 3. I, II, S

Survey of contemporary biology that covers the chemical basis of life, structure and biology of the cell, molecular biology and genetics. The corresponding laboratory course, BIOL 123, provides practical experience and reinforcement of the topics discussed in BIOL 113.

114. Introductory Biology. (3-0). Credit 3. I, II, S

Continuation of a two-semester course in biological concepts; BIOL 114 will emphasize organismal diversity, comparative physiology, ecology and evolution. BIOL 124 is the laboratory course for this lecture course. Prerequisite: BIOL 113.

123. Introductory Biology Laboratory. (0-3). Credit 1. I, II, S

Laboratory study of topics covered in BIOL 113; experimental techniques, cell biology, metabolism, DNA and genetics. Prerequisite: BIOL 113 or concurrent enrollment.

124. Introductory Biology Laboratory. (0-3). Credit 1. I, II, S

Laboratory studies of topics covered in BIOL 114; diversity of life, comparative anatomy and physiology, and ecology and evolution. Prerequisites: BIOL 113, 123, 114 or concurrent registration in BIOL 114.

213. Molecular Cell Biology. (3-0). Credit 3. I, II

Explores the molecular basis of cell structure, function and evolution; gene regulation, cell division cycle, cancer, immunity, differentiation, multicellularity and photosynthesis. Students may not take concurrently with, or after the completion of, BIOL 413. Prerequisites: BIOL 114; CHEM 227 or concurrent enrollment.

214. Genes, Ecology and Evolution. (3-0). Credit 3.

A genetically-based introduction to the study of ecology and evolution; emphasis on the interactions of organisms with each other and with their environment. Prerequisites: BIOL 113 and 123 ; BIOL 114 and 124.

285. Directed Studies. Credit 1 to 4. I, II, S

Problems in various phases of plant, animal and bacteriological science. Prerequisites: Freshman or sophomore classification; approval of ranking professor in field chosen and Undergraduate Advising Office.

289. Special Topics in... Credit 1 to 4.

Selected topics in an identified area of biology. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor.

291. Research. Credit 1 to 4.

Active research of basic nature under the supervision of a Department of Biology faculty member. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Freshman or sophomore classification and approval of faculty member.

330. Molecules and Life. (3-0). Credit 3. I

Survey of major biological concepts; readings, integrated lectures and discussions of selected topics such as evolution, developmental biology, recombinant DNA, sociobiology and human origins. Prerequisite: Junior classification.

357. Ecology. (3-0). Credit 3. I, II, S

Analysis of ecosystems at organismal, population, interspecific and community levels. BIOL 358 is the laboratory for this lecture course. Prerequisites: BIOL 113 and 114 or approval of instructor.

358. Ecology Laboratory. (0-3). Credit 1. I, II, S

Analyses of freshwater, marine and terrestrial ecosystems; field studies emphasized. Prerequisites: BIOL 113 and 114 or approval of instructor.

413. Cell Biology. (3-0). Credit 3. I, II, S

Structure, function, and biogenesis of cells and their components; interpretation of dynamic processes of cells, including protein trafficking, motility, signaling and proliferation. Prerequisites: BIOL 213 or BICH 410 .

414. Developmental Biology. (3-0). Credit 3. I

Concepts of development in systems ranging from bacteriophage to the mammalian embryo; use of recombinant DNA technology and embryo engineering to unravel the relationships between growth and differentiation, morphogenesis and commitment, aging and cancer. Prerequisite: BIOL 413 or concurrent enrollment or approval of instructor.

423. Cell Biology Laboratory. (0-3). Credit 1. I, II

Modern methods of study of cell structure and cell function. Prerequisites: BIOL 413 and BICH 412 or registration therein; approval of instructor.

430. Biological Imaging. (3-3). Credit 4. II

Still and video photography and photomicrography, computer-based digital image analysis and processing of biological images; theory and principles of light and electron microscopy including transmission and scanning electron microscopy; optical contrast methods for light microscopy including phase contrast, DIC, polarizing light and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Prerequisite: Junior classification or approval of instructor.

439. Growth of Biological Thought. (3-0). Credit 3.

Development of biological thought from the ancient Greeks to the present. Prerequisite: 8 hours of biological science or approval of instructor.

440. Marine Biology. (3-3). Credit 4. II

Introduction to biology of common organisms inhabiting bays, beaches and near-shore oceanic waters with special reference to Gulf of Mexico biota; emphasis on classification, distribution, history, ecology, physiology, mutualism, predation, major community types and economic aspects of marine organisms. Prerequisites: BIOL 113, 114, 123, 124 or approval of instructor.*

450. Introduction to Genomics. (3-0). Credit 3.

Introductory genomics course designed to provide a basic understanding of the science of genomics, the study of genome data; major emphasis placed on the logic behind genomic approaches and the capabilities and limitations of these approaches to investigate biological processes; discussion of genomics as another extension of the science of genetics. Prerequisite: Junior or senior classification in Biology, Genetics or Biochemistry. Cross-listed with BICH 450.

466. Principles of Evolution. (3-0). Credit 3. I, II

Evolutionary patterns, mechanisms and processes at the organismal, chromosomal and molecular levels; modes of adaptation and the behavior of genes in populations. Prerequisite: GENE 301 or approval of instructor.

481. Seminar in Biology. (1-0). Credit 1. I, II, S

Recent advances. Restricted to senior undergraduate majors in biology, microbiology, botany or zoology.

484. Internship. Credit 1 to 4.

Directed internship in a private firm or public agency to provide research experience appropriate to the student's degree program and career objectives. May be taken two times. Prerequisite: Approval of internship agency and advising office.

485. Directed Studies. Credit 1 or more. I, II, S

Problems in various phases of plant, animal and bacteriological science. Prerequisites: Junior classification; approval of ranking professor in field chosen and Undergraduate Advising Office.

489. Special Topics in... Credit 1 to 4. I, II

Selected topics in an identified area of biology. May be repeated once for credit.

491. Research. Credit 1 to 4.

Active research of basic nature under the supervision of a Department of Biology faculty member. May be taken two times. Prerequisite: Approval of departmental faculty member.