Course
Descriptions
Biology
(BIO) Course
Schedules
BIO
500 Biological Statistics 3(2-2)
An introduction to biological statistics; emphasis on concepts
of descriptive statistics and central tendency, inferential
statistics. ONE-WAY ANOVA and correlation/linear regression.
Prerequisites: Twelve (12) hours of biology or
permission of instructor; math competency equivalent to MTH
130 recommended.
BIO 501 Evolution 3(3-0)
Mechanisms of descent with modification are discussed in a
framework of microevolution, speciation, and macroevolution.
Prerequisites: 9 hours of biology and BIO 326.
BIO 502 Teaching Biology 3(2-3)
Material, methods, and problems suitable for use in the
secondary school; required training course for prospective
teachers of biology. Prerequisites: completion of 22
hours of biology; a GPA of 2.7 in biology classes.
BIO 508 Modern Concepts in Biological
Science for Elementary Teachers 3(3-0)
For teachers of grades K-8. Emphasis on biological concepts
taught in elementary and middle school; development of a
series of laboratory activities as a class project.
BIO 509 Icthyology 4(2-4)
Anatomy, taxonomy, physiology, natural history, and ecology of
fishes with laboratory emphasis on fishes of the Great Lakes
region. Prerequisites: BIO 218 or equivalent.
BIO 510 Fisheries Biology 4(3-2)
Analysis of fish populations, management of fisheries
resources, and other problems related to freshwater fisheries.
Prerequisite: BIO 509.
BIO 511 Aquatic Insects 3(1-4)
Natural history and systematics of freshwater insects.
Prerequisite: one year of biology including introductory
entomology.
BIO 513 Plant Taxonomy 3(2-3)
Plant taxonomy with attention to plants of the Mount Pleasant
area. Prerequisite: 6 hours of botany.
BIO 516 Computers in the Biological
Sciences 3(2-3)
Application of field data to procedures of programming and
application of data to model structures whenever possible.
Elementary mathematics required. Prerequisite: working
knowledge of a language such as BASIC, FORTRAN, PL-1, PASCAL.
BIO 518 Animal Behavior 3(2-3)
Behavior in invertebrate and vertebrate organisms related to
genetics, morphology, and the ecology of animal populations.
Prerequisite: one year of biology.
BIO 523 Fresh Water Algae 4(2-4)
Taxonomy, morphology, and ecology including analysis and
collection methods.
BIO 524 Molecular Biology 4(3-3)
Molecular basis of genetics and genetic expression, primarily
in prokaryotes, and techniques of recombinant DNA technology.
Laboratory includes nucleic acid purification and recombinant
DNA procedures. Prerequisites: BIO 208, BIO 326, CHM 346, CHM
522 (may be concurrent); or instructor permission.
BIO 525 Plant Ecology 4(2-4)
A study of plants emphasizing physical and biotic
interrelationships and factors which govern their
distribution. Field work stressed. Prerequisites: BIO 340 and a
plant identification course highly recommended.
BIO 526 Limnology 3(3-0)
Factors contributing to the biological productivity of fresh
water habitats and the relationship of different factors that
influence biological productivity in lakes and streams.
Prerequisites: BIO 340; one year of college chemistry
recommended, or permission of instructor.
BIO 527 Limnological Methods 2(0-4)
A quantitative examination of the physical, chemical and
biological aspects of lake ecosystems. This course is
designed to accompany BIO 526. Prerequisites: BIO
526 (co-requisite).
BIO 531 Aquatic Vascular Plants
3(2-3)
Classification, ecology, and importance of aquatic vascular
plants and their role in fisheries problems, wildlife
management, and limnology.
BIO 534 Endocrinology 3(2-3)
A study of the ductless glands and their secretions and their
influence on the body. Prerequisite: BIO 392.
BIO 536 Histology 3(2-3)
Study of the principal tissues of vertebrates.
BIO 537 Immunology 4(3-3)
A description of the biological and biochemical mechanisms of
the immune response. Emphasis will be placed on antibody
structure, antigen-antibody interaction, immunobiology, and
serology. A knowledge of aseptic techniques is strongly
recommended. Prerequisites: BIO 326 and CHM 521.
BIO 538 Anatomical Preparations
2(1-3)
Practical techniques involved in the preparation of dry
skeletal material, limb-muscle unites, differential staining,
air-dried viscera, latex injection, plastic embedding and
freeze drying of vertebrate specimens. Prerequisites: BIO 101
or BIO 105 and BIO 218 or BIO 337, or permission of instructor.
BIO 541 Wildlife Biology and
Management 4(2-4)
Presents the basic ecological principles and the varied
techniques utilized in managing the wildlife resource.
Prerequisite: permission of instructor.
BIO 543 Medical Parasitology 3(2-3)
The study of the protozoan, helminth, and arthropod parasites
of man. Designed for paramedical and laboratory technology
students. Prerequisite: BIO 208 or BIO 218.
BIO 544 Developmental Biology 4(3-3)
Cellular and molecular mechanisms of embryonic development,
emphasizing animals. Prerequisite: BIO 324 or BIO 326; CHM 132 or
CHM 161.
BIO 549 Herpetology 3(2-3)
Survey of extant amphibians and reptiles from standpoint of
morphology, behavior, physiology, evolution, and ecology.
Local collecting field trips required. Prerequisites: 6
hours of biology.
BIO 550 Transmission Electron
Microscope Technique 4(1-6)
Biological specimen preparation and examination. Photographic
aspects of electron micrograph production.
BIO 552 Scanning Electron Microscope
Technique 4(1-6)
Operation of an SEM including methods of specimen preparation
and taking of electron micrographs.
BIO 553 Confocal Microscopy 4(2-4)
Principles and practice of biological confocal laser scanning
microscopy, including sample preparation and the use of
molecular probes. Prerequisites: BIO 324 or permission of
instructor.
BIO 554 Advanced Electron Microscopy
3(1-4)
Routine maintenance, alignment and optimization of a TEM and an SEM for high resolution micrography. Prerequisites: BIO 550
and BIO 552.
BIO 556 Biological EDS Analysis
3(1-4)
Techniques for elemental analysis of biological specimens
using an SEM with an energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS).
Includes specimen preparation and operation of an EDS system.
Prerequisite: BIO 552.
BIO 557 Dendrology 3(2-3)
Identification and other characteristics of Michigan evergreen
and deciduous woody plants, both native and cultivated.
Prerequisite: BIO 203.
BIO 558 Natural Resources Management
2 (Spec)
Fish and wildlife research and management, forest management,
river degradation, wetland values, and resource
interpretation. Much of the course will consist of field trips
with resource specialists from the Michigan Department of
Natural Resources.
BIO 559 Field Botany 3(2-3)
The collection, identification, and preparation of herbarium
specimens for the local flora. Prerequisites: BIO 203.
BIO 560 Avian Ecology 3(2-3)
Relationships between behavior, community organization and
ecology of birds are examined through investigative field
work. Prerequisites: BIO 340, BIO 310 recommended.
BIO 561 Wetland Ecology 3(2-3)
Wetland systems classification and characterization in North
America; includes ecological evaluation of wetland soil,
water, plants, plant communities, animals, animal communities,
values, destruction, conservation, management. Prerequisites:
BIO 340 or permission of instructor.
BIO 573 Forest Ecology and Management
3(2-3)
Physical and biological factors affecting the growth,
distribution, and development of trees and forests. Outdoor
laboratories stress techniques for forest measurement,
manipulation, harvest, and regeneration. Prerequisites: BIO
340 and BIO 557 or permission of instructor.
BIO 576 Animal Cell Culture 4(1-6)
Practical aspects of animal cell culture, involving media
preparation, aseptic manipulation of cell culture, cell
maintenance, and cell storage. Prerequisite: BIO 392 or
equivalent.
BIO 577 Hematology and
Immunohematology 3(2-3)
Concepts of hematopoiesis and immunohematology, including cell
counts and white cell morphogenesis, physiology and
pathophysiology. Clinical techniques and procedures commonly
used in hematological evaluation. Prerequisite: BIO 392.
BIO 580 Medical Microbiology 4(2-4)
Focuses on relationships between humans and pathogenic
microbes. Covers major groups of medically important
microorganisms, pathological consequences of infection,
diagnostic procedures, and clinical case problem-solving.
Prerequisites: BIO 208 and BIO 392 (or equivalent); or permission
of instructor.
BIO 590 Cardiovascular Physiology
3(3-0)
Basic principles of normal mammalian cardiovascular
physiology. Prerequisite: BIO 392 or equivalent.
BIO 591 Neurophysiology 3(3-0)
Study of the basic principles responsible for nervous system
function. Includes discussion on the structure,
electrophysiology, and biochemistry responsible for neural
activity and senses. Prerequisites: BIO 392 or equivalent.
BIO 594 Advances in Natural Resources
Conservation 2(2-0)
An intensive field or library study after which data are
presented orally to the class and in the form of a paper.
Prerequisite: BIO 240 or BIO 338.
BIO 597 Special Topics in Biology
1-9(Spec)
Prerequisite: see Course Offering Guide and/or Class Schedule.
BIO 600 Biological Research Design
and Analysis 3(3-0)
An examination of the proper design and statistical analysis
needed to solve problems in laboratory and field biology.
Prerequisites: BIO 500 or permission of instructor.
BIO 610 Biology Colloquium 1-9(Spec)
Advanced study of selected subject areas under faculty
guidance through lecture and/or seminar colloquia in special
competence areas of the graduate faculty. Prerequisite:
permission of instructor.
BIO 619 Continuing Registration for
Final Research Project 1(1-0)
A
non-credit course intended for students who have completed all
program credits but still need to use university resources to
complete their degree requirements.
BIO
620 Biology Practicum 1-9(Spec)
Practical experience in methodology and technique in selected
fields or laboratory-oriented practica, offered in subjects
related to graduate faculty specialties. Prerequisite:
permission of instructor.
BIO 626 Topics in Genetics 1-3(Spec)
Various advanced topics in genetics are covered which range
from transmission genetics to molecular genetics and
evolution. Student participation is expected. May be repeated
as offered to maximum of 3 hours. Prerequisite: BIO 326.
BIO 629 Topics in Eukaryotic
Molecular Genetics 1-4(Spec)
Seminar on current research papers in the molecular genetics
of animals, plants, and fungi. May be repeated up to 4
credits. Student presentations and discussion expected.
Prerequisites: BIO 326 and instructor’s permission.
BIO 630 Art of Scientific
Communication 2(2-2)
Exploration of methods involved in the writing of refereed
scientific papers, grant proposals, theses and dissertations,
and oral or poster presentations at scientific meetings.
BIO 635 Toxicology 3(3-0)
Study of toxic chemicals, their effects on living organisms,
and the metabolism and fate of the chemical in the organism.
Prerequisites: BIO 392, CHM 346, CHM 521, CHM 522; or
permission of instructor.
BIO 636 Topics in Botany 1-3(Spec)
Discussion of various botanical topics from current
literature. Prerequisites: graduate standing in Biology and a
course in botany.
BIO 637 Topics in Immunology 1-3
(Spec)
Various topics in immunology are covered as lecture or
readings
from
current literatures. May be repeated as offered to a maximum
of 3 hours. Prerequisites: BIO 537 or equivalent.
BIO 640 Quantitative Ecology 3(3-0)
Application of quantitative methods in ecological research.
Prerequisite: BIO 340; recommend one course in statistics.
BIO 648 Field Methods in Ethology
3(2-3)
Research methods for the study of animal behavior in the
field. Topics include observation data acquisition and
analysis, and hypothesis formulation and testing.
Prerequisite: graduate standing in biology or psychology.
BIO 650 Population Ecology 3(3-0)
Theoretical and realistic considerations of mechanisms
affecting dynamics of plant and animal populations.
Prerequisites: BIO 340 or equivalent and MTH 132 or
equivalent.
BIO 651 Topics in Ethology 1-3(Spec)
Discussion of various ethological topics from current
literature. May be repeated as offered to a maximum of 3
hours. Prerequisites: BIO 518 and permission of instructor.
BIO 652 Behavioral Ecology 3(2-3)
An integration of behavior and ecology from the standpoint of
species diversity, habitat utilization, reproduction, and
competition. Field observations to illustrate principles of
adaptation through behavioral channels. Prerequisites: BIO 340 and
BIO 518 or equivalent or permission of instructor.
BIO 653 Stream Ecology 3(2-3)
Structure and function of stream ecosystems with emphasis on
biological processes. Special attention will be given to
recent developments in the field. Prerequisites: BIO 340 and
BIO 526 or equivalent.
BIO 656 Fish Ecology 2(2-0)
A study of the ecological relationships of fishes.
Prerequisite: BIO 509 or equivalent.
BIO 657 Fisheries Management 2(2-0)
A study of specific habitats as related to fisheries
management, habitat alteration problems, alternative
management solutions, special techniques, and specific
management topics. Prerequisite: BIO 510 or equivalent.
BIO 658 Zooplankton Biology 3(2-3)
An examination of the taxonomy, physiology, behavior and
ecology of planktonic animals. Prerequisites: BIO 218, BIO 340; or
permission of instructor.
BIO 680 Conservation Biology 3(3-0)
Addresses dynamics and problems of perturbed species,
communities and ecosystems and practical aspects of
implementing protection. Prerequisites: BIO 340 and BIO 326 or
equivalents.
BIO 692 Topics in Physiology
1-4(Spec)
Seminars, technique courses or lecture courses on new
frontiers in physiology or of special interest. May be
repeated for a maximum of 4 hours. Prerequisite: BIO 392
or equivalent.
BIO 695 Graduate Internship in Biology
1-6(Spec)
Prerequisite: a graduate internship agreement must be signed
and on file in the Biology office or with the Director of the
Biological Station at least four weeks prior to enrollment.
BIO 730 Seminar 1(1-0)
Formal, oral departmental presentation of the Plan A thesis
research. Required of students receiving the M.S. in Biology,
Plan A. CR/NC only.
BIO 790 Research in Biology 2-4(Spec)
Acquaints the student with research techniques. Registration
requires the approval of the department chairperson. CR/NC
only.
BIO 798 Thesis 1-6(Spec)
An acceptable thesis may be presented for 6 hours of credit.
Registration requires a Plan A thesis prospectus on file in
the biology office and approval of the department chairperson.
CR/NC only.
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