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Biology Courses

BIOL 1106. Biology I Lab. (0-2). This course provides students with hands-on exploration in the biological sciences.  Content includes the process of scientific inquiry, important concepts in biochemistry and genetics and introduction to laboratory techniques.  Concurrent enrollment in the lecture portion (BIOL 1306) is recommended in order to gain maximum benefit from this course.

BIOL 1107. Biology II Lab. (0-2). This course provides students with hands-on exploration in the biological sciences.  Content includes a survey of plants, animals and microorganisms as well as studies of basic biological processes such as digestion, circulation, and nervous system function. Concurrent enrollment in the lecture portion (BIOL 1307) is recommended in order to gain maximum benefit from this course.

BIOL 1306. Biology I. (3-0) This course introduces the student to the nature of science and the application of science to contemporary issues.  Content includes the chemistry of life, the cell, genetics and mechanisms of evolution.  Concurrent enrollment in the laboratory portion (BIOL 1106) is recommended in order to gain maximum benefit from this course.

BIOL 1307. Biology II. (3-0).  This course introduces the student to the nature of science and the application of science to contemporary issues.  Content includes plant form and function, animal form and function and ecology. Concurrent enrollment in the laboratory portion (BIOL 1107) is recommended in order to gain maximum benefit from this course.

BIOL 307.   General Ecology. (2-2).  The principles of ecology, with special reference to populations and their ecosystems, distribution, biotic communities and environmental relationships. Field trips required.  Prerequisite: Two semesters of biology. 

BIOL 308.   Invertebrate Zoology. (2-2).  Explore the diversity of invertebrate types, morphologically, embryologically, and physiologically. The ecological role of invertebrates will be emphasized.  Prerequisite: Two semesters of biology.   

BIOL 310.     Genetics. (2-2).  Principles of heredity and variation and their application to plants, lower animals and man.  Prerequisite: Two semesters of biology.

BIOL 402.  Cell Biology and Molecular Biology. (2-2).  A study of the molecular aspects of the cell and cell organelles, including basic facts, concepts and problems in modern biology.  Prerequisite: Two semesters of biology. 

BIOL 403.  Environmental Physiology. (2-2).  The purpose of this course is to familiarize the student with environmental, or ecological, physiology in organisms. This discipline is principally concerned with how animals are physiologically adapted to the environment in which they live. In this course, we will be concerned mainly with animals, although some plant examples will be included as well. Another objective of this course is to enable the student to apply knowledge about physiology and adaptation to identifying appropriate questions for research and correctly interpreting data. The general procedure we will use to accomplish these objectives is to introduce the physiological problems that animals must deal with and then discuss the solutions to those problems that have evolved in different animals. This course is strongly recommended for pre-professional students and biology majors. Prerequisite: Two freshmen level biology course for biology majors and one freshman level chemistry course for biology majors

BIOL 405. Vertebrate Field Biology. (6 SCH) (4-4).  The study of basic field methods involved in the study of vertebrates and their populations, especially those of the Ark-La-Tex region.  Prerequisite: Two semesters of biology. 

BIOL 406 Wildlife Ecology:  (2-2) Wildlife ecology, conservation biology, population biology and enhancement of wildlife populations through management.  Emphasis on both game and non-game species, as well as management options that include human/wildlife interactions, habitat and wildlife populations.  Prerequisite:  BIOL 307 and Junior standing.  BIOL 407 is recommended but not required.

BIOL 407 Wildlife Techniques:  (2-4) Instruction in current wildlife techniques including habitat evaluation and manipulation, estimation of animal abundance, capture and marking, aging, radiotelemetry, necropsy and condition assessment.  Prerequisite: BIOL 307 and Junior standing.  BIOL 406 is recommended but not required.

BIOL 408.  Landscape Ecology and Geographic Information Systems.  (2-2)  Landscape ecology, a relatively new field within modern ecology, emphasizes large areas and the ecological effects of spatial pattern on ecosystems.  Students learn to use geographic information systems and global positioning systems to solve modern problems in landscape ecology.  Lectures, laboratories, and special assignments will convey important concepts and facts in landscape ecology and the operations of GIS.  Prerequisite: BIOL 307.

BIOL 410.   Biochemistry I. (2-2).  Biochemistry 410 is the first semester of a one-year course.  The first semester covers the structure, function, and metabolism of amino acids and proteins and simple and complex carbohydrates.  Emphasis will be on understanding biochemistry from a biological point of view and on providing information on how biochemical events are regulated in living tissues.  Prerequisite: General Chemistry I and II and Organic Chemistry I and II.  (Cross-listed with CHEM 410.) 

BIOL 411.   Biochemistry II. (2-2).  Biochemistry 411 is the second semester of a one-year course.  The second semester covers the structure, function, and metabolism of lipids and nucleic acids. Emphasis will be on understanding biochemistry from a biological point of view and on providing information on how biochemical events are regulated in living tissues.  Prerequisite:  General Chemistry I and II, Organic Chemistry I and II, and Biochemistry I (BIOL 410).  (Cross-listed with CHEM 411.)    

BIOL 437.   Herpetology. (2-2).  A survey of the vertebrate Classes Amphibia and Reptilia, including frogs and toads, caecilians, salamanders, turtles, lizards, amphibaenians, snakes, rhynchocephalans, and crocodilians.  The study of classical taxonomy, ecology, natural history, and diversity as well as amphibian and reptilian adaptations associated with nutrition, locomotion, behavior, thermoregulation, and reproduction.  The course will focus on the evolution of amphibian and reptilian lineages and the evolutionary ecology of the major groups.  Emphasis will be on those species found in the southwestern United States (particularly the ARK-LA-TEX region).  Prerequisite: Two semesters of biology. 

BIOL 440.  Vertebrate Biology.  (2-2).  The purpose of this course is to familiarize the student with general taxonomy, biology and ecology of vertebrates. Prerequisite: First semester biology course.

BIOL 449.   Vertebrate Histology. (2-2).  The study of the cell and fundamental tissue types to include the microscopic structure of the organ systems of representative vertebrates.  Emphasis will be on the relationship between microscopic structure and function.  Prerequisite: Two semesters of biology, Anatomy and Physiology.

BIOL 450.   Limnology. (2-2).  Study of the biological, chemical, and physical characteristics of the freshwater environment.  Prerequisite:  Two semesters of biology.

BIOL 464.   Independent Research. Research in biology conducted under faculty guidance.  Prerequisite: Two semesters of biology and approval of Science Program Director.

BIOL 466.   Evolutionary Biology. (2-2).  Basic principles, mechanisms, and patterns of evolutionary biology including a historical survey of related ideas.  Prerequisite:  Two semesters of biology. 

BIOL 472.   Introduction to Forensic Science. (2-2).  The study of basic concepts, techniques, practices, and procedures of criminalistics, including the most current technologies in forensic analysis.  Criminal investigation of actual cases will be discussed with a minimum of scientific terminology.  In addition, the nature of physical evidence will be emphasized, including the use of DNA profiling.  Strongly recommended for Criminal Justice majors and Pre-Allied Health track students in Biology.  Prerequisite: Junior or Senior standing. (Cross-listed with CJ 472 and CHEM 472).)

BIOL 481.   Seminar in Biology. (1 SCH). Student participation in general and specific topics in biology. May be repeated in a different topic.  Usually taken during last semester or last year.  Prerequisite:  Two semesters of biology. 

BIOL 489.   Individual Study. Individual instruction. May be repeated when topics vary.  Prerequisite: Two semesters of biology and approval of Science Program Director.

BIOL 490.  Introduction to Biotechnology (2-2).  This course will explore the principles and applications of DNA science with special reference to  recombinant DNA technology. Prerequisite: Two semester of Biology. Cross- listed with CHEM 490.

BIOL 515.  Darwin and the Origin of Species.  (Web course) This course will focus on Darwin's hypotheses and compare his ideas with modern developments in the study of biological evolution.  This is a web course.

Chemistry Courses at TAMU-T

CHEM 405.   Environmental Chemistry.  (2-2).  This course will explore the nature of soil, air, water, and the impact of man on these systems. Included will be studies of local industries and municipalities with respect to their environ-mental monitoring and assessment programs. The laboratory will involve basic water, air, and soil sampling, and analytical techniques. Prerequisite: Two semesters of science including Chemistry.

CHEM 410.   Biochemistry I. (2-2).  Biochemistry 410 is the first semester of a one-year course.  The first semester covers the structure, function, and metabolism of amino acids and proteins and simple and complex carbohydrates.  Emphasis will be on understanding biochemistry from a biological point of view and on providing information on how biochemical events are regulated in living tissues.  Prerequisite: General Chemistry I and II and Organic Chemistry I and II.  (Cross-listed with BIOL 410.)

CHEM 411.   Biochemistry II. (2-2).  Biochemistry 411 is the second semester of a one-year course.  The second semester covers the structure, function, and metabolism of lipids and nucleic acids. Emphasis will be on understanding biochemistry from a biological point of view and on providing information on how biochemical events are regulated in living tissues.  Prerequisite:  General Chemistry I and II, Organic Chemistry I and II, and Biochemistry I (BIOL 410).  (Cross-listed with BIOL 411.) 

CHEM 472.   Introduction to Forensic Science. (2-2).  The study of basic concepts, techniques, practices, and procedures of criminalistics, including the most current technologies in forensic analysis.  Criminal investigation of actual cases will be discussed with a minimum of scientific terminology.  In addition, the nature of physical evidence will be emphasized, including the use of DNA profiling.  Strongly recommended for Criminal Justice majors and Pre-Allied Health track students in Biology.  Prerequisite: Junior or Senior standing. (Cross-listed with CJ 472 and BIOL 472).)

CHEM 490.  Introduction to Biotechnology (2-2).  This course will explore the principles and applications of DNA science with special reference to  recombinant DNA technology. Prerequisite: Two semester of Biology. Cross- listed with BIOL 490.

Graduate Science Education Courses at TAMU-T

SCED 503. Strategies for Teaching Science. (3-0). Diagnosis and remediation of instructional strategies in problem areas in elementary and secondary school science.  Also included are problems related to curricula design, instructional materials, and child development. 

SCED 504.   Guiding Student Research in Science. (3-0). This course is designed to train teachers in content and assessment procedures that address the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and Texas Assessment of Academic Skills (TAAS) objectives for all learners.  The scientific thinking processes will be emphasized in all aspects of the course. Topic areas covered include basic science concepts and basic methodology for guiding students in doing research and science projects.

SCED 505.   Teaching Environmental Science.  (3-0) This course will concentrate on the basic principles of environmental education using a hands-on approach. Basic environmental principles and how to teach them will be stressed.

SCED 506.   Earth System Science for K-4 Teachers. (Web course 3-0). This course is built around the study of “spheres”—the biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere.  Students will learn about the major concepts important to each of these spheres and how to teach them to K-4 students.  Students will also learn to use internet resources and to interact with others in a virtual community of teachers and learners to focus on content, pedagogy and technology integration.

SCED 507.   Earth System Science for Grades 5-8 Teachers. (Web course 3-0). Students will explain Earth sphere and event interactions in relation to specific events; perform analyses of consequences to the spheres and to specific events; create collaborative, inquire-based classroom applications; and, use technology as a learning and teaching tool for grades 5-8 students.  This course is build around the study of the Brazilian deforestation, the Mt. Pinatubo eruption, the Larsen Ice Shelf disintegration, and Hurricane Dennis.  Students will also learn to use internet resources and to interact with others in a virtual community of teachers and learners to focus on content, pedagogy and technology integration.

SCED 508.   Earth System Science for Grades 9-12 Teachers. (Web course 3-0). The focus of this course is on the student developing Earth system science knowledge using the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) Model.  The student will then apply what is learned about Earth system science and Problem-Based Learning to their own grades 9-12 student classrooms and school curriculum.  The course is built around the study of the coral reefs, tropical rain forest, ozone, and global climate change.  Students will also learn to use internet resources and to interact with others in a virtual community of teachers and learners to focus on content, pedagogy and technology integration.

SCED 529.   Workshop in Science Education.  (3-0). May be repeated when topics vary. A course designed to provide in-service elementary science teachers with content knowledge and pedagogical techniques for teaching science to elementary school children. Topic areas covered include content in life, earth and physical sciences. The course will utilize hands-on/minds-on methods for teaching science.