Upper Division Courses

BIO 137, 237, 337, 437: SELECTED TOPICS IN BIOLOGY

Recent developments and research methods in the biological sciences. For each semester hour of credit earned, one lecture hour a week for one semester. Some topics may require additional hours. 

• Prerequisite: Biology 325 or 325H with a grade of at least C-, additional prerequisites vary with the topic.
• Course number may be repeated for credit when the topics vary.

BIO 322: STRUCTURE, PHYSIOLOGY, AND REPRODUCTION OF SEED PLANTS

The principles of structure and functioning of higher plants; special attention to the dynamics of growth and development and reproduction. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.

• Prerequisite: Biology 325 or 325H with a grade of at least C-, Chemistry 302 or 302H, and concurrent enrollment in Biology 122L.

BIO 122L: STRUCTURE, PHYSIOLOGY, AND REPRODUCTION OF SEED PLANTS LABORATORY

Observation of structure and reproduction in seed plants and employment of experimental techniques that demonstrate physiological processes, especially processes of growth and development. Two laboratory hours a week for one semester.

• Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in Biology 322; and the following with a grade of at least C-: Biology 206L, 208L, 226L or Environmental Sciences 311.

BIO 321G: PRINCIPLES OF COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY

Introduces computational methods used in molecular, cellular, organismal, and population biology. Subjects include molecular bioinformatics, modeling and simulation, and network analysis. Three lecture hours and two computer laboratory hours a week for one semester.

• Prerequisite: The following with a grade of at least C-: Biology 325 or 325H; Statistics and Data Sciences 328M (or Statistics and Scientific Computation 328M); and Mathematics 408C, 408S, or 408R.

BIO 340L: BIOLOGY OF BIRDS

Anatomy, physiology, classification, and ecology of birds. Two lecture hours and three laboratory hours a week for one semester.

• Prerequisite: The following with a grade of at least C-: Biology 325 or 325H, and Biology 206L, 208L, 226L, or Environmental Sciences 311.

BIO 346: HUMAN BIOLOGY

Introduction to human evolution, genetics, sexuality, senescence, and population growth. Three lecture hours and one discussion hour a week for one semester.

• Only one of the following may be counted: Biology 301G, 309F, 346.
• Prerequisite: Biology 325 or 325H with a grade of at least C-.

BIO 349S: PANDEMIC SCIENCE

Examine the history, spread, mitigation, and forecasting of pandemics.. Three lecture hours and one discussion hour a week for one semester. May be counted toward the Ethics flag requirement. May be counted toward the Global Cultures flag requirement.

• Biology 337 (Topic: Pandemic Science) and 349P may not both be counted.
• Prerequisite: Biology 325 with a grade of at least C-.

BIO 351: ECONOMIC BOTANY

An in-depth analysis of the origin of domesticated plant species, the role in nature of plant products, and the ways natural products have been altered through artificial selection. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.

• Prerequisite: Biology 325 or 325H with a grade of at least C-.

BIO 353S: SLEEP SCIENCE

Explore the basics of sleep science. Examine current research questions and novel approaches. Discuss the range of sleep disorders and their diagnoses. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.

• Biology 337 (Topic: Pandemic Science) and 349P may not both be counted.
• Prerequisite: For Neuroscience majors, Biology 325 or 325H and NEU 335; for others, Biology 325 or 325H and Psychology 332.

BIO 359K: PRINCIPLES OF ANIMAL BEHAVIOR

An introduction to the study of animal behavior: descriptive analysis of behavior; physiological basis of behavior; development of behavior; adaptive significance and evolution of behavior; communication and social behavior. Three lecture hours and one discussion hour a week for one semester.

• Prerequisite: Biology 325 or 325H with a grade of at least C-.

BIO 361T: COMPARATIVE ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY

Physiology of organ systems in animal phyla, with special emphasis on physiological adaptations of organisms to their environment. Three lecture hours and one discussion hour a week for one semester.

• Prerequisite: Biology 325 or 325H with a grade of at least C-.

BIO 364: MICROBIAL ECOLOGY

The ability of microbes to adapt to and change their environment. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.

• Prerequisite: Biology 325 or 325H with a grade of at least C-, and Biology 326R with a grade of at least C-.

BIO 365S: HUMAN SYSTEMS PHYSIOLOGY

Overview of human physiology, including body fluids, the cardiovascular system, respiration, digestion, metabolism, and endocrinology. Three lecture hours and one discussion hour a week for one semester.

• May not be counted by students with credit for Biology 416L.
• Prerequisite: Biology 311C; Biology 325 or 325H, and Chemistry 301 or 301H with a grade of at least C- in each; and one of the following with a grade of at least C-: Mathematics 408C, 408K, 408N, 408R, or Statistics and Data Sciences 302 (or Statistics and Scientific Computation 302).

BIO 165U: HUMAN SYSTEMS PHYSIOLOGY LABORATORY

Using an inquiry-based approach, provides students with an opportunity for hands-on experience in human physiology. Students read primary scientific literature; collect, analyze, and present data; and write detailed reports on laboratory activities. Four laboratory hours a week for one semester.

• May not be counted by students with credit for Biology 416L.
• Prerequisite: Biology 325 or 325H with a grade of at least C-, and credit or registration for Biology 365S.

BIO 369F: FIELD HERPETOLOGY

Species identification by sight and sound, and research techniques such as sampling populations, data collection, and analysis. One lecture hour and five laboratory hours a week for one semester, with additional field hours to be arranged.

• Prerequisite: The following with a grade of at least C-: Biology 325 or 325H, and Biology 206L, 208L, 226L, or Environmental Science 311.

BIO 369L: HERPETOLOGY

Biology of amphibians and reptiles, including evolution, ecology, behavior, physiology, life history, and identification. Three lecture hours and two laboratory hours a week for one semester.

• Prerequisite: The following with a grade of at least C-: Biology 325 or 325H, and Biology 206L, 208L, 226L, or Environmental Science 311.

BIO 370: EVOLUTION

Introduction to modern evolutionary biology, focusing on the evolution of molecular, developmental, morphological, and behavioral traits. Genetic and ecological bases of evolutionary changes within populations and of evolutionary divergence in animals and plants. Three lecture hours and one discussion hour a week for one semester. 

• Biology 370 and 385K (Topic 2: Evolution) may not both be counted.
• Prerequisite: Biology 325 or 325H with a grade of at least C-.

BIO 373: ECOLOGY

An introduction to ecology, the study of relationships among organisms and between organisms and their environment; adaptations, population, communities, and ecosystems. Includes both plants and animals and both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Three lecture hours and one discussion hour a week for one semester.

• Prerequisite: Biology 325 or 325H with a grade of at least C-.

BIO 373L: ECOLOGY LABORATORY

Intensive field ecology. Includes group field experiment and observation, independent projects, and field trips to other vegetation zones. Students complete weekly write-ups of observation and data analysis, reports of independent projects, and an oral presentation on an independent project. Four laboratory hours and two workshop/lecture hours a week for one semester.

• Prerequisite: Credit with a grade of at least C- or registration for Biology 373; and the following with a grade of at least C-: Biology 206L, 208L, 226L, or Environmental Science 311.

BIO 375: CONSERVATION BIOLOGY

Application of principles of ecology to the preservation of wild plant and animal species and to the preservation, management, and restoration of natural and seminatural ecosystems. Emphasis on scientific, biological aspects of issues such as endangered species protection, preserve design, and forest management. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.

• Prerequisite: Biology 325 or 325H with a grade of at least C-, and Biology 357, 359J, or 373 with a grade of at least C-.

BIO 446L: HUMAN MICROSCOPIC AND GROSS ANATOMY

Designed for students preparing for biomedical research and the health professions. Focuses on microscopic and gross anatomy of human tissues and organs, with an emphasis on structure function relationships. Subjects include the effects of disease and aging in addition to normal human anatomy. Three lecture hours and four laboratory hours a week for one semester.

• Prerequisite: The following courses with a grade of at least C-: Biology 325 or 325H; Chemistry 301; and Mathematics 408C, 408K, 408N, 408R, Statistics and Data Sciences 302 (or Statistics and Scientific Computation 302), or 328M (or Statistics and Scientific Computation 328M).

BIO 453L: ENTOMOLOGY

Characteristics, importance, and biology of the major groups of insects. Two lecture hours and three laboratory hours a week for one semester, with additional fieldwork hours to be arranged.

• Prerequisite: The following with a grade of at least C-: Biology 325 or 325H, and Biology 206L, 208L, 226L, or Environmental Science 311.

BIO 455L: VERTEBRATE NATURAL HISTORY

Phylogeny, taxonomy, life histories, habits, and distribution. Two lecture hours and three hours of laboratory or fieldwork a week for one semester, with field trips to be arranged.

• Prerequisite: The following with a grade of at least C-: Biology 325 or 325H, and Biology 206L, 208L, 226L, or Environmental Science 311.

BIO 463L: PLANT SYSTEMATICS

Principles of plant classification, phylogeny, and diversity as exemplified by families and species of flowering plants found seasonally in Texas with an emphasis on the local flora. Two lecture hours and three laboratory hours a week for one semester, with additional field trips to be arranged. 

• Biology 262 and 262L, and 463L may not both be counted.
• Prerequisite: The following with grades of at least C-: Biology 325 or 325H; and Biology 206L, 208L, 226L, or Environmental Science 311.

BIO 471: INTRODUCTION TO SYSTEMATICS Study of diversification of living and fossil organisms, including speciation, biogeography, taxonomy, and phylogeny of genes, species, and higher taxa. The lecture and laboratory include a significant amount of computational molecular phylogenetics. Three lecture hours and three laboratory hours a week for one semester.

• Biology 458L and 471 may not both be counted.
• Prerequisite: Biology 325 or 325H, and 370 with a grade of at least C-.