BIOL - Biology

(2-2-3) Prerequisite: Permission of Instructor, PHSC 4010 recommended. A content course clarifying concepts in life science for middle grades teachers. Students acquire a depth of understanding of foundational life science concepts such as unity and biodiversity of life such that they can effectively assist others in learning. Course credit may not count toward M.S. Degree Biology Major Requirements. Additional laboratory fee required; see semester course schedule for amount.

(3-0-3) The goal for this course is to prepare biology graduate students to fulfill departmental teaching duties and to develop their teaching skills and techniques as part of their professional development. This course is restricted to biology graduate students.

(3-2-4) The embryological development of vertebrates. Includes study of relevant biochemistry, germ cell production, fertilization, differentiation, and the origin of organ systems. Additional laboratory fee required; see semester course schedule for amount.

(3-0-3) An in-depth study of the mechanisms of hormone secretion and interactions with receptors, specific endocrine tissues and their secretions, assaying methodology, and diseases and dysfunctions that involve the endocrine glands.

(3-0-3) An overview of the interaction of drugs with tissue receptors; topics include the absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination of drugs.

(2-3-4) The microscopic anatomy of vertebrate tissues and organs, with an emphasis on human organ systems. Additional laboratory fee required; see semester course schedule for amount.

(3-0-3) The structure and the normal and abnormal function of the vertebrate immune system, including the interactions of the cellular and humoral components.

(3-2-4) Prerequisite: BIOL 3200. A study of bacteria and viruses. Emphasis on physiologic processes that are peculiar to non-eukaryotic cells and their usefulness as model biological systems. Additional laboratory fee required; see semester course schedule for amount.

(3-0-3) Prerequisite: BIOL 2100. This course will focus on mechanisms of microbial pathogenesis and the host response, and the scientific approaches that are used to investigate these processes.

(3-0-3) Prerequisite: BIOL 2100. An advanced study of the molecular basis of inheritance. DNA structure, replication, transcription and translation will be presented in detail.

(3-3-4) A presentation of the principles of plant physiology through lecture topics, lab demonstrations, and experiments. Additional laboratory fee required; see semester course schedule for amount.

(3-2-4) A presentation of the principles of plant cell physiology through lecture topics, lab demonstrations, and experiments. Additional laboratory fee required; see semester course schedule for amount.

(1-6-4) A laboratory-intensive course designed to introduce the student to experimental techniques, instrumentation, and methodology commonly used in the laboratory investigation of molecules and cells. Additional laboratory fee required; see semester course schedule for amount.

(3-0-3) An introduction to the physiology of the vertebrate nervous system, primarily from a cellular point of view.

(3-0-3) Prerequisite: BIOL 1107. This course will provide a general understanding of toxicology related to the environment. Fundamental concepts will be covered including fate, transport, biotransformation, natural attenuation of toxicants; target organ toxicity and mutagenesis along with risk assessment. The course will examine chemicals of environmental interest and how they are tested and regulated.

(3-0-3) This course is designed to provide an examination of drugs and drug use, human sexuality and reproduction from a biological perspective. Various historical and social issues related to these topics will also be discussed.

(3-2-4) A study of taxonomy and systematics and the reasons why we name biological organisms and what classifications represent. Additional laboratory fee required; see semester course schedule for amount.

(3-0-3) Symptomatology, pathogenesis, epidemiology and treatment of the major protozoans, trematodes, cestodes and nematodes that most commonly infect humans.

(2-4-4) Comparisons of organ function in both invertebrate and vertebrate animals. Interactions with environmental factors and control mechanisms emphasized. Additional laboratory fee required; see semester course schedule for amount.

(2-4-4) A study of the gross anatomy, biomechanics, and evolutionary relationships of the chordates. Several types of vertebrates are dissected. Additional laboratory fee required; see semester course schedule for amount.

(3-2-4) A study of the natural history, morphology, physiology, taxonomy, evolutionary relationships and behavior of insects. Covers the economic and medical importance of insects. Additional laboratory fee required; see semester course schedule for amount.

(3-2-4) Principles of evolution, classification, structure, distribution, adaptation, and life history of amphibians and reptiles. Laboratory and field work deals with various aspects of Georgia species. Additional laboratory fee required; see semester course schedule for amount.

(3-2-4) Taxonomy, morphology, life history, ecology, and distribution of fishes. Laboratory deals with taxonomy and natural history of fishes found in central Georgia. Additional laboratory fee required; see semester course schedule for amount.

(3-3-4) Prerequisite: BIOL 2800 taken as undergraduate student. Taxonomy, morphology, life history, ecology, and distribution of algae. This course is non-repeatable. Additional laboratory fee required; see semester course schedule for amount.

(3-2-4) A study of invertebrate animals covering anatomy, physiology, ecology, taxonomy, evolutionary relationships and behavior. Additional laboratory fee required; see semester course schedule for amount.

(3-2-4) A study of the phylogeny, adaptations, and natural history of mammals worldwide. Additional laboratory fee required; see semester course schedule for amount.

(3-2-4) An introduction to the scientific study of birds, which includes the fossil record, anatomy, identification, systematics, and biogeography. Additional laboratory fee required; see semester course schedule for amount.

(2-4-4) A comprehensive survey of the morphology, anatomy, economic importance and evolution of vascular and nonvascular plants. Additional laboratory fee required; see semester course schedule for amount.

(3-0-3) An advanced study of the structure and function of the vertebrate musculoskeletal system.

(3-2-4) A study of the classes of vertebrates in relation to taxonomy, life history, population, and evolution. Includes laboratory and field collections emphasizing Georgia vertebrates. Additional laboratory fee required; see semester course schedule for amount.

(3-0-3) Prerequisite: BIOL 2800. An introduction to quantitative, theoretical and applied population and community ecology including population dynamics, species interactions and community structure.

(4-0-4) Theories and principles concerning regional patterns of plant and animal distributions.

(2-3-4) Prerequisite: BIOL 2800. The ecological study of community structure, function, and the interrelated dynamics. major communities of Georgia and the major biomes of North America will be studied. Additional laboratory fee required; see semester course schedule for amount.

(3-0-3) Prerequisite: 12 hours of BIOL and/or PSYC. The behavior of organisms ranging from bacteria to humans from the standpoint of genetics, evolution, physiology, ecology, and social organization.

(2-2-3) A consideration of major environmental questions of today’s world and the ecological aspects relating to the conservation of man’s renewable and non-renewable resources.

(3-0-3) Prerequisite: BIOL 1107. A study of interaction of microorganisms with their environment. Emphasis on microorganisms of terrestrial and aquatic environments, and environmental determinants that control their distribution, activities, and cross-interactions in these environments.

(2-4-4) A course using local flora to teach principles of plant systematics. Additional laboratory fee required; see semester course schedule for amount.

(2-4-4) An introduction to field techniques for studying birds, e.g., field identification by sight and song, census taking, developing a field study. Additional laboratory fee required; see semester course schedule for amount.

(3-2-4) The study of freshwater organisms, their identification, natural history, and environmental relationships. Particular emphasis will be given to lotic systems. Additional laboratory fee required; see semester course schedule for amount.

(3-0-3) Critical examination of the role neotropical plant resources have played in the culture, economics, and history of Latin America and the world. This course is repeatable for credit.

(3-0-3) An advanced course in ornithology with varying course topics (to be announced before term, e.g., origin of birds, fossil record of birds, migration, avian anatomy). This course is repeatable for credit.

(3-2-4) A detailed study of the evolution and phylogenetic relationships of the major groups of vertebrates. Additional laboratory fee required; see semester course schedule for amount.

(2-4-4) A survey of field techniques used to sample nongame wildlife to include experimental design, data collection, field notes, and final report writing. Group field project required. Additional laboratory fee required; see semester course schedule for amount.

(3-2-4) Survey of the techniques and methodologies used in wildlife management of game and nongame animals. Field project required. Additional laboratory fee required; see semester course schedule for amount.

(VAR 1-4) Consideration of topics in which courses are not offered otherwise, but for which there is current need. Subject matter varies. This course is repeatable for credit.

(VAR 1-15) See the International Studies section of the catalog for details. This course is repeatable for credit.

(3-0-3) A practical guide to scientific research with emphasis on principles, techniques and procedures. Includes the choice and statement of the research problems, experimental design, sampling and analysis techniques, scientific illustration, and methods of reporting the results of research.

(4-0-4) This course will provide in-depth understanding of toxicology as it is related to the environment and biological systems including humans. Students taking course will develop critical thinking, writing, and presentation skills while focusing on topics in environmental toxicology.

(3-2-4) An in-depth study of selected areas of vertebrate physiology. Various advanced physiological techniques and small mammal surgery may be employed in the laboratory. Additional laboratory fee required; see semester course schedule for amount.

(4-0-4) Prerequisites: none. BIOL 5195 "Molecular BiologyGenetics" is recommended. Survey of the information theory, methods and software used to analyze and acquire the digital data from the genetic and genomic study of biological macromolecules. Problem-solving based laboratories examine the breadth and capabilities of molecular bioinformatics analysis. Additional laboratory fee required; see semester course schedule for amount.

(3-0-3) Prerequisite: General college courses in "genetics" in "cellular and molecular physiology. Course will focus on two selected topics in cellular or molecular biology that are the current subject of intense research. Through a combination of instructor-lead lecture and discussion as well as student presentation of key literature, the current models and investigations into the selected cellular or molecular processes will be explored.

(2-4-4) In-depth study of selected vascular plant families with discussions of their classification and evolutionary relationships. Additional laboratory fee required; see semester course schedule for amount.

(3-0-3) An advanced study of the processes of organic evolution based on current literature in the subject.

(3-0-3) Prerequisite: BIOL 3700. A study of the advances in our understanding of speciation. Students will read, discuss, and give presentations on species concepts, how species diversify, and the origin of species.

(4-0-4) Prerequisites: CHEM 1211, and BIOL 2800 or BIOL 3200. This course will provide in-depth understanding of microbiology as it is related to the environment and biological systems including humans. The course is designed to develop analytical writing and presentation skills, and to apply them to topics in environmental microbiology.

(VAR 1-4) Independent work arranged by the instructor according to the individual student’s preparation, background, and needs. This course is repeatable for credit.

(VAR 1-3) Individual library research on a directed Non-Thesis topic. This course is repeatable for credit.

(VAR 1-6) Consideration of topics in which courses are not offered otherwise, but for which there is current need. Subject matter varies.

(VAR 1-15) An individually designed off-campus course involving study, research and/or work in a science position. This course is repeatable for credit.

Individual independent research on a directed thesis project. This course is repeatable for credit.