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Courses

Biology

Note: Unless otherwise noted, all prerequisite courses must be passed with a grade of C- or higher.

5101 Evolution  (3 s.h.)

Prerequisite: completion of Biology 203 (or equivalent majors-level genetics course) with a grade of C- or better.

A lecture and discussion course for upper-level science majors and graduate students. Topics covered include Darwinism and neo-Darwinian theory, including adaptation, natural selection, sexual selection, and speciation


5248  Virology  (3 s.h.)

The role of viruses in human diseases, and their potential as tools for research and clinical interventions. The course will focus on virus-induced diseases in man including (polio, rabies, hepatitis, herpes, and influenza); recently discovered viruses such as HIV and HTLV-1 will also be studied. Virus-host interactions and the mechanisms involved in disease progression, therapeutic strategies, and vaccines, strategies for viral entry, evasion of the immune system, transmission, and the subversion of host-cell machinery will be emphasized. Potential uses of viruses as vector for gene therapy of genetic disorders, cancers, and infectious diseases will also be discussed.

 

5301  Cell Biology. (3 s.h.)

Prerequisite: Biology 204.

Recent developments in cell biology. Topics include the cytoskeleton, cell motility, the cell cycle, endo- and exocytosis..


5312  Biostatistics (3 s.h.) 

Biostatistics is an important part of the research activities related to biological and medical issues.  Statistics is used to analyze phenomena with random properties and is often essential to draw the right conclusions based on a data set.  The course will be designed to cover different statistical methods for data analysis mainly applied to medical and biological problems. Advanced undergraduate and graduate students with interests in medicine and biomedical research will benefit most from the course.  However statistical methods that can be applied to behavioral science and ecology will also be covered.  

 

5364 Biochemistry of Embryogenesis  

This course will compare and contrast key biochemical mechanisms of embryonic development in a variety of model organisms ranging from humans to fruit flies. We will examine the roles of membranes, membrane proteins, enzymes, peptides, small RNA molecules and chromatin structure on cell communication, differentiation, and migration during embryogenesis. The unique nature of stem cells will also be discussed. Course material will be drawn from textbooks and the experimental literature.

 

5403 Genomics & Proteomics (3 s.h.)

Objectives: To understand structure and function of proteins and how mutations result in disease, to learn modern methods of analyzing proteins, expose students to genomic and proteomic data bases, to introduce data mining and foster experimental design in genomics, to discover basic biology in the context of applied research, to use case study methods to examine genome expression in context, to become proficient with computer tools for proteomics and genomics, to appreciate the benefits of using math to understand biology, to gain practical experience and exposure to “practical” genomics and proteomics.

 

5416  Tropical Marine Biology: Belize (4 s.h. An Inter-session Course)

Note: Additional requirements include cost of air travel to a foreign country between fall and spring semesters, a current passport, and snorkeling equipment.

An introduction to the largest coral barrier reef in the Atlantic Ocean. Course lectures begin at Temple (Approximately Dec 29-Jan 31; holidays excluded) followed by a week of lectures, field trips and field or laboratory projects in Belize. Lectures include coral biology, reef geology and ecology, coral reef microbiota, food chains and nutrient transfer in coral reefs, reef community organization, the biology of reef fishes, commensal and symbiotic interactions of reef organisms, and other appropriate topics. Group student team projects and lectures are required.

 

5429  Developmental Genetics. (3 s.h.)

Prerequisite: Biology 203 or equivalent.

The role of genes in the determination and differentiation of eukaryotes. Emphasis on the regulation of gene function and on the genetic and molecular interactions which control the processes of development.

 

5433  Advanced Techniques in Microscopy (3 s.h.)

Note: This course includes extensive laboratory experience

This course will provide a survey of modern techniques in microscopy. Students will acquire a thorough grounding in general principles of optics and conventional microscopy, and learn the theory of many methods current in biology and medicine, fluorescence, confocal microscopy, video microscopy, and digital image processing and analysis.

 

5452  Neurobiology. (3 s.h.)

Prerequisite: Bio. 104, 204 or equivalent recommended.

A comparative survey of vertebrate and invertebrate nervous systems intended to acquaint the student with their structure, function and development at several levels of complexity.

 

5454  Neurological Basis of Animal Behavior. (3 s.h.)

Prerequisite: One semester neurobiology.

An exploration of the relationship of neural activity and connectivity to behavior. Topics include motor control, object recognition and learning. Examples from both vertebrate and invertebrate species. Analytic and synthetic approaches.


5456  Organization and Development of the Nervous System. (3 s.h.)

Prerequisite: Biology 204 or permission of instructor.

This course covers developmental, anatomical and integrative aspects of the nervous system. The relationship of form to function will be studied in a variety of systems both invertebrate and vertebrate. The course is intended to complement Neurobiology 352/452 so that students will have a perspective on neuroscience ranging from the molecular to the systems level.

 

5467 Endocrinology. (3 s.h.)

Prerequisites: General Biology and Organic Chemistry.

Prequisites: General Biology and Organic Chemistry. Broad coverage of "chemical messengers", occurrence, biochemistry, and physiology. Vertebrate endocrinology with minor treatment of invertebrates and plants.


5469  Molecular Biology. (3 s.h.)

Prerequisite: Corequisites: Biology 475 and knowledge of basic genetics.

Introduction to molecular genetics; DNA replication, repair and recombination, initiation of DNA synthesis and its control mechanisms; sequential organization of DNA; factors and enzymes involved in the synthesis of different classes of RNA; protein synthesis and regulation; control of cell growth and cell division.

5471  Cell Proliferation. (3 s.h.)

Prerequisites: Biology 0203 and 0204 or permission of instructor.

Discussion of cell proliferation and its control; assay systems, comparisons of proliferating cells with nonproliferating cells, controls of cell division and how that control is modified in proliferative diseases such as cancer, the relationships between proliferation and differentiation.



5474  Physical Biochemistry. (3 s.h.)

Prerequisites: Chemistry C071-C072, C073-C074, or C091-C092, two semesters of calculus, and one semester of calculus-based physics; Pre or Corequisites: third semester calculus and second semester physics. Permission of instructor required 

The course covers those aspects of computer simulation of molecular dynamics, quantum mechanics, and statistical mechanics of use to biochemist and biologist interested in molecular modeling. The course is intended to be computer intensive.


5475   General Biochemistry I. (3 s.h.)

Prerequisites: Chemistry 121 and Biology 103 and 104 or permission of instructor. 

Properties of water (pH and buffers); metabolism of carbohydrates, amino acids, fatty acids, and phospholipids properties of biomacromolecules proteins, and nucleic acids; DNA structure and replication; protein synthesis; energy generation; catalysis and control of enzymatic activity and interrelationships among the metabolic pathways.

5476 General Biochemistry II. (3 s.h.)

Prerequisite: Chemistry 4401 or Biology 4375

Emphasis on the biochemical reactions in various metabolic pathways. Biosynthesis and degradation of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and amino acids. Regulation and integration of metabolic pathways. Bioenergetics and oxidative phosphorylation. Signal transduction. Transcription, translation and their control.



8001-8002. Teaching of Biology. (3 s.h.)

Required of all first-year teaching assistants. Instruction in the art of teaching laboratories and recitations.

 

8003  Introduction to Biological Research. (3 s.h.)

A laboratory course providing hands-on experience in common techniques of biological research. Topics covered will include laboratory safety, pH buffers, spectroscopy, centrifugation, electrophoresis and chromatography. Instruction will also be given in experimental design, the use of controls and the analysis of data.  Limited to graduate students.

8802  Research Techniques. (3 s.h.)

Laboratory instruction in the biochemical and biophysical techniques used to investigate biological roblems.

8807   Recombinant DNA Tech. (4 s.h.)

Co- or Prerequisites: Bio. 479 and undergraduates who have had Bio 324 or permission of the instructor 

Laboratory instruction in molecular biology and recombinant DNA techniques. The course will provide practical experience in modern cloning, hybridization, and DNA sequencing technology.

 

8210-8820 Seminar. (variable credit)

Topics will vary.

 

8250-8260. Seminar. (variable credit)
Topics will vary.

8450  Seminar. (3 s.h.)


8510  Seminar.  Neuroscience(3 s.h.)
A discussion of recent advances in the clinical and experimental Neurosciences using original research papers or reviews. Particular topics are selected on the basis of student interests and background.

 

9991 Graduate Research.

9994 Preliminary Exam Preparation

Students in Ph.D. program who have completed coursework but have not reached candidacy.

9998 Pre-Dissertation Research

9999.  Dissertation Research

Limited to Ph.D. students who have been elevated to candidacy.

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Updated 9/2007