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Department of Biological Science
Florida State University Department of Biological Science
 
FSU Biology - Undergraduate Studies - Course Descriptions
Westcott Building
Undergraduate
Studies -
Course
Descriptions
     

Note: The instructors of and frequency of offering for each course is tentative and is subject to change depending upon historical course demand, enrollment numbers and faculty commitments.

INTRODUCTORY BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE COURSES FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

UPPER DIVISION BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE COURSES FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

 

INTRODUCTORY BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE COURSES FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

BSC 1005 - GENERAL BIOLOGY (For Non Majors) (3 hrs)
Instructors: Ellington, Fadool, Herrnkind, Lumsden, or Quadagno
Frequency Offered: Every semester
Prerequisites or corequisites:
Corequisite:
Typical Format: 3 hours lecture/week; 4 exams
Lecture topics: This is a series of lectures by four members of the Department of Biological Science in subjects pertaining to biology in our everyday lives.  Topics range from the discussion of how our bodies operate to the diversity of other animal life with which we share this world.

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BSC 1005L - GENERAL BIOLOGY LABORATORY (For Non Majors) (3 hrs)
Instructors:
Frequency Offered: Every semester
Prerequisites or corequisites: BSC 1005
Corequisite: BSC 1005
Typical Format: 3 hours lab/week; lab reports; weekly quizzes and data sheets
Lab topics:

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BSC 2010 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE I (3 hrs)
Instructors: Chase, Elam, Ellington, Fadool, Fajer, Granger, Houpt, Moerland, Roux, or Trombley
Frequency Offered: Every semester
Prerequisites or corequisites: CHM 1045C
Corequisite: BSC 2010L
Typical Format: 3 hours lecture/week; 2-3 exams and final
Lecture topics: Chemical constituents of life, biomolecules, cell structure and function, bioenergetics, kinetics, enzyme catalysis, cellular respiration and metabolism, photosynthesis, nutrients and tropism, DNA structure and replication, protein synthesis, regulation of gene expression, genetic engineering, cancer, gas exchange, transport and translocation mechanisms, circulation, hormones, excitable cells, nerve cell function, and muscle cell function.

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BSC 2010L BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE I LABORATORY (1 hr)
Instructors: Bass, Epstein, Freeman, Houpt, Roux, Taylor, or Trombley
Frequency Offered: Every semester
Prerequisite or corequisite: CHM 1045C
Corequisite: BSC 2010
Typical Format: 3 hours lab/week; lab reports; weekly quizzes and data sheets
Lab topics: Methods in cell chemistry, enzyme kinetics, molecular biology, and physiology.

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BSC 2011 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE II (3 hrs)
Instructors: Bates, Epstein, Houle, Inouye, Levitan, Underwood, or Winn
Frequency Offered: Every semester
Prerequisites: BSC 2010 & BSC 2010L
Typical Format: 3 hours lecture/week and scheduled help session; 3 exams and final
Lecture Topics: Cell differentiation, metamorphosis and regeneration, embryonic development, cell cycles, mitosis and meiosis, Mendelian inheritance, gene expression and gene interactions, human inheritance, mechanisms of evolution, natural selection, adaptation, population genetics, speciation, sexuality, evolution and the origin of life, the biosphere, communities and community succession, ecosystems, energy and productivity, mineral cycles, community structure, population dynamics, population growth and reproductive strategies, population regulation, human populations, human intrusion in ecosystems.

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BSC 2011L ANIMAL DIVERSITY LABORATORY (2 hrs)
Instructors: Herrnkind or Tschinkel
Frequency Offered: Every semester
Prerequisites: BSC 2010 & BSC 2010L
Typical Format: 1 hour lecture/week, 1 hour recitation/week, 3 hours lab/week; weekly laboratory quizzes, laboratory practical exam
Lecture Topics: Discussion of the form and function of structures, organs, and organ systems of animals considered in the laboratory each week. The phyla treated are: Porifera, Cnidaria, Platyhelminthes, Nemertina, Nematoda, Rotifera, Annelida, Arthropoda, Mollusca, Bryozoa, Echinodermata, Chordata, and Protozoa. The sequence of topics may vary depending upon the lecturer.
Lab Topics: Each of the above phyla is treated in turn. Students learn basic dissection, use of the compound and dissecting microscopes, and the internal and external features of representative animals from each group.

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UPPER DIVISION BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE COURSES FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

NOTE: BSC 2010/L, BSC 2011/L, CHM 1045C and CMH 1046C are prerequisite courses to all upper division biology courses in the major. Upper division courses are restricted to majors who have successfully completed the major prerequisite courses and have been assigned the major code 111110.

BOT 3015 PLANT BIOLOGY (2 hrs)
Instructors: Outlaw
Frequency Offered: Every semester
Prerequisites: Major prerequisite courses
Typical Format: 2 hours lecture and demonstration/week; 2-5 exams
Lecture Topics: Plants, fungi, autotrophic and osmotrophic protists, and bacteria are presented in an evolutionary and ecological context. The natural history, anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, and development of angiosperms are stressed, particularly as they relate to agronomic practices.
Additional Information: Designated as a required upper division biology course.

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BOT 3015L PLANT BIOLOGY LABORATORY (1 hr)
Instructors: Outlaw
Frequency Offered: Every semester
Prerequisites: Major prerequisite courses
Prerequisite or Corequisite: BOT 3015
Typical Format: 3 hours lab/week; 4 exams, 3 reports, notebook
Lab Topics: Morphology, anatomy, reproduction, development, symbioses, and physiology of angiosperms, fungi, osmotrophic protists, and non-flowering plants.

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BOT 3143C FIELD BOTANY (4 hrs)
Instructor: TO BE ANNOUNCED
Frequency Offered: Annually, fall semester
Prerequisites: Major prerequisite courses
Typical Format: 2 hours lecture/week, 6 hours lab/week; 3 exams and final; preparation of a pressed, identified plant collection
Lecture and Lab Topics: Introductory plant taxonomy with emphasis on laboratory and field study; principles of plant identification, classification, and rules of nomenclature; use of keys; collecting techniques; survey of major flowering plant families; field trips and laboratory work on collections.

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BOT 3800 ELEMENTARY BOTANY: PLANTS AND MAN (3 hrs)
Instructor: TO BE ANNOUNCED
Frequency Offered: Annually, spring semester
Prerequisites: Major prerequisite courses
Typical Format: 3 hours lecture/week; term paper required, frequent quizzes and final
Lecture Topics: Man's uses of plants for food, spices, oils, rubber, resins, perfumes, dyes, clothing, building materials, paper, and medicine; importance of poisonous plants and weeds; plant exploration and early history; plant geography; some basic botany; color slides and other visuals used extensively.

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BOT 4373C BOTANY OF HIGHER PLANTS (4 hrs)
Instructor: TO BE ANNOUNCED
Frequency Offered: To be announced
Prerequisites: Major prerequisite courses
Typical Format: 2 hours lecture/week, 4 hours lab/week; 3 exams and final
Lecture and Lab Topics: External and internal morphology of representatives of all major groups of vascular plants (ferns, fern allies, gymnosperms, flowering plants); review of origin of land plants and vascular plant systematics; life histories with reference to phylogenetic specializations; emphasis on anatomical structure of cells, tissues, and organs; extensive use of live plants and microscope slides in the laboratory, supplemented by color slides.

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BOT 4394 PLANT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY (3 hrs)
Instructor: Bass
Frequency Offered: Biennially, odd years, fall semester
Prerequisites: Major prerequisite courses
Typical Format: 3 lectures/week; assigned reading; 2 exams, 1 final
Lecture Topics: Early development; forces that shape the embryo; gradients and polarity; nuclear cytoplasmic interactions; meristems; morphogenetic fields; organogenesis; cell-cell interactions; cell adhesion and recognition; receptors and cell signaling; cell wall structure and assembly; control of gene expression; plant hormones; photoperiodism; chloroplast development; plant- bacterial interactions; genetic engineering of plants.

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BOT 4503 PLANT PHYSIOLOGY (3 hrs)
Instructor: Outlaw
Frequency Offered: Biennially, even years, spring semester
Prerequisites: Major prerequisite courses, BOT3015, and CHM 2210; PCB 3134 recommended
Typical Format: 3 lectures/ week; biweekly exams and final
Lecture Topics: Exchange of molecules and energy with the environment; intercellular communication; transport and translocation; photosynthesis and its adaptations to environmental demands; aspects of plant respiration; nitrogen and sulfur metabolism; regulation of plant growth and development by hormones and the environment; plant responses to herbicides, pollutants, and pathogens.
Additional Information: Designated as an Area II (Physiology) course.

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BOT 4503L PLANT PHYSIOLOGY LABORATORY (1 hr)
Instructor: To be announced
Frequency Offered: To be announced
Prerequisites: Major prerequisite courses and CHM 2210; PCB 3134 recommended
Prerequisite or Corequisite: BOT 4503
Typical Format: 3 hours lab/week
Lab Topics: Topics related to lecture topics in BOT 4503. Course emphasizes data computation, analysis, and presentation. Uses selected instrumentation including the spectrophotometer, fluorimeter, O2 electrode system, spectroradiometers, and CO2 analyzer.

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BSC 3052 CONSERVATION BIOLOGY (3 hrs)
Instructors: Livingston or Underwood
Frequency Offered: Annually, fall semester
Prerequisites: Major prerequisite courses
Typical Format: 3 lectures/week; 1 research paper; several computer assignments; 3 exams
Lecture Topics: The history of the conservation movement; research on populations of animals and plants that is relevant to man's impact on the environment; pollution in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems; the management of endangered species; wildlife biology; government regulation; sustainable ecosystems.
Additional Information: Designated as an Area III (Ecology and Environmental Science) course.

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BSC 3101 HISTORY OF BIOLOGY (3 hrs)
Instructor: To be announced
Frequency Offered: To be announced
Prerequisites: Major prerequisite courses; junior (60-89 semester hours) or senior (90+ semester hours) standing
Typical Format: 3 lectures/week; midterm exam and final
Lecture Topics: Biological thought from the ancients through the Middle Ages with emphasis on the development of ideas and the concurrent changes in technology. Examines the origin of modern science with William Harvey; relationship of scientific development and social changes; review of histories of cell doctrine, evolution, physiology, embryology, and genetics; and importance of the patron to the development of biological science.

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BSC 3312 MARINE BIOLOGY (3 hrs)
Instructor: TO BE ANNOUNCED
Frequency Offered: Annually, fall semester
Prerequisites: Major prerequisite courses
Typical Format: 3 hours lecture/week; midterm and final
Lecture Topics: Marine geology; sea-floor spreading and plate tectonics; chemistry of oceans; tides, waves, oceanic circulation and currents; the ecology of pelagic and benthic organisms, including those from rocky coasts, unconsolidated shores, and coral reefs; island biology; benthic plants and phytoplankton; zooplankton and nekton; marine invertebrates, fishes, reptiles, birds and mammals; marine productivity and fisheries; marine pollution and conservation.

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BSC 3402L EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY LABORATORY (2 hrs)
Instructors: Numerous research faculty of the biological science department. Research topics vary with instructor. The following faculty and topics are planned for 2003-2004:
v Chase: Muscle enzymes
v Epstein: Genetics and evolution in Drosophila
v Keller: Algal genetics
v Levitan: Marine biology
v Winn: Pollination ecology
Frequency Offered: Every semester
Prerequisites: Major prerequisite courses; biological science majors only
Typical Format: Scheduling of this course is not in the traditional lecture/laboratory format. For specifics in the frequency of meeting times, and the topic of research for each section, check the Directory of Classes and/or the bulletin board outside of 204 Conradi.
Lab topics: Introduction to experimental biology using different types of organisms (depending on instructor). All will include basic techniques for handling the organism, experimental design, data collection, interpretation, and scientific writing. Students will develop and execute individual projects during the term.
Additional Information: Designated as a required upper division biology course.

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BSC 3930 SEMINAR IN BIOLOGICAL FRONTIERS (1 hr)
Instructor: Hayward
Frequency: Annually, spring semester
Prerequisites: BSC 2011 & BSC 2011L
Typical Format: One presentation per week; no exams, no final; S/U grade based upon required and recorded attendance
Lecture Topics: This course introduces biology majors to biological science faculty and their research interests. The sequence and content of the lectures are not fixed. Each week a different faculty member presents a lecture on a research topic of interest. There are between 12 and 14 different speakers each semester.
Additional Information: Not repeatable for credit toward major requirements.

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BSC 3938 CAREERS IN THE BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES (1 hr)
Instructor: Granger
Frequency Offered: Annually, fall semester
Prerequisites: None
Typical Format: One presentation per week; no exams, no final; S/U grade based upon required and recorded attendance
Lecture Topics: This course introduces biology majors to the diversity of careers available to those with a background in biological science. Also covers the academic preparation appropriate to such careers. Each week a different speaker will discuss his or her career with the class. There are between 12 and 14 different speakers each semester.
Additional Information: This course is intended for biological science majors at any point in their undergraduate career, but is most beneficial to those in their first three years. Not repeatable for credit toward major requirements.

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BSC 4514 AQUATIC POLLUTION BIOLOGY (3 hrs)
Instructor: Livingston
Frequency Offered: Annually, spring semester
Prerequisites: Major prerequisite courses
Typical Format: 3 hours lecture/week; 2 exams and final
Lecture Topics: Aquatic systems; mechanisms of interaction; physical alterations; nutrients and cultural eutrophication; pesticides; heavy metals; petrochemicals; industrial wastes; field analysis; land use and planning concepts; biological organization of lakes, rivers, estuaries, and the deep sea; human impact on aquatic environments; laboratory and field approaches to the study of natural processes.

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BSC 4613 SYSTEMATICS (3 hrs)
Instructors: Steppan
Frequency Offered: Biennially, even years, spring semester
Prerequisites: Major prerequisite courses
Typical Format: 3 hours lecture/week; 1 exam, oral report, and final
Lecture Topics: Kinds of variations among organisms; nature of categories (species through family); phylogeny and phylogenetic methods; interpretation of evolutionary affinities; principles of nomenclature.

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BSC 4833C RADIATION BIOLOGY (3 hrs)
Instructor: TO BE ANNOUNCED
Frequency Offered: Biennially, odd years, fall semester
Prerequisites: Major prerequisite courses; instructor's permission
Typical Format: 2 lectures/week, 1 lab lecture/week, 2 hours lab/week; 2 exams and final, other requirements include reading lecture and laboratory manuals and weekly laboratory reports
Lecture Topics: Radiation physics; radiation chemistry; radiation effects on cells and cell organelles; radiation effects on major organ systems of mammals; radiation and immunity; radiological aging; radiation and cancer; radiation and the environment; applied radiation biology.
Lab Topics: Radiation safety; radiation dosimetry; operation of X-ray machines; autoradiography; radiation effects on plant seeds; radiation survival of bacteria; radiation effects on cancer cells in tissue culture.

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BSC 4900r DIRECTED INDIVIDUAL STUDY (DIS) (1-4 hrs)
Instructors: Numerous research faculty of the department. Research topics vary with instructor.
Frequency Offered: Every semester
Prerequisites: Major prerequisite courses; a minimum-combined 3.0 biology GPA; permission of biological science faculty member; permission of the Undergraduate Advising Office
Typical Format: Varies with instructor
Lab Topic: DIS offers a unique opportunity for undergraduates to perform research at the undergraduate level. Students perform special supervised study or research in the area of the faculty member's research area.
Additional Information: Repeatable course. A maximum of six (6) semester hours of DIS or Research Methods (BSC 4933) may be applied to the biological science major. See an advisor in the Undergraduate Advising Office for the form required to take a DIS.

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BSC 4931r SENIOR TUTORIAL IN BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE (1 hr)
Instructors: Vary by semester. The following faculty and senior tutorial topics are tentatively planned for 2003-2004:
v Gaffney Protein intermediate
v Levitan Habitats and organisms
v Quadagno: Hormones/Risk taking
v Roux: Biotechnology
v Travis: Habitats and organisms
v Winn: Habitats and organisms
Frequency Offered: Fall and spring semesters
Prerequisites: Major prerequisite courses; senior standing (90+ semester hours) as a biological science major
Typical Format: Varies with instructor; S/U grade
Lecture Topic: Each senior tutorial covers a selected topic in contemporary biological science. Additional Information: Scheduling of this course is not in the traditional lecture format. For specifics in the frequency of meeting times, and the topic of each senior tutorial, check the Directory of Classes and/or the bulletin board outside of 204 Conradi. Senior tutorials have a maximum enrollment of five students. Repeatable to a maximum of two (2) semester hours that may be applied to the biological science major.

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BSC 4933r RESEARCH METHODS (1-4 hrs)

See Description under BSC 4900r

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BSC 4933r SELECTED TOPICS IN BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE (1-4 hrs)
Instructors: Vary by course offered
Frequency Offered: To be announced
Prerequisites: Major prerequisite courses; other courses as specified; junior (60-89 semester hours) or senior (90+ semester hours) standing
Typical Format: Varies by instructor and course
Lecture Topics: Varies by instructor and course
Additional Information: Repeatable to a maximum of eight (8) semester hours credit.

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INTRODUCTION TO BIOINFORMATICS (3 hrs, 2 without optional lab)
Instructors: Thompson, Travis, and others
Frequency Offered: Annually, fall semester
Prerequisites: Major pre requisite courses
Typical Format: 150 minutes lecture and demonstration per week(but see note re. possible increase in credit hours above); 120 minutes of optional laboratory work per week; midterm and final project, plus lab reports for those in lab.
Lecture Topics: A general overview survey of the theories, algorithms, and techniques of sequence- and structure-based computational biology.
Additional Information: Also given at the graduate level under BSC 5936. Complete lecture and lab syllabi at: http://bio.fsu.edu/~stevet/BSC5936.html

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PROGRAMMING SKILLS FOR BIOLOGY AND BIOINFORMATICS (3 hrs)
Instructors: Swofford
Frequency Offered: Annually, fall semester
Prerequisites: Major prerequisite courses
Typical Format: 2 1/2 hours combined lecture/lab per week, midterm exam, final take-home exam, course project, weekly assignments
Lecture Topics: Basic programming concepts; Java overview; program structure, variables, operators, assignment, simple I/O; objects, classes, and methods; basic mathematical calculations; flow control: loops, branches, switches; algorithms; arrays; constructors; encapsulation; polymorphism and inheritance; multidimensional arrays; random number generation and simulation; graphical user-interface programming; graphical output
Additional Information: Also given at the graduate level under BSC 5936.

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VIROLOGY (3 hrs)
Instructors: Reeves
Frequency Offered: Biennially, odd years, spring semester
Prerequisites: PCB 3063 and MCB 4403
Typical Format: Typical lecture format, 3 hours per week, three examinations and two papers.
Lecture Topics: This is an introductory course in virology. The lectures cover general virology including virus structure and replication cycles. The major families of the bacterial (bacteriophage) plant and animal viruses are reviewed. Human viruses and infectious diseases are emphasized. Subviral particles, prions and viroids, are also discussed.
Additional Information: Also given at the graduate level, MCB 5505.

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BSC 4934r SELECTED TOPICS IN APPLIED BIOLOGY (1-4 hrs)
Instructors: Vary by course offered
Frequency Offered: To be announced
Prerequisites: Major prerequisite courses
Typical Format: Varies by instructor and course; S/U grade
Lecture Topics: Varies based on course.
Additional Information: Repeatable to a maximum of eight (8) semester hours credit. Some sections not for major credit.

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BSC 4940 RESEARCH INTERSHIP IN MARINE BIOLOGY (3-9 hrs)
Instructors: Not applicable
Frequency Offered: Summer only
Prerequisites: Major prerequisite courses; PCB 3043; junior (60-89 semester hours) or senior (90+ semester hours) standing; minimum-combined 3.0 biology GPA; a course in the area of research; written approval of the associate chair of the Department of Biological Science
Typical Format: Not applicable
Opportunity: Special supervised study in marine biology at the National Marine Fisheries Service Laboratory in Panama City, Florida.
Additional Information: Students may receive up to nine (9) semester hours of credit, of which four (4) semester hours would apply to the biological science major.

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BSC 4945 UNDERGRADUATE SUPERVISED TEACHING (1 hr)
Instructors: Not applicable
Frequency Offered: Annually, fall and spring semesters
Prerequisites: Major prerequisite courses; senior (90+ semester hours) standing; minimum 3.0 biology FSU GPA; selection as a Undergraduate Supervised Teaching Assistantship
Typical Format: S/U grade
Opportunity: Each year, 20-25 outstanding senior biological science majors are awarded paid undergraduate supervised teaching assistantships (senior TA's) through the Department of Biological Science. In addition to receiving a stipend, Senior TA's may choose to register for, and receive, 1 hour of credit (BSC 4945) toward the 38-hour biological science coursework requirement. Students who are expecting to continue in graduate study (or are considering a career in teaching) are strongly encouraged to apply for an Undergraduate Supervised Teaching Assistantship, since most beginning graduate students receive teaching assistantships similar those experienced in this program. For additional information on Undergraduate Supervised teaching, see page 31.
Additional Information: Students who are interested in undergraduate supervised teaching and fulfill the above noted prerequisites should see an Undergraduate Academic Advisor in 204 Conradi to obtain an application. Students apply, interview and are selected to either staff the Biology Help Center and serve as a tutor in the introductory biological science courses (i.e., BSC 2010 and BSC 2011), or serve as a tutor or a laboratory TA in the liberal studies biology course for nonmajors (i.e., BSC 1005). One (1) semester hour of BSC 4945 may be applied to the biological science major.

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BSC 4970r HONORS WORK IN BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE (3 hrs)
Instructors: Numerous research faculty of the department. Research topics vary with instructor.
Frequency Offered: Every semester
Prerequisites: Admission to the department's Honors In The Major Program (see pages 27 and 28)
Typical Format: Varies with instructor
Lab Topic: Honors work in the major offers a unique opportunity for undergraduates to perform research at the undergraduate level. Students participate in a supervised research problem and the production of a paper (thesis) describing the results of that work.
Additional Information: Repeatable to a maximum of twelve (12) semester hours of which six (6) semester hours may be applied to the biological science major. Intended for advanced undergraduate majors.

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BSC 4937 SEMINAR IN LIVING MARINE RESOURCE ECOLOGY (1 hr)
Instructors: Herrnkind
Frequency Offered: Annually, spring semester
Prerequisites: None; instructor permission required for registration
Typical Format: 2 hours lecture/week; weekly summaries of speakers, S/U grade
Lecture Topic: Introduction to currently pressing issues in the discipline of marine biology. Allows a student to interact with scientists and resource managers from various university, state, private, and federal agencies.

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MCB 4403 PROKARYOTIC BIOLOGY (3 hrs)
Instructors: Reeves
Frequency Offered: Annually, fall and summer semesters
Prerequisites: Major prerequisite courses; CHM 2210 and PCB 3063
Corequisite: MCB 4403L
Typical Format: 3 hours lecture/week; 3 exams and final
Lecture Topics: History and development of microbiology as a science; prokaryotic structure and function; microbial growth and metabolism (fermentation, respiration, autotrophic metabolism); prokaryotic genetics (transformation, transduction, conjugation); methods for control of microorganisms; taxonomy and classification of microorganisms; viruses and viral replication; medical microbiology (microbial disease mechanisms, defense mechanisms of the human body, important microbial diseases, epidemiology); microbial ecology (role of microbes in the environment, use of microbes to improve the environment); food microbiology (food spoilage and preservation, use of microbes in the production of foods); industrial microbiology.
Additional Information: MCB 4403 and MCB 4403L must both be taken to fulfill an Area I (Cell and Molecular Biology) course.

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MCB 4403L PROKARYOTIC BIOLOGY LABORATORY (2 hrs)
Instructors: Reeves
Frequency Offered: Annually, fall and summer semesters
Prerequisites: Major prerequisite courses; CHM 2210 and PCB 3063
Prerequisite or Corequisite: MCB 4403
Typical Format: Two, 2-hour labs/week; no lectures; 3 exams and final
Lab Topics: Sterile techniques and isolation of microbes; microscopic examination of microbes; growth of microbes (media and media preparation, use of selective and differential media, enrichment cultures); measurement of microbial growth; physiological testing of microbes (degradation of organic compounds, presence of specific enzymatic capabilities); food microbiology (milk testing; production of yogurt, sauerkraut); medical and clinical microbiology (human skin and throat microflora, testing for antibiotic susceptibility); microbial genetics; microbial ecology (role of microbes in elemental cycles); identification of unknown microbes.
Additional Information: MCB 4403 and MCB 4403L must both be taken to fulfill an Area I (Cell and Molecular Biology) course.

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MCB 4603 ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY (3 hrs)
Instructor: To be announced
Frequency Offered: To be announced
Prerequisites: Major prerequisite courses; MCB 4403 & MCB 4403L
Typical Format: 3 hours lecture/week; 1 research paper; 2 midterms and a final
Lecture Topics: Basic principles of microbial ecology and biotechnological aspects of microbes and the environment. Biomediation of pollutants, biotreatments of liquid and solid wastes, and microbial control of pests.

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PCB 3043 GENERAL ECOLOGY (3 hrs)
Instructor: Miller or Inouye
Frequency Offered: Annually, fall semester
Prerequisites: Major prerequisite courses
Typical Format: 3 hours lecture/week; 2 exams and final
Lecture Topics: Population biology; spatial and age structures of populations; population growth; history of ecology and the concept of community; community processes; succession; nutrient cycling and energy flow; species interactions; competition, predation, and parasitism; ecological efficiency; biogeographic ecology.
Additional Information: Designated as an Area III (Ecology and Environmental Science) course.

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PCB 3063 GENERAL GENETICS (3 hrs)
Instructors: Bass, Bates or Epstein
Frequency Offered: Every semester
Prerequisites: Major prerequisite courses
Typical Format: 3 hours lecture/week; at least 3 exams and additional oral or written work at instructor's discretion
Lecture Topics: Introduction to the principles of transmission and molecular genetics of prokaryotes and eukaryotes and the significance of these principles to other aspects of biology.
Additional Information: Designated as a required upper division biology course. Should be taken as soon as possible after the completion of the major prerequisite courses.

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PCB 3134 CELL STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION (3 hrs)
Instructors: Gaffney, T. Keller, or Roberts
Frequency Offered: Annually, fall and spring semesters
Prerequisites: Major prerequisite courses
Typical Format: 3 hours lecture/week; 3 exams and homework problems
Lecture Topics: Cellular chemistry and physiology; morphology and function of cellular organelles; cellular motility; cell genome; cellular growth, division, communication, and regulation.
Additional Information: Designated as an Area I (Cell and Molecular Biology) course.

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PCB 3743 VERTEBRATE PHYSIOLOGY (3 hrs)
Instructor: Elam, Ellington, D. Fadool, or Freeman
Frequency Offered: Every semester
Prerequisites: Major prerequisite courses
Typical Format: 3 hours lecture/week; 3 exams and final
Lecture Topics: Homeostasis; cellular function including control systems; sensory and motor systems; autonomic nervous system; central integration; endocrine control systems; hematology and immunology; circulation and the heart; respiration; gastrointestinal system; renal regulation of fluid and electrolyte balance; regulation of body temperature; physiology of reproduction.
Additional Information: Designated as an Area II (Physiology) course.

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PCB 4024 MOLECULAR BIOLOGY (3 hrs)
Instructors: Bates
Frequency Offered: Annually, fall semester
Prerequisites: Major prerequisite courses; PCB 3063; PCB 3134 recommended
Typical Format: 3 lectures/week and assigned reading; 3 exams and a final
Lecture Topics: Molecular genetic control of cells; synthesis of proteins and nucleic acids; the genetic code; the controls on RNA synthesis and gene expression; chromosomes and the organization of genes; DNA replication and repair; the cell division cycle; differentiation; cancer and cell growth; the evolution of cells and molecules.
Additional Information: Designated as an Area I (Cell and Molecular Biology) course.

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PCB 4024L MOLECULAR BIOLOGY LABORATORY (1 hr)
Instructors: Bates or L. Keller
Frequency Offered: Annually, fall semester
Prerequisites: Major prerequisite courses; PCB 3063; PCB 3134 recommended
Corequisite: PCB 4024
Typical Format: 3.5 hours lab/week, weekly laboratory reports and assigned reading
Lab Topics: Current techniques in cell and molecular biology; centrifugation and cell fractionation; tissue culture of mammalian and plant cells; chromosome preparations and karyotyping; polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of proteins; plasmid preparation from bacteria; restriction enzyme mapping; gene cloning; polymerase chain reaction; genetic transformation of mammalian cells.

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PCB 4042 PERSPECTIVES IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY (3 hrs)
Instructors: To be announced
Frequency Offered: To be announced
Prerequisites: Major prerequisite courses; instructor's permission
Typical Format: To be announced
Lecture Topics: Lecture, discussion, and reading in advanced concepts of ecology and evolutionary biology.

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PCB 4063Lr EXPERIMENTAL GENETICS LABORATORY (3 hrs)
Instructor: To be announced
Frequency Offered: To be announced
Prerequisites: Major prerequisite courses; PCB 3063
Typical Format: To be announced
Lab Topics: Laboratory methods and experiments in molecular, biochemical, human genetics or cytogenetics.
Additional Information: Repeatable to a maximum of six (6) semester hours.

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PCB 4233 IMMUNOLOGY (3 hrs)
Instructor: Roux
Frequency Offered: Annually, spring semester
Prerequisites: Major prerequisite courses; CHM 2210, PCB 3063, PCB 3134, or instructor's permission
Typical Format: 3 hours lecture/week; 3 exams and final
Lecture Topics: Non-specific defenses and inflammation; immune response to antigens; anatomy of the immune system; immunoglobulin structure and function; cellular interactions in immunity; histocompatibility and transplantation; complement; immunopathology; AIDS.

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PCB 4233L IMMUNOLOGY LABORATORY (1 hr)
Instructor: Roux
Frequency Offered: Annually, spring semester
Prerequisites: Major prerequisite courses; CHM 2210, PCB 3063, PCB 3134, or permission of instructor
Corequisite: PCB 4233
Typical Format: 3 hours lab/week
Lab Topics: Immunization and bleeding of lab animals; titration; purification of immunoglobulin; gel diffusion techniques; immunoelectrophoresis; enzymatic cleavage of immunoglobulins; tissue grafting, affinity column chromatography; hemagglutination; hemagglutination inhibition; ELISA; immunofluorescence; hybridoma technology.

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PCB 4253 ANIMAL DEVELOPMENT (3 hrs)
Instructors: J. Fadool or L. Keller
Frequency Offered: Annually, spring semester
Prerequisites: Major prerequisite courses; PCB 3063
Typical Format: 3 hours lecture/week; 3 exams and final
Lecture topics: Fertilization; gametogenesis; cleavage; gastrulation; neurulation; organogenesis; morphogenesis; genome constancy; differential gene expression; polarity; cell-cell interactions; cell affinities; induction; hormone action; pattern formation; metamorphosis; regeneration.
Additional Information: Designated as an Area I (Cell and Molecular Biology) course.

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PCB 4253L ANIMAL DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY LABORATORY (3 hrs)
Instructor: L. Keller
Frequency Offered: Biennially, odd years, spring semester
Prerequisites: Major prerequisite courses, PCB 3063
Corequisite: PCB 4253
Typical Format: 3 hours lab/week plus additional time outside of lab; 6 lab reports
Lab Topics: Gametes and fertilization; cleavage; gastrulation; morphogenesis of sea urchin, amphibian, and avian embryos.

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PCB 4341C ADVANCED FIELD BIOLOGY (3 hrs)
Instructors: Levitan or Winn
Frequency Offered: Annually, fall semester
Prerequisites: Major prerequisite courses; PCB 3043; PCB 4674; instructor's permission
Typical Format: 3 lectures/week; weekend (day) field trips; three field projects; statistics exercise
Lecture Topics: Emphasis on conducting a series of ecological research projects in the field.

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PCB 4514 ADVANCED GENETICS AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY (3 hrs)
Instructor: To be announced
Frequency Offered: To be announced
Prerequisites: Major prerequisite courses; PCB 3063
Typical Format: To be announced
Lecture Topics: Mendelian genetics; transcriptions; DNA repair; plasmids; insertion elements; regulation of gene expression.

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PCB 4674 EVOLUTION (3 hrs)
Instructor: Hansen, Houle, Steppan, or Travis
Frequency Offered: Every semester
Prerequisites: Major prerequisite courses; PCB 3063, and senior (90+ hours) standing
Typical Format: 3 lectures/week; quizzes and computer lab assignments; term paper; 2 exams and final
Lecture Topics: Scope of evolutionary biology; the historical development of evolutionary biology; patterns of historical evolution (changes in diversity, origins of new groups); evolutionary rates of morphological and physiological change and molecular diversification; genetic basis of evolutionary change; the biology of adaptations; parallel and convergent evolution; the evolution of genome organization; evolution of reproductive isolation; species formation; hybridization, introgression, and the breakdown of isolation; phylogenetic inference; conservation and evolution.
Additional Information: Designated as a required upper division biology course.

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PCB 4723 GENERAL AND COMPARATIVE ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY (3 hrs)
Instructor: Ellington
Frequency Offered: Annually, spring semester
Prerequisites: Major prerequisite courses; CHM 2210
Typical Format: 3 hours lecture/week; term paper; 2 exams and final
Lecture topics: Gas exchange; respiratory pigments and gas transport; circulatory systems; metabolic scaling and energy metabolism; water and ion balance; nitrogen excretion; buoyancy mechanisms; temperature regulation; neuronal and effector function; sensory mechanisms; neuronal basis of behavior. Emphasis will be placed on the adaptive mechanisms in aquatic species, particularly marine.Additional Information: Designated as an Area II (Physiology) course.

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PCB 4731L EXPERIMENTAL PHYSIOLOGY LABORATORY (2 hrs)
Instructor: Easton
Frequency Offered: Annually, fall semester
Prerequisites: Major prerequisite courses and at least one course in physics
Typical Format: 1 hour lecture, 3 hours lab/week; 1 exam and final
Lab Topics: Contraction of muscle (skeletal, heart, and smooth); membrane (and external) resting and action potentials of muscle and nerve; generator potentials of sense organs; subjects are selected marine invertebrates as well as fish and amphibians.

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PCB 4843 FUNDAMENTALS OF NEUROSCIENCE (3 hrs)
Instructor: Meredith
Frequency Offered: To be announced
Prerequisites: Major prerequisite courses, PCB 3134, PCB 3743, or PCB 4723
Typical Format: 2.5 hours lecture/week; series of interactive computer exercises; 3 exams
Lecture Topics: This course emphasizes cellular and molecular approaches to neuroscience and brain function, and includes simple model systems such as invertebrates.

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ZOO 3203 ADVANCED INVERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY (2 hrs)
Instructors: TO BE ANNOUNCED
Frequency Offered: To be announced
Prerequisites: Major prerequisite courses; PCB 3043 or PCB 3063 or ZOO 3713C or instructor's permission
Typical Format: 2 hours lecture/week; midterm and final
Lecture Topics: Phylogenetic survey of invertebrate animals (Porifera through Protochordates), with emphasis on structure, function, and classification.

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ZOO 3203L ADVANCED INVERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY LABORATORY (2 hrs)
Instructors: TO BE ANNOUNCEDl
Frequency Offered: To be announced
Prerequisites: Major prerequisite courses; PCB 3043 or PCB 3063 or ZOO 3713C or instructor's permission
Corequisite: ZOO 3203
Typical Format: 6 hours lab/week; field trips and an individual research project
Lecture Topics: Hands-on examination and study of selected examples from the major invertebrate phyla, including observations of live material, as well as dissections of preserved examples.

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ZOO 3713C COMPARATIVE VERTEBRATE ANATOMY (4 hrs)
Instructor: Erickson or Quadagno
Frequency Offered: Annually, spring semester
Prerequisites: Major prerequisite courses
Typical Format: 3 hours lecture/week; 6 hours lab/week; 3 lecture exams; 3 lab practicals
Lecture Topics: Basic concepts and general chordate structure; protochordates; classes of chordates; early development; skeletal system; muscular system; digestive-respiratory systems; urogenital systems; circulatory system; integumentary system; nervous system.
Lab Topics: Topics similar to lecture, with dissection of organ systems in a lamprey, shark, Necturus, and cat; dissection skills and the skills (or power) of observation are developed in this laboratory; dissection kit required; use of stereoscopic microscopes.

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ZOO 4204C BIOLOGY OF HIGHER MARINE INVERTEBRATES (5 hrs)
Instructor: Hernnkind
Frequency Offered: Biennially, odd years, fall semester
Prerequisites: Major prerequisite courses and any one of BSC 3312, PCB 3043, ZOO 3203/L, or ZOO 4513; instructor's permission
Typical Format: 2 days of combined lecture/lab/field trips per week at FSU Marine Laboratory; grade based on 3-4 projects with oral and written reports and terminal special project proposal
Lecture and Lab Topics: Lectures on ecology, functional morphology, and behavior of marine crustaceans, mollusks, and echinoderms. Individual and team projects involve hypothesis-testing studies on local marine species using both field and laboratory approaches. Past projects include predation influence on gastropod distribution, tidal migrations by crustaceans, and shell acquisition and selection in hermit crabs.

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ZOO 4232 PARASITOLOGY (3 hrs)
Instructor: To be announced
Frequency Offered: To be announced
Prerequisites: Major prerequisite courses
Typical Format: 3 hours lecture/week; 3 exams and 2 projects
Lecture Topics: Classification, natural history, ecology, evolution, pathogenesis, epidemiology, and control of protozoan and animal parasites of humans.

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What's News
Dr. Debra Fadool has received Albion College's Distinguished Alumni Award for 2007. Debi received this award at Albion College's Awards Ceremony during their Homecoming Weekend.
Dr. Walter R. Tschinkel, Professor in the Department of Biological Science, has been awarded the Robert O. Lawton Distinguished Professor Award for 2007/2008.