Courses

Graduate Courses in Biology

Courses in Development

Other Graduate Courses of Relevence

Undergraduate Courses for Graduate Credit

Molecular Genetic Research on Amphibians in the South Pacific by Dr. Chris Austin

Graduate Courses in Biology

503. Seminar. 1 credit. Discussion of selected topics in advanced biology, a different topic each semester. Recently, topics have included: the evolutionary significance of hybridization, macroecology, physiological ecology, wildlife management, and restoration ecology.

503 Seminar: Fall 2001 Issues in Conservation Biology : Sweitzer, Fall 2001

522. Medically important Arthropods. 2 credits. Pre-requisites: Entomology (Biology 363) or equivalent. The biology, distribution, and health significance of insects and arachnids having human and veterinary importance.

533. Grassland Ecology. 2 credits. Pre-requisite: general ecology (Biology 332) or equivalent. Phytogeography, environmental influences, and community dynamics of grassland ecosystems with emphasis on herbage production, ecosystem modeling, and ecological characteristics of major grass species.

534. Quantitative Ecology. 2 credits. Pre-requisites: an introductory course in ecology (Biology 332) and statistics (Biology 470). This course provides an overview of topics in the design and analysis of ecological field studies. The focus is on general principles of estimation and hypothesis testing in the context of ecological field research. The course also provides exposure to quantitative methods intended for specific ecological questions, such as estimation of population abundance and density, spatial and temporal patterns, and estimation of demographic rates.

539. Animal Societies. 2 credits. Pre-requisites: a course in animal behavior (Biology 338). Social organization in animals, emphasizing division of labor, communication, reproductive behavior, and adaptations to the environment.

540. Waterfowl Biology and Management. 2 credits. Classification, biology and management of waterfowl.

571. Advanced Biometry. 3 credits. Pre-requisites: an introductory course in statistics (Biology 470). Advanced topics in experimental design and statistical methods with emphasis on applications in biological research.

590. Special Topics. 1 to 4 credits. Pre-requisites: Graduate status or upper division status with consent of instructor. Important and current topics in biology not covered by other courses. Repeatable when topics vary. Examples include: big game biology, fire ecology, molecular techniques, plant-animal interactions, sex-determination and speciation.

590. Special Topics: 3 credits Ecology, Management, and Conservation of Large Mammals Sweitzer, Fall 2001

590. Special Topics in Physiological Ecology. 3 credits. The purpose of this course is to present and critically evaluate selected theoretical topics in physiological ecology. Topics will focus on the effects of sub-organismal processes on ecology and behavior, and will vary according to the interests of students.

590. Topics in Population Biology. 3 credits. Pre-requisites: an introductory course in ecology (Biology 332) and evolution (Biology 312). In this course we examine in detail a few of the major issues current in population biology research. Topics may include population dynamics, metapopulation biology, genetic population structure, life history evolution, and applications in conservation biology. Readings are selected from recent primary literature.

590. Wetland and Prairie Ecology. 2 credits. Ecology of prairie and wetland communities, including plants, invertebrates, vertebrates, and the interactions between them. The course will be strongly oriented toward restoration of these ecosystems.

591. Research. Credits arranged. Maximum of 15 credits per semester. Intended for students conducting original research in consultation with staff. S/U grading only.

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Courses Under Development

Grant Proposal Writing. 2 credits. This course provides the student with an opportunity to explore and experience the research proposal development process. Through reading, writing and reviewing research proposals and applications, the student will gain an understanding of the principles of successful proposal writing. First offering: Spring 2000.

Advanced Evolution. 3 credits. Pre-requisites: an introductory course in evolutionary biology (Biology 312). Advanced topics in molecular evolution, the genetics of finite populations, quantitative genetics, biogeography, and macroevolution. Proposed first offering: Spring 2002.

Conservation Biology. 3 credits. Pre-requisites: an introductory course in ecology (Biology 332). Discussion of topics focusing on endangered species, habitat fragmentation, population viability analyses, genetics of small population, etc. Proposed first offering: Spring 2001.

Techniques in Molecular Biology. 3 credits. Pre-requisites: an introductory genetics course. Focus on techniques used in molecular population genetics, systematics, phylogenetic analysis and cladistics. These techniques include DNA sequencing, PCR, microsatellites, and the analytical tools used to interpret these data.

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Other Graduate Courses of Relevance

Geography 575. Seminar in Remote Sensing. 3 credits. A seminar in the analysis of remote sensing techniques as applied to contemporary research problems in geography.

Geography 576. Field Methods and Analysis in Geography (GIS). 3 credits. An advanced, intensive approach to the measuring and mapping of cultural and physical features of the earth in the field. Familiarization with the practical problems involved in collecting techniques in rural as well as urban areas and transfer of the pattern of phenomena of an area to a scale suitable for mapping.

Geology 515. Advanced Paleontology. 3 to 4 credits. Pre-requisites: Invertebrate Paleontology (Geology 415), Introductory Biology (Biology 151), or consent of instructor. A sequence of courses emphasizing A. Principles of paleontology; B. Evolution and the fossil record; C. Paleoecology; D. Paleontological procedures; E. Micropaleontology.

Undergraduate courses in Biology at the 300 level or higher may also be included in the curriculum for an advanced biology degree.

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