Courses

BIOL 111     Biological Science Laboratory I (1)
Laboratory course devoted to the study of basic life processes and the structural and functional organization of plants and animals. One hour of lecture and two hours of laboratory per week. Co- requisite: BIOL 131. Listed as BIOL 1106 in the Texas Common Course Numbering System.

BIOL 112     Biological Science Laboratory II (1)
Continuation of Biology 111 with emphasis on biological concepts and processes. One hour of lecture and two hours laboratory per week. Prerequisite: BIOL 111. Co-requisite: BIOL 132. Listed as BIOL1107 in the Texas Common Course Numbering System.

BIOL 131      Biological Science I (3)
Integrated approach to the study of basic biological principles which are presented through the hierarchy of living systems. Three hours of lecture per week. Co-requisite: BIOL 111. Listed as BIOL1306 in the Texas Common Course Numbering System.

BIOL 132      Biological Science II (3)
Continuation of BIOL 131. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisites: BIOL 111, BIOL 131. Co-requisite: BIOL 112. Listed as BIOL 1307 in the Texas Common Course Numbering System.

BIOL 135      Human Anatomy and Physiology I (3)
Course designed for health careers and pre-nursing students emphasizing the structure-function relationships of human organ systems. Three hours of lecture per week. Co-Requisite BIOL 115. Listed as BIOL 2301 in the Texas Common Course Numbering System.

BIOL 135L     Human Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory I (1)
Laboratory course emphasizing some of the techniques and principles presented in BIOL 135. One hour of lecture and two hours laboratory per week. Listed as BIOL 2101 in the Texas Common Course Numbering System.

BIOL 136       Human Anatomy and Physiology II (3)
Continuation of BIOL 135. Three hours of lecture. Listed as BIOL 2302 in the Texas Common Course Numbering System.

BIOL 136L      Human Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory II (1)
Laboratory course emphasizing some of the techniques and principles presented in BIOL 136.One hour of lecture and two hours laboratory per week. Listed as BIOL 2102 in the Texas Common Course Numbering System.

BIOL 143       Survey of Life Science (3)
In-depth coverage of selected biological principles for non-majors covering the molecular through the population levels of life forms and functions. Methods of inquiry and analysis emphasized. Two hours of lecture and one hour of demonstrations per week. Listed as BIOL 1408 in the Texas Common Course Numbering System.

BIOL 143L      Survey of Life Science Laboratory (1)
Laboratory experiments and exercises designed to complement BIOL 143. One hour of laboratory per week.

BIOL 211       Cell Biology Laboratory (1)
Laboratory experiments and exercises to complement BIOL 231 Cell Biology. Three hours of laboratory per week. Co-requisite: BIOL 231.

BIOL 212       Developmental Biology Laboratory (1)
Laboratory experiments and exercises to complement BIOL 232 Developmental Biology. Three hours of laboratory per week. Co-requisite: BIOL 232.

BIOL 231 Cell Biology (Previously BIOL 241) (3)
Molecular biology of cells encompassing ultra-structure, biosynthesis of macromolecules, chromosome and gene structure, control of gene expression, cell cycles, cytoskeleton movement, and energetic. Three hours of lecture per week. Co-requisite: BIOL 211 (laboratory). Prerequisites: BIOL 111, BIOL112, BIOL 131, BIOL 132, and one year of college level chemistry.

BIOL 232       Developmental Biology (Previously BIOL 243) (3)
Consideration of development in diverse organisms with an emphasis on comparative vertebrate development. Three hours of lecture per week. Co-requisite: BIOL 212 (laboratory). Prerequisites: BIOL 111, BIOL 112, BIOL 131, and BIOL 132.

BIOL 245      Human Anatomy and Physiology (4)
Integrated approach to the study of the organ systems of man for non-majors where the relationship between anatomy and function is emphasized. Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory per week. Co-requisite: BIOL 245L. Prerequisite: One year of college level biology. (BIOL 143 does not qualify in meeting this prerequisite.)

BIOL 246      Microbiology for Health Related Professions (4)
Morphology and physiology of microorganisms important in community health. Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory per week. Co-requisite: BIOL 246L. Prerequisites: BIOL 135 and BIOL 136. Listed as BIOL 2420 in the Texas Common Course Numbering System.

BIOL 300      Seminar for Health Related Professions (1)
Designed to broaden the perspectives of students preparing to pursue health professional careers. Stu- dents may enroll for a maximum of two semesters. One hour of lecture per week. Prerequisites: BIOL 112 and BIOL 132.

BIOL 332      Bioinformatics (3)
Investigates the application of molecular biology, computers and the internet to generate and man- age DNA and protein sequence data. Lecture and laboratory will involve generation, management and analysis of real and archived (in Genbank) data, including that from the Human Genome Project. Emphasis on genome organization and evolution, archival (web-based) and information retrieval, sequence assembly, alignment, comparative genomics, phylogenetics and evolutionary inferences, analyses of protein structure and micro-array data. Two hours of lecture per week and three hours of laboratory. Co-requisite: BIOL 332L. Prerequisites: BIOL 131 and BIOL 132.

BIOL 334      Conservation Biology (3)
This course is designed to investigate biodiversity patterns across evolutionary time and place, the human impact on wild populations and habitats, the social, cultural and political issues at the local and global level, and search for sustainable solutions to a world of expanding human populations with limited resources. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisites: BIOL 131 and BIOL 132.

BIOL 338      Genetics (3)
In-depth discussion of the basic concepts of Mendelian, neo-Mendelian, molecular, and population genetics. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisites: Two years of college level biology and one year of college level chemistry.

BIOL 340      Biochemistry of Biological Compounds (3)
Physico-chemical nature of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids; kinetic function of enzymes; and structure of biological membranes. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisites: One year of college level biology and chemistry.

BIOL 341      Organismic Biology (4)
Comparative and integrated approach to the study of organisms emphasizing diversity, maintenance, coordination, and function of organ systems. Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory per week. Co-requisite: BIOL 341L. Prerequisites: BIOL 112 and BIOL 132.

BIOL 343      Ecology (3)
A study of ecosystems from the standpoint of functional dynamics as well as the roles of ecological, evolutionary and adaptive processes in shaping the environment. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisites: BIOL 112 and BIOL 132.

BIOL 344      Vertebrate Anatomy and Histology (4)
Gross and microscopic anatomy of the organ systems of vertebrates with an emphasis on histology essential to understanding drug effects on functional anatomy for pharmacy students. Co-requisite: BIOL 344L. Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory per week.

BIOL 345     Ecology Laboratory (1)
This course is designed for both field and laboratory ecological studies. Three hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisites: BIOL 112 and BIOL 132.

BIOL 347      Microbiology (4)
Taxonomy, structure, life cycles, physiology, biochemistry, and role in ecosystems of selected groups of microorganisms. Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory per week. Co-requisite: BIOL 347L. Prerequisites: One year of college level biology and organic chemistry.

BIOL 348      Experiments in Biology (4)
Key experiments in cell biology, biochemistry, cell physiology, and genetics. One hour of lecture and five hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisites: Two years of college level biology and one year of chemistry.

BIOL 349      Entomology (4)
To study biology, anatomy, physiology, development, classification, ecology and relation of insects to human welfare. Three hours of laboratory per week. Co-requisite: BIOL 349L. Prerequisites: One year of college level biology.

BIOL 401      Undergraduate Research (1)
Designed to provide supervised experiences in the theoretical and experimental aspects of biological re- search to undergraduates. Three hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor.

BIOL 431      Radiation Biology (3)
Course covers physical and chemical principles of radiation; use of radioactive nuclides in Biochemical and biological research; biological effects of low and high levels of radiation; acute and chronic effects of radiation; safety measures and regulations in the use of radioactive nuclides in research and medicine; technical aspects of the generation of energy by nuclear power stations; and social, moral and medical aspects of the use of atomic weapons. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisite: Junior or Senior standing in Biology.

BIOL 434      Evolutionary Biology (3)
This course will investigate the fundamental principles of evolution by natural selection, population genetics, historical reconstructions, and attempt to apply these principles to ecology, development, physiology, medicine, and sociobiology. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisites: BIOL 131 and BIOL 132.

BIOL 435      History & Philosophy of Science (3)
A study of the history and philosophy of science, and, in particular, the history of the life sciences giving broader insight into the evolutionary process of how science was developed and what mechanisms operated. The course will examine characteristics, distinguishing scientific inquiry from other types of investigation; procedures scientists use in investigating nature; conditions to be satisfied for a scientific explanation to be correct; and the cognitive status of scientific laws and principles. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisite: Senior standing.

BIOL 438      Plant Biology (3)
Plant structure and physiology; plant biotechnology; medicinal plants; and interactions between plants and their environment. Two hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory per week. Co-requisite: BIOL 438L. Prerequisites: BIOL 112 and BIOL 132.

BIOL 439      Principles of Biology (3)
Comprehensive review of basic biological principles operating at various levels of organization in living systems. Two hours of lecture and two hours of laboratory per week. Co-requisite: BIOL 439L. Prerequisites: BIOL 112, BIOL 132, and enrollment in Teacher Certification program.

BIOL 441      Histology (4)
Microscopic study of the anatomy and relevant functions of vertebrate tissues and organs using light microscopy and selected electron micrographs. Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory per week. Co-requisite: BIOL 441L. Prerequisite: BIOL 231 or BIOL 232 or BIOL 341.

BIOL 443      Molecular Biology (4)
Study of intracellular molecular processes. Three hours of lecture per week. Co-requisite: BIOL 443L. Prerequisites: 2 years of college level biology and 2 years of college level chemistry; Junior standing in Biology.

BIOL 446      Human Physiology Laboratory (1)
Laboratory experiments and exercises to complement BIOL 447 Human Physiology. Co-requisite: BIOL 447. Prerequisites: BIOL 112, BIOL 132, and one year of college chemistry.

BIOL 447      Human Physiology (3)
Comprehensive treatment of the physiology, biochemistry and biophysics of organ systems in humans. Three hours of lecture per week. Co-requisite: BIOL 446. Prerequisites: BIOL 112, BIOL 132, one year of college chemistry, and Junior or Senior standing in Biology.

BIOL 448      Molecular Physiology and Biophysics (3)
Physiological, biochemical, and biophysical consideration of various cellular processes with special emphasis on molecular mechanisms in photosynthetic and respiratory reactions. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisites: Junior or Senior standing in Biology, one year of General Chemistry, one year of Organic Chemistry and one year of College Physics.

BIOL 450      Molecular Genetics (3)
In-depth study of the biochemistry and chemistry of genes including aspects of gene expression and that of biotechnology. Th ree hours of lecture per week. Prerequisite: Junior or Senior standing in Biology.

BIOL 451      Parasitology (4)
The study of parasites, their hosts, and the relationships between them as illustrated by the study of protozoans, helminths, nematodes and arthropods. Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory per week. Co-requisite: BIOL 451L. Prerequisites: One year of college level biology; BIOL 341.

BIOL 452      Intermediary and Cellular Metabolism (3)
Quantitative bioenergetics; patterns of breakdown and synthesis of cellular metabolite; metabolic and hormonal regulations; integration and pathological disorders; and relevance of metabolism to medicine. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisite: BIOL 340.

BIOL 454      Immunology (3)
Comprehensive overview of the immune system and immunological mechanisms. Two hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory per week. Co-requisite BIOL 454L. Prerequisite: Junior or Senior standing in Biology.

BIOL 460      Biostatistics (3)
Evaluation of the significance of the results of biological experiments, observations, and clinical data through statistical analysis. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisites: BIOL 112, BIOL 132, one year of college level mathematics, and Junior or Senior standing in Biology.

BIOL 461      Environmental Sampling and Analysis (3)
Sampling of water, air and other substances of ecological significance and their chemical and statistical analysis for suspected pollutants in Harris and other counties in Texas. Prerequisite: Junior or Senior standing in Biology.

BIOL 499 Biology Seminar (1)
Consideration of various biological problems and recent research. One hour of lecture per week. Prerequisite: Junior or Senior standing in Biology.