Graduate Course Descriptions

Dept. of Zoology
Southern Illinois University at Carbondale

400-3 Cell Biology of Development

Cellular molecular mechanisms of embryogenesis and differentiation. Examination of the cell as a component of interacting tissues constituting the developing organism. Prerequisite:  300 or Biology 309, or advanced standing in Life Sciences or consent of instructor.

401-3 Developmental Neurobiology

This course presents a survey of the basic principles that underlie the development of the nervous system, including an examination of the important questions and issues currently being studied by neuroembryologists. Prerequisite: advanced standing in biology/science or consent of instructor.

402-3 Natural History of Invertebrates

Introduction to ecology, intraspecies communication, and interspecies relationships of invertebrate animals. Two lectures and one 2-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite:   220a.

403-3 Natural History of Vertebrates

Life history traits, adaptations, and identification of fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals, with fieldwork emphasizing local species. One lecture and two 2-hour laboratories per week. Prerequisite:  220b or consent of instructor.

404-3 Evolutionary Biology

Concepts and principles of modern evolutionary theory at a level appropriate far upper-division majors and graduate students in any biological science program. Prerequisite:  220a,b or equivalent and Biology 305 or consent of instructor.

405-3 Systematic Zoology

Theory and procedure of classification; population taxonomy; variation and its analysis; rules of zoological nomenclature; taxonomic publication. Three 1-hour lecture-discussian meetings per week. Prerequisite:   220a,b and consent of instructor.

407-4 Parasitology

Principles, collection, identification, morphology, life histories, and control measures. Two lectures and two 2-hour laboratories per week. Prerequisite:   220a.

408-3 Herpetology

Taxonomic groups, identification, morphology, and natural history of amphibians and reptiles. One lecture and two 2-hour laboratories per week. Prerequisite:  220b.

409-4 Vertebrate Histology

Microscopic structure of organs and tissues with emphasis on mammalian material. Two lectures and two 2-hour laboratories per week. Prerequisite:  10 to 12 semester hours of biological science.

410-3 Conservation Biology

An introduction to patterns of global biodiversity and threats to that diversity. Course emphasizes how principles from numerous biological disciplines are involved in conserving and managing biodiversity, and how social, economic, and political factors affect conservation strategies. Prerequisite:  Biology 307.

413-4 The Invertebrates

Structure, phylogeny, distinguishing features, and habitats of the invertebrates. Two lectures and two 2-hour laboratories per week. Prerequisite:  220a.

414-4 Freshwater Invertebrates

Taxonomic groups, identification, distribution and habitats of the North American freshwater invertebrate fauna. Two lectures and two 2-hour laboratories per week. Prerequisite:  220a.

415-3 Limnology

Lakes and inland waters; the organisms living in them, and the factors affecting these organisms. Two lectures per week and one 4-hour laboratory alternate weeks. Prerequisite:  220a.

418-4 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy

The comparative structure and evolution of vertebrate organ systems. Two lectures and two 2-hour laboratories per week. Prerequisite:  220b.

421-4 Histological Techniques

Methods of preparing animal tissue for microscopic study and learn theories of staining and histochemistry. One lecture and two 3-hour laboratories per week. Prerequisite:  ten semester hours of biological science.

426-3 Comparative Endocrinology

Comparison of mechanisms influencing hormone release, hormone biosynthesis, and the effects of hormones on target tissues. Include ablation and histology of glands and chemical and bio-assays with vertebrates and invertebrates. Two lectures and one 2-hour laboratory per week.

458-8 Issues in Aquatic Ecology

With its primary focus on freshwater ecosystems, this course will cover important issues in aquatic ecology including: surface water and groundwater quality, global warming, use of fish hatcheries, exotic species, genetically manipulated organisms, stream habitat degradation, dams, diversions, the Great Lakes, local issues. Prerequisite:  Biology 307 or consent of instructor.

460-2 Upland Game Birds

Biological overview and identification of upland and shoreline game birds plus raptors and selectively-managed species. One lecture and one 2-hour laboratory per week; there will be up to two Saturday field trips. Prerequisite:  220b or consent of instructor.

461-3 Mammalogy

Taxonomic characteristics, identification, and natural history of mammals. Two 1-hour lectures and one 2-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite:  220b.

462-3 Waterfowl

Identification, life history, ecology, and management. Two lectures and one 2-hour laboratory per week; there will be three or four Saturday field trips. Prerequisite:  220b or consent of instructor.

463-3 Game Mammals

Natural history and management. Two lectures and one 2-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite:  220b or consent of instructor.

464-3 Wildlife Administration and Policy

Responsibilities of private, state, and federal natural resources management agencies. Legal and political processes in areas of wildlife and natural resources. Three lectures per week. Prerequisite:  consent of instructor.

465-3 Ichthyology

Taxonomic groups, identification, and natural history of fishes. Two lectures and one 2-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite:  220b.

466-3 Fish Management

Sampling, age and growth, dynamics, habitat improvement, manipulation of fish populations, and management of freshwater and marine fish stock. Two lectures per week and one 4-hour laboratory alternate weeks. Prerequisite:  ten hours of biological science or consent of instructor.

467-3 Ornithology

Avian biology, including classification and identification of birds, the study of their songs, nests, migratory habits, and other traits. One lecture and one 4-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite:  220b.

466-8 Wildlife Biology Principles

Basic concepts of wildlife ecology and management. Includes lectures on ecological physiology, population dynamics, and wildlife management strategies. Prerequisite:  Biology 307 and seven other semester hours of biological science.

469-3 Wildlife Techniques

Field-oriented course with instruction in techniques for management of wild species and their habitat. One 1 1/2 hour lecture and one 3-hour laboratory per week, two of which may be field trips on Saturdays. Prerequisite:  ten semester hours in biology and/or zoology or consent of instructor.

471-4 Entomology

Structure, classification, and life histories of insects. Two lectures and two 2-hour laboratories per week. Prerequisite:  220a.

473-4 Aquatic Entomology

Structure, classification, and biology of aquatic insects. Two lectures and two 2-hour laboratories per week. Prerequisite:  220a.

475-3 Advanced Cell Biology (Same as Plant Biology 475)

Cell structure at molecular and cytological levels. Includes discussions of research methods, and plasma membrane, cell exterior and recognition, the endomembrane system and related organelles, self-replicating organelles, the cytoskeleton, nuclear structure and function in cell replication, cell differentiation and response, and eukaryotic cell evolution. Prerequisite:  Biology 306 or equivalent.

476-2 Advanced Cell Biology Laboratory (Same as Plant Biology 476)

Laboratory course to accompany 475. Light and electron microscopy, cell culturing, biochemical methods, and experimental protocols are used to study the structure of cell membranes, intracellular organelles, including the Golgi apparatus, ER, mitochondria, plastids, lysosomes, the cytoskeleton and nucleus. Prerequisite:  475 or concurrent enrollment.

477-3 Aquaculture

Production of game, food, and bait fishes. Design of facilities, chemical and biological variables, spawning techniques, diseases, and nutrition. Two lectures per week and one 4-hour laboratory alternate weeks. Prerequisite:  ten hours of biological science or consent of instructor.

478-3 Animal Behavior

Biological basis of the behavior of animals. Two lectures and one 2-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite:  one year of biological science or permission of instructor.

480-3 to 4 Research Methods in Animal Behavior

Skills relevant to conducting research in animal behavior. Guided self-instructional format, with two 2.5-hour periods scheduled weekly, primarily as question/answer and evaluation sessions. Offered Spring semester. Prerequisite:  478 and a course in statistics is recommended, or permission of instructor.

485-2 to 4 Special Topics in Zoology

Examination of topics of special interest not available in other departmental courses. Offered in response to student need and faculty availability. Prerequisite:  consent of instructor.

496-2 to 4 Zoology Field Studies

A trip of four to eight weeks to acquaint students with animals in various environments and with methods of field study, collection, and preservation. Prerequisite:  consent of department.

500-3 Molecular Evolution (Same as Plant Biology 504)

Survey of the theory end processes of organic evolution at the level of protein and DNA in animals. Quantitative analysis of empirical genetic information; methods of phylogenetic inference from molecular data. Three lectures per week. Prerequisite:  404 or equivalent.

510-3 Evolutionary Biology

An introductory survey of evolutionary biology at the graduate level, emphasizing conceptual issues in evolutionary genetics, adaptation, systematics, and macroevolution. Prerequisite:  Biology 305 or equivalent.

514-3 Advanced Entomology

Morphology, physiology, systematics, and distribution of insects. One lecture and two 2-hour laboratories. Prerequisite:  471.

520-3 Advanced Invertebrates

The nature and life of invertebrate animals with emphasis on comparative form, function, behavior and occurrence. Three 2-hour meetings per week. Prerequisite:  consent of instructor.

521-3 Stream Ecology

The physical, chemical, and biological factors affecting organisms in streams. Two lectures per week and one 4-hour laboratory alternate weeks. Prerequisite: 415 and  consent of instructor.

525-3 Cytology

An analysis of the subcellular and cytochemical organization of the cell. Structural-functional aspects of organelles, membranes, and other cellular components, their relationship to the metabolic nucleus, substructural organization of hereditary material, and subcellular aspects of mitosis and meiosis are emphasized. Two lectures and one laboratory per week.

530-3 Wildlife Diseases

Introduction to the causes and nature of diseases of wildlife with emphasis on wild mammals and birds. The relationship of disease to the population ecology of species will be emphasized further. Two lectures and one 2-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite:  consent of instructor.

532-3 Wildlife Toxicology

Fate and effects of environmental toxicants in wildlife. Review of descriptive and mechanistic toxicology for environmental contaminants. Investigation of the relationship between individual and community responses to toxicant exposure. Examination of current hazard assessment protocols and associated regulatory agencies. Prerequisite:  468a or consent of instructor.

534-3 Wildlife Habitat Analysis

Physical, biological and behavioral factors that influence habitat use and selection by wild vertebrate populations. Landscape level analysis of wildlife habitats. Modeling habitat suitability, environmental impact and wildlife population dynamics with habitat data. Application and use of remote sensing and geographic information systems in natural resource management and habitat evaluation. One 2-hour lecture and one 2-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite:  consent of instructor.

540-3 Factors in Animal Reproduction

Genetic and physiological factors in determination, differentiation and modification of sex in animals. Three lectures a week. Prerequisite:  consent of instructor.

550-3 Developmental Gene Regulation

Gene regulation during animal development and its analysis. Describes the hierarchy of gene interactions that lead to cell fate determination. The function and regulation of transcription factors and signsl transduction proteins are covered. Methods of investigation are discussed. Examples are taken from yeast, Drosophila, Xenopus, and mouse. Three lectures per week. Prerequisite:  Biology 305 or 309 or equivalent, or by permission.

554-1 to 4 (1,1,1,1) Systematic Biology Seminar

Interdisciplinary research topics in systematic biology. Seminar consists of biweekly presentations by visiting or resident researchers, followed by roundtable discussions with seminar participants. Students also participate in a day-long symposium at which they contribute an oral or poster presentation. Prerequisite:  consent of instructor.

555-3 Curation of Biological Collections

An overview of the organization and operation of modern collections involving animal, plant and microbial specimens. Topics include specimen preparation and curation, collection databases, specimen-collection laws, and field-collection techniques. Prerequisite:  consent of instructor.

556-3 Computer Techniques in Systematic Biology

A survey of computational problems and solutions in modern systematic biology. Topics include platform options and limitations, numerical analyses, database management, information dissemination and retrieval, and computer toxonomy. Prerequisite:  consent of instructor.

564-1 to 2 Aquaculture Techniques

Practical experience in aquaculture techniques. Course consists of modules which require student participation in hands-on experience, (e.g., spawning, induction of spawning, production of fry, operation and grading, diagnosis and treatment of parasites and diseases, and transporting of fish). One credit or completion of two modules. Register any semester, one year to complete elected number of modules. Written report and examination required for each module. Cost incurred by student varies with modules selected. Prerequisite:  477 or consent of instructor.

565-3 Environmental Physiology of Fish

Synthesis of effects of pollutants on physiological processes of fish. Course begins with an overview of fish physiology. Topics include: concepts, methods, and measurements in aquatic toxicology; histopathological, physiological, and behavioral responses to pollutants; and toxicity of heavy metals, organics, particulates and other pollutants. Three lectures per week. Prerequisite:  465 or consent of instructor.

568-2 Fish Stock Assessment

Methods of characterizing fish populations including mortality rates, age growth analysis, population sampling, yield models, habitat evaluation procedures and creel survey techniques. Two 1-hour meetings per week. Prerequisite:  466 or consent of instructor.

569-3 Advanced Fisheries Management

Advanced topics related to the management of fisheries including urban fisheries, native American fisheries, freshwater commercial fisheries, Great Lakes fisheries, impact of power generating plants on fishes, and in-depth consideration of indices of community structure and current topics in fish management. Three lectures per week. Prerequisite:  466 or consent of instructor.

570-3 Advanced Aquaulture

Selected topics in aquaculture and practical methods for the production of coldwater, coolwater, warmwater and tropical species. Three lectures a week. Prerequisite:  477 or consent of instructor.

573-3 Physiological Ecology

The role of physiological, morphological, and behavioral adaptations and adjustments in the ecology of vertebrate organisms with special emphasis on examining the energy balance and environment as it infiuences vertebrate ecology. Two hours of lecture and one 2-hour laboratory. Prerequisite:  Biology 307 or equivalent, and consent of instructor.

577-2 Population Ecology

Principles of population dynamics as related to animals. Two lectures per week. Prerequisite:  consent of instructor.

578-3 Population Genetics

Genetic structure of populations, factors causing changes, and principles governing rate and direction of change. Three lectures per week. Prerequisite:  Biology 305 and consent of instructor.

579-3 Molecular Genetics Techniques

Practical experience in molecular genetics techniques currently used in zoology for population genetic analysis and for molecular systematics. Emphasis will be on methods for allozyme, mtDNA and nuclear DNA analysis. Class projects will focus on experimintal design, data collection and analysis. Prerequisite:  consent of instructor.

581-2 Zoological Literature

Diversity and functions of zoological literatures, scientific writing and the publication process. Two lectures per week. Prerequisite:  graduate status in a biological science.

582-1 to 4 (1,1,1,1) Graduate Zoology Seminars

Special topics in zoology. Consult department for each semester's topic. One meeting per week. Prerequisite:  consent of instructor and department.

583-1 Teaching Zoology in College

Methods, practices, and objectives in teaching zoology at the college/university level. Designed as part of the apprenticeship program for preparation of college teachers. Required of departmental teaching assistants. One hour lecture per week. Graded S/U only. Prerequisite:  graduate status in a biological science.

584-3 Fish Genetics

Genetic principles and their application to management and culture of fish. Course includes an overview of biochemical and molecular genetics, conservation genetics, genomic manipulations, and quantitative genetics. Prerequisite:  Biology 305 or consent of instructor.

585-36 (3 per topic) Seminar

Advanced study of special topics in zoology. (a) Seminar in animal behavior. (b) Seminar in neurobiology of metazoa. Survey of the cytology and histology of nerve cells, and the sheath elements separately as they appear in organized tissues of metazoa. (c) Seminar in ecosystems. (d) Seminar in wetland ecology. (e) Seminar in wildlife ecology: impact of land use. (f) Seminar in fish biology. Survey of fish biology and ecology dealing largely with topics not covered in 465. Life history strategies, physiology, and other fundamental biological features of fishes will be covered in some depth. Prerequisite: 465. (g) Seminar in parasitology. (h) Seminar on the amphibia. (j) Seminar in developmental biology. Detailed coverage of current topics of interest in developmental biology; the course will emphasize interacting systems in the development of both vertebrates and invertebrates, from the molecular to tissue levels. Prerequisite: 300, Biology 309, or equivalent. (z) Seminar in selected topics. Prerequisite:  consent of instructor or department.

586-1 Fisheries Seminar

Contemporary topics, literature, and oral and written communication in fisheries science.

587-3 Community Ecology

This course focuses on a search for pattern in the structure, composition, and dynamics of ecological communities. This course complements material presented in Zool 577. Prerequisite: Biol 307 or equivalent.

588-1 Wildlife Seminar

Contemporary topics, literature, and oral and written communication in wildlife ecology.

593-1 to 12 Individual Research

Investigation in zoology other than those for theses. Only three hours may be credited toward a degree. Some costs may be borne by the student.

596-1 to 66 (1 to 12 per semester) Research

Graded S/U only. Credit may not he used toward a degree in Zoology. Prerequisite:  consent of instructor.

597-1 to 12 Advanced Zoological Techniques

Individualized techniques or experimental procedures to prepare for dissertation research. May he taken at another university. Number of credits determined by committee. Graded on S/ U basis following final report submitted to major adviser. Prerequisite:  admission to Ph.D. degree program in Zoology and consent of major adviser.

598-1 to 6 Research Paper

Research paper for Master of Science degree for Biological Sciences major. Some cost may be borne by the student. Graded S/ U only. Prerequisite:  consent of instructor.

599-1 to 12 Research and Thesis

Thesis for Master of Science degree. Only six hours may count toward the degree. Some cost may be borne by student. Graded S/U only. Prerequisite:  consent of instructor.

600-1 to 32 (1 to 16 per semester) Research and Dissertation

Research and dissertation for Doctor of Philosophy degree. Some cost may be borne by student. Graded S/U only. Prerequisite:  consent of instructor.

601-1 per semester Confinuing Enrollment

For those graduate students who have not finished their degree programs and who are in the process of working on their dissertation, thesis, or research paper. The student must have completed a minimum of 24 hours of dissertation research, or the minimum thesis, or research hours before being eligible to register for this course. Concurrent enrollment in any other course is not permitted. Graded S/U or DEF only.

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Last updated: 2-Jul-04 / ghw