Undergraduate Course Descriptions

Dept. of Zoology
Southern Illinois University at Carbondale

115-3 General Biology Same as Plant Biology 115. (University Core Curriculum, formerly GEA 115)

Introduction to fundamental biological concepts for non-life science majors interested in learning about interrelationships of human, plant and animal communities. Integrated lecture and laboratory cover topics that include structure and function of living systems, reproduction and inheritance, evolution, biological diversity and environmental biology. Laboratory applies scientific methods to the study of living systems.

118-4 Principles of Animal Biology (Formerly GEA 118)

An introduction to the basic concepts of animal biology including chemical organization of protoplasm; organization of matter into cells, tissues, organs and organ systems; classification and distribution of animals; ecology; heredity and organic evolution; economic biology and conservation; and animal behavior. A cost of $5 may be incurred by the student. Three lectures and one two-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite: high school biology.

212-2 Birding

Bird watching for pleasure. Consideration of identification, songs and ecology of birds, information on bird organization, equipment, and techniques. Credit may not be used toward a major in zoology. Two lectures per week.

214-3 Human Heredity

Principles of heredity as related to humans, with emphasis on the affects of environment on the biological inheritance. Credit may not be used toward a major in zoology.

220-6 (3, 3) Diversity of Animal Life

Diversity and its taxonomic treatment of animals, emphasizing structure, function, life cycles, behavior, and phylogeny. (a) Invertebrates, (b) Vertebrates. Two lectures and one two-hour laboratory per week. Need not be taken in a,b sequence. Prerequisite: 118 or Biology 200, or strong background in high school biology recommended.

300-4 Vertebrate Embryology

Main features of embryonic and fetal development from fish to humans. Two lectures and two 2-hour laboratories per week. Prerequisite: 220b.

304-3 Evolution

An introductory survey of evolutionary biology emphasizing the historical development of evolutionary theory, prebiotic evolution, the origin and evolution of major groups of organisms, and the genetic mechanisms of evolution. Three lectures per week. Prerequisite: 220a and 220b.

305-2 Genetics Laboratory

Experimental methods in applying basic principles of genetics. Monogenic and digenic inheritance, sex-linkage, gene interaction, linkage and chromosome mapping, mutation, artificial and natural selection, gene frequencies, and genetic drift. Two 2-hour laboratories per week. Prerequisite: Biology 305 or concurrent enrollment.

306-3 Fish Biology

Anatomy, physiology, sensory biology, functional morphology, and ecology of fishes. Three lectures per week. Prerequisite: 220b.

309-3 Elementary Cell Biology

Introduction to structure, function, and natural history of major cell types. Two lectures and one 2-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

312i-3 Conservation of Natural Resources (University Core Curriculum)

This course teaches an ecological perspective on current issues in natural resource conservation and management. Economic, political and social pressures that influence consumptive use of natural resources are considered, along with ecological consequences of resource exploitation. A conservation perspective is developed in which humans are viewed as participants in, rather than masters of the natural environment.

316-3 Insect Pests and Their Control

Classical and economic entomology including morphology, physiology, and taxonomy. Life history, damage, and control of principal injurious insects will be discussed. Two lectures and one 2-hour laboratory per week. Credit may not be used toward a major in zoology. Prerequisite: 118 or equivalent.

351-4 Ecological Methods

Basic ecological field techniques for analysis of community structure and functional relationships. Two 4-hour laboratories per week. Prerequisite: 220a,b and Biology 307.

390-1 to 12 Internship

Supervised off-campus training in a formalized internship program with a zoological institution or agency. May not be used for credit in zoology. Must submit letter from sponsoring agency and prospectus with duties and duration of internship to director of undergraduate studies. No more than three hours per semester may be taken if student is on-campus, or six hours if off-campus. Mandatory Pass/Fail. Prerequisite: major in zoology and prior approval by faculty supervisor.

393-1 to 3 Individual Research

Research on zoological problems. May not be used for minor in zoology. Some cost may be borne by student. Student must identify a zoology faculty supervisor to approve proposed research and evaluate performance. Approved proposal detailing research project and number of credit hours requested must be filed with director of undergraduate studies before the semester in which student is enrolled. Mandatory Pass/Fail. Prerequisite: minimum of 2.50 gpa (A = 4.00), senior standing, and prior approval by faculty supervisor.

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.

405-3 Systematic Zoology

Theory and procedure of classification; population taxonomy; variation and its analysis; rule of zoological nomenclature; taxonomic publication. Three one-hour lecture-discussion meetings per week. Prerequisite: 220a, b or 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: 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, 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: 10 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. Includes ablation and histology of glands and chemical and bio-assays with vertebrates and invertebrates. Two lectures and one 2-hour laboratory per week.

458-3 Issues in Aquatic Ecology

Important issues in aquatic ecology, including surface water and ground water quality, global warming, use of fish hatcheries, exotic species, genetically manipulated organisms, stream habitat degradation, dams, diversions, the Great Lakes, and 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. Prerequisite: 220b or consent of instructor.

461-3 Mammalogy

Taxonomic characteristics, identification, and natural history of mammals. Two 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: 10 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.

468-3 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: 10 semester hours in biology and/or zoology or consent of instructor.

470-3 Interdisciplinary Approaches to Environmental Issues Same as Geography 470 and Agribusiness Economics 470.

Application of concepts from the biological, physical, and social sciences, economics, humanities, and law, are used to understand the interdisciplinary complexities of environmental issues. Students will develop and demonstrate problem-solving skills as part of a team analyzing regional environmental issues. Team-taught seminar style discussions. Prerequisite: Plant Biology 301i and admission to Environmental Studies minor program.

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, and 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. Prerequisite: 478 and a course in statistics is recommended or permission of instructor.

482-1 Zoology Seminar for Seniors

Each student reports on a selected topic, using original scientific literature, and the report is discussed by the class. One meeting per week. Not for graduate credit. Prerequisite: senior standing or 24 hours of life science completed. Mandatory Pass/Fail.

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.

493-1 to 6 Honors Research

Individual research for honors students in zoology. For undergraduate credit only. Prerequisite: approval of departmental chair and a faculty supervisor.

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. Offered Fall, Spring, Summer terms. Prerequisite: consent of department.

SIUC Department of Zoology

SIU privacy policy

Last updated: 2-Jul-04 / ghw