DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY

Ronald J. Newton, Chairperson, BN-108 Howell Science Complex
Gerhard W. Kalmus, Director of Graduate Studies, BN-108E Howell Science Complex

As a prerequisite to graduate study in a degree program, the Department of Biology requires that the applicant meet the admission requirements of the university, make satisfactory scores on the aptitude test of the Graduate Record Examinations, and show competence in specific related areas.  Each entering student should consult the director of graduate studies in biology prior to beginning graduate work.

Students must complete a minimum of 30 s.h. of course work (15 s.h. must be at the 6000-7000 level), a research-based thesis, a written comprehensive examination, a seminar based on thesis research, and a thesis defense and must show competence in teaching.

Successful completion of the comprehensive examination consists of a passing grade on a written examination developed and graded by the student's thesis committee.

Up to 20 percent of required credit hours may be earned at another institution.  See the director of graduate studies for acceptable transfer courses or consent to take courses off campus. The department attempts to offer courses on a one- or two-year rotation. However, because of changing interests of graduate students, it is unlikely that all the courses listed below will be offered in a two-year period.

MS IN BIOLOGY

*BIOL 7000 may be repeated for registration status, but only 6 s.h. may count toward graduation.

MS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY

The candidate must have had undergraduate course work, or otherwise demonstrate competency, equivalent to two semesters of biochemistry, one semester of scientific or technical writing, genetics, and microbiology.  Deficiencies in these areas must be made up before a degree is awarded.  No more than 3 s.h. of courses at the 5000 and 6000 level taken to acquire basic competency may count toward the degree.  The candidate must also take BIOL 3100, 3101 or pass a practical examination in this course.  (No graduate credit will be awarded for BIOL 3100, 3101.)

1. Required courses (13 s.h.): BIOL 5190, 5870, 6880, 6890, 7000*.
2. A minimum of 14 s.h. (including two of the ** courses) must be taken from the following: BIOL 5260, 5261, 5480, 5481, 5510, 5511, 5520, 5521, 5870, 5890, 5900**, 5901**, 5930, 5931, 6030, 6082, 6083, 6100, 6120, 6180**, 6181**, 6190, 6200, 6230, 6231, 6250**, 6251**, 6504, 6514, 6992, 6993.
3. Electives: A maximum of 3 s.h. may be designated at the candidate's option as elective hours with the approval of the graduate director and the candidate's adviser, to complete graduation requirements of 30 s.h. for this degree.

*BIOL 7000 may be repeated for registration status, but only 6 s.h. may count toward graduation.

Internship Option: Qualified students will be encouraged to spend from six months to one year in an internship at an industrial or governmental research laboratory.  From 2-5 s.h. of internship credit can be applied toward the degree.

BIOL: Biology

5070, 5071. Ornithology (4,0) 3 lecture hours and 1 3-hour lab per week. Field trips to observe native birds in natural surroundings required. P: 8 s.h. in BIOL. Survey of birds of the world. Emphasis on ecology, evolution, and behavior: adaptive radiation, migration, flight mechanics, morphology, taxonomy, bird song, reproduction, population biology, and conservation of birds.

5150, 5151. Herpetology (4,0) 3 lectures and 1 3-hour lab per week. P: 8 s.h. in BIOL. Taxonomy, anatomy, physiology, distribution, phylogeny, natural history, and ecology of reptiles and amphibians of the world. Emphasis on species of NC and Atlantic Coastal Plain.

5190. Immunology I (3) 3 lectures and 1 3-hour lab per week. P: BIOL 2300, 3220, 3221. Structure, function, and genetic organization of body's defense system. Interactions of immunocompetent cells and their role in infection, disease, and autoimmunity.

5200, 5201. Invertebrate Zoology (4,0) 3 lectures and 1 3-hour lab per week. P: 6 s.h. in BIOL. General comparative anatomical and physiological aspects of invertebrate groups. Emphasis on similarities, differences, and evolution.

5220, 5221. Limnology (4) 3 lectures and 1 3-hour lab per week. P: BIOL 2250, 2251; or consent of instructor. Physical, chemical, and biological factors of inland waters and their influence on aquatic organisms.

5230, 5231. Phycology (4,0) 3 lectures and 1 3-hour lab per week. P: BIOL 1200, 1201. Systematic survey of algae. Emphasis on their role in aquatic ecosystems. Lab employs techniques for studying algae and use of systematic keys.

5260, 5261. Microbial Ecology (4,0) 3 lectures and 2 2-hour labs per week. P: BIOL 2250, 2251, 3220, 3221; or consent of instructor. Interactions between microorganisms and their physical, chemical, and biological environment. Microbial involvement in energy flow, nutrient cycling and intra/inter-specific interactions. Introduction to statistical analyses of biological and ecological data.

5270. Marine Community Ecology (3) P: BIOL 2250, 2251; or consent of instructor. Advanced examination of ecology of marine and brackish water communities based on principles of population biology and community ecology. Emphasis on current hypotheses concerning the processes structuring major communities.

5351. Biological Processes and the Chemistry of Natural Water (2) 6 lab hours per week. P: BIOL 2250, 2251; 2 CHEM courses; or consent of instructor. Interactions of water quality and biological processes in aquatic ecosystems.

5370. Biological Effects of Radiation (3) Same as RONC 5370 P: BIOL 1100, 1101, 1200, 1201; or consent of instructor. Biological effects resulting from interactions of radiation and matter for scientifically and technically-oriented students.

5400. Wetland Ecology and Management (3) P: BIOL 2250, 2251; or consent of instructor. Marshes, swamps, bogs, fens, and other intermittently flooded ecosystems. Emphasis on classification, ecosystem processes, structure, and management of freshwater and saltwater wetlands.

5401. Wetland Ecology Laboratory (1) P: BIOL 2250, 2251; C: BIOL 5400. Application of methods to measure ecological properties, assess the functioning, identify plant communities, and understand landscape interaction of wetland ecosystems.

5450, 5451. Histology (4,0) 2 lectures and 2 2-hour labs per week. P: 4 BIOL courses. Organization of cells, tissues, and organs at microscopic level.

5480, 5481. Cytology (2,2) 2 lectures and 2 2-hour labs per week. P: BIOL 1100, 2300, 3310. Function and structural components of eukaryotic cells.

5510, 5511. Transmission Electron Microscopy (4,0) 2 lecture and 6 lab hours per week. P for undergraduate students: Senior standing as BIOL major or consent of instructor. Introduction to theory, design, and use of transmission electron microscope and to preparation of biological materials for its use.

5520, 5521. Scanning Electron Microscopy and X-Ray Analysis (2,0) 1 lecture and 4 lab hours per week. P for undergraduate students: Senior standing as a BIOL major or consent of instructor. Introduction to theory and techniques of scanning electron microscopy and X-Ray analysis and preparation of materials for both.

5550, 5551. Ichthyology (4,0) 2 lectures and 2 3-hour labs per week. Evolution and biology of major fish groups of the world. Emphasis on NC species.

5600, 5601. Fisheries Techniques (3,0) For biology majors interested in marine biology. Field trips and field studies are integral. 2 lectures and 1 3-hour lab or field excursion per week. P: BIOL 2250, 2251; or equivalent. Practical training in field and lab experimental methods in fisheries techniques.

5630, 5631. Comparative Animal Physiology (4,0) 3 lectures and 1 3-hour lab per week. P: 2 BIOL and 2 organic CHEM courses. Principles of function of organ systems of major groups of animals. Nutrition, digestion, respiration, skin and temperature control, blood and circulatory systems, excretion, the muscular-skeletal system, nervous coordination, and endocrine system.

5640, 5641. Entomology (4,0) 3 lectures and 1 3-hour lab per week. P: 12 s.h. BIOL. General anatomy, physiology, ecology, and classification of insects.

5680. Current Topics in Coastal Biology (2) P: Consent of instructor. Seminar on environmental issues in coastal biology presented by directed reading, lecture, and discussion.

5730, 5731. Animal Physiological Ecology (4,0) 3 lectures and 1 3-hour lab per week. P: BIOL 2250, 2251; 3310, 3311 or 3320, 3321 or 5800, 5821; or consent of instructor. Physiological adjustments and responses of animals to their environment. Consideration given to mechanisms involved and to  invertebrate, vertebrate, aquatic, and terrestrial animals.

5740, 5741. Behavioral Ecology (4,0) 3 lecture and 2 discussion hours per week. P: BIOL 3520 or 4200, 4201. Animal behavior from an evolutionary perspective. Readings from current scientific literature and weekly discussions.

5750, 5751. Introduction to Regional Field Ecology (2,0) (5750:WI) For science and environmental studies teachers. 20 hours of lecture and 32 hours of field trips. May not count toward MS in BIOL or molecular biology/biotechnology. Major regional ecosystems.

5800. Principles of Biochemistry I (3) 3 lecture hours per week. P: BIOL 3310, 3311; or consent of instructor; CHEM 2760, 2763. Intermediary metabolism, metabolic processes, and metabolic regulation of major groups of compounds in living cells.

5810. Principles of Biochemistry II (3) May be taken before BIOL 5800. P: BIOL 3310, 3311; or consent of instructor; CHEM 2760, 2763. Protein biochemistry. Structure and function of amino acides and proteins, including protein biosynthesis and kinetics. Structures illustrated using computer-modeling techniques.

5821. Principles of Biochemistry Laboratory (1) Required for biochemistry majors; recommended for biology majors. P/C for undergraduate students: BIOL 5800 or 5810. General biochemistry lab designed to complement BIOL 5800, 5810.

5870. Molecular Genetics (3) P: BIOL 2300; RP: BIOL 3220, 3221, 5810, 5821. Genetics of prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms at molecular level. Structure and function of nucleic acids; replication, recombination, and repair; control of gene expression; and other related topics.

5890. Virology (3) P: BIOL 3100, 3101; or 5870; 3220, 3221. Plant, animal, and bacterial viruses. Emphasis on distinctive features of viruses as related to parasitism, disease, and basic research.

5900, 5901. Biotechniques and Laboratory (2,3) 2 1-hour lectures and 2 4-hour labs per week. P: BIOL 3100, 3101, 5870; consent of instructor; RP: BIOL 5810, 5821; C for 5901: BIOL 5900. Theory and practice of modern genetic engineering technology. Topics include DNA purification, electrophoresis, restriction mapping, use of DNA modifying enzymes, basic cloning in plasmid vectors, and strain construction by conjugation and transduction.

5930, 5931. Microcomputer Applications in Molecular Biology (2,0) 1 lecture and 1 3-hour lab per week. P: BIOL 3310, 3311; or 5810, 5821; or 5870. Techniques for analysis of biological characteristics of nucleic acid and protein molecules using BASIC with microcomputers.

5950, 5951. Taxonomy of Vascular Plants (4,0) 1 2-hour lecture and 1 4-hour lab per week. P: 12 s.h. BIOL or consent of instructor; RP: BIOL 2250, 2251. Plant importance, identification, classification, and evolution as well as how plants interact with living and nonliving environments. Field experiences emphasize major communities and dominant floral elements of coastal NC.

5995. Internship (1) 3 hours per week. May be repeated once for a maximum of 2 s.h. P: Consent of instructor. Lab experiences under direct supervision of a member of biology faculty.

6003. Seminar (1) Student, staff, and guest speakers on current research.

6010. Estuarine Ecology (2) P: BIOL 2250, 2251; or consent of instructor. Physical properties, energy flow, biogeochemical cycling, and biological patterns of estuaries.

6020, 6021. Marine Biology (3,0) 2 lectures and 2 lab hours per week (including field trips). P: Consent of instructor. Biology and ecology of marine organisms with at least one field trip to the coast for collection and identification.

6030. Topics in Cell Biology (3) P: Consent of instructor. Some combination of current work in bioenergetics, membrane biology, immunobiology, cell/organelle differentiation, and functions of specialized cells. Other topics not routinely considered in undergraduate courses will be reviewed also. Course content varies with interests of instructor.

6040, 6041. Animal Behavior (4,0) 3 lectures and 1 3-hour lab per week. P: Consent of instructor. Presentation of historical development of animal behavior as a field of study through directed reading, discussion, and practical experience. Presentation of some current principles and experimental approaches to animal behavior.

6082, 6083. Fundamentals of Vertebrate Endocrinology (3,1) 3 lectures and 1 3-hour lab per week. P: BIOL 3310, 3311; or 3320, 3321; or equivalent; C for 6083: BIOL 6082. Neurosecretions and endocrine glands. Emphasis on evolution, development, morphology, and physiology of endocrine system. Hormone biosynthesis and mechanisms of action.

6090, 6091. Experimental Embryology (4,0) 3 lectures and 1 3-hour lab per week. P: BIOL 4060, 4061. Historical and current understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying development. Application of experimental techniques to marine invertebrates, amphibian, and chick material.

6100, 6120. Advances in Molecular Biology (2,2) May be repeated once for credit with consent of instructor. P: BIOL 5810, 5821; or 5870; consent of instructor. Indepth focus on problems of current interest in molecular biology and genetic engineering. Topics vary by semester.

6130. Advances in Developmental Biology (2) P: Consent of instructor. Recent advances in animal and plant development. Specific discussion includes gene regulation, embryonic induction, hormone action, cell movement, cell growth, photoperiodism, etc., in relation to differentiation.

6180, 6181. Cell Culture and Hybridoma Technology (3,0) 1 lecture and 6 lab hours per week. P: BIOL 5190. Principles and mechanisms of producing monoclonal antibodies. Emphasis on lab techniques in cell culture and hybridoma.

6190. Immunology II (3) P: BIOL 5190 or equivalent. Indepth focus on advances in immunology. Emphasis on effector mechanisms and immunity in defense and disease.

6200. Mechanisms of Genetic Recombination (2) P: BIOL 3220, 3221; or 5870; 5810, 5821; consent of instructor. Aspects of genetic recombination, including general and site specific recombination, gene mapping methods, DNA and RNA sequence rearrangements, and transposable genetic elements. Emphasis on current developments in growing field.

6220. Evolution: Topics for Advanced Students (3) P: A genetics course. Current concepts of evolution, presented by reading, lecture, and discussion.

6230, 6231. Advanced Techniques in Molecular Biology (2,3) 2 lectures and 2 4-hour labs per week. P: BIOL 5900, 5901; C for 6231: 6230. Advanced genetic engineering techniques for basic and applied research.

6250, 6251. Protein Purification Techniques (4,0) P: BIOL 5810, 5821. Purification methods used to isolate enzymes and other proteins from living cells. Recombinant DNA-based enzyme purification techniques.

6300, 6301. Neurophysiology (3,0) 2 lectures and 1 3-hour lab per week. P: BIOL 3310, 3311; or 3320, 3321; or equivalent. Cellular physiology of neurons and interrelationships between neurons.

6410. Contemporary Molecular and Cellular Biology for Advanced Placement Teachers (2) Indepth review of energy transformations in cells, cell division, molecular genetics, and enzyme systems. Emphasis on advances in knowledge during the past decade. Course coordinator arranges  lecturers on selected topics.

6420. Contemporary Organismal Biology for Advanced Placement Teachers (2) Indepth review of plant structure and function. Emphasis on angiosperms, animal structure, and function. Vertebrates and reproduction and development of plants and animals. Course coordinator arranges lecturers on selected topics that emphasize advances in knowledge during past decade.

6430. Contemporary Population Biology for Advanced Placement Teachers (2) Indepth review of genetics, evolution, behavior, ecology, and social biology. Emphasis on advances in knowledge during the past decade. Course coordinator arranges lecturers on selected topics.

6480, 6481. Cell Biology (4,0) 2 lectures and 6 lab hours per week. P: Consent of instructor. How cells develop, function, communicate, control their activities, and die.

6504, 6514. Research Problems in Biology (2,2) 4 research hours per week. P: Consent of instructor. Research completed under supervision of faculty member.

6700. Plant Physiological Ecology (2) P: One ecology course. Physiological mechanisms of plants relevant at individual, community, and ecosystem levels. Emphasis on higher plants in stressful environments.

6800. Population Ecology (2) P: One ecology course; consent of instructor. Intrinsic and extrinsic controls of microbe, plant, and animal population dynamics.

6820, 6821. Systems Ecology (3,0) 2lectures and 1 3-hour lab per week. P: One ecology course; consent of instructor. Ecosystem structure and function utilizing systems analysis methods and computer models.

6850, 6860. Advances in Ecology (2,2) P: BIOL 2250, 2251; or equivalent; consent of instructor. Advanced treatment of specialized topics in ecology. Emphasis on readings from primary literature.

6870. Molecular Genetics (3) 3 lecture hours per week. P: Consent of instructor. Molecular mechanisms responsible for DNA replication, genetic recombination, transcription, and translation.

6880. Introduction to Research (2) Library reference services and cataloging systems. Writing techniques and problems encountered in preparation of thesis and research publications.

6890. Current Literature in Molecular Biology (2) P: Consent of instructor. Review of current research reports related to molecular biology/biotechnology contained in primary literature.

6900. Vertebrate Reproductive Biology (3) P: One cell and developmental biology or physiology course or consent of instructor. Mechanisms involved in vertebrate reproduction. Morphology, physiology, and biochemistry of reproductive systems. Topics include neuroendocrine control, environmental, and other factors regulating reproductive cycles as well as current research in reproductive technology.

6910. Coastal Ecological Processes (4,0) For PhD students without biology backgrounds and biology MS students. Provides PhD students in coastal resources management with fundamental concepts of ecology within context of coastal zone and with emphasis on local ecosystems.

6920. Conservation Biology (2) 2-hour lecture and discussion per week. P: Consent of instructor; RP: an ecology course. Application of principles of ecology, biogeography, population genetics, economics, sociology, anthropology, and philosophy to  maintenance and restoration of biological diversity and management.

6992, 6993. Internship in Applied Biology (3,2) Variable classroom and/or lab hours per week. P: Completion of basic courses prescribed by joint screening committee composed of faculty from the biology department closely allied to proposed area of study and representatives  from specific applied area (industry, government, etc.) Experience in classroom, research, governmental, or industrial applications of biology.

6994. Internship (1) 3 contact hours per week. P: Consent of instructor. Experience in classroom situations under direct supervision of  biology faculty member.

7000. Thesis (3) May be repeated. May count maximum of 6 s.h.

9000. Dissertation (3) May be repeated. May count for a maximum of 18 s.h.

BIOL Banked Courses

5000, 5001. Radio Tracer Techniques in Biology (3,0)
5020, 5021. Animal Parasitology (4,0)
5040, 5041. Mycology (4,0)
5050. Applied Ecology (3)
5080, 5081. Plant Anatomy and Morphology (4,0)
5110, 5111. Plant Growth and Development (4,0)
5678. Biology of Aging (3)
5850, 5851. Biometry (3,0)
5860, 5861. Biological Applications to Digital Computers (3,0)
5880, 5881. Microbial Physiology (4,0)
5910, 5911. Vascular Plant Systematics (4,0)
5920, 5921. Vertebrate Systematics (4,0)
6050. Biogeography (3)
6640, 6641. Ecological Entomology (4,0)
7530. Readings in Organismic and Field Biology (2)
7540. Readings in Cell Biology and Biochemistry (2)