Biology (BIOL)

This course provides hands-on laboratory experiences that highlight the fundamental molecular, cellular, and genetic principles characterizing living organisms. The scientific method in the discovery of these principles will be the primary focus of the hands-on activities. This course is designed for students majoring in science fields. Student majoring or minoring in biology cannot use placement exams (e.g. CLEP) to fulfill this course requirement. Students majoring or minoring in Biology must earn a C to be considered passing. Other programs with this course as a requirement may also request an earned grade of a C.

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

This course provides hands-on laboratory experiences that highlight the fundamental principles concerning the biology of organisms: biodiversity, evolutionary relationships among major groups of organisms, structural/functional characteristics of these organisms, and general ecological principles of the organismal relationships. This course is designed for students majoring in science fields. Students majoring or minoring in biology cannot use placement exams (e.g. CLEP) to fulfill this course requirement. Students majoring or minoring in Biology must earn a C to be considered passing. Other programs with this course as a requirement may also request an earned grade of a C.

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

This course examines the fundamental molecular, cellular, and genetic principles characterizing living organisms including the role of the scientific method in the discovery of these principles. Specific concepts include the chemical basis for life, energy transformations, cell structure and function, the metabolic processes of respiration and photosynthesis, cell reproduction, and basic concepts of heredity and genetics. This course is designed for students majoring in science fields. College Algebra is recommended prior to taking this course. This course meets the standards for the Life and Physical Sciences category of courses under the core curriculum. Students majoring or minoring in Biology cannot use placement exams (e.g. CLEP) to fulfill this course requirement. Students majoring or minoring in Biology must earn a C to be considered passing. Other programs with this course as a requirement may also request an earned grade of a C. Corequisite for students majoring or minoring in biology: BIOL 1106 – General Biology I Laboratory. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Writing

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

This course provides an overview of the diversity of life, the evolutionary relationships among major groups of organisms, and the structural/functional characteristics of these organisms. Topics emphasized will include the study of life at the organismal, population, and community level including form, function, reproduction, taxonomy, systematics, ecology and evolutionary history of biodiversity. This course is designed for students majoring in science fields. This course meets the standards for the Life and Physical Sciences category of courses under the core curriculum. Students majoring or minoring in Biology cannot use placement exams (e.g. CLEP) to fulfill this course requirement. Students majoring or minoring in Biology must earn a C to be considered passing. Corequisite for students majoring or minoring in biology: BIOL 1107 – General Biology II Laboratory. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Writing

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

This course is designed for non-science majors and examines the basis of biology in the modern world and explores biology as a science – a data-driven process of gaining new knowledge – as well as the impact of biological science on society. Topics in this course include the study of life at the cellular level, investigating cellular structures, chemical processes, cell metabolism, cell division, gene expression and introduction patterns of inheritance. Includes experimental hands-on exercises. This course meets the standards for the Life and Physical Sciences category of courses under the core curriculum. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Writing

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

This course is designed for non-science majors. Students examine the principles of organismal biology, biodiversity and ecology in the modern world and how these principles relate to issue in today’s society and their broader meaning to the public. Topics in this second course include the study of life at the organismal level considering their morphology, life histories, physiology, and ecology. The nature and evolution of biological diversity and how that diversity is studied is included. Experimental hands-on exercises are included. This course meets the standards for the Life and Physical Sciences category of courses under the core curriculum. TSI Restriction(s): Reading

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

This is a course designed to help transfer students in biology complete the necessary degree requirements for biology particularly when their former institution did not require a laboratory section of the course. Instructor permission is required. TSI Restriction(s): Reading

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate level students.

Study of the structure and function of human anatomy, including integumentary, musculoskeletal, and neural systems. With laboratory section. This course meets the standards for the Life and Physical Sciences category of courses under the core curriculum. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Writing

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

Study of the structure and function of human anatomy, including the cardiovascular system, lymphatic system, respiratory system, endocrine system, digestive system, metabolism, urinary system, and reproductive system. With laboratory section. This course meets the standards for the Life and Physical Sciences category of courses under the core curriculum. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, Writing

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

The course introduces the student to plant tissues and structures, basic plant cell metabolism, cell division and reproduction, genetics and evolution of plants, basic plant systematics, plants and humans, and plant ecology. With laboratory section. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, Writing

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

Lectures, literature investigation and research in selected topics. With laboratory section. May be repeated for credit once under different topic.

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate level students.

This class covers fundamental aspects of heredity, with an emphasis on eukaryotic systems. Topics covered include transmission genetics, linkage and gene mapping. Students majoring or minoring in Biology must earn a C to be considered passing. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

Explores the principles of probability, exploratory data analysis, experimental design and common inferential statistical techniques used in the biographical and medical sciences. Emphasis is placed on the applications of these methods and practical considerations associated with their proper use. A major focus of the laboratory portion of the course is using statistical computing environments for methodological implementation and generation of high quality scientific figures. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

This course addresses the biology of an array of microorganisms including archaea, bacteria, viruses and eukaryotic microbes such as fungi. Topics will include organism morphology, structure, growth and reproduction, and use of antimicrobial compounds. Discussion of the medical, industrial, and environmental impact of microbes will be included. With laboratory section. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

This course is an introduction to cell structures and how they function, with an emphasis on eukaryotic cells. Topics will include membrane structure, membrane transport, organelles, protein syntheses and folding, cellular energetics and cell cycle. Experiments and techniques used to study cell biology processes will be emphasized. With laboratory section. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

Lectures, literature investigation and research in selected topics. With laboratory section. May be repeated for credit once under different topic.

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate level students.

Repeat Status: Course may be repeated 1 time(s).

Research Experience in Biology is aimed at providing an introductory research experience in a biology faculty laboratory. Through this experience the student will gain an understanding of how research is conducted outside of a classroom and how the scientific method is actively applied in the specific discipline of the faculty research interests. Students will become part of the research team and will participate in laboratory or field activities as well as meetings/discussions. This course can be repeated for credit for a maximum of 2 credits, the second of which must be under a different faculty member and thus a different discipline in Biology. This course is recommended to be taken before BIOL 4304: Research Projects in Biology. This course does not fulfill "Undergraduate Research". TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

Repeat Status: Course may be repeated 1 time(s).

The main goal of this course is to provide the student with an overview of the history of modern life sciences, beginning with a brief overview of ancient history through modern day advancements in thoughts on Genetics, Evolution, Conservation, etc. with a focus mainly on the 17th century to present day. We will examine how naturalists and biologists have searched for order in nature––from cabinets of curiosity to maps of biodiversity, and from the theory of cells to the structure of DNA. In this course, students will examine the development of changing practices and approaches to investigating life in the field, the museum, and the laboratory including discussions on ethics in the sciences throughout history.

Restrictions:

Animal Nutrition examines how wild, domestic, and exotic animals derive energy and nutrients from food given variation in anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry of their digestive systems. Emphasis will be placed on the sources, metabolism, and nutrition of macromolecules, supplementation, regulation of food intake, and metabolic disease. This course is designed for Biology majors and specifically intended for students interested in applying to Veterinary School.

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate level students.

Focus on applications of modern molecular techniques that are used in biology. This course has a 1-hour seminar and two 2-hour laboratory sessions.

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

The characteristics, life history, and identification of insects important to man, with particular reference to agriculture and disease vectors. Stress will be on control measures for harmful species.

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

Classification, anatomy, life history and evolution of invertebrates exclusive of insects. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

This course surveys the evidence for biological evolution from molecular, cellular, biochemical, embryological, paleontological, genetic, and ecological perspectives. Particular emphasis is placed on how the genetic constitutions of populations change over time and evolutionary forces that are responsible for such change. Other topics emphasized in this course include the construction and interpretation of evolutionary trees and the evolution of cooperation and sociality. The laboratory component of this course emphasizes reading the primary evolutionary biology literature and the using computer simulations to gain insights into how evolutionary forces interact. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

An introductory course concerned with developing skill in recognition and identification of seed plants at the species and family levels. Emphasis will be placed on collection, use of keys and manuals and herbarium techniques.

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

Anatomy, classification and natural history of the vertebrates; methods of collecting, preserving and identifying local vertebrates. With laboratory section. Recommended: BIOL 3402 TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

General introduction to the field of animal behavior. Topics include evolution and behavior, behavioral ecology, sociobiology, communication, orientation and navigation, and hormonal mechanisms of behavior. The one hour discussion section will focus on the exploration and critical analysis of current scientific literature. With discussion seminar. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

This course provides the foundations of the scientific study of organisms and their environment. Basic components involved in the function and evolution of ecosystems, different ecological models, and the mechanisms that drive ecosystem changes through time will be addressed. Students will learn to approach the study of ecology from the organismal to global scale. The course will incorporate the classic concepts of ecology and will introduce the students into current theoretical and applied fields of ecology. With laboratory section. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

A study of the fundamental process of the animal systems. With laboratory section. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

This course is the study of how different biochemical, metabolic, and molecular pathways of the cell work together to produce the many functions of cells such as movement, response to hormones, growth, protein synthesis, etc. Topics of signal transduction pathways, protein targeting, secretion and endocytosis, and cellular organization and motility are covered. Cell-cell interactions and tissue formation will be discussed, including the loss of cell division control leading to cancer. With laboratory section. Recommended: CHEM 2423. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy examines vertebrate morphology in an evolutionary context with specific emphasis on the relationship of structure and function. Lectures will examine the origin and evolution of major vertebrate systems and the functional significance of morphological adaptation. The Laboratory component provides direct observation of major vertebrate organs and organ systems through dissection and comparison across representative organisms. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate level students.

Student-led reviews of current scientific literature on various topics in biology with critical class analyses. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

Student-led reviews of current scientific literature on cellular and molecular biology with critical class analyses. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

Student-led reviews of current scientific literature on various topics in zoology with critical class analyses. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

Student-led reviews of current scientific literature on various topics in ecology with critical class analyses. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

Student-led reviews of current scientific literature and historic significance on topics in Health Sciences with critical class analyses. Students will refine their ability to search, read, understand, discuss and critique the primary scientific literature, both orally and in writing.

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate level students.

An introduction to laboratory instruction as an undergraduate teaching assistant. Duties will include curriculum development, preparation of laboratory exercises, weekly experimental instruction and weekly meetings with the faculty mentor. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

Repeat Status: Course may be repeated 1 time(s).

Is life on Earth all there is? Is there life elsewhere in the solar system or beyond, on planets orbiting distant stars? These are fundamental questions of the human condition, but a growing knowledge of environmental conditions on other planets, the discovery of thousands of planets in other star systems and a deeper (literally in some cases) understanding of life under extreme conditions here on Earth allow us to explore them on multiple levels. After an introduction to astronomy and the geological history of the Earth, this course will focus on the cell biology, ecology and evolution of extremophiles on Earth. We will then use that understanding to investigate other possible sites for life elsewhere in the universe. This will be a seminar style course using primary literature, established texts, and even science fiction to engage with the material.

Restrictions:

This course provides an independent review opportunity that will allow undergraduates majoring in biology to make an original intellectual contribution to the discipline. Research will be conducted in collaboration with a faculty mentor. Variable credit for a total of 3 maximum. Recommended: BIOL 3104. Approval of instructor is required. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing

Restrictions: Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Junior or Senior.Graduate level students may not enroll.

This course gives the student an introduction into Conservation Biology from a conceptual perspective together with its many applications in the preservation, protection, and sustainable stewardship of life in all Ecosystems. The course will also review policy, strategies and case studies based on past and current issues. In addition to conservation, the student will be introduced to Restoration Biology. Restoration and Reclamation will be introduced as a follow up step of Conservation through the analysis of case studies where human intervention affected the outcome of an ecosystem. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

Lectures in selected topics. May be repeated for credit once under a different topic. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

Repeat Status: Course may be repeated 1 time(s).

Internship in Biology is a course aimed at providing professional working experience in the field of biology. The sites at which students will be interns will be local and may be affiliated with the government, military, or private foundations. The student will be required to be a model employee and an exemplary ambassador of Texas A&M University-San Antonio. Students will be supervised by a site manager and by a faculty member. Students will be evaluated based on their work performance and a reflection paper describing their experience. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

This course focuses in depth on the molecular basis of life (DNA, RNA, and proteins) and the biochemical mechanisms that control expression of information in the cell. Emphasis will be on molecular techniques and experimental data analysis. With laboratory section. Recommended: CHEM 2325. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

Developmental Biology is the study of how a single cell develops into a multicellular differentiated organism. Cell signaling pathways involved and the interface between evolution and development will be a primary focus. The laboratory experience will address pathways controlling development in model organisms. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

This course studies the diversity of the bacterial world, including the array of metabolic pathways used by different species of bacteria to inhabit a wide range of environments. Emphasis will be on mechanisms of controlling gene expression in prokaryotes, biochemical pathways of energy production and consumption, culture techniques and diagnostic methods, and use of bacteria in research. With laboratory section. Recommended: CHEM 2323. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

The emphasis of this course is an over-view of viruses and host-virus interactions at the molecular and cellular level, and includes an overview of development of antiviral therapies and utilization of viral vector for gene therapy and vaccines. The mandatory recitation section will involve in-class or online discussion, evaluation, and presentation of peer-reviewed journal articles on the topic of Virology. With laboratory section.

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

Fundamental concepts in Immunology covering molecular and cellular immunology as well as applied aspects.

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

Biology of Disease Vectors the biology and ecology of arthropods that transmit medically important diseases. Students will gain an understanding of the complex relationship between vectors and the pathogens they transmit, specifically the physiological, evolutionary, and ecological relationship. Students will also learn applied and epidemiological aspects of this complex relationship. A mandatory recitation is associated with this course. Recommended: BIOL 3407 and BIOL 3402 TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

Lectures, literature investigation and research in selected topics. With laboratory section. May be repeated for credit once under different topic. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

Repeat Status: Course may be repeated 1 time(s).

This course provides students an applied approach to how plants function, grow and develop in response to environmental challenges. It also addresses the physical and chemical principles that underlie physiological processes. The application of this knowledge in the context of current issues such as drought and food shortage will be addressed. The weekly laboratory session will complement the lecture, by providing hands-on experience in observation, data collection, measurement, and problem-solving skills.

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

This course introduces the student to the fundamental components that are involved in wildlife management. We will approach the study of wildlife management by reviewing important ecological principles, understand the significance of conservation in wildlife management, and identify how various management efforts may be applied for sustainable wildlife populations. With laboratory section. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

During this course the student will learn to plan an ecological study and conduct fieldwork. The student will be introduced to different experimental designs and procedures to study different types of organisms and their environment. With Laboratory Section. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

Classification, structures, physiology, natural history and field identification of birds. This course may require early morning field trips. With laboratory section. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

Evolution, anatomy, physiology, behavior, and ecology of amphibians and reptiles from a world-wide perspective. With laboratory section in which local forms will be emphasized. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

Classification, distribution, life histories, economic importance, techniques of field study, methods of collection and preservation of mammals. With laboratory section.

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

Introduction to parasitism with special reference to human and other vertebrate hosts. With laboratory section. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

Evolution, anatomy, physiology, behavior, and ecology of fishes from a world-wide perspective. With laboratory section in which local forms will be emphasized. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

An introduction to the diversity, distribution, evolutionary history and ecological importance of primates. This course will emphasize the evolutionary and ecological principles underlying our understanding of primate behavior and how these principles inform us about our own behavior. With laboratory section. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.