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.

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.

This laboratory-based course accompanies BIOL 1308, Intro to Life Sciences I for Non-Biology Majors. This course provides hands-on laboratory exercises that highlight the fundamental principles concerning the cellular processes of organisms: characteristics of life, basic chemistry of life, differences in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells including cell structure and function, analyzing genetic principles including cellular reproduction, and understanding gene expression and its use in biotechnology. This course is designed for students not majoring in biology. Non-biology majors taking this course must be concurrently registered for BIOL 1308, unless already taken.

This optional laboratory-based course accompanies BIOL 1309, Intro to Life Sciences II for Non-Biology Majors. This course provides hands-on laboratory exercises 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 organism relationships and their environments. This course is designed for students not majoring in biology but still require a science lab component. Non-biology majors taking this course must be concurrently registered for BIOL 1309, unless already taken.

In this seminar course, students will begin to acquire the resources and skills needed to successfully navigate their journey toward graduate school and/or further study in STEM fields. Open to all, from freshmen to seniors, students will begin to develop their online presence, identify potential mentors, create resumes and personal statements, and gain practice in ways of communicating their work in the form of abstracts, elevator pitches, and posters. Students will receive support and guidance from the instructor and their peers towards applying for internships, paid internships, fellowships, and Summer Research Experiences for Undergraduates (or REUs). Through self-reflection and mapping their assets, students will construct a basic professional development plan tailored to their academic stage to help guide them toward their future careers. Diverse perspectives and options for careers will be presented through in-person guest lectures and online Zoom sessions. Students will also be exposed to the vast professional and networking opportunities available in the San Antonio area. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Writing and Math

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.

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.

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

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 issues in today’s society and their broader meaning to the public. Topics in this 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 are 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, Writing

This course provides students with practical, hands-on experience with fundamental principles and techniques in genetics. Through a series of laboratory exercises, students will explore the mechanisms of heredity, genetic expression, and molecular analysis.

This laboratory course offers hands-on experience with fundamental microbiology techniques. You will learn to culture, stain, and identify microorganisms, as well as test their growth, metabolism, and sensitivity to antimicrobial compounds. The course provides an introduction to skills essential for a career in microbiology, medicine, or environmental science.

This course offers hands-on experience in plant biology, from the cellular level to the whole organism. Students will learn key laboratory techniques to investigate plant structures, growth, development, and physiological responses to the environment.

This laboratory course explores the principles of cellular biology, focusing on the structure and function of cells. Students will gain practical skills in microscopy, cell culture, and biochemical techniques to investigate topics such as membrane transport, cellular respiration, and cell signaling.

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, Writing, and Math

This class covers fundamental mechanisms and other aspects of heredity, with an emphasis on eukaryotic systems. Topics covered include transmission genetics, linkage and gene mapping.

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.

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.

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.

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

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, and Writing

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

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

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 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 can also be taken as zero-credit during the summer to maintain enrollment for compliance. This course is recommended to be taken before BIOL 4304: Research Projects in Biology. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing

This lab hands-on activities indoors and during field trips to investigate, test, reconstruct and observe evolution in the broadest sense. Major topics will include phylogenetic understanding and reconstruction, species concepts and boundaries (including DNA Barcoding), population evolution and evolution at the molecular level. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Writing, and Math

This laboratory provides a hands-on introduction to the diversity and functional morphology of major invertebrate phyla, excluding insects. Students will observe preserved specimens and learn to identify key anatomical features and ecological adaptations.

This lab course offers hands-on experience in fundamental principles of animal physiology. Students will conduct experiments to examine physiological systems, including respiration, circulation, osmoregulation, and metabolism. The course emphasizes data collection, analysis, and the scientific method.

This course provides hands-on laboratory experiences that highlight techniques currently used in many biomedical research laboratories. Students will be introduced to working with in vitro model systems and will also learn how to observe and document changes in cellular behavior using light and epifluorescent microscopes.

This lab course provides a hands-on examination of vertebrate anatomy and evolution. Through the dissection of representative specimens, students will compare and contrast anatomical systems across major vertebrate lineages, from fish to mammals, to understand their functional and evolutionary relationships.

This laboratory course provides an introduction to the identification, classification, and evolutionary relationships of plants. Students will gain practical skills in using taxonomic keys and morphological analysis to identify local flora and understand the principles of plant nomenclature and systematics.

This course offers hands-on experience in applied and environmental microbiology. Students will learn techniques for isolating and identifying microbes from various environments, assessing water quality, and analyzing microbial roles in industrial and ecological processes.

The lab emphasizes practical data manipulation and the proper interpretation of statistical output in real-world biological and medical contexts. A primary goal is mastering the computational steps necessary for performing analyses and developing the skills to generate visualizations that effectively communicate results.

This laboratory course introduces the principles and methods of ecology. Students will conduct field and lab experiments to investigate species interactions, population dynamics, and community structure. The course emphasizes data collection, statistical analysis, and scientific writing.

This laboratory provides hands-on experience with the anatomy, diversity, and evolution of vertebrates. Through dissection and comparative analysis, students will identify key anatomical structures and understand the functional and phylogenetic relationships among different vertebrate groups.

This course provides a hands-on introduction to the study of animal behavior. Students will learn fundamental concepts in ethology and conduct experiments on topics such as foraging, communication, and social interactions, emphasizing data collection and analysis.

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. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Writing, and Math

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. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Writing, and Math

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. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Writing, and Math

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. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing

Many microorganisms have the potential to cause disease. An understanding of the mechanisms that promote bacterial pathogenesis is therefore essential for the development of effective disease prevention and/or treatment strategies. This course will explore the mechanisms by which microbial pathogens adhere to, invade, and persist in the human host. While an emphasis will be placed on microbial mechanisms of disease, the host response to the infectious process will also be discussed. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Writing, and Math

Classification, anatomy, life history and evolution of invertebrates exclusive of insects.

A study of the fundamental process of the animal systems. This course will cover physiological processes of animals from the molecular to organismal and population levels.

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. Recommended: CHEM 2323 and CHEM 2123.

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.

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.

Using the context of microbial ecology, students will investigate ecological and evolutionary processes that generate, maintain, and perturb biodiversity in urban and rural, biotic and abiotic environments. Students will be introduced to contemporary ecology practices including computer-based simulations, statistics, and modeling, as well as modern microbiological molecular and sequencing approaches. Students will examine microbial ecosystem structure and processes in a variety of habitats, including soils, oceans, and the human gut, and engage in research and experiments to demonstrate concepts in microbial diversity and transmission. Ethical considerations will be introduced along with the concepts of sustainability and bioremediation, environmental justice, and environmental ethics, as well as challenges and opportunities. Concepts will be reinforced with in-class assignments, experiments and activities, case studies and discussions, and students evaluated by quizzes, experiment write-ups, team projects, discussion of the primary literature, and online exams.

Explores the principles of probability, exploratory data analysis, experimental design and common inferential statistical techniques used in the biological and medical sciences. Emphasis is placed on the applications of these methods and practical considerations associated with their proper use.

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.

This course provides an introduction to the diversity, evolution, and functional morphology of vertebrates. Lectures will explore the major groups of vertebrates, from jawless fish to mammals, and examine the key evolutionary innovations that have led to their success. Topics will include anatomy, physiology, and the ecological roles of vertebrates in various environments. The course will also address fundamental concepts in vertebrate biology, such as systematics, biogeography, and conservation.

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 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. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Writing, and Math

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

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

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

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

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. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Writing, and Math

The Applied Plant Physiology - Growth and Development Laboratory will complement the lecture through hands-on experience in and experimentation.

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. Prerequisite(s): Departmental permission only. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing

This laboratory introduces the student to the fundamental components that are involved in wildlife management. We will take a hands-on approach to 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.

This lab course introduces the principles and methods of ornithology. Students will gain hands-on experience in bird identification, banding techniques, and conducting field surveys. The course emphasizes data collection, analysis, and an understanding of avian ecology and behavior.

This course offers hands-on experience in the ecology, evolution, and natural history of amphibians and reptiles. Students will gain practical skills in herpetology through the identification, handling, and study of local and worldwide species.

The laboratory experience will expose students to a wide range of tools used in mammalogy, including mammal identification, field and data collection methods, and specimen preparation.

Introduction to parasitism through laboratory investigations and microscopic work with special reference to identifying parasites important to human and animal health.

This course offers hands-on experience in ichthyology, the study of fishes. Students will learn the principles of fish taxonomy, morphology, and ecology through laboratory exercises and specimen identification. The course emphasizes key techniques for classifying and understanding the diversity of fishes with a focus on local species.

This course offers hands-on experience in primate anatomy, morphology, and behavior. Students will use models to study anatomical adaptations and conduct behavioral simulations to investigate primate social interactions. The lab emphasizes discussion of primary literature to link research to practice.

This course offers hands-on experience in molecular biology. Students will learn fundamental techniques such as DNA extraction, PCR, gel electrophoresis, and bioinformatics to analyze genes and their expression.

This laboratory course explores the principles of developmental biology through hands-on experiments. Weekly lab sessions will involve activities using plant models and virtual labs focused on other model systems. Students will be assessed based on active participation, lab reports, and journal article presentations and discussions.

A hands-on study of 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.

The lab will be a course-based undergraduate research experience aimed at studying the transmission of viruses in aerosols and what interventions may be used to prevent transmission.

The immunology lab is designed to provide students with hands-on experience in immunology and perform assignments and experiments that reinforce and enhance the material learned in lecture. The students will learn techniques utilized currently in research laboratories. Additionally, the students will maintain a lab notebook in order to learn and practice the process of scientific record keeping.

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. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Writing, and Math

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

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. Recommended: BIOL 3407. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing

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.

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.

Classification, structures, physiology, natural history and field identification of birds. This course may require early morning field trips.

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.

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

Introduction to parasitism with special reference to human and other vertebrate hosts.

Evolution, anatomy, physiology, behavior, and ecology of fishes from a world-wide perspective. With laboratory section in which local forms will be emphasized.

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.

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. Recommended: CHEM 2325.

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.

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. Recommended: CHEM 2323.

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. Recommended: CHEM 2323.

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

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

This course will equip students with essential skills for working with the data sets commonly encountered by modern biologists. A portion of the class will focus on teaching the programming languages R and Python, which are extensively used in bioinformatics and computational biology. In addition to covering proper data management and data visualization, we will emphasize the application of machine-learning techniques to biological data. Additionally, specific applications will include constructing alignments, and phylogenetic trees, fitting evolutionary models, modeling proteins, and working with common databases and file types. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Writing, and Math

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

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

Lectures, literature investigation and research in selected topics ranging from Ecology and Evolution to Molecular Biology and Infectious Diseases. With laboratory section. May be repeated for credit once under a different topic. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing

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

This course enables thesis research and thesis writing activities during the Summer session, while not actively enrolled in graduate summer classes. Learning Objectives: Enable the Faculty Mentor – Mentee relationship. Engage in thesis research activities, including laboratory, field and/or thesis writing.

This course enables non-thesis research and writing activities during the Summer session, while not actively enrolled in graduate summer classes. Learning Objectives: Enable the Faculty Mentor – Mentee relationship. Gain research and learning experiences in a biology area of interest. Engage in laboratory, field and/or literature review writing.

This course enables continuation of thesis writing activities, culminating in a completed thesis document and/or thesis defense. This course is designed for Thesis track students who did not complete the deadline requirements for Thesis II-Defense.

This course provides graduate students with an opportunity to explore current primary research across a variety of biological disciplines. This seminar will use a variety of modalities including journal club style review of literature, invited talks by leading biologists and proposal presentations by the students to evaluate current topics in biology.

Independent study projects provide research experience and academic credit for laboratory, fieldwork, and/or literature research. Independent study projects to be done with a faculty mentor in the biological sciences. Course Objectives: Enable the Faculty Mentor – Mentee relationship Expand study in the biological Sciences on a topic of interest Demonstrate conceptual knowledge of the field of science in a research paper or literature review Demonstrate the ability to present, analyze and interpret scientific data. Non-Thesis Track student only

This 3-hour credit course is designed to provoke thought about patterns and processes of biogeography and biodiversity as well as to familiarize students with key terms and concepts from both fields of study. Historic perspectives, current hypotheses, and important figures that shaped these fields will be discussed at length. Aside from traditional lectures and exams, there are significant components of reading, writing, discussion, and presentation.

This graduate-level course offers an advanced and integrative exploration of organismal biology by synthesizing key concepts from ecosystem ecology, physiological ecology, animal behavior, and evolutionary biology. Designed for students with a strong foundation in biological sciences, this course delves into the complex interactions between organisms and their environments, emphasizing the mechanistic and evolutionary underpinnings of ecological and behavioral patterns. Course Objectives 1. Synthesize major concepts in integrative organismal biology, including ecosystem ecology, physiology, behavior and evolution. 2. Criticallyevaluateprimaryresearchandapplyadvancedtheoreticalframeworksto biological problems. 3. Evaluatetheroleofevolutionaryprocessesinshapingecologicaldynamicsand organismal traits. 4. Communicate complex biological concepts effectively through written, oral, and visual presentations.

This course provides an in-depth exploration of advanced research methods in cell and molecular biology, integrating techniques from immunology, cell biology, microbiology, plant physiology, genomics, virology, and bacteriology. Designed for students pursuing research careers or advanced studies, the course combines theoretical foundations with extensive hands-on laboratory experience. Students will engage in practical laboratory exercises that cover a range of methodologies essential for modern biological research. The course begins with an introduction to fundamental techniques and progresses through advanced topics, including cell culture, molecular cloning, protein expression, and immunological assays. Students will also explore microbiological techniques, plant physiology, genomics, virology, and bacteriology, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the tools and techniques used in these fields.

This course enables dedicated hours for proposal writing and research activities, including written and oral communication, research design, field and/or lab work and data analyses, that will lead to a written thesis proposal, meeting with the student's thesis committee and completing a proposal defense. **Thesis Track: Required course for degree completion** A grade in this course presents as Credit, No Credit, or In Progress. Credit indicates that all course requirements were met, including completion of thesis proposal, proposal defense and proposal approval. No Credit indicates that course requirements were not met, including failing to complete any of the course requirements In Progress indicates that one or more of the requirements were not met, but a completion plan is in place for the following semester. An In Progress designation indicates that the course will be repeated for a maximum of one additional semester.

This course enables dedicated hours for finalizing research and thesis writing activities, culminating in a completed thesis document and thesis defense. **Thesis Track: Required course for degree completion** A grade in this course presents as Credit, No Credit. Credit indicates that all course requirements were met, including submission to and approval of the thesis by the Thesis Committee and completion of the oral thesis defense prior to April 1 (Spring) or November 1 (Fall) deadlines. No Credit indicates that course requirements were not met. Student must enroll in BIOL 5101 – Thesis Continuation. Once thesis requirements are met (i.e., approved thesis and/or public thesis defense), a grade change will be administered to approve degree completion.

This course enables dedicated hours for thesis writing and research activities, including written and oral communication, research design, field and/or lab work and data analyses, that will lead to a written thesis. Learning Outcomes: Conduct research project that demonstrates critical thinking and use of knowledge and skills for biological data analyses, interpretation, and communication. Develop and enhance written and oral communication skills through abstract writing, research poster or PowerPoint presentations Draft and develop the thesis document in preparation for future Thesis Defense **Thesis Track: Required course for degree completion**

This advanced course offers an in-depth exploration of the fundamental principles and current advancements in cell and molecular biology. Designed for students with a strong foundation in biological sciences, the course provides a comprehensive understanding of cellular structures, molecular mechanisms, and the intricate processes governing cellular functions. Students will examine key topics including cell structure and function, molecular genetics, gene expression and regulation, and protein synthesis. The course delves into advanced concepts such as cell signaling pathways, cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, and the molecular basis of disease. Emphasis is placed on integrating theoretical knowledge with practical applications, including an introduction to the latest research techniques and technologies.

This course provides graduate students with an introduction to biological research methods including scientific ethics, writing, and citation, and grant writing.

This course offers a comprehensive exploration of research methodologies employed in field biology, encompassing techniques in ecology, physiology, behavior, and evolution. Designed for advanced students, the course integrates theoretical knowledge with practical, hands-on experience to equip students with the skills necessary for conducting rigorous field research. Students will engage in a series of laboratory sessions and field exercises, each focused on different aspects of field biology research. The course begins with an introduction to field research methods and progresses through experimental design, habitat and vegetation sampling, wildlife tracking, physiological measurements, behavioral observations, and evolutionary studies.

This course provides graduate students with guidance on and application of written and verbal communication skills in reading, analyzing, writing, and sharing scientific information in the Biological Sciences. Course objectives are to: Enhance written and oral communication skills Develop and deepen disciplinary knowledge related to student research project Prepare and present scientific information in diverse professional formats Prepare research proposal and/or thesis towards fulfilling requirements of the MS in Biology degree.

This 3-hour credit course is designed to provoke thought about the biodiversity of the state of Texas as well as the climatic, geological, and hydrological variables that determine and define them. Natural history, current research, and important figures that shaped research and conservation will be discussed at length. Aside from traditional lectures and exams, there are significant components of reading, writing, discussion, and presentation.

Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) covers the history, terminology, and basic applications of GIS and its use in biology, conservation, and environmental science.

This course is designed to introduce students to the fundamentals of experimental design, parameter estimation via sampling, and statistical inference. Emphasis will be placed on the selection and appropriate use of widely used statistical methods in the life sciences (e.g., t-tests, correlation, general linear modeling). Students will also learn the principles of model criticism and how to assess whether data meet the assumptions of a variety of inferential statistical approaches. Students will gain hands-on experience with statistical computing, with the goal of developing students’ abilities to implement the methodologies covered in the course using a modern statistical computing environment (e.g., R; www.r-project.org).

This course introduces students to data analytics tools and techniques tailored for biological research. Students will learn to manage, analyze, and interpret large datasets commonly encountered in modern biology. Topics may include; database management, dimensionality reduction, cluster analysis, anova variants, generalized linear modeling, survival analysis, time-series analysis, and multi-omics integration. The course emphasizes practical applications, reproducible research practices, and ethical considerations when handling data.

This course is designed to introduce students who have successfully completed Graduate Biostatistics I to advanced topics in statistical modeling that are commonly used in ecology and evolutionary biology. Initially, emphasis is placed on extending the general linear model in ways that incorporate random effects (i.e., mixed effect models) and/or allow for non-normal error terms (i.e., generalized linear models). Students will also be introduced to parametric and nonparametric models commonly applied to survival data and information theoretic approaches to model selection and model-based inference. Students will then receive an overview of some of the most commonly used multivariate methods in the life sciences before receiving an introduction to basic flow control and resampling with and without replacement.

This course will equip students with essential skills for working with the data sets commonly encountered by modern biologists. A portion of the class will focus on teaching the programming languages R and Python, which are extensively used in bioinformatics and computational biology. In addition to covering proper data management and data visualization, we will emphasize the application of machine-learning techniques to biological data. Additionally, specific applications will include constructing alignments, and phylogenetic trees, fitting evolutionary models, modeling proteins, and working with common databases and file types.

Graduate 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.

This course is designed to allow the program to add a specialized course that fits the needs and requirements of the cohort of graduate students but will not be a permanent elective course topic. Special topics courses allow the students and faculty to explore current new topics in the scientific field, to focus specialized training on a particular biological subfield, and/or provide specialized training in a unique subfield/topic that is currently not an elective.

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 the use of bacteria in research. With laboratory section.

The emphasis of this course will be on host-virus interactions at the molecular and cellular level and will include standard virological laboratory assays utilized. The major focus will be animal viruses, but we will be covering bacteriophages and a few plant viruses as well. Additionally, we will be covering the development of antiviral therapies and the utilization of viral vectors for gene therapy and vaccines. The lab portion will be a course-based undergraduate research experience aimed at studying the transmission of viruses in aerosols and what interventions may be used to prevent transmission.

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 aspects of this complex relationship. A mandatory recitation is associated with this course.

Introduction to parasitism with special reference to human and other vertebrate hosts. With laboratory section.

This course requires 100-hours of field-based diving experience to achieve Scientific Diver Certification and PSAI specialty certifications. The course covers theoretical and practical topics as well as skills required to safely conduct scientific research utilizing SCUBA techniques. This course will emphasize skills and knowledge utilized by regional researchers, public institutions, and companies requiring scientific divers. Specific examples of biological and hydrological research using these SCUBA techniques from peer-reviewed scientific journals will be used to further illustrate the relevance of these skills to real-world scientific inquiries.

This course is designed to allow the program to add a specialized course that fits the needs and requirements of the cohort of graduate students but will not be a permanent elective course topic. Special topics courses allow the students and faculty to explore current new topics in the scientific field, to focus specialized training on a particular biological subfield, and/or provide specialized training in a unique subfield/topic that is currently not an elective.