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Biological Sciences Graduate Courses
Course sections:
(Courses subject to change, please consult latest
FIU Graduate
Catalog and the College
of Arts and Sciences for current course offerings.)
- (1) Workshop covers the theory and practice
of chromatographic techniques to separate complex mixtures
of biomolecules, including absorption, ion exchange, size
exclusion and affinity chromatography. Prerequisite:
Graduate status.
- (5) Ribosomal genes from related
organisms are amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
and sequenced. Phylogenetic maps are made by computer from
sequence data. Students may use material from their own
research. Prerequisites:
BCH 3033 and Lab, PCB 4524 and Lab or Graduate Status
- (1) Workshop in the chemical synthesis
of DNA and the amplification of specific genes by the polymerase
chain reaction (PCR) Students may synthesize DNA oligonucleotides
for use in their own research. Prerequisite:
Graduate status and permission of instructor.
- (1) Workshop in the safe use of radioisotopes
in biological and biochemical experimentation, labelling
of biochemical compounds, purification of labelled compounds,
and instrumentation involved in detection of radioisotopes.
Prerequisite:
Graduate status and permission of instructor.
- Workshop in the application
of electrophoresis to biochemical and genetic experimentation.
Students may use material from their own research in the
laboratory section. Prerequisite:
Graduate status and permission of instructor.
- (1) Workshop in the manual and automated sequencing
of DNA. Students may sequence DNA from their own research.
Prerequisite:
Graduate status and permission of instructor.
- (1)
Interaction of light with matter (absorption, fluorescence,
light scattering) and emission (chemi- and bioluminescence);
analysis of spectra and enzyme kinetics. Prerequisite:
Graduate status.
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- (3) Mechanical principles are
used to analyze the structure and function of plants and
animals; especially the static of bone systems, and support
structures of plants. Prerequisite:
Permission of instructor.
- (4) Planning and conducting safe scientific
diving operations and research. Prerequisite:
Civilian Diving Certificate (NAUI /PADI) or equivalent.
- (3) Principles and practice
of selected instrumental techniques. Spectrophotometry,
electrical measurements and separatory techniques. Not for
BSC majors. Prerequisites:
Three undergraduate credits in physics, three in chemistry,
and six in biology.
- (1) Utilization of primary
and established cells to study growth cell cycle, chromosomes,
cell differentian. Special applications to basic problems
in cell molecular biology. Prerequisites:
Permission of instructor and graduate status.
-
(3) Theory and techniques for measurement of environmental
parameters of interest to field biologist. Prerequisite:
Permission of instructor.
-
(3) Systems of nomenclature and contemporary topics in classification,
including molecular evidence, numerical methods and cladistics.
Prerequisite:
Permission of instructor.
-
(3) The study of game and non game wildlife with emphasis
on management and population regulation. Prerequisite:
Permission of Instructor.
-
(1) This workshop is designed to introduce Biology graduate
students to the various resources available for graduate
teaching and research. Prerequisite:
Graduate standing.
- Graduate Seminar
(1) Presentation of thesis proposal seminar or thesis defense
seminar. Permission of instructor required.
-
(1-3) An intensive study of a particular topic or limited
number of topics not otherwise offered in the curriculum.
May be repeated for credit with different subject content.
Prerequisite:
Senior or graduate standing.
- (1) A series of lectures by an invited,
internationally recognized authority in biological topics
of current and future concern. Offered in spring semester.
- (1-2) Teaching in a biological discipline,
under the supervision of departmental faculty. Prerequisite:
Graduate standing.
-
(3) BSC 6415L Animal Cells in Culture Lab (2) Biology of
animal cells cultured in semi-synthetic media: cell nutrition
growth, cell cycle analysis, cellular transformation and
differentiation, heterokaryons and somatic cell genetics.
Prerequisite:
Consent of instructor.
- (1) Introduction to microcomputer operating
environments, the utility of microcomputers in biology,
and computer interfacing to biological instrumentation.
Prerequisite:
Permission of instructor.
- (3) Analysis of existing biological data
and experimental design. Prerequisite:
Graduate standing.
- (1-2)
A short intensive treatment of a specialized research topic
or technique. Prerequisite:
Permission of instructor.
-
(1-2) Student visits to three laboratories to learn techniques
and concepts applicable to M.S. or Ph.D. research. Prerequisite:
Permission of instructor.
-
(1-12) Completion of dissertation. Prerequisite:
Permission of major professor.
-
(1-12) Completion of dissertation. Prerequisite:
Permission of Major professor.
- (1) Presentation of doctoral dissertation
proposal seminar. Per-mission of major professor required.
-
(1) Presentation of doctoral dissertation defense seminar.
Permission of major professor required. Prerequisite:
Dissertation Proposal Seminar.
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(3) Physiology and metabolism of eukaryotic algae, including
ecological aspects of the aquatic environment and algal
roles in aquatic biogeochemical cycling. Prerequisites:
BOT 4405, one year of chemistry or instructor consent.
- (3) Aspects of primary and secondary
plant metabolism will be covered including biosynthesis
and degradation of natural products as well as their biological/pharmacological
activity. Prerequisite:
CHM 3211 or BCH 3033.
- (3+1)
The study of basic photochemical mechanisms as they occur
in molecular biological processes such as plant growth,
animal vision, bioluminescence, and radiation damage. Prerequisite:
Permission of instructor.
- (3+1) The relationship of climate
and soils to the distribution and function of the major
plant groups of the tropical regions. Prerequisites:
Two courses in botany or permission of instructor.
-
(4) In-depth study of plant ecology at three levels: individual,
population, and community. Laboratory and field exercises
will examine lecture topics.
- (3)
Review the use and management of plants by indigenous people.
Discuss emerging theories in ethnobotany, examine the role
of ethnobotany in conservation and resource utilization.
Prerequisites:
BOT 3810, BOT 3723, ANT 3 403, or permission of instructor.
-
(3) Two-week field trip to many diverse plant communities
of the state. Ecological and environmental factors influencing
plant distribution will be examined, contrasting vegetation
among sites. Prerequisite es: BSC 1010, BSC 3043 or permission
of instructor.
-
(3) An introduction to important spermatophyte families,
including systematics, ecology, and conservation. Includes
laboratory and field experience. Prerequisite:
Permission of instructor.
-
(3) Ecology, evolution, genetics and development of plant
breeding systems. Prerequisite:
Permission of instructor.
-
(4) A quantitative assessment of plant architecture, morphology
and anatomy in relationship to physiology, including the
measurement of water relations, energy and gas exchange.
Prerequisites:
Permission ion of instructor and graduate status.
- (1)
A workshop in the techniques for collecting and preserving
plants and insects for biological and taxonomic research.
- (1) Techniques to do a thorough
study of the pollination biology of any flowering plant;
basic methods and simple instruments for field observations,
measurements and manipulations. Prerequisite:
Graduate status.
- (1) Workshop in the use of video
image analysis in biological research. Prerequisites:
Graduate status and permission of instructor.
- (1) Workshop in techniques
for research on pollination and fertilization in plants.
Histological and microscopic examination emphasized. Prerequisites:
Graduate status and permission of instructor.
-
(3) An intensive study of particular plant topics not otherwise
offered in the curriculum. May be repeated for credit with
different subject content. Prerequisite:
Graduate standing.
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- (2) - Covers DNA and RNA extractions,
digestion, electrophoresis, Southern Analysis, RFLP analysis,
PCR amplification, cloning and automated sequencing. Prerequisites:
Graduate Status or permission of instructor.
-
(3+1) Chemistry and use of fixatives and dyes; histochemistry
emphasizes procedures used in research and pathology labs
including techniques for enzymes, protein, carbohydrate,
nucleic acids and lipids. Prerequisite:
Biochemistry or Cell Physiology.
- (2) - Laboratory techniques for preparation
of paraffin-embedded and frozen sections; selected procedures
to demonstrate the fundamentals of histochemical and immunocytochemical
labeling
- (3) Molecular and cellular mechanisms in
the development or plants and animals. Prerequisite:
Senior status or permission of instructor.
- (2) Field course in Costa Rica with field work
in two or more diverse habitats (rain forest, and dry forest)
Emphasis on diversity and interactions between species.
Visits to selected sites of deforestation, conservation
and restoration.
- (3) Application of basic skills
in ecology to contemporary issues in the Everglades area,
with emphasis on the relation between research and management
of wilderness, wildlife, vegetation, water and fire. Prerequisite:
PCB 3043 Ecology or permission of instructor.
-
(3) Principles of chemical communication between diverse
organisms and the importance of a variety of allelochemicals
in community structure. Prerequisite:
Permission of instructor.
- (3) The evolutionary relationships among
nucleotides and proteins as well as the processes which
yield these relationships. The possible molecular events
leading to speciation. Prerequisites:
Genetics and Biochemistry.
- (3+2)
Principles and techniques in the analysis of humans and
primates. Prerequisites:
PCB 3513 and lab, permission of the instructor.
- (3) The evolutionary explanations for the
evolution of sexual reproduction and models of sexual differentiation.
Prerequisites:
Genetics and Evolution or permission of instructor.
-
(3) The models and evidence for the interaction of development
and evolution, using both plant and animal systems. Prerequisite:
Permission of instructor.
-
(3+1) Intrinsic properties of natural and theoretical populations
and their dynamics and interactions, and responses to disturbance.
Includes field problems and computer exercises. Prerequisite:
A course in genetics, evolution, or permission of instructor.
Co requisite: PCB 56 86.
-
(4) Adaptations and interactions of plants and animals in
natural and disturbed habitats. Prerequisite:
PCB 3043 or equivalent.
-
(3) Hormones and neurotransmitters as extra cellular messengers.
Membrane receptors and mechanisms of signal transduction:
membrane channels and enzymes, direct linkage and G-protein
linkage. Second messengers. Prerequisites:
BCH 3033 or PCB 3203.
-
(3) Chemical and physical properties of the plasma membrane,
its biosynthesis and functions in transport and signal transduction.
Prerequisites:
PHY 3048, PHY 3049, BCH 3033 or PCB 3203.
- (3)
Biochemistry, physiology and anatomy of the endocrine systems
of vertebrates and invertebrates. Steroid, peptide, and
terpenoid hormones which control reproduction, growth, and
other parameters. Prerequisites:
BSC 1011, CHM 3211, one physiology course.
-
(3+1) Comparative neurophysiology; physico-chemical mechanisms
of resting and action potentials; synaptic transmission;
neural coding and integration; sensory motor function and
neurophysiological basis of behavior. Prerequisites:
Biochemistry or Cell Physiology, Calculus.
- (4) Advanced discussion of some aspects
of the biophysics, biochemistry and physiology of skeletal
muscle contraction action. Topics may vary from year to
year. Based on review articles and research papers. Prerequisite:
PCB 4703 or PCB 3703 and PCB 3203 or BCH 3033.
- (2) - Protein structure, catalysis, kinetics,
and molecular conformation, intermolecular forces; Prokaryotic
recombination, transcription and translation, gene regulation
and genome organization. Prerequisites:
Graduate Status.
- (2) - Eukaryotic recombination, transcription,
translation, gene regulation and genome organization; cellular
components, cell structure, cell division, cell signaling,
development, immunology and cancer. Prerequisites:
Graduate Status.
- (5) Principles and techniques of transmission and
scanning electron microscopy as applied to biological materials.
Lecture/laboratory combination, enrollment limited. Prerequisite:
Permission of instructor.
- (3) An analysis of the immune systems and mechanisms
of invertebrate and vertebrate animals. Prerequisite:
Permission of instructor.
-
(3) The impact of classical and molecular genetic analyses
on our understanding of the immune response. Prerequisite:
A course in Immunology and Genetics.
- (3) Introduction to the molecular biology
of animal development; DNA structure, chromatin, transcription,
post-transcriptional gene regulation molecular control mechanisms
in development. Prerequisite:
Permission of instructor.
-
(6) Methodology in the description and analysis of populations
and communities. Prerequisites:
Permission of instructor and STA 3123 or equivalent.
-
(3) Molecular genetics, controlling mechanisms, recombinant
DNA, gene splicing and gene vector construction of viral,
bacterial, plant and animal systems. Prerequisite:
Permission of instructor.
- (3) Structural organization and function
of the prokaryotic and eukaryotic chromosome: euchromatin/heterochromatin,
replication, repair, DNA sequence organization and changes
during differentiate on and development. Prerequisite:
Permission of instructor.
-
(3) The structure and function of cell membranes: ionic
transport, passive electrical properties, and excitation.
Prerequisite:
Permission of instructor.
-
(2) Critical analyses and discussions of selected research
articles of current interests. Seminar format. Prerequisite:
Permission of instructor.
- (3) An intensive study of particular genetical topics
not otherwise offered in the curriculum. May be repeated
for credit with different subject content. Prerequisite:
Graduate standing.
- (3) Molecular and cellular interactions in early
development, onto genetics, and mother and fetus. Prerequisite:
Permission of instructor.
- (3) Models of sexual differentiation and reproduction
treated in an evolutionary context. Prerequisite:
Permission of instructor.
- (3) Comparison of the synthetic
and mutational drift hypotheses; relationships between molecular
and phenotypic evolutionary rates and the phenotypic effects
of various forms of mutation. Prerequisite:
Permission of instructor.
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- (1) Students will have a hands-on introduction
to the use of a confocal microscope and imaging system,
exploring a range of technical capabilities. An introductory
session with background reading material and demonstration
experiments will be followed by individual sampling and
studies relating to the interests of the enrolled students.
Work contributing to or comprising an integral part of the
students' thesis studies will be encouraged.
- (3)
Analysis of metabolic and morphological diversity in bacteria
in the context of bacterial systematics. Prerequisites:
MCB 3023, MCB 3023L and an additional course in microbiology
or biochemistry. Co requisite: MCB 5996L.
-
(1) Laboratory to accompany Microbial Diversity lecture.
Prerequisites:
MCB 3023 and MCB 3023L and an additional course in microbiology
or biochemistry. Co requisite: MCB 5996.
- (3) MCB 5405L Biology of Photosynthetic
Bacteria Lab (1) Study of the physiology and ecology of
photosynthetic bacteria, including Blue-green algae (cyanobacteria),
purple and green bacteria, and Halo-bacteria.
- (3) MCB
5505L Virology Lab (1) Principles and methods of study of
bacterial, plant, and animal viruses. Molecular aspects
of viral development, virus pathogens, and carcinogens.
Prerequisites:
Bio-chemistry, Genetics, and Organic Chemistry.
- (3) Energy and metabolic processes; detrital food
chains; carbon, nitrogen, sulfur and trace mineral cycling;
chemo autotrophy; global element cycles. Prerequisite:
Permission of Instructor.
-
(3) Molecular mechanisms, physiology, genetics and ecology
of bioluminescence in micro-organisms, particularly bacteria.
Prerequisite:
Permission of instructor.
- (3)
MCB 6635L Marine Microbiology Lab (1) Physiological-ecological
study of the distribution and biology of marine bacteria;
diseases of marine animals; bacterial role in oceanic mineral
cycling. Prerequisites:
MCB 3023 & L and BCH 3033 & L or MCB 4404 and MCB
4404L.
- (2) Bioluminescence and chemilum-inescent theory
and methods applied to luminous bacteria and molecular biology.
Prerequisite:
Permission of the instructor.
-
(3) An intensive study of particular micro biological topics
not otherwise offered in the curriculum. May be repeated
for credit with different subject content. Prerequisite:
Graduate standing.
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- (2) An intensive study of a particular topic
or limited number of topics not otherwise offered in the
curriculum. May be repeated for credit with different subject
content. Prerequisite:
Senior or graduate status.
-
(2) Covers chemical signals used by prokaryotes for cell-to-cell
communications. Prerequisites:
MCB3010 or permission of instructor.
- (2)
- (2)
-
(2) Description of molecular genetic methods for manipulation
of prokaryotic DNA. Prerequisites:
Genetics (PCB3513) and Biochemistry (BCH3033) or permission
of instructor.
-
(2) An intensive study of particular microbiological topics
not otherwise offered in the curriculum. May be repeated
for credit with different subject content. Prerequisite:
Graduate Status.
- (2) Covers DNA and RNA extractions, digestion,
electrophoresis, Southern Analysis, RFLP analysis, PCR amplification,
cloning and automated sequencing. Prerequisites:
Graduate Status or permission of instructor.
- (2) Laboratory techniques for preparation
of paraffin-embedded and frozen sections; selected procedures
to demonstrate the fundamentals of histochemical and immunocytochemical
labeling
- (2) Protein structure, catalysis, kinetics,
and molecular conformation, intermolecular forces; Prokaryotic
recombination, transcription and translation, gene regulation
and genome organization. Prerequisites:
Graduate Status.
- (2) Eukaryotic recombination, transcription,
translation, gene regulation and genome organization; cellular
components, cell structure, cell division, cell signaling,
development, immunology and cancer. Prerequisites:
Graduate Status.
- (2) An intensive study of particular genetical topics
not otherwise offered in the curriculum. May be repeated
for credit with different subject content. Prerequisite:
Graduate status.
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(3) OCB 5634L Marine Ecology Lab (1) Laboratory to accompany
Marine Ecology. Prerequisite:
PCB 3043. Corequisite: Marine Ecology.
- (1) A laboratory course designed to
acquaint the student with biological sampling techniques
at sea. Shipboard experience will be required as part of
the course. Prerequisites:
Previous courses in marine biology and permission of instructor.
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(3) ZOO 5266L Biology of Crustaceans Laboratory (1) Morphology,
physiology, systematics and evolution in crustaceans.
- (4) Basic biomechanical and behavioral theories of
how animals feed and move. Prerequisites:
BSC 1010, BSC 1011, PHY 3 053, and PHY 3054 or equivalent.
- (3)
Systematics, structure, function, ecology, and evolution
of fishes. Prerequisites:
BSC 1010, BSC 1011, PCB 3043.
- (1)
Accompanies ichthyology lecture. Prerequisite:
PCB 3043.
- (1) Instruction in techniques
of banding wild birds, including their capture with mist
nets, identificaiton in the hand, and maintenance of federally
required records. Prerequisites:
ZOO 4472 and ZOO 4472L or permission of the instructor.
- (1-4) Dissection and demonstration of the human body
with the emphasis on structure and function. May be repeated
to a maximum of eight credits. Prerequisite:
ZOO 3733L and ZOO 3734L or permission of instructor.
- (3) In-depth knowledge of the embryonic development,
structure, and function of the human nervous system with
a great d deal of clinical consideration. Prerequisite:
ZOO 4743 or permission of instructor.
-
(3) General mechanisms of disease and comparative evaluation
of animal diseases of specific organ systems in various
animals including fish, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Prerequisites:
ZOO 3753 or permission of instructor.
- (1) A laboratory to complement the lecture
utilizing gross specimens and histopathologic material including
glass and projection slides. Prerequisites:
ZOO 3753 or permission of instructor.
- (4) The use of mechanical
analysis, electromyography, high speed cinematography and
other experimental techniques to solve problems in functional
morphology. Prerequisite:
A course in Anatomy.
- (1) Biology and sampling methods
for reptiles and amphibians. Prerequisite:
Graduate standing.
- (3) An intensive study of particular topic s not
otherwise offered in the curriculum. May be repeated for
credit with different subject content. Prerequisite:
Graduate standing.
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(Courses subject to change, please consult latest
FIU Graduate
Catalog and the College
of Arts and Sciences for current course offerings.) |
