Biology (BIO) 1 BIO 603. Topics in Biology. (1-4 h) BIOLOGY (BIO) Seminar and/or lecture courses in selected topics, some involving laboratory instruction. May be repeated for credit. Master of Science, Doctor of Philosophy BIO 604. Topics in Biology. (1-4 h) Overview Seminar and/or lecture courses in selected topics, some involving laboratory instruction. May be repeated for credit. The Department of Biology offers programs of study leading to the MS and PhD degrees. For admission to graduate work, the department BIO 605. Topics in Biology. (1-4 h) requires an undergraduate major in the biological sciences or the Seminar and/or lecture courses in selected topics, some involving equivalent, plus at least four semesters of courses in the physical laboratory instruction. May be repeated for credit. sciences. Any deficiencies in these areas must be removed prior to BIO 607. Biophysics. (3 h) admission to candidacy for a graduate degree. Introduction to the structure, dynamic behavior, and function of DNA and proteins, and survey of membrane biophysics. The physical principles Research opportunities include behavioral ecology, biochemistry and of structure determination by X-ray, NMR, and optical methods are molecular biology, biological oceanography, biomechanics, cell biology, emphasized. Kim-Shapiro. ecology, epigenetics, evolution, genomics, microbiology, neurobiology, physiology, population genetics, sensory biology, and systematics. For BIO 608. Biomechanics. (3 h) specific faculty interests and descriptions of field sites and research Analyzes the relationship between organismal form and function using resources, please visit the departmental website http://biology.wfu.edu. principles from physics and engineering. Solid and fluid mechanics are employed to study design in living systems. At the master’s level, the department emphasizes broad training rather BIO 608L. Biomechanics Lab. (1 h) than narrow specialization, and combines coursework with thesis Laboratory study of biomechanics. P or C-BIO 608. research. At the doctoral level, few specific requirements are prescribed. Individual programs are designed for each student at both levels under BIO 609. Comparative Anatomy. (4 h) the guidance of the student’s faculty adviser, advisory committee and Study of the vertebrate body from an evolutionary, functional, and departmental graduate committee. Enrollment in the graduate program development perspective. Labs emphasize structure and function, is open only to students whose interests are reflected by the areas primarily through the dissection of representative vertebrates. of expertise represented by the faculty. Prospective applicants are BIO 610. Community Ecology and Global Change. (4 h) encouraged to correspond with faculty members whose areas of research An advanced ecology course covering mechanisms that determine the interest are compatible with their own. Additional information is available dynamics and distribution of plant and animal assemblages and their from the Biology Program Director. responses to and roles in global change. Lectures focus on ecological principles and theory. Lab includes local field trips and discussion of the Study leading to the MS degree was inaugurated in 1961. The PhD degree primary literature. Weekend field trips to Outer Banks and mountains. program began in September 1970. A departmental graduate committee consisting of Biology department faculty and an appointed graduate BIO 611. Ecology & Conservation Biology of Coral Reefs. (4 h) student representative oversees all aspects of the graduate program from In-depth study of the various biotic and abiotic components that come application review to acceptance to matriculation. together to structure ecosystem function and biodiversity at all spatial scales in one of Earth's most productive and diverse environments, yet Programs one most threatened by human use and climate change. Lab component is a one-week field trip over Spring Break. • Biology, MS (https://bulletin.wfu.edu/graduate/programs/degree- programs/biology/biology-ms/) BIO 613. Herpetology. (4 h) Lecture course on the biology of reptiles and amphibians, emphasizing • Biology, PhD (https://bulletin.wfu.edu/graduate/programs/degree- the unique morphological, physiological, and behavorial adaptations of programs/biology/biology-phd/) both groups, and their evolutionary histories and relationships. Two local • MD/PhD (https://bulletin.wfu.edu/graduate/programs/dual-degrees/ field trips are planned. md-phd/) BIO 615. Population Genetics. (3 h) • PhD/MBA (https://bulletin.wfu.edu/graduate/programs/dual- Study of the amount and distribution of genetic variation in populations degrees/phd-mba/) of organisms, and of how processes such as mutation, recombination, • Structural and Computational Biophysics (SCB), Certificate (https:// and selection affect genetic variation. Lectures present both an bulletin.wfu.edu/graduate/programs/certificates/structural- introduction to theoretical studies and discussion of molecular and computational-biophysics-scb-certificate/) phenotypic variation in natural populations. BIO 615L. Population Genetics Lab. (1 h) Courses Uses computer modeling and simulation, and experiments using BIO 601. Topics in Biology. (1-4 h) populations of fruit flies and other model organisms as appropriate. P or Seminar and/or lecture courses in selected topics, some involving C-BIO 615. laboratory instruction. May be repeated for credit. BIO 616. Biology of Birds. (4 h) BIO 602. Topics in Biology. (1-4 h) Lecture plus lab course emphasizing ecological and evolutionary Seminar and/or lecture courses in selected topics, some involving influences on the physiology, behavior, diversity, and population biology of laboratory instruction. May be repeated for credit. birds, and case studies in conservation biology. 2 Biology (BIO) BIO 617. Plant Physiology & Development. (3 h) BIO 636. Development. (3 h) Examines the growth, development, and physiological processes A study of the molecular, cellular, and anatomical aspects of embryonic of plants. The control of these processes is examined on genetic, development of invertebrate and vertebrate organisms. biochemical, and whole plant levels. BIO 636L. Development Lab. (1 h) BIO 617L. Plant Physiology and Development Lab. (1 h) Laboratory study of the molecular, cellular, and anatomical aspects of Consists of structured experiments and an independently designed embryonic development of invertebrate and vertebrate animals. P or C- research project. P or C-BIO 617. BIO 636. BIO 623. Animal Behavior. (3 h) BIO 638. Plant Diversity. (3 h) Survey of laboratory and field research on animal behavior. Explores the diversification of plants in the context of convergent BIO 623L. Animal Behavior Lab. (1 h) evolution, functional processes and ecological importance. Laboratory study of animal behavior. P or C-BIO 623L. BIO 638L. Plant Diversity Lab. (1 h) BIO 624. Hormones and Behavior. (3 h) Plant diversity lab. P or C-BIO 638. Introduction to the hormonal regulation of behavior in a broad range of BIO 639. Principles of Biosystematics. (4 h) animals, including humans and invertebrates. Topcs include reproductive Exploration of the current theoretical and practical approaches to the behavior, parental behavior, social behavior, sex differences, aggressive study of macroevolution in plants and animals. Topics include theory behavior, stress, mood, and the regulations of molting in insects. and methods on constructing evolutionary trees, sources of data, and Fahrbach. cladistic biogeography. Kron. BIO 627. Mycology: Biology of Fungi. (4 h) BIO 640. Ecology. (4 h) Introduces fungi, their evolution and natural taxonomy; cell and molecular Interrelationships among living systems and their environments, biology; genetics, mating and development; primary and secondary structure and dynamics of major ecosystem types, contemporary biochemistry; and their interactions with other organisms and the problems in ecology. Weigl. environment. Lab introduces culturing, microscopic and molecular BIO 641. Marine Biology. (3 h) techniques. Introduction to the physical, chemical, and biological parameters BIO 628. Biology of Aging. (3 h) affecting the distribution of marine organisms. Explores mechanisms of aging, and effects of aging on cellular and BIO 641L. Marine Biology Lab. (1 h) physiological processes in a range of organims. Marine biology lab. P or C-BIO 641. BIO 629. Conservation Biology. (3 h) BIO 642. Oceanography. (4 h) Lectures, readings, and discussions examining biological resources, their Introduces the geological, physical, chemical, and biological processes limitations and methods for sustainability. Genetic, aquatic, terrestrial, that govern the global oceans and their role in climate change. Lab focus and ecosystem resources will be examined. is on tools and research questions pertinent to the field of biological BIO 630. Land and Natural-Resources Management. (3 h) oceanography. Provides a fundamental understanding of land and resource BIO 646. Neurobiology. (3 h) management. The major focus is on federal oversight and policies but Introduces the structure and function of the nervous system including the state, local, non-profit, and international aspects are included. neural basis of behavior. BIO 632. Microbiology. (4 h) BIO 646L. Neurobiology Lab. (1 h) Structure, function, and taxonomy of microorganisms with emphasis Laboratory emphasizing electrophysiological techniques with on bacteria. Topics include microbial ecology, industrial microbiology,