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COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
BIOLOGY
(BIO)

5013 Survey of Environmental Sciences
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
An integrative examination of living and nonliving environmental systems. A detailed study of interrelationships among plants, animals, and the environment, addressing the chemical, physical, and biological properties of living systems, and the principles that drive their evolution. (Same as EES 5013. Credit cannot be earned for both BIO 5013 and EES 5013.)

5063 Environmental Microbiology
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: BIO 3713 or consent of instructor.
To provide a basic understanding of environmental microbiology primarily from two aspects: microbial interactions with chemical pollutants in the environment and the fate of microbial pathogens in the environment. Topics covered include microbial environments, detection of bacteria and their activities in the environment, microbial biogeochemistry, bioremediation, and water quality. (Same as EES 5063. Credit cannot be earned for both BIO 5063 and EES 5063.)

5073 Environmental Microbiology Laboratory
(2-3) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: BIO 3722 or consent of instructor.
To provide an understanding of environmental microbiology laboratory techniques using both traditional and molecular research skills. Basic techniques for isolation and characterization of environmental soil and water microflora including methods for enumeration and measurement of physiological activity. (Same as EES 5073. Credit cannot be earned for both BIO 5073 and EES 5073.)

5113 Principles of Biochemistry
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisites: BIO 2313 and BIO 3513, or their equivalents.
Biochemical properties of DNA, RNA, carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins; enzyme activity; catabolism; oxidative and photosynthetic metabolism; biosynthesis of macromolecular precursors; regulation and signaling mechanisms. (Credit cannot be earned for both BIO 5113 and BIO 7513 if taken prior to 2004.)

5123 Principles of Molecular Biology
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: BIO 3513 or an equivalent.
Molecular structure and function of genes and nucleic acids, and the processes of DNA replication, mutation and repair, as well as transcription and translation of genetic material. Genome projects, functional genomics and the genetic control of development will also be covered. (Replaces BIO 5353 and BIO 7643. Credit cannot be earned for both BIO 5123 and BIO 5353 or BIO 7643.)

5133 Principles of Cell Biology
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisites: BIO 3513 and BIO 3813, or their equivalents.
Basic structure, organization and differentiation of cells. Cell cycle, signaling, growth and movement of cells, as well as cellular immunology and cellular aspects of infectious disease will also be covered.

5143 Advanced Molecular Biology Laboratory
(0-6) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: BIO 3913 or an equivalent.
An introduction to advanced techniques of molecular biology including analysis of genomic DNA, genomic cloning and DNA sequencing, analysis of gene expression, cDNA cloning, the polymerase chain reaction, and computational analysis of molecular data.

5243 Advanced Plant Ecology
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisites: BIO 3283 and BIO 3292, or consent of instructor.
A study of the major biomes of the world, including North America and Texas, and the factors that influence the development of these biomes. Special consideration is given to species interactions that lead to high- and-low density species. (Same as EES 5243. Credit cannot be earned for both BIO 5243 and EES 5243.)

5263 Microbial Ecology
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: BIO 3713 or consent of instructor.
Interrelationships between microorganisms and their environment, including natural habitats of microorganisms, normal human flora, and pathogens. Special consideration is given to application of genetically engineering microorganisms for environmental problems. (Same as EES 5263. Credit cannot be earned for both BIO 5263 and EES 5263.)

5333 Advanced Population Genetics
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisites: BIO 2313 and BIO 2322, or their equivalents. Biostatistics highly recommended.
An experimental approach to the interaction of genotype and environment in populations, with emphasis on mutagenesis, selection, polymorphism, and adaptive mechanisms.

5373 Microbial Genetics and Recombinant DNA
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisites: BIO 2313, BIO 3513, and BIO 3713, or consent of instructor.
This course covers recombinant DNA and various technologies that it has spawned. It also covers those aspects of microbial genetics that directly relate to recombinant DNA. (Formerly BIO 5363. Credit cannot be earned for both
BIO 5363 and BIO 5373.)

5403 Advanced Comparative Animal Physiology
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: BIO 4353 or an equivalent.
Physiology of the organs and organ systems of animals.

5423 Neuroanatomy
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
The anatomy of the vertebrate nervous system.

5433 Neurophysiology
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: BIO 3433 or an equivalent.
The fundamentals of neurophysiology are presented from the cellular to the systems level.

5443 Neurochemistry
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisites: BIO 3433, BIO 3513, and BIO 3522.
An examination of basic biochemical phenomena involved in normal neural processes and some pathological changes associated with neurobiological diseases and disorders.

5453 Neuroendocrinology
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisites: BIO 3433 and BIO 3813.
Anatomical and molecular neurobiology of the endocrine hypothalamus and associated organs. Morphological, cell biological, and feedback mechanisms of endocrine regulation are emphasized.

5463 Reproductive Biology
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: Graduate standing in Biology.
Mammalian reproduction including mechanisms involved in sexual differentiation, fertilization, and fetal development. Endocrine regulation and environmental influences with a focus on human reproduction.

5473 Developmental Neurobiology
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: BIO 3433or consent of instructor.
A study of the development of the nervous system, with an emphasis on neurogenesis, neuronal migration, growth factors axonal guidance, and the role of neuronal activity in synapse stabilization.

5483 Computational Neuroscience
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: BIO 3433 or an equivalent.
A non-mathematical approach to the computational functions of the brain, including sensory coding, neural control of movement, and the computational properties of neurons and neuronal networks.

5493 Cognitive Neuroscience
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisites: BIO 4813 (or PSY 3103 and PSY 4183) and BIO 3433, or consent of instructor.
A study of the biological foundations of mental phenomena, including perception, attention, learning, memory, language, motor control, and executive function, as well as functional specialization, development and plasticity, through various methodologies.

5503 Sensory Physiology
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: BIO 3433 or consent of instructor.
Principles of sensory physiology, including sensory transduction and central processing of sensory information in vertebrate and invertebrate species.

5523 Enzymes
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: BIO 3513 or an equivalent.
A study of enzyme structure and mechanism, inhibitors, cofactor, kinetics, and regulation.

5533 Human Electrophysiology
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisites: BIO 4813 (or PSY 3103 and PSY 4183) and BIO 3433, or consent of instructor.
A detailed study of the electrophysiology basis of human behavior, with an emphasis on event-related brain potentials associated with cognitive function, perception and action.

5543 Pharmacology and Toxicology
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: Graduate standing in Biology.
Mechanisms of action of major classes of therapeutic drugs. Clinical uses, drug comparisons, beneficial and adverse effects involved in clinical therapeutics.

5583 Molecular Neuropharmacology
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: Graduate standing in Biology.
A study of drugs that affect nervous tissue, specifically those affecting the brain and autonomic nervous system.

5593 Proteomics
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: BIO 3513 or an equivalent.
Protein sequences, domains, folding, proteomics, glycoproteins, protein-DNA interactions, RNA conformations. (Formerly BIO 5563. Credit cannot be earned for both BIO 5593 and BIO 5563.)

5623 Bioinformatics for Biotechnology
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: BIO 2313 or STA 1993, or an equivalent.
Nucleic acid and protein sequence analysis, phylogenetic analysis, protein structure analysis, microarray technology – experimental design and analysis, proteomics and internet resources and tools related to all these topics. (Credit cannot be earned for both BIO 5623 and BIO 5643.

5633 Cytodifferentiation
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: Graduate standing in Biology.
Detailed study of selected areas of developmental biology relating to cellular differentiation, including nuclear-cytoplasmic interactions, induction, and reversibility of differentiation.

5643 Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: BIO 2313 or STA 1993, or an equivalent; enrollment in Biology Ph.D. program, or permission of the Biology Department or instructor.
Computational analysis of sequences, protein structures, and gene expression network on a large scale. Comparative genomics, functional genomics, and proteomics will also be covered.

5653 Biology of Disease
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisites: BIO 3513 and BIO 3813, or BIO 5133.
A study of molecular and cellular events associated with disease processes. Diseases to be discussed include Alzheimer’s, LDL-atherosclerosis, cancer, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and diseases associated with defects in lysosome and mitochondrial function.

5723 Topics in Biodefense
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisites:BIO 2313,BIO 3513, andBIO 3713, and instructor’s consent.
This course encompasses the biology of agents important in biodefense and emerging infectious diseases. The course uses the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Select Agent Categories as the curriculum template, with special emphasis on Category A agents.

5733 Advanced Medical Mycology
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisites:BIO 3522 and BIO 3722.
This course is a comprehensive study of the etiological agents and host factors that lead to fungal disease in humans.

5743 Biochemical Virology
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: Graduate standing in Biology.
A detailed study of the diversity of viruses and biochemical mechanisms for their replication.

5762 Fundamentals of Immunology for Biotechnology
(2-0) 2 hours credit.
An integrated examination of the principles of immunology pertained to the Biotechnology Industry. An emphasis on current immunological techniques, including: recombinant antibody, flow cytometry and elispot technology. Issues related to vaccine production and therapeutics will also be considered.

5773 Applied Fungal Molecular Biology
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisites: BIO 3522 and BIO 3722.
Examines basic principles of fungal physiology and genetics and explores how these are exploited in both biomedical research and industrial settings. Particular emphases include the production of modified proteins and the identification of novel protein interactions.

5783 Introduction to Good Manufacturing Practices and Good Laboratory Practices
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
Review of FDA and U.S. Pharmacopia regulations. Practical considerations for the implementation of GMP/GLP systems; data management and reporting, as well as problem solving and interpretive skills,will be emphasized.

5833 Membrane Structure and Function
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: BIO 3513 or an equivalent.
A study of the composition, organization, transport functions, and permeability of natural and model membranes.

5971-3 Directed Research
1 to 3 hours credit. Prerequisites: Admission to either the Biology or Biotechnology Master’s program or admission as a special graduate or non-degree-seeking student, and permission in writing (form available) of the instructor and the student’s Graduate Advisor of Record.
The directed research course may involve either a laboratory or a theoretical problem. May be repeated for credit, but not more than 6 hours, regardless of discipline, in combination with BIO 6953 (Independent Study), will apply to the Master’s degree.

6113 Advanced Plant Physiology
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: BIO 4603 or consent of instructor.
Principles of plant physiology, biochemistry, and an in-depth study of topics selected from the following: plant hormones, nitrogen fixation, plant respiration, photosynthesis, together with current research work. (Same as
EES 6113. Credit cannot be earned for both BIO 6113 and EES 6113.)

6123 Plant Molecular Biology
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: BIO 5123 or an equivalent.
An overview of plant molecular biology, emphasizing the theoretical and practical aspects of protoplast isolation, introduction of foreign DNA into plant tissues and cells, and the regeneration of transformants. Specific uses of plant genetic engineering to improve agronomic yield and the nutritional quality of crop plants, and to produce novel natural products such as pharmaceutical compounds, will also be covered.

6133 Methods in Field Biology
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: BIO 3283or an equivalent.
Examination of techniques to collect, identify, and preserve plants and animals. Field methods used in the analysis of populations and communities are considered. (Same as EES 6133. Credit cannot be earned for both BIO 6133 and
EES 6133.)

6213 Advanced Ecology
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: BIO 3283 or an equivalent.
Interaction of organisms with their environment, allelopathy, competition, distribution, succession, and factors that control growth and dispersal. Special consideration is given to the concepts of climax, succession, and land management. (Same as EES 6213. Credit cannot be earned for both BIO 6213 and EES 6213.)

6243 Gene Regulation
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: BIO 5123 or consent of instructor.
A study of the mechanisms that regulate gene expression with an emphasis on those regulating transcription in mammals and certain model systems including bacteria, bacteriophage, and yeast.

6253 Biodegradation of Organics in Soil and Groundwater
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: BIO 3713 or consent of instructor.
Description of modern pollution problems and potential remediation techniques focusing on the chemistry, biochemistry, and molecular biology of biodegradation of hazardous and toxic compounds. (Same as EES 6253. Credit cannot be earned for both BIO 6253 and EES 6253.)

6313 Molecular Biology and Biophysics of Ion Channels
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisites: BIO 5433 and BIO 5443, or consent of instructor.
A study of the molecular composition and biophysical properties of ion channels. The course emphasizes three families of ion channels: voltage-gated, ligand-gated and metabotropically-stimulated channels. Their structure and function will be related to how ion channels mediate cellular actions in excitable cells.

6373 Invertebrate Physiology
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: BIO 3413.
An investigation of the mechanisms of respiration, movement, ion and water regulation, and hormonal integration in the invertebrates.

6483 Animal Behavior
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: BIO 3413 or consent of instructor.
An examination of neural, endocrine, genetic, and environmental determinants of behavior.

6513 Drug Development
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisites: BIO 5113, BIO 5123 and BIO 5133.
This course will provide students with an overview of the early drug discovery process, including target identification, validation, assay development and high throughput screening up to pre-clinical trials.

6523 Cell and Tissue Engineering
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisites: BIO 5113, BIO 5123 and BIO 5133.
An interdisciplinary course complementing the natural sciences with material sciences to solve critical medical problems involving tissue defects and organ failures. The approaches range from the management of a single cell to exploitation of complex mixtures of cells to repair and produce complete, living tissue to heal currently still incurable chronic, degenerative diseases or to prevent acute organ failure.

6533 Topics in Biotechnology
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisites: BIO 5113, BIO 5123 and BIO 5133.
An organized course offering the opportunity for specialized study in an area of biotechnology not normally available as a regular course. Topics in Biotechnology may be repeated for credit when topics vary, but not more than 6 hours may be applied to the Master’s degree.

6543 Vaccine Development
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisites: BIO 5762 and consent of instructor.
This course will provide students with an overview of issues about the roles of vaccines in the control of infectious diseases, vaccine development, clinical trials and implementation of vaccine programs.

6553 Fermentation Science
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisites: BIO 3713 and BIO 3722, or their equivalents.
The principles and theory underlying industrial fermentations, such as vessel design and construction, media design, up-scaling fermentations, process control, and product isolation.

6563 Food Science and Biotechnology
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisites: BIO 3713 and BIO 3722, or their equivalents.
An overview of food science covering nutrition, dietary recommendations, food chemistry, food preservation and safety, and an in-depth look at the uses of biotechnology in the food industry.

6663 Experimental Parasitology
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: A course in parasitology or consent of instructor.
A study of animal parasites, with special emphasis on the physiology of host-parasite interactions.

6773 Host-Parasite Interactions
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisites: BIO 3713 and BIO 4743, or consent of instructor.
A study of molecular interactions between animals and microorganisms, with emphasis on the nature of infectious disease processes and on the adaptations that allow microbial pathogens to avoid host defenses.

6803 Advanced Immunology and Immunochemistry
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: BIO 4743 or consent of instructor.
The study of current concepts of humoral and cell-mediated immunity, with emphasis on molecular mechanisms.

6873 Microbial Physiology and Energetics
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: BIO 3713 or consent of instructor.
Consideration of physiological activities of microorganisms, with special emphasis on metabolic capabilities of bacteria and other microorganisms.

6951-3 Independent Study
1 to 3 hours credit. Prerequisites: Graduate standing and permission in writing (form available) of the instructor and the student’s Graduate Advisor of Record.
Independent reading, research, discussion, and/or writing under the direction of a faculty member. For students needing specialized work not normally or not often available as part of the regular course offerings. May be repeated for credit, but not more than 6 hours, regardless of discipline, in combination with BIO 5973, Directed Research, will apply to the Master’s degree.

6961 Comprehensive Examination
1 hour credit. Prerequisite: Approval of the appropriate graduate program committee to take the Comprehensive Examination.
Independent study course for the purpose of taking the Comprehensive Examination. May be repeated as many times as approved by the Graduate Program Committee. Enrollment is required each term in which the Comprehensive Examination is taken if no other courses are being taken that term. The grade report for the course is either “CR” (satisfactory performance on the Comprehensive Examination) or “NC” (unsatisfactory performance on the Comprehensive Examination).

6973 Special Problems
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
An organized course offering the opportunity for specialized study not normally or not often available as part of the regular course offerings. Special Problems courses may be repeated for credit when the topics vary, but not more than 6 hours, regardless of discipline, will apply to the Master’s degree.

6983 Master’s Thesis
3 hours credit. Prerequisites: Permission of the Graduate Advisor of Record and thesis director.
Thesis research and preparation. May be repeated for credit, but not more than 6 hours will apply to the Master’s degree. Credit will be awarded upon completion of the thesis. Enrollment is required each term in which the thesis is in progress.

7041 Biology Colloquium
(1-0) 1 hour credit. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
Discussions of current journal articles, reviews, and recent advances in specialized areas of the biological sciences. May be repeated for credit as topics vary. The grade report for this course is either “CR” (satisfactory participation in the colloquium) or “NC” (unsatisfactory participation in the colloquium). (Formerly BIO 5041. Same as EES 6941. Unless topic varies, credit cannot be earned for both BIO 7041 and EES 6941.)

7051 Seminar in Life Sciences
(1-0) 1 hour credit. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
Formal presentations of research by outside authorities in the biological sciences. May be repeated for credit. The grade report for this course is either “CR” (satisfactory participation in the seminar) or “NC” (unsatisfactory participation in the seminar).

7101 Cell and Molecular Biology Introductory Colloquium
(1-0) 1 hour credit. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
Required course for first-year Cell and Molecular Ph.D. students. Discussions of current journal articles, reviews, and recent advances in specialized areas of the biological sciences. The grade report for this course is either “CR” (satisfactory participation in the seminar) or “NC” (unsatisfactory participation in the seminar). Cannot be repeated for credit.

7113 Supervised Teaching in Biology
3 hours credit. Prerequisite: Admission to candidacy for the Doctoral degree.
Required course for Biology doctoral students. Participation in instructing an established lecture or laboratory course, including delivering lectures and assisting with preparation and grading of exams. May be repeated for credit.

7143 Principles of Biological Scientific Writing
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
This course will provide an overview of scientific grant and manuscript preparation. The class will be directed toward producing a Ph.D. dissertation proposal and a predoctoral fellowship application.

7211-6 Doctoral Research
1 to 6 hours credit. Prerequisite: Admission to either the Neurobiology or Cell and Molecular Biology Doctoral program.
May be repeated for credit.

7311-3,5,8 Doctoral Dissertation
1, 2, 3, 5, or 8 hours credit. Prerequisites: Admission to candidacy for the Doctoral degree.
May be repeated for credit.

7413 Research Ethics and Responsible Conduct in Research
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
A case-study approach to formal training in the responsible conduct of research. Includes areas of conflict of interest, responsible authorship, policies for handling misconduct, policies regarding the use of human and animal subjects, and data management.

7513 Advanced Biochemistry
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisites: BIO 5113 and BIO 5123.
Topics in biochemical structure, regulation, signaling, and analysis.

7542,3 Bioprocessing and Protein Purification Laboratory
(0-4, 0-6) 2 or 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: Enrollment in Master’s in Biotechnology program.
Small- to large-scale growth of microorganisms and eukaryotic cells followed by downstream processing of culture supernatants and/or cell pellets, and protein purification.

7563 Practicum in Biotechnology
3 hours credit. Prerequisites: Enrollment in Master’s in Biotechnology program and at least 9 hours credit.
An internship in a Biotechnology company in San Antonio. Must have approval of Biotechnology Graduate Studies Committee.

7571-3 Experimental Techniques in Biology
(0-2, 0-4, 0-6) 1 to 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
Topics include research methods in cell and molecular biology, molecular neurobiology, and microbiology. May be repeated for credit as topics vary. (Formerly BIO 5571-3.)

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