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Biology Courses, Graduate Program
500-Level Courses
600-Level Courses
700-Level Courses
Marine Science (MESC) Courses
600-Level Courses
700-Level Courses
Unless otherwise noted, all courses are for 3 semester hours of credit. Course numbers preceded with an asterisk indicate courses that can be repeated for credit, with stated stipulations.
BY 501 Advanced Biology for Teachers I
Basic genetic principles; recent research developments.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
Credit Hours: 3
BY 502 Advanced Biology for Teachers II
Provides understanding of human structural and functional relationships essential in modern biology.
Corequisite: BY 503
BY 503 Advanced Biology for Teachers III
Laboratory supplementing lecture (BY 502) through use of human specimens, models, and demonstrations.
Corequisite: BY 502
Credit Hours: 1
BY 507 Microbial Ecology
Microorganisms in nature; interactions with each other and with environment. Independent project required.
Prerequisite: BY 271
BY 511 Molecular Genetics
Prokaryotic and eukaryotic gene structure and function.
Prerequisites: BY 271 and 330, and CH 232. Independent project required
Credit Hours: 3
BY 520 General Endocrinology
Principles of chemical communication in animals. Use of invertebrate and vertebrate systems.
Prerequisite: BY 309 or permission of instructor
Credit Hours: 3
BY 531 Advanced Recombinant DNA Technology
Manipulation of genes and their regulations, and techniques used in recombinant DNA technology. Independent project required. Lectures and laboratories.
Prerequisites: BY 311 and 330, and CH 233 and 461
Credit Hours: 3
BY 535 Natural History of the Vertebrates
Adaptations of vertebrates for survival in particular environments. Survey and classification of local vertebrates. Two lectures, one laboratory or field trip per week. Independent project required.
Credit Hours: 4
BY 540 Biology and Aging
Current understanding of aging, measuring aging changes, theories of aging and aging changes in various human systems.
Prerequisite: BY 103 or permission of instructor
Credit Hours: 3
BY 552 Field Botany
Principles and techniques of plant identification and classification; consideration of phylogenetic systems. Lecture and field trips. Independent project required.
Credit Hours: 4
BY 560 Advanced Invertebrate Zoology
Selected topics. Lecture and student projects.
Prerequisite: BY 255 or permission of instructor.
Credit Hours: 3
BY 565 Limnology
Biology of freshwater and estuarine organisms. Lecture, laboratory, and field trips.
Prerequisites: BY 104 and 370 or permission of instructor.
Credit Hours: 4
BY 567 Tropical Ecology
An overview of the major tropical ecotypes with emphasis on ecology of terrestrial, aquatic, and marine tropical organisms. Lectures, laboratory, and field trips. Library research paper required.
Prerequisite: BY 255 or 370 or permission of instructor. Major portion of course taught at a tropical field station in the Caribbean.
Credit Hours: 3
BY 569 Rain Forest Ecology
Overview of physical and environmental factors that structure the rainforest, biodiversity of life, and interactions of its organisms. A survey of prominent biota will be conducted. Lectures and field trips. Library research paper required.
Prerequisites: BY 255 or 256 or 370 and permission of instructor. Major portion of course taught in Costa Rica.
Credit Hours: 3
BY 570 Ecology
Ecosystems and population biology
Lectures, laboratories, and field trips. Independent project required.
Prerequisite: BY 255 or 256
Credit Hours: 3
BY 571 Biochemical Adaptations to Environment
Examination of physiological and biochemical adaptations of organisms to physical environment.
Prerequisites: BY 309 and 330 and CH 460, or permission of instructor
Credit Hours: 3
*BY 595 Special Topics in Biology I
Lecture, laboratory, or both.
Credit Hours: 1-2.
*BY 596 Special Topics in Biology II
Lecture, laboratory, or both.
Credit Hours: 1-2
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BY 605 Microbial Physiology
Microbial structure and function, growth, metabolism, and regulation of cellular activity. Independent project required.
Prerequisites: BY 271 and 3 semester hours of organic chemistry.
Credit Hours: 3
BY 607 Microbial Ecology
Microorganisms in nature; interactions with each other and with the environment. Independent project required.
Prerequisite: BY 271
Credit Hours: 3
BY 610 Comparative Animal Physiology
Special physical and chemical processes occurring at cell tissue, and organ levels. Independent projects required.
Prerequisite: BY 309 or permission of instructor
Credit Hours: 3
BY 616 Cellular Physiology
Structure and function of cells and their components at the molecular level. Laboratory experience using modern equipment and biochemical methods. Independent project required.
Prerequisites: BY 309 or 330 and CH 232
Credit Hours: 4
BY 619 Reproductive Physiology
Comparative reproductive physiology in animals with emphasis on mammals. Independent project required.
Prerequisites: BY 256 and 3 semester hours of organic chemistry
Credit Hours: 3
BY 628 Biology Laboratory Teaching Techniques
Student will assist in instruction of an introductory biology laboratory. Responsibilities will also include preparation of quizzes and practicals and designing and conducting an instructional laboratory exercise.
Prerequisites: Permission of instructor
Credit Hours: 3
BY 633 Advanced Molecular Genetics
Examination of the molecular genetics of eukaryotic organisms, including genomes, nucleosomes, chromosomes, transcription, splicing, transposition and signal transduction. The role of molecular biology in immune diversity and cell growth will also be studied.
Prerequisites: BY 311 and 431
Credit Hours: 3
BY 640 Immunology
Immune system and functions of host humoral and cellular immune responses. Mechanisms of antigen and antibody reactions and basic immunological methods. Independent project required.
Prerequisites: BY 271, BY 330, and CH 231
Credit Hours: 3
BY 642 Experimental Phycology
Introduction to algae. Experimental approaches to productivity. Algae as model systems. Independent project required. Lecture and laboratory.
Prerequisites: BY 104 and either BY 330, BY 450, and CH 462, or permission of instructor
Credit Hours: 4
BY 646 Techniques in Biological Research I
Concepts and practical application of techniques pertinent to biological research. Lecture and laboratory.
Prerequisites: Permission of instructor
Credit Hours: 3
BY 648 Psychoneuroimmunology
Explores communication between neuroendocrine and immune systems.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
Credit Hours: 3
BY 652 Field Botany for Teachers
Principles and techniques of plant identification and classification; consideration of phylogenetic systems. Lectures and field trips. Independent project required.
Prerequisite: BY 260 or permission of instructor
Credit Hours: 4
BY 653 Mycology
Fungi, including morphology, development, physiology, taxonomy, and phylogeny. Independent project required. Lecture and laboratory. Offered at irregular intervals.
Prerequisites: BY 260 or 271 and 3 semester hours of organic chemistry
Credit Hours: 4
BY 655/BY 755 Biometry
Methods of data summary, presentation and analysis and the use of computer statistical applications. Lectures and computer laboratories.
Credit Hours: 3
BY 662 Introductory Neurobiology
Introduction to biological basis of nervous system function. Comparative approach applying molecular, cellular, and systems' concepts to nervous system function is used to examine electrical and chemical signaling, neural circuitry, and cellular basis of behavior and neural development. Independent project required.
Prerequisites: BY 309, CH 231, and PH 101
Credit Hours: 3
BY 665 Limnology
Introduction to ecology of inland waters and estuaries. Lectures and field trips.
Prerequisite: BY 255 or 256. Credit Hours: 4
Credit Hours: 3
BY 671 Biochemical Adaptations to Environment
Examination of physiological and biochemical adaptations of organisms to physical environment.
Prerequisites: BY 309 and 330 and CH 460, or permission of instructor
Credit Hours: 3
BY 674 - Chemical Ecology
Chemical interactions between organism and chemical sensing of the environment, including chemical defenses against threats and chemical communication between individuals.
Prerequisite: BY 124 with a minimum grade of C and CH 235 with a minimum grade of C.
Credit Hours: 3
BY 675 Mammalian Embryology
Examination of control mechanisms of embryonic development at molecular level and differentiation from fertilization through gestation. Mechanisms of abnormal embryonic development.
Prerequisite: BY 314
Credit Hours: 3
*BY 681 Seminar in Physiological Ecology
Current research.
Credit Hours: 1
*BY 682 Seminar in Immunology
Current research.
Credit Hours: 1
*BY 683 Seminar in Physiology
Current research.
Credit Hours: 1
*BY 684 Seminar in Microbial Ecology
Current research.
Credit Hours: 1
*BY 685 Seminar in Cell Biology
Current research.
Credit Hours: 1
*BY 686 Seminar in Mammalian Development
Current research.
Credit Hours: 1
*BY 687 Seminar in Endocrinology
Current research.
Credit Hours: 1
*BY 688 Seminar in Algal Ecophysiology
Current research in specific areas.
Credit Hours: 1
*BY 689 Seminar in Genetics
Current research.
Credit Hours: 1
*BY 690 Seminar in Cellular Physiology
Current research in specific areas.
Credit Hours: 1
*BY 691 Seminar in Botany
Current research developments.
Credit Hours: 1
*BY 692 Seminar in Ecology
Current research.
Credit Hours: 1
*BY 693 Seminar in Embryology
Current research.
Credit Hours: 1
*BY 694 Seminar in Microbiology
Current research in microbial ecology and microbial physiology.
Credit Hours: 1
*BY 695 Special Topics in Biology I
Lecture, laboratory, or both.
Credit Hours: 1-2
*BY 696 Special Topics in Biology II
Lecture, laboratory, or both.
Credit Hours: 1-2
*BY 697 Investigative Techniques
Application of modern experimental techniques in solving research problems.
Credit Hours: 1-2
*BY 698 Nonthesis Research
Credit Hours: 1-10
*BY 699 Thesis Research
Prerequisite: Admission to candidacy. Pass/Fail.
Credit Hours: 1-10
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BY 746 Techniques in Biological Research I
Concepts and practical application of techniques pertinent to biological research. Lecture and laboratory.
Prerequisites: Permission of instructor
Credit Hours: 3
BY 771 Biochemical Adaptations to Environment
Examination of physiological and biochemical adaptations of organisms to physical environment. Independent project required.
Prerequisites: BY 309 and 330, and CH 461, or permission of instructor
Credit Hours: 3
*BY 781 Seminar in Physiological Ecology
Current research.
Credit Hours: 1
*BY 782 Seminar in Immunology
Current research.
Credit Hours: 1
*BY 783 Seminar in Physiology
Current research.
Credit Hours: 1
*BY 784 Seminar in Microbial Ecology
Current research.
Credit Hours: 1
*BY 785 Seminar in Cell Biology
Current research.
Credit Hours: 1
*BY 786 Seminar in Mammalian Development
Current research.
Credit Hours: 1
*BY 787 Seminar in Endocrinology
Current research.
Credit Hours: 1
*BY 788 Seminar in Algal Ecophysiology
Current research in specific areas.
Credit Hours: 1
*BY 789 Seminar in Genetics
Current research.
Credit Hours: 1
*BY 790 Seminar in Cellular Physiology
Current research in specific areas.
Credit Hours: 1
*BY 791 Seminar in Botany
Current research developments
Credit Hours: 1.
*BY 792 Seminar in Ecology
Current research
Credit Hours: 1.
*BY 793 Seminar in Embryology
Current research.
Credit Hours: 1
*BY 794 Seminar in Microbiology
Current research in microbial ecology and microbial physiology
Credit Hours: 1
*BY 795 Special Topics in Biology I
Lecture, laboratory, or both.
Credit Hours: 1-2
*BY 796 Special Topics in Biology II
Lecture, Laboratory, or both.
Credit Hours: 1-2
*BY 797 Investigative Techniques
Application of modern experimental techniques in solving research problems.
Credit Hours: 1-2
*BY 798 Nondissertation Research
Credit Hours: 1-10
*BY 799 Dissertation Research
Prerequisite: Admission to candidacy. Pass/Fail.
Credit Hours: 1-10
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Marine Science (MESC)
In addition to the course offerings listed below, certain courses given through the Marine Environmental Sciences Consortium at Dauphin Island, Alabama, may be taken for graduate credit. For detailed information, contact Dr. Ken R. Marion, Department of Biology, Campbell Hall, Room 173, 1300 University Boulevard, Birmingham, Alabama 35294-1170.
Telephone: 205-934-3582
MESC 611 Marsh Ecology
Habitat analysis, natural history studies, and population dynamics of selected marsh organisms. Lecture, laboratory, and fieldwork.
Credit Hours: 4
MESC 612 Marine Ecology
Bioenergetics, community structure, population dynamics, predation, completion, and speciation in marine ecosystems. Lecture, laboratory, and fieldwork.
Credit Hours: 4
MESC 614 Advanced Marine Ecology
Mechanisms controlling the distribution of marine organisms. Major concepts in marine ecological theory.
Credit Hours: 2
MESC 615 Coastal Ornithology
Coastal and pelagic birds, with emphasis on ecology, taxonomy, and distribution. Lecture, laboratory and field trips.
Credit Hours: 4
MESC 618 Benthic Ecology
Factors controlling life cycles of marine benthic organisms and organization of their communities.
Credit Hours: 2
MESC 619 Marine Microbial Ecology
Survey of the types of microorganisms found in the marine environment and their interactions with each other and their environment. Lecture and laboratory.
Credit Hours: 3
MESC 620 Coastal Ecosystems Dynamics
Investigation of the structure and function of a variety of coastal ecosystems and evaluation of energy and nutrient processing in disparate ecosystems.
Credit Hours: 2
MESC 621 Marine Plankton
Taxonomy and biology of marine phytoplankton, bacterioplankton and zooplankton. Lecture and laboratory.
Credit Hours: 3
MESC 622 Chemical Oceanography
An in-depth examination of the chemistry of seawater and its relationship with biological, geological and physical processes in the oceans.
Credit Hours: 3
MESC 623 Geological Oceanography
Historic and current consequences of both geophysical and classic geological processes as they relate to the marine environment. Tectonic theory, sedimentary processes, stratigraphy, micropaleontology, erosion, and the formation of hydrocarbons. Lecture and laboratory.
Credit Hours: 3
MESC 625 Physical Oceanography
Physical properties of the world's oceans. Waves, tides, circulations, fluctuations, and interactions of the sea with the atmosphere and landmasses.
Credit Hours: 3
MESC 626 Biological Oceanography
Chemical, physical, and geological patterns and processes important in the interaction of organisms and the sea.
Credit Hours: 3
MESC 627 Fisheries Oceanography
Examination of the relationships between fish life history, recruitment dynamics and harvest potential, and local-, meso-, and global-scale oceanography processes.
Credit Hours: 2
MESC 629 Fisheries Techniques
Current biological and technological methodologies for studying fishes and aquatic habitats, with emphasis on study design and integration across subdisciplines.
Credit Hours: 3
MESC 630 Marine Biogeochemical Processes
Understanding how biogeochemical processes regulate ecosystem function in the marine environment.
Credit Hours: 2
MESC 631 Sediment Biogeochemistry
Sediment biogeochemical processes and their effects on nutrient cycles, plant production, and animal distribution. Lecture and laboratory.
Credit Hours: 3
MESC 632 Ocean Variability and Global Change
Examination of large-scale, spatial and temporal variability in the earth/ocean system.
Credit Hours: 2
MESC 633 Marine Biogeography and Paleobiology
Overview of the time course of evolutionary changes in marine ecosystems and the role of historical factors influencing the distribution of marine organisms. Lecture and field trip.
Credit Hours: 3
MESC 634 Marine Resource Management
Management of marine resources, development of legislation, and impacts of management on human resources.
Credit Hours: 2
MESC 635 Marine Analytical Instrumentation
Overview of the major analytical tools available to marine scientists. Lecture and laboratory.
Credit Hours: 3
MESC 636 Oceanographic Experiences
Participation in an oceanographic research cruise. Research project report.
Credit Hours: 1-3
MESC 670 Field Marine Science
Two-week field exercise at selected sites along the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic shoreline of North America. Pre-trip lectures and readings.
Credit Hours: 2
MESC 692 Seagrass Ecosystem Ecology
Ecology of seagrass systems of estuarine environments.
Credit Hours: 2
MESC 693 Seminar in Marine Science
Current research.
Credit Hours: 1
MESC 694 Directed Studies on Marine Topics
Research on marine topics.
Credit Hours: 1-6
MESC 696 Special Topics in Marine Science
Lecture, laboratory, or both.
Credit Hours: 1-6
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MESC 714 Advanced Marine Ecology
Mechanisms controlling the distribution of marine organisms. Major concepts in marine ecological theory.
Credit Hours: 2
MESC 718 Benthic Ecology
Factors controlling life cycles of marine benthic organisms and organization of their communities.
Credit Hours: 2
MESC 719 Marine Microbial Ecology
Summary of the types of micro-organisms found in the marine environment and their interactions with each other and their environment. Lecture and laboratory.
Credit Hours: 3
MESC 720 Coastal Ecosystems Dynamics
Investigation of the structure and function of a variety of coastal ecosystems and evaluation of energy and nutrient processing in disparate ecosystems.
Credit Hours: 2
MESC 721 Marine Plankton
Taxonomy and biology of marine phytoplankton, bacterioplankton and zooplankton. Lecture and laboratory.
Credit Hours: 3
MESC 722 Chemical Oceanography
An in-depth examination of the chemistry of seawater and its relationship with biological, geological and physical processes in the oceans.
Credit Hours: 3
MESC 723 Geological Oceanography
Historic and current consequences of both geophysical and classic geological processes as they relate to the marine environment. Tectonic theory, sedimentary processes, stratigraphy, micropaleontology, erosion, and the formation of hydrocarbons. Lecture and laboratory.
Credit Hours: 3
MESC 725 Physical Oceanography
Physical properties of the world's oceans. Waves, tides, circulations, fluctuations and interactions of the sea with the atmosphere and landmasses.
Credit Hours: 3
MESC 726 Biological Oceanography
Chemical, physical and geological patterns and processes important in the interaction of organisms and the sea.
Credit Hours: 3
MESC 727 Fisheries Oceanography
Examination of the relationships between fish life history, recruitment dynamics and harvest potential and local-, meso-, and global-scale oceanographic processes.
Credit Hours: 2
MESC 729 Fisheries Techniques
Current biological and technological methodologies for studying fishes and aquatic habitats, with emphasis on study design and integration across sub-disciplines.
Credit Hours: 3
MESC 730 Marine Biogeochemical Processes
Understanding how biogeochemical processes regulate ecosystem function in the marine environment.
Credit Hours: 2
MESC 731 Sediment Biogeochemistry
Sediment biogeochemical processes and their effects on nutrient cycles, plant production and animal distribution. Lecture and laboratory.
Credit Hours: 3
MESC 732 Ocean Variability and Global Change
Examination of large-scale, spatial and temporal variability in the earth/ocean system.
Credit Hours: 2
MESC 733 Marine Biogeography and Paleobiology
Overview of the time course of evolutionary changes in marine ecosystems and the role of historical factors influencing the distribution of marine organisms. Lecture and field trip.
Credit Hours: 3
MESC 734 Marine Resource Management
Management of marine resources, development of legislation, and impacts of management on human resources.
Credit Hours: 2
MESC 735 Marine Analytical Instrumentation
Overview of the major analytical tools available to marine scientists. Lecture and laboratory.
Credit Hours: 3
MESC 736 Oceanographic Experiences
Participation in an oceanographic research cruise. Research project report.
Credit Hours: 1-3
MESC 770 Field Marine Science
Two-week field exercise at selected sites along the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic shorelines of North America. Pre-trip lectures and readings.
Credit Hours: 2
MESC 792 Seagrass Ecosystem Ecology
Ecology of seagrass systems of estuarine environments.
Credit Hours: 2
MESC 793 Seminar in Marine Science
Current research.
Credit Hours: 1
MESC 794 Directed Studies on Marine Topics
Research on marine topics.
Credit Hours: 1-6
MESC 796 Special Topics in Marine Science
Lecture, laboratory, or both.
Credit Hours: 1-6
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