Students
    - Undergraduate
    - Graduate

Contact Info

P.O. Box 32027
572 Rivers Street
Boone, NC
28608-2027
(828) 262-3025
FAX: (828) 262-2127

Chairperson:
Dr. Steven Seagle
seaglesw@appstate.edu

Graduate Course Index

Graduate Course Descriptions

BIO 5000. Bibliography and Research/(4).S.
A study of scientific writing and oral presentations using exercises in writing and speaking. Skills in searching the literature, presenting papers in specific formats, and reviewing science writing will be developed. Students are required to attend and critique science seminars and to develop a presentation using modern computer technologies to present before fellow students. Required in the first year of graduate study.

BIO 5202. Organismal Ecology/(4).S.
The study of the relationships among individual organisms and the biotic and abiotic environments. Structure/function relationships will be emphasized throughout the course. Topics to be covered include: energy budgets; gas exchange by plants and animals; resource acquisition; water relations; and morphological, physiological and behavioral adaptations to environmental selection pressures. Lab will cover techniques of measuring gas exchange in both animals and plants; nutrient uptake; water relations; foraging efficiencies and physiological optima; and techniques in microclimate measurement. Prerequisites: BIO 3302 and either BIO 3301 or 4555. Lecture three hours, laboratory three hours.

BIO 5212. Population Ecology/(4).F.
This course will employ genetic and ecological principles to explore the population dynamics of plants and animals. The role of populations in evolutionary and ecological processes will be emphasized. Topics will include conservation and loss of genetic variation in natural populations; growth and regulation of populations; and factors affecting their demography, distribution and abundance. Labs will include models of growth and regulation along with techniques for analysis of populations in the field. Prerequisites: BIO 3302 and 3306. Lecture three hours, laboratory three hours.

BIO 5222. Communities and Ecosystem Ecology/(4).F.
A holistic consideration of the interactions among populations of different species with their biotic and abiotic environments. Topics to be covered include succession; patterns in species diversity; community productivity; biogeochemical cycling; ecosystem structure and function. Labs will involve studies of net primary producation, nutrient cycling, succession, and diversity, and will include both laboratory and field work. Prerequisite: BIO 3302. Lecture three hours, laboratory three hours.

BIO 5250. Topics in Ecology/(2).S.
This seminar is designed to encourage students to develop more deeply into the ecological and evolutionary literature, with a focus on "hot" issues (e.g. the application of chaos theory to ecology, controversies over global warming, etc.). The students will be required to interpret the results of relevant papers, and to present those findings to other students and faculty. Students will be asked to do one or two presentations per semester, to critique the other students and to engage in discussion of all the papers read. Prerequisite: BIO 3302. Lecture two hours. May be repeated for credit when content does not duplicate.

BIO 5500. Independent Study/(1-4).F;S.

BIO 5502. Freshwater Ecology/(3).S.
A study of the physical, chemical, and biological factors affecting productivity in lakes, ponds, and streams. Largely a field course dealing with various approved methods of studying fresh water. Lecture one hour, field work two hours.

BIO 5503. Basic and Applied Microbiology/(3).S.
Lecture, laboratory and field trips dealing with the underlying principles and applications of techniques used in ecological, industrial and medical microbiology. Lecture two hours, laboratory work to be arranged by instructor. Prerequisite: BIO 3308.

BIO 5504. Taxonomy of Vascular Plants/(3).SS.
A study of the gross structure, reproduction, and development of the spermatophytes. Special emphasis is placed upon the classification and nomenclature of the spermatophytes. Lecture two hours, field work two hours.

BIO 5505. Nature Study/(3).SS.
Study of common plants and animals with emphasis on ecology, collecting techniques and identification. Designed for students with limited biology backgrounds. Not open to biology majors for credit.

BIO 5506. Advanced Animal Physiology/(4).F.
A comprehensive study of the physiology of the nervous, muscular, circulatory, respiratory, digestive, excretory and endocrine systems with an emphasis on system coordination and integration. Laboratory experiments, readings and reports. Prerequisite: A course in general physiology or permission of instructor. Lecture three hours, laboratory three hours.

BIO 5508. Biogeography/(3).S.(Alternate years).
The biological, climatological, geographic, and geological factors which affect the distribution of animal and plants. Patterns of distribution will be studied in relation to various sizes of geographical units. Three lecture hours.

BIO 5512. Local Flora/(3).SS.
A study of the common flora and economic plants of North Carolina including collection, identification, and methods of preservation. Lecture two hours, laboratory and field work two hours.

BIO 5514. Plant Anatomy and Morphology/(3).S.
A general survey of the external and internal structure of plants; detailed study of anatomy and morphology of representative plants from all the divisions. Lecture two hours, laboratory two hours.

BIO 5520. Cells, Organisms and Evolution/(3).S.
Various topics in cell and developmental biology are explored as they relate to evolutionary biology. In addition to a lecture format, this course is based on group discussions, oral presentations and written reports. Lecture three hours.

BIO 5530-5549 Selected Topics/(1-4).On Demand.

BIO 5551. Ornithology/(3).S.
The morphology, physiology, behavior, ecology and identification of birds. Early morning field trips are required. Extended field trips to a variety of habitats will be arranged. Lecture two hours, laboratory two hours.

BIO 5552. Entomology/(3).F;S.
A comparative survey of the insects and related arthropods with an emphasis on morphology and systematics. Methods of collection and preservation are covered. Lecture two hours, laboratory two hours.

BIO 5555. Plant Physiology/(4).F.
A study of the basic principles of plant physiology and fundamental processes such as cell properties, water relations, growth, photosynthesis, respiration, and mineral nutrition. Prerequisites: CHE 1101-1102. CHE 2201 is strongly recommended. Lecture three hours, laboratory three hours.

BIO 5556. Mycology/(4).F.
An investigation of the fungi with particular reference to the techniques of working with these organisms. Lecture three hours, laboratory three hours.

BIO 5557. Ichthyology/(3).F.(Alternating with BIO 5508).
Ecology, distribution, taxonomy and economic im- portance of fishes. Freshwater fishes will be emphasized. Lecture two hours, laboratory two hours.

BIO 5558. Taxonomy of the Fleshy Fungi/(3). F.
An in-depth study of the fleshy fungi (mushrooms [agarics], chanterelles, hydnums, polypores, and corals) with an emphasis on morphology, systematics, and ecology. Methods of collection, macroscopic and microscopic dissection, identification, and preservation are covered. Field trips are required. Lecture two hours, and laboratory three hours.

BIO 5559. Mammalogy/(3).F.(Alternate Years with BIO 5560).
The natural history, distribution, adaptations, taxonomy and economic importance of mammals. Field trips and visits to zoos will be arranged. Lecture two hours, laboratory two hours.

BIO 5560. Herpetology/(3).S.(Alternates with BIO 5559).
The morphology, taxonomy, physiology, and distribution of amphibians and reptiles. Methods of collecting and preserving specimens as well as behavioral aspects of species in their natural habitats will be covered. Field trips will be required. Lecture two hours, laboratory two hours.

BIO 5563. Biology of Aging/(3).F.
General study of biological/physiological changes over time in the structure and function of the systems of organisms with emphasis on the human body. Prerequisites: BIO 1101-1102 or equivalent. Lecture three hours.

BIO 5564. Microscopy/(4).F.
A study of the principles and techniques of biological microscopy. Lectures include discussions on preparative techniques for various types of bioimaging, the optical theories behind the imaging technologies, and the structure and function of cellular organelles. Laboratories examine practical techniques of tissue preparation for various kinds of microscopy, the effective use of various types of microscopes, and the interpretation of data obtained from various imaging systems. Lecture three hours, laboratory three hours.

BIO 5567. Lichenology/(3).S.
A study of the morphology, diversity, evolution, ecology, physiology, and chemistry of lichens as well as their significance as biological indicators. Field trips are required. Lecture two hours, and laboratory three hours.

BIO 5568. Immunology/(4).S.
A study of the immune system with emphasis on cellular interactions involved in the generation of humoral and cell-mediated immune responses. Lecture includes discussions on inflammation, antibody diversity, tissue transplantation, and immunopathologies. Laboratories examine lymphoid tissue organization, lymphocyte function, and antibody-antigen reactions with emphasis on clinical application. Prerequisite or co-requisite: BIO 3306. Lecture three hours, laboratory three hours.

BIO 5569. Invertebrate Zoology/(4).F.
Students will be introduced to the 34 extant major and minor invertebrate phyla which make up 99% of the Earth's named animal species and virtually 100% of those animals yet undiscovered. The intriguing natural history, symmetry and development, mode of locomotion, nutrition, reproduction, and primary environments of the invertebrates will be discussed. Labs will emphasize invertebrate habitats, field collection, phylogenetic relationships as well as ecological and physiological adaptations and examination of major morphological characteristics. Lecture three hours, laboratory three hours with required field trips.

BIO 5570. Parasitology/(3).F.
A survey of protozoan, helminthic and arthropod parasites with emphasis on causation and prevention of disease. Lecture two hours, laboratory two hours.

BIO 5571. Plant-Insect Interactions in Terrestrial Ecosystems/(4).F.
A study of the associations between insects and plants using lecture, class discussions and laboratory exercises. Lecture topics include constraints imposed by plants on herbivorous insects and the strategies insects use to overcome them, pollination biology and ecology and the interplay between biotic and abiotic factors in determining interactions. Students are expected to lead class discussions of current literature. Laboratory exercises are field-based mini-experiments leading to the development of an individual project with experimentation and paper presentation. As a graduate student, mentoring of undergraduate research projects is required. Lecture three hours, laboraory three hours.

BIO 5580. Field Biology of Continental U.S.A./(5).SS.
Ecological investigations of major habitats in the U.S. Prerequisites: 16 hours in biology and consent of the instructor.

BIO 5601. Animal Behavior-Ethology/(3).S.(Alternate Years).
Basic principles of animal behavior are approached from an evolutionary perspective. Topics such as instinct, learning, biological clocks, sociobiology, communication and physiological mechanisms of behavior are stressed. Laboratory emphasizes techniques of observing, recording, and analyzing behavior using a research project format. Lecture two hours, laboratory two hours.

BIO 5700. Advanced Cell Biology/(3).S. (Alternate years)
A detailed study of cellular structures and their functions as well as cellular communication and regulatory mechanisms, focusing on the eukaryotic cell. Prerequisite: a class in cell biology, molecular biology, or biochemistry or permission of the instructor.

BIO 5777. Biometrics/(3).F.
A descriptive treatment of statistical techniques used in collecting and analyzing data from biological systems. Statistical techniques include binomial, poisson, goodness-of-fit, one and two way anova, regression and correlation and many non-parametric tests. The laboratory emphasizes research design, analyzing data from student research and techniques of computer usage, expecially programs like BMDP. Prerequisite: STT 3810 or permission of the instructor. Lecture two hours, laboratory two hours.

BIO 5900. Internship/(1-6).F;S.
Practical biological experiences in federal, state, and local agencies. Graded on an S/U basis.

BIO 5989. Master's Research/(1-9).F;S.
May be repeated for a maximum of 9 hours which do not count toward the degree. Designed to provide time for thesis research. Open only to students in the M.S. or M.A. thesis option. Graded on S/U basis only.

BIO 5999. Thesis/(4).F;S.
Graded on S/U basis only.

BIO 6500. Independent Study/(2-4).F;S.
Student selects an area of investigation which must be approved by instructor and advisor.

BIO 6520. Teaching Apprenticeship/(4).On Demand.
Restricted to students in the Biology Sc.S. Program. This required course provides a teaching experience in undergraduate courses under direct supervision of a graduate faculty member. Specific objectives will be determined in a conference between the student and the graduate faculty member involved. Graded on S/U basis only.

BIO 6530-6549. Selected Topics/(1-4).On Demand.

BIO 6610. Advanced Seminar in Current Research Topics/(2).S.
Lectures, readings, and discussions dealing with biological principles and theories.

BIO 6614. Current Topics in Molecular Biology/(3).F.
Recent advances in biology at the subcellular level. Lecture and laboratory.

BIO 6618. Advanced Bacteriology/(2).S.
Modern techniques and procedures in bacteriology, including instrumental and biochemical methods of analysis and interpretation of data.

BIO 6989. Independent Research/(1-8).F.S.
A total of 8 hours credit is required for this course and may be taken in blocks of 1-8 hours. Results of the research must be reported in a scientifically acceptable manner. Graded on S/U basis only.

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