Biological Sciences (Zoology)

The faculty has approval to offer the following courses in the academic years 1999-2000 and 2000-2001; however, not all courses are taught each semester or summer session. Students should consult the Course Schedule to determine which courses and topics will be offered during a particular semester or summer session. The Course Schedule may also reflect changes that have been made to the courses listed here since this catalog was published.

Unless otherwise stated below, each course meets for three lecture hours a week for one semester.

Zoology: ZOO

180L, 280L, 380L, 680L. Research.
Training in research techniques. Individual instruction. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, twelve semester hours of upper-division biological sciences, and consent of instructor.

380M. Advanced Readings in Zoology.
A conference and reading course to be carried out under individual supervision. Conference course. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor.

382L. Graduate Genetics and Cytology.
Graduate training in the fields of genetics and cytology shown by the topics. Lectures, conference discussion, or lecture and laboratory, depending on topic. Not all topics are given every year. With consent of instructor, may be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, adequate preliminary training in cytology and genetics, and consent of instructor.

Topic 1: Cytology and Techniques.
The microscopic study of cells and their components, and laboratory procedures.

Topic 2: Cytogenetics.
The organization, evolution, modification, and functions of the cytological and genetic systems.

Topic 3: Human Genetics.
Discussion of problems peculiar to the study of human heredity; methods of collecting and analyzing human genetic data.

Topic 4: Developmental Genetics.
Discussion of biological processes controlling development, with particular attention to recent experimental investigations.

Topic 5: Theoretical Genetics.
The concepts and recent advances in theoretical genetics and evolution.

Topic 6: Molecular Genetics.
Current and recent work in chemical aspects of gene structure and function.

Topic 7: Evolution.
Current problems and developments in evolution theory.

Topic 8: Mutagenesis.
Theoretical aspects of spontaneous mutations, action of mutagenic agents, and variation in germ cell sensitivity.

Topic 9: Advanced Genetics.
A consideration of recombination systems in eukaryotes and prokaryotes, including cytogenetics of crossing over, tetrad analysis, phage and bacteria mating, and selected aspects of cytoplasmic inheritance.

Topic 10: Population Genetics.
Dynamics and statistics of genetic populations.

Topic 11: Immunogenetics.
Genetic study of the primary and secondary processes involved in the immune response. Additional prerequisite: Adequate training in cytology and cytogenetics.

Topic 13: Research Problems in Population Genetics.
Training in research techniques and participation in studies of problems of current interest. Six laboratory or field hours a week for one semester.

Topic 14: Recent Advances in Population Genetics.
Discussion of recent scientific papers and their impact on theory and practice in population genetics.

Topic 15: Research Problems in Molecular Genetics and Cytogenetics.
Training in research techniques, and participation in studies of problems of current interest. Six laboratory hours a week for one semester.

Topic 16: Recent Advances in Molecular Genetics and Cytogenetics.
Discussion of recent scientific papers and their contribution to modern work on molecular and cytological aspects of genetics.

Topic 17: Immunobiology Techniques.
Immunological techniques and procedures needed for the student's graduate research project.

Topic 18: Research Design in Biology.
Formulation and criticism of research plans; the analysis and interpretation of biological observations. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Additional prerequisite: Graduate standing in the biological sciences.

Topic 19: Modeling in Population Biology.

Topic 21: Evolution of Animal Behavior.
Evolutionary mechanisms involved in complex animal behaviors, including mate choice, cooperation, species recognition, and foraging. Additional prerequisite: An understanding of the principles of evolution and animal behavior is assumed.

382T. Principles of Neuroscience I.
A proseminar covering the core material on essential topics in neuroscience from the molecular to the systems level. Only one of the following may be counted: Biomedical Engineering 382T, Kinesiology 382T, 688QA, Neuroscience 382T, Pharmacy 382T, 688QA, Psychology 382T, 688QA, Zoology 382T, 688QA. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor.

383K. Current Concepts in Zoology (Cytology, Genetics, and Vertebrate Zoology).
Designed for beginning zoology majors and other graduate students seeking a review of modern biological concepts. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of the graduate adviser in zoology.

383L. Current Concepts in Zoology (Physiology, Invertebrate Zoology, and Embryology).
Designed for beginning zoology majors and other graduate students seeking a review of modern biological concepts. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of the graduate adviser in zoology.

383T. Principles of Neuroscience II.
Continuation of Zoology 382T; a proseminar covering the core material on essential topics in neuroscience from the molecular to the systems level. Only one of the following may be counted: Biomedical Engineering 383T, Kinesiology 383T, 688QB, Neuroscience 383T, Pharmacy 383T, 688QB, Psychology 383T, 688QB, Zoology 383T, 688QB. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, Zoology 382T (or 688QA), and consent of instructor.

384L. Graduate Systematic and Environmental Zoology.
Basic concepts and methods of laboratory and field analysis in various fields of zoology; systematics and ecology of natural populations. Lectures, discussions, and laboratory projects, depending on topic. Not all topics are given every year. With consent of instructor, may be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor. Recommended background: Zoology 453 (or 353); at least one of the following: Zoology 432, 333, 436; and Zoology 440, 369, or Botany 373K.

Topic 1: Population Ecology.
Quantitative approaches to the parameters of populations, their growth and distribution.

Topic 2: Ornithology.
Behavior and ecology of birds, with emphasis on recent developments in the field.

Topic 3: Herpetology.
Classification, speciation, morphological adaptations, mode of life, history, and ecology of amphibians and reptiles; emphasis on recent advances in the field.

Topic 4: Ichthyology.
Evolution and ecology of fishes.

Topic 5: Entomology.
Survey of original publications, research methods, and recent developments in the field, with emphasis on taxonomy, insecticides and repellents, and the role of insects in disease transmission.

Topic 6: Invertebrate Zoology.
Study of the physiological ecology of animals, with emphasis on the invertebrates.

Topic 7: Animal Behavior.
Causal basis, ontogeny, adaptive significance, and evolution of behavior patterns in animals.

Topic 8: Environment and Evolution.
Role of environment in shaping populations and communities, with emphasis on terrestrial vertebrate animals and terrestrial communities.

Topic 9: Community and Ecosystem Ecology.
Study of the ecological processes that produce and bring about change in the functional structure of communities: dispersal, colonization, population growth, competition.

Topic 10: Ecological Studies in a Tropical-Temperate Transition.
Survey of the variety of habitats along a transect from southeastern Texas to southwestern Tamaulipas, from the standpoint of experimental field ecology.

Topic 11: Ecological and Historical Biogeography.
Study of geographic assemblages of organisms, of ecological factors governing distributions, and of historical factors producing differences between ecologically similar regions.

Topic 12: Mathematical Ecology.
An introduction to the mathematical methods and models used in current ecological theory.

Topic 13: Research Problems in Ecology and Systematics.
Training in research techniques, and participation in studies of problems of current interest. Six laboratory or field hours a week for one semester.

Topic 14: Recent Advances in Ecology and Systematics.
Discussion of recent scientific papers and their contribution to modern work in systematic and environmental zoology.

Topic 15: Research Problems in Animal Behavior.
Training in research techniques, and participation in studies of problems of current interest. Six laboratory or field hours a week for one semester.

Topic 16: Recent Advances in Animal Behavior.
Discussion of recent scientific papers and their contribution to modern work in animal behavior.

Topic 17: Ecology of Marine Zooplankton.
Same as Marine Science 385. Advanced studies of the processes affecting the distribution, abundance, and production of the marine zooplankton. Three lecture hours and six laboratory hours a week for one semester.

Topic 18: Phytoplankton Ecology.
The interactions of physiology, morphology, and behavior of microalgae with physical, chemical, and biological features of the environment as related to the distribution of marine phytoplankton. Three lecture hours and six laboratory hours a week for one semester.

Topic 19: Paleobiology.
Discussion of macroevolution and of the rates and patterns of evolution of fossil taxa.

Topic 20: Systematics.

Topic 21: Insect-Plant Relationships.

Topic 22: Molecular Evolution.

Topic 23: Behavioral Ecology.
Advanced topics in behavioral ecology, considering the following in detail: animal communication, altruism, sexual selection, plant-animal interactions. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.

Topic 24: Biomechanics and Vertebrate Functional Morphology.
Functional analyses of organismal design in ecological and evolutionary contexts. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.

Topic 25: Natural Resource Management.
Three lecture hours a week for one semester.

Topic 26: Recent Advances in Computational Biology.
Discussion of current scientific papers, methods, and ideas in computational biology and bioinformatics. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.

385L. Graduate Physiology and Biophysics.
Lectures, conference discussion, and laboratory projects, depending on topic. Not all topics are given every year. With consent of instructor, may be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, organic chemistry, twelve semester hours of upper-division biological science, and consent of instructor.

Topic 1: Topics in Biophysics.
Irritability of living systems and the principles of energy transformation and transfer in organisms; emphasis on bioelectrical processes and electrical energy changes.

Topic 2: Nonionizing Radiation.
Biological effects of light; special emphasis on photosynthesis.

Topic 5: Molecular Physiology.
The biological functions of proteins; an examination of basic structure-function relationships in proteins.

Topic 6: Biology of the Protozoa.
Physiology, morphology, taxonomy, and genetics of protozoa; emphasis on recent experimental work.

Topic 10: Comparative Neurophysiology.
General treatment of the physiology of neurons, synapses, sensory and motor systems; neural basis of behavior; emphasis on invertebrates.

Topic 12: Sensory Physiology.
Physiology and biophysics of the transduction and peripheral processes of the major sensory systems. Additional prerequisite: An advanced course in physiology or physiological psychology or consent of instructor.

Topic 13: Basic Processes of Nerve Cells.
Study of information processing by, and trophic functions of, nerve cells. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Neuroscience 385L (Topic 1: Basic Processes of Nerve Cells) and Zoology 385L (Topic 13) may not both be counted. Additional prerequisite: A course in neurophysiology.

Topic 14: Neurochemistry.
Description of biochemical events associated with the metabolism of neurons and glia in both developing and adult nervous systems.

Topic 15: Current Concepts in Neurobiology.
A series of seminars designed to give students a broad background in neurobiology. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Neuroscience 385L (Topic 2: Current Concepts in Neurobiology) and Zoology 385L (Topic 15) may not both be counted.

Topic 16: Research Problems in Physiology and Biophysics.
Training in research techniques, and participation in studies of problems of current interest. Six laboratory hours a week for one semester.

Topic 17: Recent Advances in Physiology and Biophysics.
Discussion of recent scientific papers and their contribution to modern work in physiology and biophysics.

Topic 18: Laboratory in Neurophysiology.
Training in research techniques useful for the neurophysiological study of vertebrate and invertebrate nervous systems.

Topic 19: Insect Physiology.
An in-depth study of the physiology of insect organ systems, development, and behavior.

Topic 20: Developmental Neurobiology.
Neuronal cell lineage and differentiation, neuronal migration, axon guidance, neuronal cell death, synapse formation and maintenance.

Topic 21: Vertebrate Neuroanatomy.
Lectures and laboratory/demonstration on anatomy of the vertebrate brain (primarily mammalian, especially human).

Topic 22: Seminar in Neurophysiology.

388M. Graduate Cellular and Molecular Biology.
Provides graduate training in cellular and molecular biology. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Not all topics are given every year. With consent of instructor, may be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, adequate preliminary training in cellular and molecular biology, and consent of instructor.

Topic 1: Advanced Cell Biology.
Advanced treatment of the principles of cell biology.

Topic 2: Experimental Cell Biology.
Laboratory exercises, workshops, and individual projects in cell biology. One lecture hour and three laboratory hours a week for one semester.

Topic 3: Advanced Molecular Biology.
Advanced treatment of the principles of molecular biology.

Topic 4: Experimental Molecular Biology.
Laboratory exercises, workshops, and individual projects in molecular biology. One lecture hour and three laboratory hours a week for one semester.

Topic 5: Seminar in Cellular and Molecular Biology.
Offered on the credit/no credit basis only.

Topic 6: Current Literature in Cellular and Molecular Biology.
Offered on the credit/no credit basis only.

390K. Graduate Studies in Development and Reproduction.
Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Not all topics are given every year. With consent of instructor, may be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing in biological science. A course in developmental biology is recommended.

Topic 1: Hormonal Control of Development and Reproduction.

Topic 2: Cell and Tissue Interaction in Development and Growth.

Topic 3: Experimental Morphogenesis.

Topic 4: Cyclic Aspects of Reproduction.

Topic 5: Techniques in the Study of Development and Reproduction.
Eight laboratory hours a week for one semester.

Topic 6: Topics in the Reproductive Physiology and Behavior of Arthropods.

Topic 7: Development, Regeneration, and Maintenance of Neuronal Connections.
Physiological, anatomical, and biochemical processes underlying the development, regeneration, and maintenance of neuronal connections.

Topic 8: Endocrinology.
Structure, function, and interrelationships of endocrine glands, with emphasis on the control of hormone synthesis and secretion and mechanism of hormone action. Additional prerequisite: Zoology 351, and Chemistry 339K or the equivalent.

Topic 9: Recent Advances in Development and Reproduction.
Discussion of recent scientific papers and their contribution to modern work in development and reproduction.

Topic 10: Molecular Analysis of Development.
Lectures and discussions concerning the principles of animal development at the molecular level.

Topic 11: Current Literature in Developmental Biology.
Offered on the credit/no credit basis only.

Topic 12: Insect Development and Reproduction.

Topic 13: Electron Microscopy: Techniques and Analysis.

Topic 14: Graduate Survey of Animal Development.

Topic 15: Animal Communication: Neurobiology to Evolution.
The physics, production, sensory processing, behavioral function, and evolution of animal communication. Three lecture hours and three laboratory hours a week for one semester.

Topic 16: Animal Communication Laboratory.
Introduction to techniques used in signal analysis. Three laboratory hours a week for one semester. Offered concurrently with Zoology 390K (Topic 15).

Topic 17: Seminar in Physiology and Behavior.

Topic 18: Development and Evolution.

Topic 19: Mammalian Reproductive Biology.

391L. Topics in Population Biology.
Analysis at an advanced level of currently active areas of research in population biology. Offered on the credit/no credit basis only. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, and Zoology 382L (Topic 7: Evolution), 382L (Topic 10: Population Genetics), and 384L (Topic 1: Population Ecology).

292K. Current Literature in Zoology.
Examines current research literature in various areas of zoology. Two lecture hours a week for one semester. With consent of instructor, may be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Offered on the credit/no credit basis only. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor.

Topic 1: Current Literature in Avian Biology.

698. Thesis.
The equivalent of three lecture hours a week for two semesters. Offered on the letter-grade basis only. Prerequisite: For 698A, graduate standing in zoology and consent of the supervising professor and the graduate adviser; for 698B, Zoology 698A.

398R. Master's Report.
Preparation of a report to fulfill the requirement for the master's degree under the report option. The Master of Arts with report is available for approved programs only. The equivalent of three lecture hours a week for one semester. Offered on the letter-grade basis only. Prerequisite: Graduate standing in zoology and consent of the graduate adviser.

398T. Supervised Teaching in Zoology.
Teaching under the close supervision of the course instructor for two semesters; weekly group meetings with the instructor, individual consultations, and reports throughout the teaching period. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and appointment as a teaching assistant.

399R, 699R, 999R. Dissertation.
Offered on the letter-grade basis only. Prerequisite: Admission to candidacy for the doctoral degree.

399W, 699W, 999W. Dissertation.
Offered on the letter-grade basis only. Prerequisite: Zoology 399R, 699R, or 999R.

Related Courses

The following courses are described in the section Marine Science.

Marine Science 180, 380, 680. Research in Marine Science.
Topic 1: Marine Ecology.
Topic 5: Ecology of Fishes.

Marine Science 382. Principles of Marine Science.
Topic 6: Marine Ichthyology.

About the Program: Biological Sciences (Zoology)

Contents |  Chapter 1 |  Chapter 2 |  Chapter 3
Chapter 4 |  Chapter 5 |  Appendix

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