This course takes a comparative approach to the study of how various selective pressures have resulted in the evolution of specific solutions to physiological problems. These solutions are viewed within the context of the fundamental limitations to biological evolution that are set by the physical and chemical properties of matter. The exact topic will change from semester to semester. Representative topics might include vision, temperature regulation and thermal tolerance, renal physiology, or cognitive neurophysiology. Most of the material covered will be from original research reports that will be evaluated critically by each student. Prerequisites: BIOL 305, PHYS 112, and MATH 151. [4]

The combined approaches of bacterial genetics, molecular biology, and biochemistry are applied to the study of bacterial physiological processes. An emphasis is placed on examining adaptation strategies used by bacteria upon encountering alterations in environment. Topics include mechanisms of transcriptional and postranslational control, regulation of carbon and nitrogen metabolism, biosynthesis, energy transduction, signal transduction systems and bacterial development. Prerequisites: BIOL 302 and BIOL 303 or consent of instructor. BIOL 430 or CHEM 437 is recommended. [4]

Genetics and molecular biology of lower and higher eukaryotes and their viruses. The course will focus on the maintenance and expression of genetic material as it relates to cell growth and development. It will cover current topics in the molecular genetics of several lower and higher eukaryotes at an advanced level, including mechanisms of genetic control which operate at the level of DNA replication, transcription and translation. Topics to include the molecular basis of phenomena such as gene amplification, global control of transcription initiation, protein sorting and secretion, control of yeast mating type as a model for development, the origin of antigen diversity, oncogenesis, pattern formation in Drosophila, sex determination in mammals. Prerequisites: BIOL 302 and BIOL 303, or consent of instructor. [4]

The approaches of molecular biology and modern cell biology as applied to the study of both normal and diseased human states. Where appropriate, the analysis of other model mammalian experimental systems may be included. The course will involve the critical reading and discussion of the relevant research literature, and the preparation of one or more papers on specific issues or topics. The precise topics covered in any one semester will depend on the interest of the faculty and students, and with current developments in the field. Possible topics include: the molecular and cellular basis for human diseases, human molecular genetics, the human genome and proteomic project, human genetic therapy, and human evolution. Note: May be repeated for credit with a different topic. Prerequisites: BIOL 302 and 303 or permission of the instructor. [4]

Contemporary problems of structure and function at the cellular level through a critical examination of the current literature. The course includes both lecture material, with an emphasis on the experimental basis of current knowledge, and presentations by students of oral and written reports on selected topics. The area covered in any semester varies according to recent developments in the field and according to the interests of the students and faculty. The list of available areas includes: structure and function of biomembranes, composition, structure and replication of chromosomes; assembly, growth and reproduction of cytoplasmic organelles; cellular growth and division; regulation of cellular function; nuclear-cytoplasmic interactions; cytoskeletal structure and assembly. Prerequisite: BIOL 303. Note: May be repeated for credit with different topic. [4]

Theory and practice of the study of biological materials with the high resolution of the electron microscope. Specimens will be prepared for examination by a variety of modern procedures. These include: tissue and cell fixation, embedding for ultrathin sectioning; carbon film preparation, mounting of particulate materials and macromolecules; positive and negative staining; metal shadowing in the vacuum evaporator; critical point drying. An introduction to scanning electron microscopy will be provided. The photographic darkroom procedures required for the production of finished electron micrographs are included. Prerequisites: BIOL 303 and/or permission of instructor. Note: This course will not meet the 400-level requirement for the major in Biological Sciences. Lab fee required. [4]

This course pursues in depth the rapidly expanding areas of cellular, humoral, and tumor immunology. Following a brief overview of the immune system's response to exogenous antigen, the course concentrates on such topics as: antibody production and structure, lymphocyte sub-populations, cell-cell interactions, cell-mediated immune responses, cell surface alloantigens, histocompatibility immunogenetics, transplantation. and tumor immunology. The exact content of the course varies from year to year depending on the status of research in the field. Prerequisites: BIOL 302 and 303; BIOL 430 or CHEM 437 is recommended. [4]

This course will focus on the molecular biology of eukaryotic cells and will include such topics as the sequence organization of DNA and genes, chromosome structure, messenger RNA synthesis and processing, messenger RNA translation, and the regulation of the expression of genetic information. Prerequisites: BIOL 302, 303, or consent of the instructor. [4]

This course is designed as an introduction for biology and biochemistry students to the use of applications software in the analysis of DNA. RNA, and protein sequence data. Topics will include operating systems, telecommunications with off-campus databases, specific software packages for general and analytical treatment of DNA, RNA, and protein sequence data. Some elementary programming will be included. Pre requisites: BIOL 302 and BIOL 303.[4]

An introductory course describing the essential principles of biochemistry. Topics include the structure and characterization of biological macromolecules, the energetics and thermodynamics of coupled biological reactions, and enzymology. The most important metabolic pathways are described, emphasizing their cellular compartmentalization, integration and control. Prerequisites: BIOL 303 and CHEM 352. [4]

Application of the combined approaches of microbial genetics, molecular biology, and biochemistry to the study of fundamental biological processes are demonstrated. The research literature is used to describe the current state of knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of microbial gene expression and the genetic biochemistry of chromosome structure, DNA replication, repair and recombination. Prerequisites: BIOL 302, 303 or consent of instructor. BIOL 430 or CHEM 437 is recommended. [4]
Course on-line information: http://userpages.umbc.edu/~wolf/biol434/

A lecture course which considers the two major aspects of animal development: 1) the means by which, starting with a fertilized egg, progeny cells progressively differentiate from their precursors and one another to produce the ultimate diversity of the multicellular organism; and 2) the processes by which this increasingly complex population of cells is synthesized into a single integrated organism. Prerequisites: BIOL 302 and BIOL 303. [3]

Designed to emphasize cellular, molecular and biochemical aspects of basic developmental questions, this course introduces the student to modern approaches to determination, differentiation and morphogenesis. Experimental design and analysis of data are emphasized. Possible topics include: molecular and cellular aspects of gametogenesis, fertilization, embryogenesis and continuous development in the adult; mechanisms of intra- and intercellular communication; pattern formation and positional information. Developmental model systems using unicellular organisms are considered. Prerequisite: BIOL 442. Note: May be repeated for credit with different topic. [4]

This course will explore at the molecular level the interface between animal development and cancer. Through a combination of didactic lectures, reading of the primary scientific literature, and in-class presentations students will explore the latest advances in understanding how the processes that govern normal cell growth and differentiation become altered in cancer. Topics will include signaling mechanisms, stem cell biology, and cell cycle control. Prerequisite: BIOL 442. [4]

This course will examine some of the methods by which the reception of signals from the environment leads to the changes in gene and protein activity in responding cells which constitute a biological response. Signal transduction in the context of developmental biology and neurobiology will be the main areas of study. Six to eight topics will be covered in detail. The design and interpretation of scientific experiments will be emphasized through critical reading, analysis and presentation of original articles from the primary literature. The use of genetic, molecular and biochemical techniques to address questions in the field of signal transduction will be examined. Prerequisites: BIOL 302 and 303. [4]

Nervous system function at the cellular level. Ionic mechanisms underlying electrical activity in nerve cells; the physiology of synapses; transduction and integration of sensory information; activity in populations of neurons: the specification of neuronal connections; and trophic and plastic properties of nerve cells. Prerequisite: BIOL 305 or consent of instructor. [4]

Studies of important adaptation behavioral patterns and their physiological bases. The course begins with some basic principles of the study of animal behavior followed by special topics such as sexual behavior, feeding, prey capture, and predator evasion, etc. Prerequisites: BIOL 305 or consent of instructor. [4]

This course will focus in depth on visual systems of animals and humans. Coverage will span the range of modern research from the biochemistry and physiology of the photoreceptors to the ecology, evolution, and functional optimization of visual systems. Topics included: visual pigments, biochemical basis of phototransduction, visual processing and organization of visual centers of the brain, eyes, optical arrays, and visual evolution and ecology. Prerequisites: BIOL 305; BIOL 451 is recommended. [4]

Following a brief review of some important principles and techniques in molecular biology, this course pursues. in depth. such topics as the cloning and characterization of chloroplast, mitochondrial and nuclear genomes in plants; interactions of the nuclear and chloroplast gene products; genetic engineering of the nitrogen fixation genes, DNA plant viruses, and the Agrobacterium Ti plasmid. The course content reflects the status of research in this rapidly developing area. Prerequisite: BIOL 304. [4]

A study of the physiological specializations demanded by marine/estuarine environments, including the following topics: Physiological mechanisms for coping with stresses imposed by extremes of temperature, salinity. aerial exposure, and low oxygen concentrations; sensory physiology including visual, chemical, and mechanical modalities; exogenous and endogenous rhythms related to tidal or diel cycles; and bioluminescence. The course includes one or more trips to field laboratories. Prerequisite: BIOL 305. [4]

A course in probability and advanced biostatistics. Topics will include the elementary mathematical techniques used in biology and medicine, the relationships among probability distributions used in standard statistical tests, univariate linear and non-linear analyses, correlation matrices and multivariate analyses, path analysis, cluster analysis, discriminant and principal component analyses. Students will present examples of the analyses from the literature. The class will solve problems and each student will analyze a set of experimental data. Prerequisites: STAT 350 and BIOL 301. [4]

The emphasis in this course is the study in natural populations of characters whose variation is controlled by multiple genes. The foundations in Mendelian and population genetics are described, followed by a comprehensive treatment of the field of quantitative genetics and then by a discussion of the place of quantitative genetics in behavioral genetics, physiological ecology, and in population biology in general. Prerequisites: STAT 350 and BIOL 301. [4]

This course provides an understanding of the structure and functions of lotic ecosystems and how these systems operate in terms of energetics, interactions among component species, and the physical and chemical properties of undisturbed and disturbed watersheds. Special attention will be given to the relationships between biodiversity, species substitutability and ecosystem processing as they relate to the conservation and protection of rivers, streams and non-tidal wetlands. Prerequisite: BIOL 301, CHEM 102 and junior standing. [4]

Infectious agents, the bacteria and viruses, accounted for 57% of the deaths in the US in 1900 and less than 4% in 1990. The discovery and application of antibiotics and other chemotherapeutic agents are largely responsible for this dramatic reversal. In this course, the origin of selected chemotherapeutic agents, their detailed mode of action and the basis for emergence of resistant microbial populations will be discussed. Similarly, the action of selected drugs used in chemotherapy which attempts to control cancer cell growth will be outlined. The principle of "rational drug design" and radical "new" methods of attacking microbial populations will be explored. Prerequisite: BIOL 302, BIOL 303, CHEM 351. [4]

The ability to detect and identify genetic and protein markers forms a common theme for many different fields of biological sciences including medical diagnostics, environmental microbiology, food/water safety, biodefense/homeland security, and veterinary science. Because of its central role throughout a diverse set of biological disciplines the methods and approaches for biodetection are extremely varied and wide-ranging. This course begins with basic detection approaches and continues with examples of principles guiding biodetection by relating each approach to important present-day challenges facing society. The course will also include an in-depth analysis of biological principles guiding detection strategies to understand not only the potential but also the limitations of each approach. Prerequisite: BIOL 302 and BIOL 303 with a grade of C or better. [4]

This is a combined lecture and hands-on computing course comprising four major sections that study the applications of evolutionary theory to the exploration and analysis of phenotypic and biological sequence data. We will begin by building a sound conceptual basis for the theory of evolution, including an introduction to population genetics. Real biological sequence data then will be introduced and used to illustrate and extend this theory. From here, the focus will shift to some major branches of current evolutionary research, introducing recent published work for each topic. Finally, we will stage a series of student-led debates that require application of the science that has been learned to current socio-political areas of controversy. Prerequisite: BIOL 301 and 302. [4]

Life science at the whole genome level represents a rapidly expanding new paradigm that defines a new field, genome science. BIOL486 provides students with the requisites for understanding genome science and includes experimental basics of functional genomics and analytical basics of bioinformatics. Biomedical and agricultural research are developing the potential of genome science, in both the public and private sectors. Important questions that have been unapproachable are now thought to be within reach. For example, students in BIOL 486 will learn how genome science may provide tools to unravel the arcane genetics of complex diseases and traits. Information sources will include textbook(s), the primary literature, and computer methods. [4]

A "capstone" seminar course for students in the Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Program. Students will be introduced to examples of the integrated uses of the various disciplines that together comprise bioinformatics and computational biology. Prerequisites: Permission of Instructor; junior standing. [2-4]

Students who are pursuing departmental honors will write and submit a scholarly paper reporting on the outcome of their senior research project. Prerequisite: Approval of the Departmental Honors Program advisor. [2]

Original laboratory or field research appropriate to upperclass students, conducted under the supervision of a faculty member. This course does not fulfill the 400-level course requirement for the major in the Biological Sciences. Note: This course is offered on P/F basis only. Prerequisites: Consent of the supervising faculty member; upperclass standing. [1-4]

Original laboratory or field research for students in the Biological Sciences Honors Program to be conducted under the supervision of a faculty member. Note: This course does not fulfill the 400-level course requirement for the major in biological sciences. This course of fered on a P/F basis only. Prerequisite: Acceptance in the Biological Sciences Honors Program and permission of the supervising faculty member. [1-6]