Offered by Department of Biology
College of Natural and Social Sciences
BIOL Courses
- BIOL 800P - Microbiology - 4 hours
- An introduction to bacteria and other microorganisms; laboratory technique stressed.
- BIOL 801P - Principles of Immunology - 3-4 hours
- Topics to be covered include: 1) the structural and functional aspects of the immune system, 2) disorders of the immune
system, 3) structure and function of antibody molecules, 4) immuno-biology of tissue transplants, 5) basic aspects of
cancer and cancer therapy that relate to immunology, 6) allergies, and 7) antigen-antibody interaction. Lab required.
- BIOL 802 - Organic Evolution - 3 hours
- A study of evolution beginning with the origin of life and characterizing biological mechanisms of evolution leading to
present biodiversity.
- BIOL 803P - Plant Physiology - 3 hours
- Life processes of plants with an emphasis on water relations and hormonal and stress physiology.
- BIOL 804 - Evolution of Epidemics - 3 hours
- Through videotaped lectures, reading and writing assignments, and on-line discussions, students will develop an
understanding of the origin and the evolution of plagues. We will illustrate the techniques humans have to defend
against epidemics and will speculate about their role in shaping humanity and our futures.
- BIOL 804P - Developmental Biology - 3 hours
- The primary objective of this course is to learn about developmental biology. Students will be introduced to the
conceptual framework of developmental biology and its classical and modern experimental approaches in the classroom, in
the laboratory and by analyzing recent papers in the field.
- BIOL 805P - Range and Wildlife Management - 3 hours
- Basic principles of range and pasture management for use by domestic livestock and wildlife.
- BIOL 806P - Plant Ecology - 3 hours
- A study of plants in relation to their environment.
- BIOL 809P - Biological Studies using GIS - 3 hours
- Prereq: BIOL 307*, General Biology I & II
Students will become proficient in the use of ESRI's ArcView and ArcGIS. In order to do this students will become
familiar with basic cartographic principles needed to use GIS software. Student will also learn about online data
sources, GPS receivers, and organizing data structures on computers for projects. Independent projects will be required
to allow students to get that crucial experience.
- BIOL 810P - Fire Ecology and Management in Grasslands - 1 hour
- Familiarizes students with the role of fire as a major ecosystem process in grasslands and its use as a management tool.
Provides the opportunity for certification for prescribed burning and wildland firefighting at federal, state, or private agency
levels.
- BIOL 811 - Scientific Illustration - 3 hours
- An introduction to the discipline of scientific illustration. Students will learn the fundamental principles of creating effective
illustrations for the purpose of communicating science. A limited set of media types, both traditional and digital, will be explored.
The main focus will be on creating the best images for use in research, teaching, journal publications, presentations, and other
applications. Copyright and other legal issues will also be discussed. A basic knowledge of biological concepts is useful; artistic
ability not required.
- BIOL 812 - Microbial Diversity - 3 hours
- New techniques in molecular biology have revealed three distinct cell lineages: bacteria, archaea, and eukaryae. When considering
microorganisms, this information has created major changes in our understanding of phylogeny and our use of taxonomy. This course will
begin with current taxonomic groupings of microorganisms and their basic characteristics. The second half of the course will focus on
how these groupings were created and on what weaknesses there are in our current understanding.
- BIOL 814 - Plant Pathology - 3 hours
- The course focuses on the biology of plant pathogen interactions. Students will gain an in depth knowledge of the
disease processes of a large variety of plant diseases at both the whole plant and the molecular level. Emphasis is
also placed on current issues and topics in plant pathology in independent research review projects.
- BIOL 816P - Plant Diversity and Evolution - 4 hours
- Morphology of each group of the plant kingdom.
- BIOL 818P - Plant Taxonomy - 3 hours
- Collection and identification of vascular plants with emphasis on the prairies and plains. A family approach is
utilized. Three hours of laboratory or fieldwork each week.
- BIOL 820 - Introduction to Graduate Study - 3 hours
- An introduction to graduate research methods and biological techniques for the professional teacher and biologist.
Emphasis on literature of science, design of a problem, methods and techniques of biological investigation and
scientific writing. The student will submit a research proposal as one requirement of the course. No grade of
incomplete will be given. The student is encouraged to take this course during his/ her first nine hours of graduate
work in Biology.
- BIOL 821 - Directed Readings - 1-3 hours
- Prereq: permission of instructor
Enables the student to supplement knowledge in selected areas of biology.
Primarily independent readings as assigned by the instructor.
Readings in Genetic & Societal Problems
Readings in Biological Techniques
Readings in Vertebrate Biology
Readings in Invertebrate Biology
Readings in Aquatic Biology
Readings in Cell Biology
Readings in Recent Developments in Biology
Readings in Systematics and Ecology
Readings in Evolution
Readings in Botany
Readings in Microbiology
Readings in Developmental Biology
- BIOL 822 - Advances in Biology - 1-3 hours
- Recent advances in biological topics will be covered. A maximum of 6 hours credit may be counted toward a degree.
- BIOL 824 - Principles of Ecology - 3 hours
- This course examines some of the most important papers in the field of ecology as a means for understanding the field, where it
has been, and where it may go. Ecology has many definitions that have changed through time and interpretation of different authors;
we discuss what the modern scientific boundary of this field are. To this end, part of the course reviews the current state of
ecology with modern writings, but the majority of the course is spent reading classic papers. This course also has a lab
component consisting of experiments that can be done at any location.
- BIOL 827 - Biological Statistics - 3 hours
- This statistics course explores data analysis by exploring data analysis through sample distributions, hypotheses testing,
one-sample tests, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and non-parametric equivalents, linear regression, and exploration of multivariate
analysis. Evaluation of error probability, sample size, and statistical power are also addressed. A second section of the class deals
expressly with experimental design and how design relates to statistical tests used. This class is intended to help graduate
students plan their research before data has been collected by clarifying when to use what tests.
- BIOL 829 - Ecological Anthropology - 2 hours
- This course is a study of human civilization through lens of biology. Readings specifically examine the role of biogeography,
species distribution, and other natural resource utilization in how humans have colonized the planet. The class also focuses on
why certain civilizations in history have advanced faster than others, and how and why civilizations have failed – when those factors
have had a biological component. This is a reading course with an emphasis on discussion.
- BIOL 830P - Special Topics in Biology - 1-3 hours
- Topics are studied which are not assigned or covered in other courses in the department. The format of this course will
vary depending on the topic instruction and the needs of students.
Topics in Botany
Topics in Fresh Water Biology
Topics in Vertebrate Biology
Topics in Invertebrate Biology
Topics in Nebraska Flora
Topics in Nebraska G.I.S.
Topics in Physiology
- BIOL 831 - Biological Research - 1-3 hours
- Independent investigation of biological problems. A maximum of three hours credit may count towards the 36 hours
required for the degree
- BIOL 834 - Conservation Biology - 3 hours
- An overview of conservation biology and its importance. Special emphasis is placed on ecological, economic, and social
issues relevant to biological rarity.
- BIOL 835P - Herpetology - 3 hours
- Introduction to vertebrate animals, including fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. Ecological and
evolutionary aspects will be emphasized.
- BIOL 840P - Infectious Diseases - 4 hours
- This course focuses on the medical aspects of microbiology. The course will cover viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasitic protists.
We will study the mechanisms of infection, disease progression, and immune response. Three hours of laboratory will be required each
week. Offered Fall, odd-numbered years
- BIOL 844 - Molecular Biotechnology - 3 hours
- The course will consist of a short review of pertinent principles in protein structure and function, enzyme mechanisms
and kinetics, and the basics of the genetic dogma and recombinant DNA technology. The bulk of the course will be made
up of a topical consideration of subjects in biotechnology such as: the production of protein pharmaceuticals, genetic
engineering of animals and plants, and cloning of organisms. Special consideration will be given to the molecular
mechanisms behind the processes discussed.
- BIOL 850P - Molecular Biology - 4 hours
- Prereq: BIOL 309*, BIOL 360*, and CHEM 351* or permission of instructor
An in-depth discussion of the principles of modern molecular biology. Major topics of discussion will include: 1) DNA as
a store of information, 2) protein synthesis, 3) transcriptional control of gene expression, 4) DNA replication, 5)
eukaryotic gene structure, 6) gene families, 7) RNA processing, 8) DNA packaging, 9) recombinant DNA methodology, and
10) genes in development and cancer. Offered Fall Only.
- BIOL 854 - Biological Application of GIS - 3 hours
- Students will become proficient in the use of Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI)'s ArcGIS. There will be
an emphasis on the handling, organization, and types of data storage pertaining to the use of this type of software.
Students will also become familiar with basic, cartographic principles needed to use GIS software, online data sources,
and GPS receivers.
- BIOL 856P - Regional Field Study - 1-4 hours
- The format of this course will vary depending on the area being studied.
- BIOL 857 - Human Histology - 3 hours
- Histology is also called micro-anatomy. This course examines animal bodies on the tissue and cellular level. Most examples will be
from human anatomy. Basic tissue types will be studied as well as organ structure and function. Time will be devoted to sensory
structures, which tend to be complex. As a distance class, micropictographs will be used (not glass slides) from web and CD-ROM
sources, as well as an assigned textbook.
- BIOL 860 - Concepts of Genetics - 3 hours
- Application based course covering the classical and molecular principles of inheritance. Concepts covered include various
historical concepts surrounding transmission, molecular, and population genetics, current state of the discipline, and the future
outlook for the field. Students are required to demonstrate their knowledge and critical thinking skills through quizzes, tests,
and writing assignments. Offered Fall of odd-numbered years.
- BIOL 861P - Human Genetics - 3 hours
- Human Genetics is a course for upper division undergraduate and graduate students who have completed the prerequisite
course (Biology 360, General Genetics). The course focuses on contemporary human genetics with emphasis on molecular,
evolutionary and population genetics. The teaching method I will be using for this course is the Socratic Method. The
following is an explanation of this method (http://www.str.org/free/studies/socratic.htm ) as written by Ken Samples.
- BIOL 862P - Animal Behavior - 3 hours
- An introduction to the science of ethology. A survey of the mechanism, function, and development of behavior.
- BIOL 863 - Biological Perspectives - 3 hours
- A review of those biologists and their works from pre-Christian time to the present who have had an influence on
today's study of biology.
- BIOL 865P - Physiology - 3 hours
- The structure and function of the systems of the vertebrate body.
- BIOL 866 - Functional Morphology - 3 hours
- A study of the structure, form, and function of morphological adaptations in plants and animals as examined through a mechanical,
ecological, and evolutionary perspective. This course will investigate the form and function of organisms through lecture,
laboratory-like assignments, discussion, and independent research projects.
- BIOL 868P - Parasites - 2 hours
- Prereq: graduate standing
A review of the biology of the parasitic lifestyle. Emphasis on animal parasites, their natural history, taxonomy, evolution and pathology.
- BIOL 870P - Insect Biology - 3 hours
- An introduction to insects and related arthrodeses. Emphasis is placed on morphology, physiology, taxonomy and ecology
of insects.
- BIOL 871P - Methods in Secondary Science Teaching - 3 hours
- An examination of current developments in curricula, methods, and materials. Lab time arranged.
- BIOL 872P - Freshwater Biology - 3 hours
- A study of taxonomy, anatomy, distribution, ecology, physiology, and management of fishes.
- BIOL 873P - Ornithology - 3 hours
- An introduction to bird study. Three hours of laboratory or field work each week.
- BIOL 874P - Mammalogy - 3 hours
- Introduction to mammals: ecology, classification, physiology, and behavior. Three-hour laboratory per week for
preparation and identification of specimens.
- BIOL 875 - Internship in Biology - 1-9 hours
- Taken as part of the professional semester. Emphasizes the professional development of the individual.
- BIOL 876 - Life Science Curriculum - 3 hours
- A discussion of the life science curriculum as it relates to the general school curriculum, curriculum design,
development and evaluations. Students will examine current curricula, individual instructional systems and the
mini-course concept.
- BIOL 880 - Seminar - 1 hour
- A discussion of selected topics in a seminar format.
- BIOL 881 - Current Issues in Biology - 1 hour
- Students participate in online discussion of selected topics in a seminar format. This course is repeatable for up to 3
credit hours.
- BIOL 884 - Freshwater Management Techniques - 3 hours
- Through videotaped lectures, reading and writing assignments, and on-line discussions, students will be introduced to
both freshwater ecosystems and fishery management. Students will learn to analyze freshwater management problems using
multiple techniques, to suggest alternative approaches, and to identify consequences of those approaches.
- BIOL 885P - Molecular Genetics - 3 hours
- BIOL 896 - Thesis - 3-6 hours
* This course is the immediate prerequisite. Other preparation is
required prior to this immediate prerequisite.
