You are here: Home > Graduate Programs > Course Descriptions

5024: POPULATION & COMMUNITY ECOLOGY

Population dynamics, interspecific interactions, succession, and diversity of plants and animals. Quantitative approaches emphasized. Ecology course required. (3H,3L,4C).

5034: ECOSYSTEM DYNAMICS

Application of a systems perspective to functional characteristics of ecosystems. Laboratory: computer simulation of ecosystem dynamics. Pre: MATH 2015, CS 1014. (3H,3L,4C).

5044: AQUATIC ECOTOXICOLOGY

Techniques for evaluating polluted aquatic ecosystems, including laboratory toxicity testing and field biological monitoring, and the development of criteria for maintaining water quality. (2H,2C).

5054: HAZARD EVALUATION OF TOXIC CHEMICALS

Discussion of philosophical issues in the development of standards for control of toxic chemicals in freshwater, including site-specific examples, application of current control methods, recovery of damaged ecosystems, and government regulations. Pre: 5044. (2H,2C).

5064 (ALS 5064) (BCHM 5064) (PPWS 5064): SEMINAR IN MOLECULAR CELL BIOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY

Review and discussion of current problems and literature in molecular cell biology and biotechnology by students, VPI&SU faculty and outside speakers. Students give formal presentations of research results or current literature. May be taken on pass-fail basis. Students enrolled in the MCBB Ph.D. option will be required to give one formal presentation on an A-F basis. Graduate status in participating MCBB departments required. (1H,1C).

5164: BIOLOGY SEMINAR LAB

A practicum in the preparation and presentation of formal scientific seminars. Graduate standing required. (3L,1C).

5174: GRADUATE SEMINAR

Offered in the major subdisciplines of biology. Pass/Fail only. (1H,1C).

5304 (PPWS 5304): PLANT STRESS PHYSIOLOGY

Analysis of physiological responses of agricultural and native plants to environmental stresses such as extremes of temperature, availability of water and nutrients, and presence of air pollutants. Emphasis on linking stress caused changes in carbon gain, water loss, nutrient utilization, and energy balance with changes in growth. Laboratory to introduce equipment and research approaches used in greenhouse and field studies. (3H,3L,4C).

5384 (GEOL 5384): MORPHOMETRICS

Study of shape and size in fossil and modern organisms with strong focus on quantitative methods and digital image analysis. Covers analytical methods (multivariate methods, Fourier analysis, geometric morphometrics), image processing, and software training (SAS, SAS/IML, and Imaging Software). Pre: STAT 5004, GEOL 5374. (2H,3L,3C).

5404: Neuroethology

Neuroethology is an area of neuroscience that emphasizes integrative approaches to understanding the neural substrates of natural behaviors, from the sub cellular level to consideration of life history, ecology and evolution.

5634: MICROBIAL PHYSIOLOGY

The study of the structure, function and metabolic activities of prokaryotic microorganisms. Topics covered include cell composition and growth, metabolic unity and diversity, patterns of regulation, transport mechanisms, environmental sensing and response and cellular differentialtion processes. Students will give presentations and critically analyze current literature in the field. (4H,4C).

5694 (CSES 5694): SOIL BIOCHEMISTRY

Comprehensive presentation and analysis of the biochemistry of soil humic acid formation, physicochemical properties of humic substances, and interactions of soil humic substances with toxic organics and metals. Microbial degradation of organics, including pesticides, and the fate of genetically engineered microbes in soil. Pre: 4684, 4694. (2H,3L,3C).

5974: INDEPENDENT STUDY

Pass/Fail only. Variable credit course.

5984: SPECIAL STUDY

Variable credit course.

5994: RESEARCH & THESIS

Variable credit course.

6004: TOPICS IN ECOLOGY & SYSTEMATICS

Reading and discussion in a specific area of ecology and systematics. Topic will vary, and course may be taken for credit more than once. Background in ecology or systematics required. Variable credit course.

6014: TOPICS IN EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY

Readings and discussion in a specific area of evolutionary theory, ecological genetics, or molecular evolution. Topics will vary, and course may be taken for credit more than once. Background in genetics and population biology required. Variable credit course.

6024 (ALS 6024) (BCHM 6024) (PPWS 6024): TOPICS IN MOLECULAR CELL BIOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY

Specific areas such as the molecular biology of plant and animal disease resistance, of photosynthesis, of oncogenes, of organelle assembly, and of growth and development, structure and function of polyamines and of proteases will be discussed. Students will give presentations and critically analyze current literature. May be repeated. Variable credit course. Pre: BCHM 5214.

6064: TOPICS IN FRESHWATER ECOLOGY

Readings and discussion in a specific area of freshwater ecology, including species interactions, and community level functions. Topics will vary, and course may be taken for credit more than once. Variable credit course. Pre: 4004.

6404: TOPICS IN VERTERBRATE BIOLOGY

Readings and discussion in a specific area of vertebrate biology. Topic will vary, and course may be taken for credit more than once. Background in vertebrate biology required. Variable credit course.

6634: TOPICS IN MICROBIAL ECOLOGY

Readings and discussion in a specific area of microbial ecology. Topic will vary and course may be taken for credit more than once. (2H,2C).

6644: TOPICS IN MICROBIAL GENETICS

Readings and discussion in a specific area of microbial genetics, including temperate bacteriophage, insertion elements and transposons, gene function in prokaryotic microorganisms, and mechanisms of genetic recombination. Topic will vary and course may be taken for credit more than once. Pre: 4624. (3H,3C).

6654 (PPWS 6654): TOPICS IN VIROLOGY

Readings and discussion in a specific area of virology. Topic will vary and course may be taken for credit more than once. Pre: 4664, BCHM 4116. (3H,3C).

6704 (VMS 6704): TOPICS IN IMMUNOLOGY

Readings and discussion in a specific area of immunology. Topic will vary and course may be taken for credit more than once. Pre: 4704. (3H,3C).

7994: RESEARCH & DISSERTATION

Variable credit course.

 

Advanced Undergraduate Courses (BIOL)

The following 4000-level courses have been approved for graduate credit:

4004: FRESHWATER ECOLOGY

Interactions of physical, chemical, and biological properties of freshwater ecosystems. Senior standing required. Pre: 2804. (3H,3L,4C).

4014: ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY

Discussion of ecotoxicological and philosophical issues in the development of standards for control of toxic chemicals in freshwater, including site-specific examples, application of current control methods, recovery of damaged ecosystems, and government regulations. Pre: 2804. (2H,2C).

4044 (GEOG 4044): BIOGEOGRAPHY

A survey of the field of biogeography. A study of the factors influencing the distribution of plants and animals approached from ecological, historical, and cultural perspectives. Human influence on biotic patterns, such as crop domestication, habitat alteration, species

introductions and extinctions, management issues, and environmental change, is a primary force. Pre: 2804 or GEOG 1104. (3H,3C).

4104: DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY

Morphological, physiological, and molecular events in embryological and developmental systems, including regulation at the level of transcription, translation, and enzyme or hormone activation. Pre: 2004. (3H,3C).

4134: EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS

Genetic variation, Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, agents of change in gene frequencies, molecular evolution, mechanisms of speciation. Comparison of theoretical models with natural and laboratory populations. Pre: 2004. (3H,3C).

4314: PLANT ECOLOGY (WRITING INTENSIVE)

Introduction to ecology of terrestrial plants including major plant functional types, behavior of populations, responses of plant communities to disturbance, vegetation classification, and ordination. Laboratory covers methods for measuring and analyzing natural vegetation, and setting up field and greenhouse experiments. This is a writing intensive course. Even years. Pre: (2304 or 2804 or FOR 3314). (3H,3L,4C).

4354 (ENT 4354): AQUATIC ENTOMOLOGY

Biology and taxonomy of insects and other macroinvertebrates most commonly encountered in freshwater environments. Selected aspects of biology, such as habitat, feeding, locomotion, and life history. Identification of individual taxa, mostly at family and genus level. Significance of these organisms in aquatic ecology, pollution monitoring, and natural resource management.

Pre: (1005, 1006), (1015, 1016) or (1105, 1106, 1115, 1116). (3H,3L,4C).

4404: ORNITHOLOGY

Biology of birds, including functional anatomy, systematic, evolutionary history, behavior, and ecology. Laboratory on systematic, anatomy, and field experience in the areas of behavior and ecology. Pre: 2504. (3H,3L,4C).

4434: MAMMALOGY

Biology of mammals including evolution, systematic, anatomy, physiology, and ecology. Laboratory on systematic, morphology, zoogeography, and diversity of North American mammals. Pre: 2504.

(3H,3L,4C).

4474: ETHOLOGY

An evolutionary and ecological approach to animal behavior, drawing on behavioral genetics, endocrinology, neurophysiology, and behavioral ecology to explain how and why the behavior of an organism is adapted to its environment. Pre: 2504. (3H,3C).

4484 (ENT 4484) (FIW 4484): FRESHWATER BIOMONITORING

Concepts and practices of using macroinvertebrates and fish to monitor the environmental health of freshwater ecosystems. Effects of different types of pollution and environmental stress on assemblages of organisms and underlying ecological principles. Role of biological studies in environmental regulation. Study design, field and laboratory methods, data analysis and interpretation, verbal and written presentation of results. Pre: (2804), (4004 or 4354 or ENT 4354 or FIW 4424 or FIW 4614). (3H,3L,4C).

4524: ENVIRONMENTAL ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY

Physiological adaptations to environmental factors, emphasizing vertebrate organ systems. Evolutionary and acclimatory processes will be considered. Must have prerequisites or instructor's permission. Writing intensive. Odd years. Pre: 3404. (3H,3C).

4534: COMPARATIVE ENDOCRINOLOGY (WRITING INTENSIVE)

Physiology of endocrine systems, emphasizing vertebrates but including invertebrates. Mechanisms of hormone action, physiologic roles of hormones, and overall integration. Must have prerequisites or instructor's permission. Pre: BIOL 3404. (3H,3C).

4554 (ALS 4554): NEUROCHEMICAL REGULATION

Neurochemical transmission within the vertebrate brain will

be examined. Emphasis will be placed on the chemical coding

underlying the control of various behaviors and how these

systems can be modified by various drugs or diet. Pre: (3404 or ALS 2304), (CHEM 2535). (3H,3C).

4574 (ALS 4574): SOCIAL BEHAVIOR OF BIRDS AND MAMMALS

Animal behavior from the viewpoint of group organization during the life cycle of the organism. Emphasis is on adaptive mechanisms as they relate to the behavior-physiology-genetic interaction. Pre: 1106. (2H,2C).

4604 (FST 4604): FOOD MICROBIOLOGY

Role of microorganisms in food borne illness and food quality, spoilage, and preservation. Control and destruction of microorganisms in foods. Pre: 2604, 2614. (3H,3L,4C).

4624: MICROBIAL GENETICS

Molecular genetics of bacteria and their associated plasmids and phages. Pre: 2004, 2604. (3H,3C).

4644: MICROBIAL MOLECULAR GENETICS AND PHYSIOLOGY LABORATORY

Introduction to classical and molecular methods used for the study of bacterial genetics and physiology. Laboratory exercises cover analysis of patterns of gene regulation; assay of enzymatic activities; mutagenesis followed by selection, screening, and physiological

characterization of mutant strains; genome database utilization; and large scale fermentation. Pre: 4624. (1H,6L,3C).

4664: VIROLOGY

Classification, structure, pathogenesis, host response, and replication strategies of viruses of bacteria, plants, and animals, stressing mechanisms elucidated by molecular biological techniques. Pre: 3774, BCHM 4116. (2H,3C).

4674: PATHOGENIC BACTERIOLOGY

Characteristics of bacteria that cause human disease, nature of infectious processes, virulence factors, epidemiology, resistance, immunization, diagnostic bacteriology. Pre: 2604, 2614. (3H,3L,4C).

4704: IMMUNOLOGY

Immunochemistry of antigens and antibodies, serological reactions, chemistry of complement, control of immunity, immune response of an intact animal. Pre: 2104 or CHEM 2536. (3H,3C).

4714: IMMUNOLOGY LABORATORY

Serological and immunobiological techniques used to interpret the consequences of an immune response. Pre: 4704. (3L,1C).

4774: MOLECULAR BIOLOGY LAB

An introduction to recombinant DNA methods, including restriction endonuclease digestion, gel electrophoresis, cloning, Southern blotting, polymerase chain reaction, sequencing and analysis of reporter gene expression in transgenic organisms. BIOL 3774 may be taken as a co requisite with 4774. Pre: 3774. (1H,6L,3C).