Courses

All courses carry 3 credits unless otherwise specified.

510 Plant Physiology
Presentation of principles needed to appreciate the physiological mechanisms unique to plants. General areas include components and functions of cell structures and mechanisms of development. Examples from recent literature consider genetic engineering, sensory processes, and protection from biotic and abiotic stresses. Prerequisite: BIOLOGY 100-101 or BIOLOGY 103.

511 Experimental Plant Physiology
Optional laboratory to accompany BIOLOGY 510. Credit, 1.

514 Population Genetics
Focus on evolutionary processes affecting the distribution of genetic variation through space and time: gene flow, genetic drift, recombination, mating system, mutation, and natural selection. Includes overview of molecular population genetics and the neutral theory of evolution. Prerequisites: BIOLOGY 280 or 283 or equivalent: MATH 127 or 128 or STATISTC 111 or equivalent.

521 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
With lab. Detailed approach to the structure and evolutionary relationships of vertebrates. Evolutionary and functional significance of structures in different groups. Lab involves evolutionary trends and specializations, experience in dissection. Prerequisite: BIOLOGY 102, or BIOLOGY 100-101. Credit, 4.

523 Histology
With lab. The relation of cell, tissue, and organ microscopic structure to function. Discussion of major tissue types: epithelia, nerve, muscle and connective tissue. Lab includes light microscopic identification of various tissues and organ systems (primarily mammalian) and related electron micrographs. Prerequisite: BIOLOGY 102 or BIOLOGY 100-101. Credit, 4.

528 Principles of Evolution
Advanced course for students who have already taken an introductory course in evolution. Evolutionary mechanisms and evolutionary history, including evolutionary genetics, the role of chance in evolution, speciation and species concepts, the origin of life, the tempo of evolution, extinction, the evolution of behavior, evolutionary history of selected groups, research methods in evolution.

540 Herpetology
Synopsis of the anatomy, evolution, systematics, and behavior of major living lineages of amphibians and reptiles; special attention to the New England herpeto-fauna. Lab: diversity, morphology and behavior; some dissecting required. Prerequisite: BIOLOGY 521 or consent of instructor. Credit, 4.

542 Ichthyology
With lab. The biology and evolution of fishes with a focus on the structure and function of major living groups. Topics include an overview of evolution, systematics, and biogeography of recent and fossil fishes, functional anatomy of feeding and locomotory systems, reproduction and reproductive behavior, physiological adaptations to aquatic habits, etc. Lab: anatomy, diversity, systematics and functional morphology of major lineages. Prerequisite: BIOLOGY 521 or consent of instructor. Credit, 4.

544 Ornithology
With lab. Avian systematics, phylogeny, behavior, ecology, etc. Lab includes bird identification, anatomy, censusing, field studies. Prerequisite: upper-level biology course or consent of instructor. Credit, 4.

548 Mammalogy
With lab. Lectures and readings on comparative biology and evolutionary relationships of mammalian groups. Lab involves detailed introduction to the New England mammalian fauna and study of selected representatives of other groups, emphasizing adaptation. Prerequisite: BIOLOGY 100-101 or 102 and any life science course beyond the introductory level. Credit, 4.

550 Animal Behavior
Animals have evolved a remarkable diversity of behavioral patterns, used in a wide range of ecological and social contexts. Our first goal in this course will be to examine the mechanisms responsible for the expression of behavior: for example, how do birds locate prey; how do crayfish avoid becoming prey; and how do crickets and birds develop species-specific communication signals? To help answer these questions we will make use of neurobiological, hormonal, genetic, and developmental perspectives. Our next goal in the course will be to examine the evolutionary bases of behavior, asking for example why animals move, forage, hide, communicate, and socialize as they do. To address these questions we make use of optimality theory and other behavioral ecological perspectives. Other topics in the course will include sexual selection, human behavior, and the role of behavior in establishing biodiversity. Prerequisite: introductory biology or psychology course; or consent of instructor and at least sophomore level standing. Credit, 4.

551 Animal Communication
This course will explore animal communication from several biological perspectives. We will explore how animals use different modalities of communication (sound, smell, electricity, etc.) and how these modes of sending and receiving information are limited by environmental constraints and their functions. We will look at the physiological and anatomical aspects of signal production and perception. The class will discuss the different types of messages encoded in signals and how they evolved. We will explore the evolution of sexually selected forms of communication (antlers, bird song, etc.) and the theories that attempt to explain their function and evolution. The lectures/discussions will draw on examples from a diverse selection of animals (insects, fish, birds, and mammals). Students will also work on projects where they will learn how to analyze and interpret different forms of vocal and visual communication.

559/560 Cell and Molecular Biology II
Selected aspects of cellular structure and function including regulation of the cell cycle, chromosome structure, and experimental methods. Prerequisite: BIOLOGY 285 or equivalent. Credit, 3 (559, lecture only). Credit, 4 (560, with lab).

564/565 Human Physiology
With lab. Mechanisms underlying organ system function in vertebrates; nervous, endocrine, cardiovascular, respiratory, muscular, digestive, excretory, reproductive systems. Prerequisite: BIOLOGY 285 or consent of instructor. Credit, 3 (564). Credit 4, (565), with lab.

566/567 Comparative Physiology
With lab. Physiological principles involved in adaptations of animals to their environments. Credit, 3 (566). Credit, 4 (567, with lab).

568/569 Endocrinology
With optional lab. The role of hormones in the growth, metabolism, and reproduction of mammals. Molecular mechanisms of hormone action, environmental and feedback control of secretion. Current issues in endocrine physiology. Prerequisite: physiology (e.g., BIOLOGY 297A or 564/5), or consent of instructor. Credit, 3 (568). Credit, 4 (569, with lab).

572 Neurobiology
Biology of nerve cells and cellular interactions in nervous systems. Structural, functional, developmental, and biochemical approaches. Topics include neuronal anatomy and physiology, membrane potentials, synapses, development of neuronal connections, visual system, control of movement, and neural plasticity. Prerequisite: BIOLOGY 285 or equivalent; or BIOLOGY 100 or 102 and PSYCH 330; or consent of instructor.

580 Developmental Biology
Physiological and biochemical aspects of development. Labs include discussions, demonstrations, computer modeling and experimental work. Prerequisite: BIOLOGY 560 or equivalent.

582 DNA to Diversity
How do complex morphologies develop from a single-cell embryo? What makes the human hand different from the horse's hoof, the bat's wing, or the flipper of a whale? These and related questions will be addressed as we explore the genetic and developmental basis of evolutionary change

583 Advanced Genetics
Current topics and advanced concepts in genetics with techniques for answering fundamental biological questions. Theoretical and experimental approaches to gene and genome structure, functional and genetic analyses, recombination, mapping, developmental and quantitative genetics. Prerequisite: BIOLOGY 283 with grade of C or higher.

597 Special Topics

597GE Evolutionary Genetics
The course deals with evolutionary processes on molecular and genetic levels. Topics include the use of genomic data to detect natural selection, the evolution of genome size and structure, speciation, the evolution of sex, and genomic conflict. The course consists of computer-based bioinformatics lab sessions (including an introduction to Python) which provide training in analytical methods related to detecting genetic variation, phylogenetics and comparative genomics alternating with discussions of papers from the scientific literature.

597MN Modern Methods in Neurobiology and their Application
In this advanced course, we will present methods currently used in modern neurobiology research, these will include molecular and cellular to whole organisms approaches. We will cover how the applications of these techniques are used to answer important and outstanding questions in neurobiology using primary research articles. In a culminating group/team project, students will design experiments using the modern experimental techniques learned in the course to test a hypothesis or to expand understanding of a neurobiology process. The project will engage students to use critical thinking and integrative skills required for impactful molecular, cellular and physiological research.

597PD Dimensions in Plant Diversity
There are a mind-boggling 400,000 species of plants on earth, with new species discovered every year. Plants have evolved over hundreds of millions of years to efficiently capture the sun's energy and cycle oxygen in the atmosphere. How did this diversity come to be, and why are plants so varied in form and function? Explore the plants of the world in a hands-on laboratory setting using live temperate and tropical plants from the UMass greenhouses and forests. You will use this new-found knowledge to study your favorite plant in an independent project for the web.

697GA Human Genome Analysis
This course covers current topics in genetics and and the social, ethical and legal issues surrounding genetic technology. Topics include genome structure and evolution, genetics of disease, personal genomics, human microbiomes and epidemiology. Students will have the opportunity to submit their DNA for genome-wide SNP and gut microbiome determination. Practical skills for analyzing genetic and genomic data are taught through weekly bioinformatic sessions in the R statistical programming language.

Animal Behavior Lecture
See instructor for course description.

675 Plant Cell Biology
This course covers the cell biological aspects of several plant cellular processes. An emphasis is made on experimental approaches. Format includes lectures, discussions, and in-class student presentations.

696 Special Problems
Directed research project on some problem in biology. Credit, 1-6.

698A Practicum
Credit, 1-12.

699 Master’s Thesis
Credit, 10.

789 Writing for the Life Sciences
Principles and techniques of producing written papers (abstracts, figures, tables, etc.) and oral presentations (slides, delivery, etc.); curriculum vitae; job interviews; professional ethics. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. Credit, 1-3.

791C Writing for Graduate Students

796 Special Problems
Directed research project on some problem in biology. Credit, 1-6.

896 Special Problems
Directed research project on some problem in biology. Credit, 1-6.

899 Doctoral Dissertation
Credit, 10