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Biology > Courses

Courses

Department of Biology

From the 2012-2013 Millsaps College Catalog. See a list of all current classes.

1001 Introductory Cell Biology Laboratory (1 sem. hour). Laboratory course to accompany BIOL 1003: Introduction to Cell Biology; introduces basic instrumentation and experimental strategies used to study modern biological concepts at the cellular level. This course along with BIOL 1003 fulfills Core 7 or 9. Corequisite: BIOL 1003.

1003 Introduction to Cell Biology (3 sem. hours). First in a three course core sequence for biology majors. An intensive examination of fundamental concepts of modern cell biology, including cell structure and physiology, molecular biology, and genetics. This course along with BIOL 1001 fulfills Core 7 or 9 and is a prerequisite for all other biology majors courses. Corequisite: BIOL 1001.

BIOL 1011 General Botany Laboratory (1 sem. hour). Laboratory course to accompany BIOL 1013; includes a survey of bacterial, protist, fungal, and plant diversity. Corequisite: BIOL 1013. Prerequisite: BIOL 1001/1003.

BIOL 1013 General Botany (3 sem. hour). An introduction to the structures, life processes, ecological interactions, and evolutionary relationships among archaea, bacteria, protists, fungi, and plants. This course along with BIOL 1011 fulfills core 7 or 9. Corequisite: BIOL 1011. Prerequisite: BIOL 1001/1003.

1021 General Zoology Laboratory (1 sem. hour). Laboratory course to accompany BIOL 1023; includes survey of animal diversity, histology, and anatomy. This course along with BIOL 1023 fulfills Core 7 or 9. Corequisite: BIOL 1023. Prerequisite: BIOL 1001/1003.

1023 General Zoology (3 sem. hours.). An introduction to the morphology, physiology, and evolutionary relationships among invertebrate and vertebrate animals. This course along with BIOL 1021 fulfills Core 7 or 9. Corequisite: BIOL 1021. Prerequisite: BIOL 1001/1003.

1710 Human Evolution (4 sem. hours). History and nature of science. The various lines of evidence about human ancestry will be examined, including population genetics, paleontology, DNA and protein sequencing, "Mitochondrial Eve," chromosome structure, behavior, and linguistics. Current literature will be reviewed. This course includes a laboratory. For freshmen and sophomores only, except by permission of instructor. Designed for non-science majors. Does not fulfill requirements for B.S. degree, or a major or minor in biology. Fulfills Core 7 or 9.

2000 Genetics (4 sem. hours). Historical/developmental treatment of theories of biological inheritance with emphasis on the process of scientific discovery. Includes Mendelian, cytogenetic, bacterial, and molecular approaches to questions about the nature and function of genetic material. Prerequisite: BIOL 1001/1003 and either BIOL 1011/1013 or BIOL 1021/1023.

2200 Ecology (4 sem. hours). In-depth study of relationships of organisms with other organisms and their physical environment, including population, community, and ecosystem dynamics. Prerequisite: BIOL 1011/1013 or consent of instructor.

2220 Evolution and Systematics (4 sem. hours). Evidence for, and mechanisms of, evolution, including population, molecular genetics, and paleontology. History, philosophy, and practice of taxonomy and phylogenetics; nature of taxonomic evidence. Prerequisite: BIOL 1011/1013.

3100 Histology (4 sem. hours). Microscopic anatomy of the different vertebrate systems, with an emphasis on basic tissue types. Prerequisite: BIOL 1021/1023.

3110 Comparative Vertebrate Morphology (5 sem. hours). An integrated course in vertebrate anatomy and embryology. Reproduction, organ systems, and a comparative study of the gross anatomy of the vertebrate systems. Prerequisite: BIOL 1021/1023.

3200 Aquatic Biology (4 sem. hours). Physical and biological processes in aquatic ecosystems, both freshwater and marine. Emphasis is on natural ecosystems and the impact on them by the activities of humans. Prerequisite: BIOL 1011/1013 and BIOL 1021/1023. Offered occasionally.

3210 Field Biology (4 sem. hours). Emphasis on ecology, community composition, and methods of field-based research. Summer program requiring travel. May be repeated for credit as topics vary. Recent topics include ecology of the Blue Ridge Mountains, ecology of the Galapagos Islands, and tropical field biology of the Yucatán. Prerequisites: BIOL 1011/1013 and BIOL 1021/1023 or permission of the instructor. 3300 Molecular Cell Biology (4 sem. hours). An in-depth study of the molecular principles by which eukaryotic cells function, with emphasis on membrane structure/function, signal transduction, the cytoskeleton, and the cell cycle. Prerequisites: BIOL 1011/1013 or BIOL 1021/1023; CHEM 1213 and CHEM 1223.

3310 Ornithology (4 sem. hours). Evolution, form and function, behavior, life history, ecology, and conservation of the class Aves, the birds. Techniques for the study of birds will be taught in laboratory and field settings. Prerequisite: BIOL 1010 and BIOL 1021/1023.

3320 Biology of Terrestrial Arthropods (4 sem. hours). Evolution, functional morphology, ecology, conservation, and medical importance of terrestrial arthropods (arachnids, myriapods, and insects). Collection and identification of local fauna will be stressed in the laboratory; weekend-long fieldtrip required. Prerequisite: BIOL 1011/1013 and BIOL 1021/1023.

3330 Molecular Ecology (4 sem. hours). A survey of how molecular markers are used to investigate ecological processes in natural populations. Specific topics will include methods for studying genetic variation at the level of proteins and DNA, quantitative predictions from ecological and evolutionary theory, and application of molecular markers to research questions related to natural selection, gene flow, genetic drift, and nonrandom mating. The course format will include lectures, laboratories, and student-led discussions based on the primary literature. Prerequisites: BIOL 1011/1013 and BIOL 1021/1023.

3340 Biogeography (4 sem. hours). An introduction to the ecological and historical processes that are causally associated with distribution patterns in organisms. A broad array of topics including evolution, ecology, paleontology, geology, and climatology will be discussed. Prerequisite: BIOL 1011/1013 or consent of instructor.

3350 Conservation Biology (4 sem hrs). This course deals with the application of ecological, behavioral, and genetic principles to conservation problems, particularly the prevention of species extinctions. Specific topics to be discussed include global diversity patterns and processes, demographic processes, genetic constraints on population viability, the importance of keystone species and disturbance regimes, invasive species biology, the design of conservation reserves, and ecological restoration. Prerequisite: BIOL 1011/1013 and BIOL 1021/ 1023.

3400 Comparative Animal Physiology (4 sem. hours). Comparative examination of eumetazoan organ systems and metabolism, with an emphasis on vertebrates. Laboratory employs current methods and instrumentation of experimental physiology. Prerequisite: BIOL 1021/1023. Offered occasionally.

3410 Human Physiology (5 sem. hours). An examination of general principles underlying vertebrate physiology with an emphasis on human physiology. Lab employs current physiologic methods and instrumentation. Prerequisites: BIOL 1013/1011 and BIOL 1021/1023.

3420 Human Anatomy (4 sem. hours). An integrated study of the gross anatomy of vertebrates with an emphasis on human gross anatomy. Prerequisites: BIOL 1021/1023.

3430 Human and Comparative Embryology (4 sem. hours). An introduction to developmental biology through the study of human embryology. Emphasis will be placed on gametogenesis, fertilization, implantation, germ layer formation, and the development of the different anatomical systems. Prerequisite: BIOL 1021/1023.

3500 General Bacteriology (4 sem. hours). Historical survey; bacterial structure, metabolism, genetics, and taxonomy; role of bacteria in disease, industry, and ecology; common bacteriological techniques. Prerequisites: BIOL 1011/1013 or BIOL 1021/1023, CHEM 1213, and CHEM 1223. Recommended: CHEM 2110.

3510 Immunology and Virology (4 sem. hours). The physiology, biochemistry, and genetics of the immune response: viral structure, function, and relationship to host. Prerequisites: BIOL 1011/1013 or BIOL 1021/1023, CHEM 1213, and CHEM 1223. Recommended: CHEM 2110.

3600 Invertebrate Zoology (4 sem. hours). An in-depth study of the invertebrate phyla. Emphasis on morphology, life history, physiology, ecology, and evolutionary histories. Prerequisites: BIOL 1001/1003 and BIOL 1021/1023. Offered occasionally.

3700–3703 Undergraduate Research (1–4 sem. hours). Under the supervision of a faculty mentor, students develop and carry out an independent laboratory or field investigation in biology. Prerequisite: permission of instructor.

3750–3753 Special Topics in Biology (1–4 sem. hours).

3800–3802 Directed Study (2 or 4 sem. hours). Course is offered when a student needs a special subject covered to meet a professional requirement or wants to work with an instructor to look more deeply into a particular aspect of a discipline.

3850 or 3852 Internship (2 or 4 sem. hours). Practical experience and training with selected research, educational, governmental, and business institutions.

4902–4912 Senior Seminar (2 sem. hours each). A sequenced, two-semester (two hours per semester) capstone course for the biology major. Selected topics in the history and current literature of science, particularly biology, emphasizing the development of an integrated worldview from the standpoint of the sciences. Required for all biology majors. Fulfills Core 10. Prerequisite: senior standing.