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Department of Biology
Interim Chair: Allen Waldo, Associate Professor
Location: GRB 230
Phone: 940-898-2351
Fax: 940-898-2382
E-mail: awaldo@twu.edu
Website: www.twu.edu/as/bio/
Faculty: Professors M. Droge, F. Lancaster, M. Rudick, L. Uphouse; Associate
Professors H. Conrad-Webb, J. Knesek, S. McIntire, N. Mills, S. Smith; Assistant
Professor C. Maier.
Graduate Degrees Offered
- M.S. in Biology.
- M.S. in Biology Teaching.
- Ph.D. in Molecular Biology.
The doctoral degree is offered through the Federation of North Texas Area
Universities.
The Department of Biology is diversified so that a student can obtain a graduate
degree with an emphasis in molecular biology, microbiology, neurobiology, general
biology, or science education.
The primary objectives of the department are to provide education and training
broad enough to prepare the student to enter teaching, research, or industry.
There are opportunities for both teaching and research assistantships. The
department is proud of its graduates, most of whom have excellent positions in
education, research, or industry.
Admission Requirements
Please submit a completed Application for Graduate Asmission, official transcripts
and GRE scores to TWU Student Records Processing at the address shown in the
admissions section of this catalog. Submit a letter
of interest, including personal contact information, and three letters of
recommendation directly to the Biology Department. Various parameters of perfomance
including academic records and GRE scores will be considered. Students admitted to
the PhD. program commonly have GRE scores above 500 in each of the verbal and
quantitative sections. Those accepted into the masters program typically exceed
425 in each. In addition, the Department of Biology requires a bachelor’s degreee
in biology or its equivalent. Other performance parameters will be considered for
admission.
Also, the Ph.D. program has specific requirements - Undergraduate courses in:
Organic Chemistry (2 semesters);
Quantitative Analysis (1 semester);
Calculus (2 semesters);
Physics (2 semesters).
Graduate courses will be specified by the student’s advisory committee.
General Requirements for All Master’s Degrees
Total Hours Required: A minimum of 30 hours, including 6 hours for thesis,
for the M.S. in Biology, or 36 hours for the M.S. in Biology primarily for
Teaching, including 3 hours for professional paper and 6 hours of education or
equivalent coursework as approved by the Advisory Committee.
Major/Emphasis: 24-27 hours of courses chosen with an advisory committee
to fit the needs of the student.
Minor: 6 hours, usually chemistry.
Final Examination: Oral defense of the thesis or professional paper, may be
retaken once upon approval of the committee.
Doctor of Philosophy
The Doctor of Philosophy degree in Molecular Biology is offered through a
cooperative program of the Federation of North Texas Area Universities that
includes Texas Woman's University and the University of North Texas. Within this
degree option, course work is available in neurobiology. The Ph.D. in Molecular
Biology is granted by Texas Woman's University and by the University of North
Texas.
The federation doctoral program provides opportunities for formal course work,
seminars, independent study, participation in regional and national conferences,
and dissertation research. The program also includes federation-sponsored seminars
featuring outstanding nationally and internationally recognized educators.
Graduate students enrolled at either UNT or TWU take courses at both universities,
thus benefiting from the combined faculties of each school. Students graduating from
a federation program will be granted the Ph.D. from the university through which they
entered the program.
Federation Program Faculty
The doctoral program is staffed by faculty from Texas Woman's University and
the University of North Texas. The following faculty members from each university
participate in the program.
- Texas Woman's University: Conrad-Webb, Lancaster, Knesek, Maier,
McIntire, Mills, Rudick, Uphouse.
- University of North Texas: Benjamin, Burggren, Chapman, Dickstein,
Fuchs, Gross, Kunz, Masaracchia, O'Donovan, Pirtle, Root, Schwark, Tam,
Zimmerman.
Faculty Research Interests
Faculty of the two participating universities pursue a variety of research
topics.
TWU faculty research interests include binding and transport in cell membranes;
gene regulation and hormone action; glycoprotein synthesis and secretion; biology
of retroviruses; study of bacterial pathogenesis and plamid biology; aspects of
brain development and brain function; plant genomics and phytoestrogen; and
regulation of ribosomal RNA synthesis.
Admission to the Program
Students initially must apply to and meet the general admission requirements
of either the graduate School at TWU or the Toulouse School of Graduate Studies
at UNT. Applications of students who satisfy the graduate school's admission
standards are forwarded for review to the federation's Molecular Biology Committee
or to the Neuroscience Committee which are made up of faculty from each
participating university. This committee is responsible for recommending
acceptance into the federation doctoral program.
General Requirements for Doctoral Degrees
Total Hours Required: A minimum of 90 semester hours including those at
the master’s level and 6 hours for dissertation.
Core: (To be fulfilled by every Ph.D. student as early as possible in the
program.)
- BIOL 6513 - Molecular Biology
- BIOL 6334 - Cell Biology
- BIOL 5703 - Radiation, Protection and Dosimetry
- BIOL 6734 - Advanced Genetics
- 2 semesters of graduate Biochemistry
- 6 semester hours of “Techniques’’ courses (from a selection of “skill’’
courses such as Biostatistics, Electron Microscopy, Plasmid Techniques, Specific
Molecular Techniques, etc.).
Research Tools: Proficiency in two competencies such as foreign languages,
statistics, or computer science.
Residence Requirement: A Ph.D. candidate must spend one academic year in
residence on the Denton campus.
Qualifying Examination: A written examination covers the student’s areas of
emphasis and general biology. The student’s advisory/research committee administers
the comprehensive, one-day written examination. An oral examination is given several
weeks after completion of the written examination.
Final Examination: An open seminar in which the student discusses research
results, and an oral examination by the dissertation committee are required.
Minors Offered to Students in Other Departments
Master’s level: 6 graduate hours of biology.
Doctoral level: 12 graduate hours of biology.
Courses of Instruction in Biology
BIOL 5003. Advanced General Biology. Review of modern concepts in the
study of biology. Molecular foundations of metabolism, inheritance and
development and of reactivity to the environment are emphasized. Prerequisite:
Twelve undergraduate hours in Biology or instructor's permission. Three lecture
hours a week. Credit: Three hours.
BIOL 5013. Concepts of Life Science. Characteristics of and processes in
cells; structure and processes in plants; human anatomy and physiology; diseases;
genetics and heredity. Prerequisites: Six hours of undergraduate life science.
Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.
BIOL 5023. Biology Laboratory Methods for the Junior High School Teacher.
For students in science education. Development of laboratory skills and techniques
for teachers of junior high school biological sciences. Prerequisite: Permission
of instructor. Teaching experience preferred. Two lecture, two laboratory hours a
week. Credit: Three hours.
BIOL 5033. Laboratory Methods for High School Biology Teachers. For students
in science education. Development of laboratory skills and techniques for teachers
of high school biological sciences. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
Teaching experience preferred. Two lecture, two laboratory hours a week. Credit:
Three hours.
BIOL 5111. Teaching Methods for Biology Laboratory Instructors. Examination
of teaching methods in the biology laboratory. Development of attitudes and
behaviors which typify the excellent teacher. One lecture hour a week. Credit:
One hour.
BIOL 5113. Animal Diversity. Comparative aspects of the organization of
the major phyla of animals are presented. Focus is on how different animals
develop specialized adaptations for survival. Prerequisite: Twelve semester hours
of undergraduate biology or instructor's permission. Chemistry recommended.
Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.
BIOL 5123. Biostatistics. Advanced studies in biometric systems,
experimental design, and data analysis. Prerequisite: Twelve hours of biology and
permission of instructor. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.
BIOL 5333. Advanced Pathophysiology. Principles of pathophysiology;
including normal physiology, effects of abnormalities of function, instrumentation
and measurement of physiological function. Three lecture hours a week. Credit:
Three hours.
BIOL 5503. Research Methods. Studies in bibliographical procedures, the
selection of methods applicable to specific problems, and writing and organization
of review articles. One lecture, six laboratory hours a week. Credit: Three hours.
May be repeated for additional credit.
BIOL 5533. Medical Genetics—Genetics Counseling. Human genetics and gene
abnormalities; principles of genetic counseling. Three lecture hours a week.
Credit: Three hours.
BIOL 5611. Readings in Biology. Library research in selected subjects in
biology. One hour a week. Credit: One hour.
BIOL 5613. Readings in Biology. Library research in selected subjects in
biology. Three hours a week. Credit: Three hours.
BIOL 5653. Human Development. Fundamentals of Human Embryology, the
anatomy of human development, and pathology of development. Emphasis on normal
and pathological aspects of human gestation. Lectures, films, student reports, and
tests. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.
BIOL 5681. Seminar. Presentation of research projects, data, and research
by graduate students; discussions of presentations and related literature or
laboratory techniques. Credit: One hour. May be repeated for additional credit.
BIOL 5703. Radiation, Protection and Dosimetry. Interactions of ionizing
radiations and matter, radiation instrumentation, determination of radiation, case
and principles of radiation protection. Prerequisites: One year of physics and
permission of instructor. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.
BIOL 5801. Biological Research. Nature of biological investigations;
methods and tools of research; survey of scientific literature. Credit: One hour.
BIOL 5803. Biological Research. Nature of biological investigations;
methods and tools of research; survey of scientific literature. Credit: Three hours.
BIOL 5881. Biological Research. Continuation of 5801. Credit: One hour.
BIOL 5883. Biological Research. Continuation of 5803. Credit: Three hours.
BIOL 5903. Special Topics. Offerings in biology, botany, microbiology, and
zoology. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Credit: Three hours. May be
repeated for additional credit.
BIOL 5911. Individual Study. Independent or tutorial work in selected
areas in biology. Credit: One hour. May be repeated for additional credit.
BIOL 5913. Individual Study. Independent or tutorial work in selected
areas in biology. Credit: Three hours. May be repeated for additional credit.
BIOL 5973. Professional Paper. Written presentation of literature and
possible laboratory research in a selected area. Credit: Three hours. Credit
applies only to the degree of Master of Science in Science Education.
BIOL 5983. Thesis. Credit: Three hours.
BIOL 5993. Thesis. Credit: Three hours.
BIOL 6334. Advanced Cell Biology. Survey of current understanding of
biogenesis, architecture and function of cellular organelles. The cell cycle and
regulation of cell growth. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. Four
lecture hours. Credit: Four hours.
BIOL 6513. Molecular Biology. Survey of current understanding of DNA
structure, organization, chromosome replication, gene transcription, ribosome
assembly, and translation. Emphasis is on molecular processes and their regulation
in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Prerequisite: CHEM 5613 and CHEM 5623 or
permission of the instructor. Three lecture hours per week. Credit: Three hours.
BIOL 6734. Advanced Genetics. A literature-based course covering theory,
experimental methods and data analysis in genetics. Prerequisite: BIOL 6513 and
BIOL 6334. Four lecture hours. Credit: Four hours.
BIOL 6821. Research in Molecular Biology. Application of molecular studies
to biological problems. Credit: One hour. May be repeated for additional credit.
BIOL 6823. Research in Molecular Biology. Application of molecular studies
to biological problems. Credit: Three hours. May be repeated for additional credit.
BIOL 6831. Research in Molecular Biology. Continuation of 6821. Credit: One
hour. May be repeated for additional credit.
BIOL 6833. Research in Molecular Biology. Continuation of 6823. Credit:
Three hours. May be repeated for additional credit.
BIOL 6903. Special Topics. Selected studies in advanced biology.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Credit: Three hours. May be repeated for
additional credit.
BIOL 6911. Individual Study. Independent work in selected areas of
radiation or molecular biology. Credit: One hour. May be repeated for additional
credit.
BIOL 6913. Individual Study. Independent work in selected areas of
radiation or molecular biology. Credit: Three hours. May be repeated for
additional credit.
BIOL 6983. Dissertation. Credit: Three hours.
BIOL 6993. Dissertation. Credit: Three hours.
Courses of Instruction in Bacteriology
BACT 5143. Pathogenic Microorganisms. Identification, disease producing
mechanisms and public health significance of selected bacteria, viruses and fungi.
Prerequisite: BACT 3113 or permission of instructor. Three lecture hours per week.
Credit: Three hours.
BACT 6534. Plasmids as Vectors for Recombinant DNA. Molecular structure and
replication of plasmids. Utilization of plasmids for isolation, characterization,
and expression of prokaryotic and eukaryotic genes. Two lecture, six laboratory
hours a week. Credit: Four hours.
BACT 6544. Viruses as Vectors for Recombinant DNA. Replicative cycle of
viruses utilized in recombinant DNA technology. Viruses used to isolate genetic
material from other sources and characterization of the recombinant DNA by size,
restriction endonuclease mapping, and nucleic acid sequencing. Two lecture, six
laboratory hours a week. Credit: Four hours.
Course of Instruction in Zoology
ZOOL 5423. Endocrinology. Advanced studies of biology and biochemistry of
the glands of internal secretion. Prerequisite: ZOOL 4243. Three lecture hours a
week. Credit: Three hours.
Course of Instruction in Science
SCI 5133. History and Philosophy of Science I. For students in science
education. The influence of the early philosophers upon the sciences through 1500.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three
hours.
For additional Science courses, see listing at the end of the list of
Chemistry courses.
Courses at UNT
Molecular Biology related courses offered at the University of North Texas.
Students wishing to enroll in the following UNT courses will do so through a
cross-registration mechanism administered by the Graduate School at TWU.
BIOL 5110. Endocrinology. 3 hours. Regulation of physiological processes
in animals by hormones and related chemical agents. Prerequisite(s): BIOL 3800
or equivalent, or consent of department.
BIOL 5150. Pharmacology: The Biological Basis of Drug Action. 3 hours.
An overview of pharmacology for graduate students, based on principles of drug
action. The course emphasizes drugs by class, and not specific drugs per se.
Course covers general principles, antibiotics, and pharmacology of the autonomic,
cardiovascular, central nervous, and endocrine systems.
BIOL 5160. Advanced Techniques in Microbiology and Molecular Biology.
6 hours. Intensive laboratory exercises in cultivation, analysis and gene
transfer in bacterial mutants. Further emphasis on techniques for studying
macromolecular and enzyme synthesis, preparation and analysis of plasmid DNA,
cloning and gene expression. Prerequisite(s): microbiology, biochemistry or BIOL
3510.
BIOL 5180. Techniques in Molecular Biology. 6 hours. Teaches advanced
molecular biology laboratory methodology. Techniques include gene cloning,
plasmid purification, restriction analysis, DNA fingerprinting and DNA sequencing.
Prerequisite(s): BIOL/BIOC 4750, or BIOL 5340, or consent of instructor.
BIOL 5250. Advanced Human Physiology. 3 hours. Physiological mechanisms
in humans with emphasis on medical physiology.
BIOL 5340. Molecular Biology. 3 hours. Mechanisms and regulations of
genetic expression, chromosome replication, mutagenesis and DNA repair, and gene
cloning in prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems. Prerequisite(s): BIOL/BIOC
4570/4580 and at least two of the following: BIOC 4540/4550/4560 or BIOL 3450 or
3510/3520 (Same as BIOC 5340.)
BIOL 5470. Laboratory Techniques in Cytology. 1 hour. (0;3;1) Cytological
techniques in plants, animals, and humans including karyotyping, cell and tissue
culture, and sex chromatin analysis. Prerequisite(s) consent of department. May
be taken with or without BIOL 5490.
BIOL 5490. Cytology and Cytogenetics. 3 hours. (2) Cell structure and
function in plants and animals with emphasis on genetic and chromosomal
aberrations. Prerequisite(s): consent of department.
BIOL 5500. Advanced Bacterial Physiology. 4 hours. (3;3;1) Recent
advances in the biochemistry and physiology of bacteria. Prerequisite(s): BIOL
4500 or equivalent, and consent of department.
BIOL 5510. Advanced Immunology. 3 hours. Immune defense mechanisms
including immunobiology, immunochemistry, serology, immune responses to
infectious agents, allergy and autoimmune diseases.
BIOL 5760. Neurobiology Laboratory. 1-2 hours. Vertebrate neuroanatomy
and experimental neurobiology using electrophysiological and behavioral methods.
Prerequisite(s): concurrent enrollment in BIOL 6460 or consent of department.
BIOL 5800. Microbial Genetics. 3 hours, Gentic structure, inheritance and
gene expression in mocroorganisms and their viruses. Prerequisite(s): BIOL 3450
and 4500 or equivalent, and consent of department.
BIOL 5830. Advanced Genetics. 3 hours. Genetic structure and inheritance
in viruses, bacteria and higher orgnaisms including gene biochemistry, gene
expression, population genetics, cytogenetics and organelle genetics.
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 3450 or equivalent, and consent of department.
BIOL 6080. Current Advances in Pharmacology. 3 hours. Course covers
neuropharmacology, autonomic pharmacology and biochemical/molecular pharmacology.
May be repeated up to a total of three times to cover all aspects.
BIOL 6220. Biostatistics. 6 hours. Statistical methods and experimental
design; descriptive statistics; data presentation; parametric and nonparametric
methods of hypothesis testing including two-sample tests, analysis of variance,
regression and correlation analyses; introduction to multivariate statistics.
Competency with computer statistical packages is developed. Computer fee required.
BIOL 6460. Cellular Neuroscience. 3 hours. A detailed examination of the
nervous system, specifically neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, neurochemistry and
sensory transduction. Prerequisite(s): consent of department.
BIOL 6480. Systems Neuroscience. 3 hours. A detailed examination of the major brain functions including sensation, perception, movement, emotions, language, thought and memory. Prerequisite(s): BIOL 6460 or equivalent or consent of department.
BIOL 6500. Brain Development and Plasticity. 3 hours. Development of the nervous system from early embryo through adulthood; neurogenesis, cell migration, differentiation, synaptogenesis; similarities among mechanisms of ontogeny, learning and regeneration; emphasis on experimental approaches. Prerequisite(s): BIOL 4750 or 6480 or equivalent is recommended.
BIOL 6540. Neurochemistry. 3 hours. Chemistry of the nervous system and
behavior; pharmacology, anatomy and physiology of neurotransmitter systems;
current techniques in neurochemistry and neuropharmacology. Prerequisite(s):
BIOL 4750 or 6460 or equivalent, and one semester of undergraduate biochemistry
are recommended.
BIOL 6600. Advanced Molecular biology. 3 hours. Genetic structure and
regulation of gene expression in prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms; mechanisms
of gene action, gene/enzyme relationships and metabolic control; biochemical
manipulation and characterization of genetic macromolecules. Prerequisites(s):
BIOL 4570 or 5340 or equivalent. (Same as BIOC 6600.)
BIOL 6620. Advanced Cell Biology. 3 hours. Structure and function of
animal and plant cells with emphasis on cell membranes, cytoplasmic organelles
and the nucleus; readings in current literature. Prerequisite(s): biochemistry,
BIOL 3510/3520 or equivalent, or consent of department. (Same as BIOC 6620.)
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