Professor Gary L. Miller, Chair
214 Shoemaker Hall

Professors Gaston, Keiser, Lago, and Threlkeld
Associate Professors D'Surney, Holland, Mikell, Ochs, and Parsons
Assistant Professors Brewer, Buchholz, Douglas, Goulet, Halda-Alija, and Secor

The Department of Biology offers degree programs leading to the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in biological sciences and prepares students for professional careers in their fields of specialization.

Prerequisites
A candidate for admission to the graduate program in the Department of Biology must submit an application package consisting of: Graduate School applications, a departmental application; official scores only for the GRE general test; transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate course work; three letters of recommendation. International students must submit a minimum score of 550 on the TOEFL. Acceptable results on the TSE or SPEAK tests of spoken English are required for international students to be eligible for a teaching assistantship. Other prerequisites follow the Graduate School requirements. Successful candidates for the graduate program in biology should have a strong background in biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics. Students with deficiencies may be admitted in special or unclassified status, and must remove deficiencies before enrolling for the third semester of residency and achieve a B (3.0) average on all course work attempted during the probationary period. Remedial courses may not be counted toward degree requirements. Admission is not granted unless a member of the graduate faculty has agreed to accept the student.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

Advisory Committee
During the first semester, a M.S. or Ph.D. student is to become familiar with the research programs in the department and establish an advisory committee. The committee determines deficiencies and the courses to be included in the student's plan of study, approves a research topic, guides the student, judges progress in the degree program, evaluates the results of examinations as applicable, evaluates the research, and approves the thesis or dissertation.

Degree Requirements
All graduate students in residence on the Oxford campus must attend departmental seminars and must enroll in Seminar (BISC 691) during semesters in which they present seminars as specified in the degree requirements. All students for M.S. and Ph.D. degrees must complete a research prospectus satisfactory to the advisory committee, a thesis or dissertation based on potentially publishable research acceptable to the committee, a seminar on their research, and an oral examination and defense of their research. Additional degree requirements may be stipulated by the advisory committee.

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS FOR A MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE

Credit Requirements
A minimum of 30 semester hours of graduate credit acceptable to the advisory committee, including 6 thesis hours and at least 24 hours of course work, 18 of which must be formalized course work. All students must take BISC 691 during the semesters in which they present seminars. At least half of the courses, exclusive of thesis, must be in courses to which only graduate students are admitted. Only 6 hours may be transferred from other institutions. A cumulative average of not less than B (3.0) must be achieved in all graduate work taken. Specific requirements in addition to the minimum may be established by the advisory committee.

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS FOR A DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY DEGREE

Credit Requirements
A minimum of 54 semester hours of graduate credit acceptable to the advisory committee, including 18 dissertation hours and at least 36 hours of course work, 30 of which must be formalized course work. All students must take BISC 691 during the semesters in which they present seminars. At least half of the courses, exclusive of dissertation, must be courses to which only graduate students are admitted. A minimum of two years (36 hours) of residency, one year (18 hours) of continuous residency, and 18 hours of course work must be completed at The University of Mississippi. A cumulative average of not less than B (3.0) must be achieved in all graduate work taken. Specific requirements in addition to the minimum may be required by the advisory committee. The M.S. degree is not a prerequisite for the Ph.D. degree.

Admission to Candidacy
After attaining full graduate standing in the department's Ph.D. program, completion of preliminary examinations, approval of a course of study and a dissertation topic, and presentation of the research prospectus, a written and oral comprehensive examination will be administered by the advisory committee. Upon satisfactory completion of the comprehensive examination, satisfactory progress towards publication of research results, and before the student begins the next to last semester of residency, the advisory committee shall request the department chair to recommend admission to candidacy. Doctoral students must complete all requirements for the degree within five years from the date of the comprehensive examination.

Course Descriptions

Biological Science - BISC

502. MYCOLOGY. Fungi of economic importance; their distribution, biology, and control; collection, identification, and nutrition. (4).

504. BIOMETRY. A biology course on design of biological experiments and analysis of biological data using parametric and nonparametric methodology and multivariate analysis, emphasizing use of computer computation. Prerequisites: At least 15 hours of biology and MATH 121 or consent of instructor. (3).

505. AQUATIC MICROBIOLOGY. Principles and applications of the microbiology of lakes, reservoirs, streams, oceans, and sewage treatment processes. Prerequisite: BISC 333. (4).

509. MICROBIAL GENETICS. Genetics and molecular biology of bacteria and viruses. Prerequisite: BISC 333. (2 lecture, 4 lab hours). (4).

510. THEORETICAL ECOLOGY. Advanced course in ecology emphasizing modern conceptual and mathematical models of ecological phenomena. Prerequisites: BISC 322 and Math 121 (calculus preferred) or consent of instructor. (3).

511. APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY. Applications of microorganisms in industry, agriculture, food and beverage production, waste water treatment, biohydrometallurgy, and bioremediation of environmental pollutants. Prerequisite: BISC 333. (4).

512. ANIMAL BEHAVIOR. The significance of the behavior of animals with emphasis on current evolutionary and ecological approaches. Topics include genetics of behavior, adaptation, fitness, behavioral polymorphism, and communication. Prerequisite: BISC 322 (4).

513. LIMNOLOGICAL METHODS. Field and laboratory techniques in fresh water ecology. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. (1 lecture, 4 lab hours). (3).

514. POPULATION GENETICS. Basic principles of the factors which influence the genetic composition of natural and artificial populations. Topics covered will include selection, migration, mutation, genetic drift mating systems, and quantitative genetics. Prerequisites: BISC 336 and MATH 121. (3).

516. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY. Growth and development in plants; emphasis on assimilation, chemical control of growth, and environmental physiology. Prerequisites: CHEM 105, CHEM 106. (3 lecture, 2 lab hours). (4).

518. MICROTECHNIQUE. Techniques of fixing, embedding, sectioning, and staining tissue. Prerequisite: BISC 415. (4).

519. PHYSIOLOGY OF AQUATIC ANIMALS. The physiology and physiological adaptations of aquatic animals, with emphasis on freshwater animals. Prerequisite: BISC 330 or consent of instructor. (4).

520. MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY. The nature of infectious microorganisms with emphasis on mechanisms of pathogenicity and epidemiology. Prerequisite: BISC 333 or consent of instructor. (3).

521. CELL PHYSIOLOGY. Basic principles and practices of molecular and cellular physiology. Prerequisite: BISC 330, CHEM 221, CHEM 222. (3 lecture, 2 lab hours). (4).

522. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY. Factors that govern the interrelationships between microorganisms and their environments, including microbial energetics, nutrient cycles, aquatic and terrestrial environments, microbial interfaces, methodology. Prerequisite: BISC 333 or consent of instructor. (3).

523. MOLECULAR MICROBIOLOGY OF SOILS AND SEDIMENTS. An introductory course emphasizing habitats and microorganisms found in the soil and sediments and their relationship to management, agricultural production, and environmental quality. (3).

524. AQUATIC BOTANY. Ecology and physiology of vascular plants occurring in fresh water. (4).

525. CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION ECOLOGY. Addresses the efficacy of applying principles of population, community, and landscape ecology to the design, restoration, management, and protection of biological reserves. (3).

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526. SURVEY OF THE AMPHIBIA. An introduction to the taxonomy, morphology, and evolution of salamanders, frogs, and caecilians. This course may not be counted for credit if BISC 640 is counted. (3).

527. SURVEY OF THE REPTILIA. An introduction to the taxonomy, morphology, and evolution of crocodilians, snakes, lizards, amphisbaenians, and turtles. May not be counted for credit if BISC 641 is counted. (3).

529. ENDOCRINOLOGY. Vertebrate endocrine systems. Prerequisite: BISC 330, CHEM 221, CHEM 222. (4).

530. ADVANCED FIELD STUDY IN ECOLOGY. Extended field trip experience illustrating ecological principles, biological diversity, and major biotic regions: may be repeated for credit if topic changes. Prerequisites: BISC 322 or the equivalent and permission of the instructor. (4)

531. PLANT MORPHOLOGY. Development and life histories of major plant groups; emphasis on vascular plants. Prerequisite: any biology course, 300 or above. (4).

532. PLANT TAXONOMY. A survey of the diversity of vascular plants of the world, including their historical and modern classification, nomenclature, and identification. (4).

534. FRESHWATER INSECTS. Identification and biology of insects associated with fresh water. Prerequisite: BISC 337 or consent of instructor. (2 lecture, 4 lab hours). (4).

542. MICROBIAL DIVERSITY. Ecology, physiology, and taxonomy of microorganisms isolated from natural habitats. Prerequisite: BISC 333. (4).

545. MICROBIAL PHYSIOLOGY. Biochemical processes of microbial cells. Prerequisite: BISC 333. (4).

546. HERPETOLOGY. Studies on the systematics, morphology, evolution, and natural history of amphibians and reptiles. (2 lecture, 4 lab hours). (May not count for credit if BISC 548 and 549 are counted).

547. ADVANCED HISTOLOGY. Essential features of microscopic anatomy and development of selected organs and tissues. Prerequisite: BISC 415 or consent of instructor. (4).

548. BIOLOGY OF THE AMPHIBIA. Studies on the systematics, morphology, ecology, and evolution of frogs, salamanders, and caecilians. (May not be counted for credit if BISC 546 is counted). (3 lecture, 2 lab hours). (4).

549. BIOLOGY OF THE REPTILIA. Studies on the systematics, morphology, ecology, and evolution of crocodilians, turtles, rhynchocephalians, lizards, amphisbaenians, and snakes. (May not be counted for credit if BISC 546 is counted). (3 lecture, 2 lab hours). (4).

550. BIOLOGICAL OCEANOGRAPHY. Course examines the biota of the world's oceans and its relationship to the abiotic environment. Physical, chemical, and geological aspects of oceanography also will be considered. Prerequisites: 16 hours upper-division biology or consent of instructor. (4).

551. PROTOZOOLOGY. Structure, reproduction, growth, collection, and methods of culture of protozoa. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. (4).

553. COMPARATIVE ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY. Comparative and integrative investigation of the structure and mechanisms of the physiological systems of animals. The course emphasizes the adaptive strategies expressed by physiological systems to particular lifestyles and environments. (3).

554. ECOLOGICAL PHYSIOLOGY. Systemic function of organisms in relation to the natural environment. (4).

555. RADIATION BIOLOGY. Effects of radiation on living material at all levels of organization. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. (3 lecture, 2 lab hours). (4).

566. EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY. Lectures and assigned readings on modern evolutionary theories, with emphasis on speciation and processes operating at the population level of organization. Prerequisite: 15 hours of biology or permission of instructor. (3).

567. EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY LABORATORY. Laboratory to accompany BISC 566. Corequisite: BISC 566. Prerequisite: 15 hours of biology or permission of instructor. (2 lab hours). (1).

571. HISTORY OF BIOLOGY. (3).

604. DESIGN AND ANALYSIS OF ECOLOGICAL EXPERIMENTS. Design of ecological experiments; replication, blocking, and treatment structures; analysis of designed experiments; procedures for data sets with missing observations or incompletely executed designs. Prerequisite: BISC 504. (3).

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608. LIMNOLOGY. The physical, chemical, geological, and biological aspects of lake and reservoir environments. (3).

609. STREAM ECOLOGY. Ecosystem structure and function of streams with emphasis on primary literature and application of field methods. (3).

610. VIROLOGY. Fundamental biology and biochemistry of bacterial, animal, and plant viruses. (2 lecture, 4 lab hours). (4).

611. WETLANDS ECOLOGY. The ecology, energy dynamics, plant and animal adaptations to marsh and swamp ecosystems, with emphasis on primary literature. (3).

613. PLANT ECOLOGY. Autecology, population, and community ecology of vascular plants. (4).

614. ADVANCED GENERAL MICROBIOLOGY. Introduction to microbiology for graduate students. Prerequisite: CHEM 105, CHEM 106 and consent of instructor. (2 lecture, 4 lab hours). (4).

615. ICHTHYOLOGY. Classification natural history, and evolutionary biology of fishes. Prerequisite: BISC 329 or consent of instructor. (2 lecture, 4 lab hours). (4).

616. POPULATION BIOLOGY. Dynamics of genetic and ecological factors in determining the composition, size, and distribution of populations. Prerequisite: BISC 322 or permission of instructor. (3).

617. FISHERY BIOLOGY. Research methods in freshwater fishery biology; life histories, environmental relations, and fishery management problems. Prerequisite: BISC 615. (1 lecture, 4 lab hours). (3).

618. COMMUNITY ECOLOGY. Theory of natural community dynamics. Prerequisite: BISC 322 or consent of instructor. (3).

619. ECOSYSTEMS ECOLOGY. Structure and function of ecological systems, emphasizing consideration of natural and man-made ecosystems and cybernetic aspects of system functions. (3).

620. FIELD BOTANY. Taxonomy, distribution, ecology, and natural history of indigenous plants; methods of field study and collecting. (4).

621. BEHAVIORAL ENDOCRINOLOGY. Advanced course investigating the endocrine basis of behavior in animals with emphasis on vertebrates. Prerequisites: BISC 322, BISC 330, or consent of instructor. (3).

622. BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY. Advanced course focusing on the evolutionary ecology of animal behavior. Prerequisites: BISC 322, BISC 336 or consent of instructor; it is highly recommended that students have training in mathematics through differential calculus. (3).

623. AQUATIC PLANTS. Taxonomy, distribution, and ecology of aquatic plants in the subkingdom Embryophyta; emphasis on freshwater species. Prerequisite: any two biology courses, 300 or above, which provide taxonomic training. (2 lecture, 4 lab hours). (4).

626. AQUATIC ORNITHOLOGY. The ecology, behavior, and taxonomy of aquatic birds, emphasizing adaptations to the freshwater environment. (3).

628. ADVANCED REPRODUCTIVE PHYSIOLOGY. Biomechanical mechanisms involved in reproductive processes and endocrine interrelationship of their regulation. Emphasis will be on molecular events within the hypothalmo-pituitary-gonadal axis. Prerequisite: BISC 335. (4).

629. ADVANCED BIOCHEMICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY. Mechanisms of action of hormones at the biochemical and molecular level. Review and journal articles will serve as text materials. Prerequisites: CHEM 371 and consent of instructor. (3).

630. ALGOLOGY. Ecology and physiology of freshwater algae, including isolation, identification, and culture techniques. Prerequisites: BISC 339 or consent of instructor. (2 lecture, 2 lab hours). (4).

631. ADVANCED AQUATIC TECHNIQUES. Laboratory methods in freshwater systems, emphasizing advanced techniques and instrumentation. (4).

632. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY. Advanced principles of toxicology in aquatic systems. Topics include transport, distribution, transformation, and ultimate fate of chemicals in the aquatic environment. (4).

633. MICROBIAL ENERGETICS. Thermodynamic consideration of energy flux applied to growth and survival of microorganisms in the environment. Biochemical and environmental aspects are presented. Prerequisite: BISC 333. (3).

635. INSECT TAXONOMY. Orders, families, and important genera of North American adult and immature insects, principles and practice of insect classification. Prerequisite: BISC 337. (2 lecture, 4 lab hours). (4).

639. INSECT MORPHOLOGY. Structure and form of important insect types. Prerequisite: BISC 337 or consent of instructor. (2 lecture, 4 lab hours). (4).

647. INVERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY. Morphology, life histories, ecology, and speciation of invertebrates, exclusive of insects. (2 lecture, 4 lab hours). (4).

649. METHODS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY. A laboratory course designed to acquaint the student with advanced instrumentation of molecular biology. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. (3).

650. INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH IN BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES. Scientific method, ethics, technical writing, bibliographic techniques, publication, technical presentation, and research funding in the biological sciences. (3).

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651. ADVANCED PARASITOLOGY. Principles of parasitology with emphasis on parasites that affect man. (2 lecture, 4 lab hours). (4).

660. PLANT ANATOMY AND DEVELOPMENT. Internal construction and development of plants. Technical expertise will be gained using classical and modern histological techniques. (4).

661. PHYLOGENETIC SYSTEMATICS. Conceptual and practical approaches to estimating and evaluating relationships among organisms. Themes include morphological, molecular, and paleontological evolution. (4).

675. ADVANCED MICROBIAL PHYSIOLOGY. Regulatory mechanisms, enzymology, and bioenergetics of microbial systems. (3).

676. TOPICS IN EVOLUTIONARY PHYSIOLOGY. Advanced topics in evolutionary physiology. May be repeated three times if topic changes. (3).

677. TOPICS IN EVOLUTION AND ECOLOGY. Advanced topics in evolution and ecology. May be taken up to three times if topics change. (3).

678. TOPICS IN ENVIRONMENTAL AND APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY. Topics in advanced microbiology. May be retaken up to three times if topics change. (3).

679. DIRECTED STUDY IN BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE. Assigned readings and independent research projects conducted under the supervision of faculty of the Biology Department. Provides opportunities for hands-on experience in areas of mutual student-faculty interest. A written research report is required. Course may be repeated when topic changes. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. (1-3).

691. SEMINAR. Lectures by faculty, visiting lecturers, and graduate students. (May be repeated for credit as required by the department) (1).

692. SEMINARS ON SPECIAL TOPICS. A series of seminars on selected topics of concern to biological scientists. The theme of each series will be announced prior to registration. Seminar participants should expect to research primary literature sources and to prepare written summaries and oral seminars on assigned subjects. (This course may be repeated for credit provided no two themes are identical. No more than 2 hours may be used to satisfy minimum credit hour requirements for a degree.) (1, 1).

693. MICROBIOLOGY SEMINAR. (May be repeated for credit). (1).

697. THESIS. (1-12).

797. DISSERTATION. (1-18).

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