Biology (BIOL)
Courses
BIOL 202. Quantitative Biology. 3 Credits.
Topics in quantitative methods in biological research, including statistics and computer-based analysis. Prerequisites: One of BCOR 101, BCOR 102, BCOR 103; MATH 019, MATH 020.
BIOL 203. Population Ecology. 3 Credits.
Analysis of growth, regulation, and interrelations of biological populations in theoretical, laboratory, and natural systems. Prerequisite: BCOR 102.
BIOL 204. Adv Genetics Laboratory. 4 Credits.
Laboratory experiments to provide experience with modern genetic techniques. Bench work and data analysis emphasized. Prerequisite: BCOR 101.
BIOL 205. Adv Genetics Laboratory. 4 Credits.
Laboratory experiments to provide experience with modern genetic techniques. Bench work and data analysis emphasized. Prerequisite: BCOR 101.
BIOL 208. Morphology&Evolution Insects. 0 or 4 Credits.
Systematics, morphology, and anatomy of insect taxa, with comparisons to related arthropods. Prerequisite: BCOR 102.
BIOL 209. Field Zoology. 0 or 4 Credits.
Collection, identification, and ecology of arthropods. Substantial field collecting. Prerequisite: BCOR 102.
BIOL 212. Comparative Histology. 0 or 4 Credits.
Anatomy of tissues, chiefly vertebrate. Tissue similarities and specializations of organs among the various groups of animals in relation to function. Prerequisite: BCOR 103.
BIOL 217. Mammalogy. 0 or 4 Credits.
Classification, identification, morphology, evolution, and distribution of mammals. Prerequisite: BCOR 102.
BIOL 219. Compar/Func Vertebrate Anatomy. 4 Credits.
Structure, function, and phylogeny, with evolutionary and functional trends of all chordate groups. Prerequisite: Two courses from BCOR 101, BCOR 102, BCOR 103.
BIOL 223. Developmental Biology. 3 Credits.
An analysis of the cellular, subcellular, molecular, and genetic mechanisms that operate during oogenesis and embryogenesis in invertebrate and vertebrate organisms. Prerequisites: BCOR 101, BCOR 103.
BIOL 225. Physiological Ecology. 3 Credits.
Processes by which animals cope with moderate, changing, and extreme environments. Prerequisites: BCOR 102, BIOL 255.
BIOL 238. Winter Ecology. 3 Credits.
Natural history and winter adaptation of plants and animals of western Maine. Field work during winter break; oral and written report completed during spring semester. Prerequisite: Instructor permission.
BIOL 246. Ecological Parasitology. 1 or 3 Credit.
Parasite-host interactions examined with evolutionary perspective. Topics include the origin of parasites, evolution of virulence, and ecological consequences of parasitism. Laboratory includes original experiments. Prerequisite: BCOR 102.
BIOL 254. Population Genetics. 0-4 Credits.
Methods of detecting and investigating genetic variation, as well as its causes and consequences. Applications from medicine, forensics, and environmental biology are emphasized. Pre/co-requisite: BCOR 101.
BIOL 255. Comparative Physiology. 0 or 4 Credits.
Physiology at the organ, systems, and organismal levels. Capstone course to consolidate biological concepts. Pre/co-requisites: BCOR 101, BCOR 102, BCOR 103.
BIOL 261. Neurobiology. 3 Credits.
Focus on molecular and cellular aspects of the nervous system. Electrical signaling, synaptic transmission, signal transduction, neural development, plasticity, and disease. Prerequisite: BCOR 103 or NSCI 110. Cross-listed with: ANNB 261.
BIOL 262. Neurobiology Techniques. 4 Credits.
Extensive study of laboratory methods used in modern research on the function of the nervous system. Techniques from electrophysiology, cell biology, biochemistry, and genetics. Pre/co-requisites: BCOR 103, BIOL 261.
BIOL 263. Genetics Cell Cycle Regulation. 3 Credits.
Molecular events during the cell cycle; mutants defective in cell cycling; comparison of normal and transformed (cancer) cell cycling. Prerequisite: BCOR 101 or Instructor permission.
BIOL 264. Community Ecology. 3 Credits.
Theoretical and empirical analyses of community structure. Topics include population growth, metapopulation dynamics, competition, predation, species diversity, niches, disturbance succession, island biogeography, and conservation biology. Prerequisite: BCOR 102; at least Junior standing.
BIOL 265. Developmntl Molecular Genetics. 3 Credits.
Current topics in developmental genetics explored through lectures and discussions of current literature; emphasis on molecular approaches. Prerequisite: BCOR 101.
BIOL 266. Neurodevelopment. 3 Credits.
Current topics in developmental neurobiology through lectures and discussions of primary literature. The course is designed for advanced undergraduate life science majors and graduate students in the biological sciences. Pre/co-requisites: BCOR 101 and BCOR 103.
BIOL 267. Molecular Endocrinology. 4 Credits.
Study of hormone action at the cellular and molecular level. Prerequisite: BCOR 101.
BIOL 269. Plant-Animal Interactions. 3 Credits.
Ecological and evolutionary interactions among plants and animals. Topics include herbivory, pollination, seed predation, ant-plant interactions, biological control, and anthropogenic effects on plant-animal interactions including the effects of GMOs and global climate change. Prerequisites: (BIOL 001 and BIOL 002) or (BCOR 011 and BCOR 012); BCOR 102 recommended.
BIOL 270. Speciation and Phylogeny. 4 Credits.
Contribution of modern research in such fields as genetics, systematics, distribution, and serology to problems of evolutionary change. Prerequisite: BCOR 101; BCOR 102 recommended.
BIOL 271. Evolution. 3 Credits.
Basic concepts in evolution will be covered, including the causes of evolutionary change, speciation, phylogenetics, and the history of life. Pre/co-requisites: BCOR 102 or permission of the Instructor.
BIOL 275. Human Genetics. 3 Credits.
Application of genetic techniques to the study of human biology. Topics include pedigree analysis, linkage analysis, and complex genetic disorders of medical importance. Prerequisite: BCOR 101.
BIOL 276. Behavioral Ecology. 3 Credits.
Adaptive significance of behavior in natural environments. Evolutionary theory applied to behavior and tested with field data. Prerequisite: BCOR 102 or Instructor permission.
BIOL 277. Sociobiology. 3 Credits.
The evolutionary biology of social behavior in animals. Topics include the evolution of sociality, social interactions, and the functional organization of social groups. Prerequisite: BCOR 102.
BIOL 280. Molecular Ecology. 0 or 4 Credits.
Molecular genetic tools and analytical methods used to investigate ecological processes in natural populations of plants and animals. Prerequisite: BCOR 102.
BIOL 286. Forensic DNA Analysis. 3 Credits.
Theory and techniques of modern genetics used to produce and analyze a DNA profile in forensic science. Emphasis on degraded or contaminated DNA samples. Prerequisite: BCOR 101.
BIOL 295. Advanced Special Topics. 1-18 Credits.
See Schedule of Courses for specific titles.
BIOL 296. Advanced Special Topics. 1-18 Credits.
See Schedule of Courses for specific titles.
BIOL 301. Cell Biology. 3 Credits.
Advanced survey of cell organelles, their composition, origin, and the relationship between their structure and function. Emphasis on recent literature and current controversies. Prerequisite: CHEM 142; Graduate standing in Biology or Instructor permission. Cross-listed Cross-listed with: CLBI 301, PBIO 301.
BIOL 302. Specialized Cells & Cell Proc. 3 Credits.
Current issues and research in the field of plant, invertebrate, mammalian cell, and molecular biology. Prerequisite: BIOL 301. Cross-listed with: CLBI 302.
BIOL 352. Evolutionary Computation. 3 Credits.
Theory and practice of biologically-inspired search strategies, including genetic algorithms, genetic programming, and evolution strategies. Applications include optimization, parameter estimation, and model identification. Significant project. Students from multiple disciplines encouraged. Pre/co-requisites: Familiarity with programming, probability, and Statistics. Cross-listed with: CS 352, CSYS 352.
BIOL 371. Graduate Colloquium. 1 Credit.
Topics of current faculty and graduate student interest presented in a seminar-discussion format. Specific titles for colloquia will be listed in the course schedule.
BIOL 372. Cutting Edge Topics. 2 Credits.
Graduate students will explore cutting edge topics in depth. Students will cross disciplinary lines and learn collaboratively to solve problems. Students will present the outcomes in a talk appropriate for a lay audience. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
BIOL 381. Special Topics. 0-4 Credits.
Readings with conferences, small seminar groups, or laboratories intended to contribute to the programs of graduate students in phases of zoology for which formal courses are not available. Prerequisite: An undergraduate major in life science.
BIOL 382. Eco Lunch. 0-1 Credits.
Review and discussion of current research. Attendance of BIOL 382 or BIOL 384 required of Biology Graduate students. Pre/co-requisites: Graduate standing and Instructor permission.
BIOL 383. Ecology-Evolution Journal Club. 0-1 Credits.
Review and discussion of current research.
BIOL 384. Cell Lunch. 0-1 Credits.
Review and discussion of current research. Attendance of BIOL 382 or BIOL 384 required of Biology Graduate students. Pre/co-requisite: Graduate standing.
BIOL 385. Biology Seminar. 0-1 Credits.
Review and discussion of current biological research. Attendance required of Biology graduate students. Pre/co-requisite: Graduate standing and Instructor permission.
BIOL 392. Independent Study. 1-18 Credits.
A course which is tailored to fit the interests of a specific student, which occurs outside the traditional classroom/laboratory setting under the supervision of a faculty member, for which credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
BIOL 492. Independent Study. 1-18 Credits.
A course which is tailored to fit the interests of a specific student, which occurs outside the traditional classroom/laboratory setting under the supervision of a faculty member, for which credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
BIOL 496. Advanced Special Topics. 1-18 Credits.
See Schedule of Courses for specific titles.