Biology Graduate courses (BIOL)
510. CONSERVATION ECOLOGY (3 credit hours)
This course reviews the evolutionary and ecological bases for the Earth’s biodiversity and its
importance to ecosystem function and human welfare. The causes, rates and patterns of loss of
biodiversity throughout the world and the concepts and techniques used in ecological conservation
and restoration are reviewed. Three class hours per week. Prerequisites: graduate status and permission of instructor.
521. ANIMAL PARASITISM (4 credit hours)
This course details the ecological concept of parasitism, utilizing the prominent parasitic species of
animals and man. The laboratory component of the course concerns the identification of species and
structures of the important parasites of animals and man. Lab and field projects dealing with natural
and host-parasite systems will also be undertaken. Six class hours per week. Prerequisites: graduate status and permission of instructor.
550. EVOLUTION (3 credit hours)
A course covering the concepts and theories of modern evolutionary biology, including the mechanisms
of genetic change in populations, speciation patterns, and geologic change through time. Three class
hours per week. Prerequisites: graduate status and permission of instructor.
561. MICROBIAL GENETICS (4 credit hours)
Genetic mechanisms of bacteria, including their viruses, plasmids and transposons. Integration of
genetic principles and genetic/molecular tools for understanding biological questions. Select topics
in eukaryotic microbial genetics will be included. Six class hours per week including laboratory.
Prerequisites: graduate status and permission of instructor.
565. THE BIOLOGY OF FISHES (4 credit hours)
This is an introductory course that examines the evolution, morphology, anatomy, physiology, and
ecology of fishes. The course will relate the above subject areas to aquaculture principles and practices.
Six class hours per week. Prerequisites: graduate status and permission of instructor.
573. EUKARYOTIC MOLECULAR GENETICS (4 credit hours)
A study of genome structure, organization and function of model organisms with special reference to Arabidopsis and other higher eukaryotes; theory and methodology of genetic and physical mapping, comparative genomics, sequencing, sequence analysis and annotation; emphasis on the function of complex genomes, genome-wide expression analysis, genetic and epigenetic mechanisms, gene silencing, transposons, genome duplication and evolution. Prerequisites: graduate status and permission of instructor.
575. PRINCIPLES OF AQUACULTURE (4 credit hours)
An in-depth step-by step study of the principles and practices underlying commercial aquaculture
production, aquatic productivity and the levels of aquaculture management. Practices in the United
States will be the primary focus with attention to the world in general. Six class hours per week.
Prerequisites: graduate status and permission of instructor.
599. SPECIAL TOPICS (1 – 4 credit hours)
An in depth study of special topics proposed by members of the biology faculty. Open to graduate
students. Prerequisite: graduate status and permission of instructor.
605. ADVANCED ECOLOGY (4 credit hours)
This course explores the topics at the forefront of basic and applied ecology through current and
seminal primary and review literature. Topics include plant adaptations to stress and environmental
heterogeneity, ecosystem nutrient and energy dynamics, processes that generate and regulate
biodiversity, the importance of biodiversity to ecosystem function, and the application of this
information towards management, conservation and reclamation. In laboratory, these concepts will be
explored using field and laboratory experiments. Six class hours per week. Prerequisites: graduate status and permission of instructor.
635. ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY (4 credit hours)
This course is designed as an introduction to the mechanisms and principles involved in life processes. A general and comparative approach is used to develop and understanding, in biophysical and
biochemical terms have how animals function in order to produce an integrated functioning of the
organ systems. While all levels of organization are considered, particular emphasis is placed on the
whole animal and its dynamic organ systems. The course also emphasizes physiological responses to
environmental stresses. Six class hours per week including laboratory. Prerequisites: graduate status and permission of instructor.
640. FIELD BOTANY (4 credit hours)
An integrated laboratory study of the taxonomy, ecology and geography of plants with emphasis on
the flora of West Virginia. Six class hours per week. Prerequisite: graduate status and permission of instructor.
644. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY (4 credit hours)
This course includes an analysis of the cell biology, biochemistry, metabolism, ecological physiology, and development of plants. Lecture topics include water relations, respiration, photosynthesis, nitrogen fixation, mineral nutrition, plant hormones, plant molecular biology, genetic engineering, and the role of environmental signals in plant development, and the environmental physiology of Mid-Atlantic, mixed mesophytic, deciduous forests. Lectures will be supplemented with reading in research journals. Laboratory exercises are designed to demonstrate basic research techniques as well as the principles covered in lecture. Six contact hours per week. Prerequisite: graduate status and permission of instructor.
660. ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY (4 credits)
Microbial functions, interactions, and diversity in natural and man-made environments. Applications
of microbial activities in bioremediation, biodegradation, agriculture, health and environmental
biotechnology. Six class hours per week including laboratory. Prerequisites: graduate status and permission of instructor.
666. CANCER BIOLOGY (3 credit hours)
This course will introduce the student to the biology of tumors. Emphasis will be placed on the cellular and molecular events that lead to tumor formation and progression to cancer. The course format will be a combination of traditional lecture and seminar. Three class hours per week. Prerequisites: Entry into the Biotechnology Graduate Program and permission of the instructor.
671. ADVANCED ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY (2 credit hours)
Discussion of current and classical research literature in environmental microbiology, including microbial ecology and evolution, and the interface with plant, animal and medical microbiology. Two class hours per week. Prerequisites: graduate status and permission of instructor.
Biotechnology Graduate Program (BT)
501. SEMINAR FOR TEACHING ASSISTANTS (1 credit hour)
This elective course that will introduce graduate students to the teaching profession. The course focuses on the structural organization of the academic institution, selected techniques in teaching, issues in the classroom, and current literature in higher education. There will be selected readings, exercises, and guest speakers. Class meets one hour per week. A maximum of one credit of the course may be applied toward the course requirements of the Biotechnology MS or MA degrees. Prerequisite: admission to graduate program or permission of instructor.
511. BIOTECHNOLOGY SEMINAR (1 credit hour)
This is a graduate-level seminar course involving a literature search, and written and oral presentations of biotechnology research. Includes evaluation of presentations by off-campus professionals, faculty and peers. Two class hours per week. Prerequisite: Admission to graduate program.
555. BIOSTATISTICS (3 credit hours)
An introduction to statistics emphasizing its application in biological investigation. Topics include central tendencies, dispersion, normality, confidence intervals, probability, parametric and non-parametric tests of hypothesis (including tests of independence and goodness of it, correlation, regression, t-test, ANOVA, ANCOVA, and planned and unplanned comparisons), the relationships between effect size, power, and sample size, and fundamentals of experimental design. Two lecture and two lab hours per week. Prerequisites: Math 101 or Math 121; admission to the program.
567. CURRENT CONCEPTS IN BIOTECHNOLOGY (3 credit hours)
Recent developments in animal, plant, environmental and microbial biotechnology, including the engineering of biological processes from molecular to ecosystem-level scales. Lecture/discussion format. Three class hours per week. Prerequisite: Admission to the program.
571. TECHNIQUES IN BIOTECHNOLOGY I (2 credit hours)
The first in a two semester laboratory series, this course includes a broad scope of protein, RNA and DNA protocols providing experience in the manipulation of macromolecules and transformation of microbes. Emphasis is on building the skills and intellectual framework necessary to work in the biotechnology field. Six class hours per week. Prerequisite: Admission to graduate program.
572. TECHNIQUES IN BIOTECHNOLOGY II (2 credit hours)
This is the second course in a two semester laboratory series. This course includes numerous organism-specific techniques of culture, propagation, maintenance and study. These exercises provide training in bioinformatics, plant and animal genetic engineering, bioreactors and fermentation, research microscopy and cytogenetics, aquaculture, immunology and molecular diagnostics. Six class hours per week. Prerequisites: BT571 or equivalent; Admission to the program.
590. GRADUATE RESEARCH (1 – 4 credit hours)
An independent research topic designed by the student with the assistance of a graduate faculty advisor that supervises the project. The topic should be acceptable to the advisor and the chair. Limited to specific problems in the biotechnology field. A maximum of 4 credits of BT 590 may be counted toward a Master’s in Biotechnology. Variable contact hours. Prerequisites: admission to Biotechnology Graduate Program and permission of instructor.
591. GRADUATE INDEPENDENT STUDY OR RESEARCH (1 – 4 credit hours)
An independent research topic designed by the student with the assistance of a graduate faculty advisor that supervises the project. The topic should be acceptable to the advisor and the chair. Limited to specific problems in the biotechnology field. Available after fulfilling 4 credit hours of BT 590. Variable contact hours. Course is graded pass / fail only. Prerequisites: admission to Biotechnology Graduate Program and permission of instructor.
592. GRADUATE LIBRARY RESEARCH (2 credit hours)
Extensive library research techniques in a particular biological area. Staff assigns a topic and supervises the project. A maximum of 2 credits of BT 592 may be counted toward a Master’s in Biotechnology. Prerequisites: admission to Biotechnology Graduate Program and permission of instructor.
598. INDUSTRY INTERNSHIP IN BIOTECHNOLOGY (1-3 credit hours)
Experience in the biotechnology industry through work at an industrial site or governmental agency. Arrangement determined by industry/government partner in conjunction with the student’s graduate committee. Prerequisites: Admission to graduate program; approval of graduate committee.
599. SPECIAL TOPICS IN BIOTECHNOLOGY (1-4 credit hours)
An in-depth study of special topics proposed by members of the Biotechnology graduate faculty. Open to graduate students. Prerequisite: graduate status.
695. MASTERS THESIS RESEARCH (1 – 9 credit hours)
An independent research project designed by the student with assistance from the Thesis advisor and acceptable to the Thesis committee. Variable contact hours. Course is graded pass / fail only. Prerequisite: admission to the Biotechnology Graduate Program and approval of the graduate committee.