Biological Sciences
Jeff Twiss, Interim Chair
The Department of Biological Sciences offers programs leading to the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. The Master of Arts in Teaching in Sciences (Biology option) is offered in cooperation with the College of Education.
The purpose of the graduate program in the Department of Biological Sciences is to train biological scientists for careers in teaching, research, administration, and industry. The Department of Biological Sciences offers diverse research and training opportunities that span the Biological discipline, including but not necessarily restricted to Biology of Stress, Cancer Biology, Ecology, Evolution, Marine Biology, Neurobiology, Plant Biology, Stem Cell and Developmental Biology, and Computational Genomics. Students interested in multiple areas can construct an interdisciplinary curriculum with the consent of both the advisor and the advisory and examination committees.
The Biological Sciences M.S. and Ph.D. degrees are research based degrees focusing on animal, plant and/or microbial systems in the areas of ecology, evolutionary biology, physiology, molecular biology, cellular biology, and/or developmental biology.
Admission
An applicant must have a baccalaureate degree or its equivalent from an accredited college or university. The applicant’s academic record must indicate adequate preparation for graduate study in biology and must demonstrate ability to excel in the biological sciences. Generally, to be considered for admission, a student must have a minimum grade point average of 3.00 in the sciences on a 4.00 scale. However, these guidelines are flexible, and slight deficiencies in one area can be compensated by strengths in another. In addition, applicants whose native language is not English must obtain a minimum score of 600 (250 computer-based score) on the TOEFL exam or 7 on the IELTS exam.
Courses
An overview of the microbial world including a survey of the distribution, functioning, and diversity of microorganisms in natural systems. Discusses the crucial roles that microorganisms play in ecosystem function, biogeochemical cycles, and environmental quality.
Cross-listed course: MSCI 503
An introduction to how cell-cell communication, gene expression, cell division, cytoskeletal dynamics, and interactions with the extracellular matrix result in the differentiation, pattern formation, morphogenesis, and growth necessary to generate a new individual.
Descriptive and experimental exercises related to embryology. One three-hour laboratory per week.
Molecular aspects of development from gamete formation through tissue and organ differentiation in plants and animals. Three lecture hours per week.
A series of experimentally oriented laboratory exercises will be performed. One three-hour laboratory per week.
Phylogenetic and comparative aspects of anatomy, physiology, reproduction, and embryology of the invertebrates.
Cross-listed course: MSCI 510
Graduation with Leadership Distinction: GLD: Research
Descriptive and molecular examination of the processes and mechanisms used by plants in organogenesis, differentiation, and morphogenesis. Three lecture hours per week.
Experiments utilizing a genetic approach to the study of plant development. Three laboratory hours per week.
Taxonomy and morphology of fungi; cultivation, life histories, and economic importance; all classes and major orders considered. Three lecture hours per week.
Diversity, distribution, physiology, ecology, evolution, and economic importance of marine algal, seagrass, and mangrove communities. Three lecture and three laboratory hours per week. Scheduled field trips are required.
Cross-listed course: MSCI 525
Two lecture and four laboratory hours per week.
Two lecture and four laboratory hours per week.
Two lecture and four laboratory hours per week.
An introduction to the tissues that make up the human body. The microscopic anatomy of tissues is examined and discussed in terms of function and physiology. Three lecture hours and four laboratory hours per week.
A comparative survey of behavior patterns of animals from protists to humans and the physiological mechanisms underlying behavior.
Observational and experimental methods used in classifying animal behavior patterns and in determining underlying control mechanisms. One three-hour laboratory per week.
Management and conservation of aquatic and marine resources, with emphasis on fisheries. Data procurement and analysis; commercial and recreational fisheries; sociological, political, legal, and environmental factors that affect fishery management; and fish biodiversity.
Cross-listed course: MSCI 535
Phylogeny, morphology, behavior, and ecology of fishes. Three lecture and 3 laboratory hours plus three field trips to be arranged.
Cross-listed course: MSCI 536
Graduation with Leadership Distinction: GLD: Research
Introduction to the practical and scientific aspects of the commercial culture of freshwater and marine organisms. Three lecture hours per week. One all-day field trip required.
Cross-listed course: MSCI 537
The identification of behavioral adaptations of estuarine and marine organisms: their ecology, physiology, development, and evolutionary history; field observations.
Cross-listed course: MSCI 538
Graduation with Leadership Distinction: GLD: Research
Description of biological macromolecules and major metabolic pathways.
Cross-listed course: CHEM 550
An integrative and comparative study of the structure, function, and evolution of the physiological systems of animals. Three lecture hours per week.
Essentials of modern biochemistry. First semester of a two-semester course. Three lecture hours per week.
Cross-listed course: CHEM 555
Essentials of modern biochemistry and molecular biology. Three lecture hours per week.
Cross-listed course: CHEM 556
A general survey of the major physiological processes in plants. Two lecture and four laboratory hours per week.
Introduction to bacteria and viruses emphasizing ultrastructure, physiology, genetics, and growth. Discussion of public health, industrial, and environmental microbiology. Three lecture hours per week.
Graduation with Leadership Distinction: GLD: Research
Three laboratory hours per week.
An introduction to the principles of population genetics, with emphasis on the origin, maintenance, and significance of genetic variation in natural populations.
Cross-listed course: MSCI 552
Graduation with Leadership Distinction: GLD: Research
Current concepts and applications of genomics, addressing questions from throughout biological inquiry.
Discussion of how physiological factors, like nutritional status, influence systemic signals to alter stem cell activity, and the physiological stimuli that impact stem cell activity in a variety of organisms (from worms to humans).
Interactions of organisms and the environment; ecosystem structure and functions. Three lecture hours per week.
Three hours per week.
Principles of conservation biology. Importance of biodiversity, causes of decline and extinction, and restoration and conversation policy in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.
Cross-listed course: ENVR 571
Quantitative study of the population, community and evolutionary ecology of freshwater habitats (lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, wetlands). Includes mandatory field trips.
Cross-listed course: ENVR 572
Exploration of how human activities affect marine natural populations, species, communities and ecosystems, including threats to biodiversity; approaches to marine conservation; and ecological and evolutionary responses to anthropogenic disturbance.
Cross-listed course: MSCI 574
Structure, dynamics, and interactions between populations and communities in marine ecosystems. Attendance at designated departmental seminars is required. Three lecture hours per week.
Cross-listed course: MSCI 575
Interdisciplinary examination of the distribution, reproduction, survival, and historical variation of the principal commercial marine fisheries.
Cross-listed course: MSCI 576
Structure, productivity, and biodiversity of coral reefs, emphasizing their sensitivity, stability, and sustainability. Taught as an extended field experience with daily lectures and guided research activities.
Cross-listed course: MSCI 577
This course focuses on quantitative knowledge for interdisciplinary applications in genetics as well as hands-on experience in analyzing genetic data. In this course, students will have programming exercises in using analysis tools to conduct genome-wide analysis, annotation, and interpretation of genetic data using R/Bioconductor packages.
Cross-listed course: STAT 588
Current developments in biological sciences. Readings and research on selected topics. Course content varies and will be announced in the schedule of classes by title.
Survey of current concepts regarding the molecular and genetic factors that regulate the origin and progression of cancer. Readings based on current primary literature.
Advanced study of viruses with regard to biochemical, molecular, pathological, epidemiological, and biotechnological aspects. Focus on animal viruses with particular emphasis on human pathogens.
Focuses on the understanding of how stem cells can be used to make fundamental biological discoveries with a special focus in neuroscience.
Basic immunological concepts including antibody structure, function, and genetics; cellular immunology; transplantation; hypersensitivity; autoimmunity; and immunity to infectious diseases.
Advanced study of infectious diseases caused by fungi. Etiology, symptoms, and treatment of fungi related illnesses.
Cross-listed course: ENHS 625
Examines the physiology and ecology of phytoplankton, including environmental controls on community composition, primary productivity, and detection and characterization of water quality (eutrophication) and harmful algal blooms.
Cross-listed course: MSCI 627
Biology of birds at molecular, organismal, and population levels, emphasizing unique adaptations of the class of Aves.
Advances in molecular and cellular neurobiology that bring new understanding for human neurological disease.
Descriptive and experimental aspects of the neural basis of behavior, emphasizing cellular and molecular mechanisms. Two lecture and six laboratory hours per week. Three lecture hours per week.
Interactions of microorganisms with each other, with more complex organisms, and with their environments. Three lecture hours per week.
This course examines how the mechanisms by which animals and plants interact with their physical environments influence organismal physiology.
Advanced study of related aspects of biological evolution. Rose of life from physical and chemical precursors, biochemical basis of adaptation to ecological pressures, and biochemical aspects of the origins and maintenance of biodiversity.
A study of the aquatic environment and its biota. Three lecture and four laboratory hours per week.
An advanced course in evolutionary biology, including natural selection, neutral evolution, molecular evolution population genetics, quantitative genetics, sexual selection, speciation, human evolution, and the evolution of disease.
Studies of the principles of genetics and molecular biology as applied to adaptive evolution of genes and genomes.
Speciation as the source of biological diversity. Historical and biological viewpoints. Analysis of concepts of species and models of speciation. Two lectures and one recitation per week.
Studies in molecular biology and genetics with emphasis on the use of newly developed techniques in biotechnology. Three lecture hours per week.
Techniques used in biotechnology will be employed in the context of an experimental project. Twelve laboratory hours per week.
Evolution, systematics, genetics, ecology, and adaptation of mammals. Emphasis on native South Carolina species. Two lectures and one two-hour laboratory per week, plus five field trips to be arranged.
Signaling pathways involved in human diseases, such as cancer, AIDS, autoimmune diseases and diabetes, and cellular processes involving apoptosis, cell cycle, cell-cell adhesion, growth factors, hormones, G protein-couples receptors, cytokines and immune response.
Molecular mechanisms underlying gene action and differentiation in man; the genetic bases for human variability and inborn metabolic errors leading to inherited diseases.
An advanced examination of the molecular mechanisms underlying gene action in humans. Current literature illustrating the genotype-phenotype relationship in human disease pathogenesis will be discussed.
Structure and dynamics of plant populations and communities, including life histories, adaptations, and plant interactions. Three lecture hours per week.
Laboratory and field exercises in plant ecology. Four hours per week.
Physiological, molecular, and genetic examination of induced plant responses to various biotic and abiotic environmental stresses.
Theoretical and practical aspects of scanning and transmission electron microscopy, digital image acquisition and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. Two lecture and one laboratory hour per week, plus a research project to be arranged.
Selected biochemical topics emphasizing research literature. One lecture hour per credit per week.
Selected botanical topics emphasizing research literature. One lecture hour per credit per week.
Selected ecology topics emphasizing research literature. One lecture hour per credit per week.
Selected genetic and developmental biology topics emphasizing research literature. One lecture hour per credit per week.
Selected zoological topics emphasizing research literature. One lecture hour per credit per week.
A detailed study of nucleic acids including their structure/chemistry, biosynthesis, processing, and biological functions.
Advanced topics in Mendelian genetics, DNA repair/recombination, and mechanisms of gene expression. Three lecture hours per week.
Problems of cellular organization, interactions, and control. Cell growth and death, cell-cell recognition and communication, intracellular transport, the structure and assembly of cellular organelles, somatic cell genetics, and evolution of cells. Three lecture hours per week.
A comprehensive treatment of the chemistry, metabolism, regulation, and function of biological systems.
The ecology and physiology of freshwater and marine bacteria. The functions of bacteria in aquatic habitats and the public health aspects of pollution as they relate to microbiology. Three lecture hours per week.
Three laboratory hours per week.
Two lectures and two laboratory periods per week.
Two lecture and three laboratory hours per week.
Three lecture hours and one three-hour laboratory per week.
Three lecture hours and one three-hour laboratory per week.
Three lecture hours per week.
One seminar and six laboratory hours per week.
Principles of systematics and an in-depth study of invertebrate phylogeny and ecology. Two lecture and three laboratory hours per week.
Three lectures or conferences per week.
The biochemical and molecular mechanisms by which a variety of organisms develop. Three lecture hours per week.
Three lecture and three laboratory hours per week.
A brief introduction to general endocrinology followed by an in-depth examination of the molecular mechanisms of hormone action, including receptors, second messengers, and hormonal control of transcription/translation. The evolution of hormone-receptor systems will also be examined.
Team-taught course on the theory and practice of laboratory techniques for investigating the structure and function of cellular components, especially organelles, proteins, and nucleic acids. Three lecture hours per week. Lectures will be supplemented with laboratory demonstrations.
Biological, chemical, geological, and physical processes that influence the cyling of major bioactive elements (C, O, N, P, S) in marine waters and sediments.
Cross-listed course: MSCI 752
The action of genes in development and differentiation at the molecular, cellular, and organ (tissue) levels, with examples taken from microorganisms, plants, animals, and man. Three lecture hours per week.
Shipboard experience with basic techniques used by geological, physical, chemical, and biological oceanographers.
Cross-listed course: GEOL 754
An intensive field course centered around field problems in a variety of habitats (freshwater, terrestrial, estuarine). Students will use a variety of quantitative sampling methods to test ecological hypotheses on several two-day field trips.
An intensive consideration of topics of current interest in biology. One lecture hour per credit per week.
Appropriate designation will be made for the particular program in any given semester.
Two lecture and three laboratory hours per week.
Theory and design of modern electron microscopes; advancement in the theory and practice of specimen preparation of biological materials; interpretation of ultrastructure of cells and tissues. Three lecture hours a week.
Four laboratory hours per week.
A survey of the structure and function of wetland ecosystems emphasizing the current literature.
Three lecture and two laboratory hours per week.
Study of modern advances in plant physiology. Plant biotechnology topics, such as tissue culture, nitrogen fixation, photosynthesis, weed and pest control, molecular cloning, and genetic manipulation. Three lecture hours per week.
Theoretical bases of ecology are explored from current literature with topics from organismal, populational, community, and ecosystem approaches. Principles for the construction and testing of hypotheses and models.
Theoretical and empirical studies of the evolutionary process. Historical perspective of major developments in evolution as well as modern quantitative and ecological genetic studies.
Recent developments in cellular and molecular biology including genetic mechanisms, ultrastructure, and function of organelles and membranes. Lectures supplemented with readings from current literature. Primarily for the MAT program. Not available for MS or PhD credit in biology.
Concepts of growth, differentiation, and morphogenesis of organisms in light of recent advances in biological knowledge. Lectures supplemented with readings from current literature. Primarily for the M.A.T. program. Not available for M.S. or Ph.D. credit in biology.
Ecological concepts with reference to recent advances in environmental sciences. Special attention to the ecology of the coast, swamps, and other habitats of importance in the Southeast. Primarily for the M.A.T. program. Not available for M.S. or Ph.D. credit in biology.
Introduction to the major forms of plant life in the state. Includes fungi, algae, bryophytes, and vascular plants. Lecture-laboratory-field course primarily for the M.A.T. program. Not available for M.S. or Ph.D. credit in biology.
Introduction to the major forms of animal life in the state. Animals will be studied and/or collected in their native habitat. Includes identification, behavior, and ecology of animals with emphasis on vertebrates. Lecture-laboratory-field course primarily for the M.A.T. program. Not available for M.S. or Ph.D. credit in biology.
Theory and applications of phylogenetics; estimation via Markov models, likelihood, distances and parsimony; hypothesis testing of evolutionary trees and parameters; related topics including molecular divergence time inference.
Directed laboratory research and readings in the biological sciences for M.S. and Ph.D. students prior to preparation of theses and dissertations.
Assigned readings in special topics in molecular, cellular, and developmental biology followed by classroom discussions. Designed to teach critical analysis of the scientific literature.
A review of current literature in plant biology involving student presentations of seminars. One discussion hour per credit per week. The course may be repeated for credit.
A review of current literature in ecology involving student presentations of seminars. One discussion hour per credit per week.
Student presentations of papers from the current literature in molecular, cellular, and developmental biology. Designed to give experience in oral presentations. May be repeated.
A review of current literature in zoology involving student presentations of seminars. One discussion hour per credit per week.
Recent trends in biological research from the perspective of individual faculty members in the department. May be repeated.