Fall 2007

An examination of the physical and biological laws that influence agriculture, pollution, population dynamics (including humans), climate, biodiversity and ecosystem structure and function. Not available for major credit.

Structure and function of the human body, including the role of organ systems, tissues, and cells in normal function. Malfunctions resulting from disease, substance abuse and lifestyle. Not available for major credit.

Laboratory component for BISC 120 for entering freshmen or transfer students with advanced placement or equivalent lecture credit from another institution.

In-depth survey of key topics related to advances in our knowledge of the diversity of life and evolution; origin of life; eukaryotes/prokaryotes; ecology.

Equivalent to 120Lg, but taught at a higher level for exceptionally well-prepared students. Admission to the course by departmental approval only.

The human organism; the nature of inherited and acquired diseases; the biological and societal basis for the AIDS epidemic; therapy, drug design and the future. Not available for major credit.

A series of lectures and discussions at which faculty of the department introduce their research activities to students entering biology and related majors. Graded CR/NC.

Systemic human anatomy; morphological and embryological conditions contributing to the structures of the adult. Not available for major credit to biological sciences majors. Lecture, 3 hours; Demo, 3 hrs. Prerequisite: high school biology; Recommended preparation: BISC 112L or BISC 113L or BISC 120L or BISC 121L.

Experience in basic techniques through supervised research in the research laboratory of a departmental faculty member. Graded CR/NC.

Organism-environment interactions; dynamics of populations, communities, and ecosystems; evolutionary forces. Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 3 hours.

Structure and synthesis of nucleic acids and proteins; molecular biology of prokaryotes and eukaryotes; genetics.

Transmission genetics and genotype/phenotype; mapping methods; complex traits; genetics of human disease and population genetics. (Duplicates credit in BISC 313).

Marine, freshwater and terrestrial communities of California. Life histories, morphology, special evolutionary adaptations. Relationships between organisms and their biological-physical-chemical environment. Emphasis on field biology. Catalina semester only.

Molecular mechanisms and control of DNA replication, DNA repair, recombination, gene expression, cell growth, and development in prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms, from bacteria to humans. Recommended preparation: BISC 313 or BISC 325

Techniques in molecular biology and biochemistry applied to prokaryotic and eukaryotic model systems; applications of recombinant DNA and genomic technology. Recommended preparation: BISC 313 or BISC 325

Structure, function, and development of nervous systems; neural integration and mechanisms of behavior; organization and operation of brains. Lecture, 3 hours; discussion, 2 hours.

Experimentation on excitable cells, synapses, and neural circuits; intracellular and extracellular techniques for recording, stimulation, and identification of nerve and muscle cells. Laboratory, 3 hours.

Introduction to the habitat, phylogenetic, physiological and metabolic diversity of microbial life in aquatic environments. (Duplicates credit in BISC 419.)

Overview and practical application of genetic and immunological techniques for examining diversity and community structure of natural microbial assemblages in aquatic ecosystems.

Topical seminar in neurobiology. Junior, senior or graduate standing.

General principles of ecosystem function, energy flow and materials cycling in marine systems at various scales and the importance of microbial processes in these systems. Taught on Catalina Island.

Individual research and readings. Not available for graduate credit.

Not available for graduate credit.

Not available for graduate credit.

Lecture and discussion in specialized areas of the biological sciences. Students cannot register more than twice for this course. Junior standing. Recommended preparation: two from BISC 313, BISC 320L, BISC 325 and BISC 330L.

Current genetic and biochemical analysis of replication, recombination, mutagenesis, and repair. Fundamentals of transcription and regulation of gene expression. Recent applications of genetic engineering and genome analysis.

Rotation of graduate students through molecular biology research laboratories to learn the major technological skills required in the field. Graded CR/NC.

Current topics in integrative and evolutionary biology including genetics, ecology with emphasis on higher order complex questions including form, function, and energy use throughout the life span.

Lectures on selected topics in neurobiology. Registration restricted to three semesters. Open to graduate students in departmental program only.

An overview of phytoplankton and zooplankton taxa, their morphologies and life histories using material collected from the local environment off LA and near the Philip K. Wrigley Marine Science Center on Catalina Island.

Physiological processes dictate survival potential, growth rates, and many other biological processes that affect the distribution of species in the oceans. Emphasis on the diverse environmental factors that influence physiological adaptations of marine organisms. Examples from a wide diversity of marine organisms, from bacterial to animals, will be studied.

Microorganisms dominate biological processes in the ocean. These species pose significant problems for estimating species diversity, abundance and activity. Examination of modern molecular biological approaches for analyzing aquatic microbial communities and their ecological roles.

An overview of the theory underlying population and quantitative genetics, with applications to marine systems. Basic evolutionary mechanisms (mutation, migration, drift, selection, nonrandom mating) and modern evidence for their roles in sturcturing genetic variation within and among marine populations.

Current topics in integrative and evolutionary biology.

Aspects of physics and chemistry of the oceans. Qualitative and quantitative considerations of the ecology of pelagic and benthic communities.

Research leading to the Master's Degree. Maximum units which may be applied to the degree to be determined by the department. Graded CR/NC.

Research leading to the doctorate. Maximum units which may be applied to the degree to be determined by the department. Graded CR/NC.

Credit on acceptance of Dissertation. Graded IP/CR/NC.

Credit on acceptance of Dissertation. Graded IP/CR/NC.

Credit on acceptance of Dissertation. Graded IP/CR/NC.

Credit on acceptance of Dissertation. Graded IP/CR/NC.

Credit on acceptance of Dissertation. Graded IP/CR/NC.