The Department of Biological Sciences offers MA and MS degrees in Biology. The MA and MS degrees allow specialization in one of several areas of Biology and are designed for those students planning to pursue careers in biological/medical research and environmental biology with governmental agencies or industry and in science teaching. These degrees are also appropriate for those students planning to continue their training in Ph.D. programs at other institutions or in professional schools.

Admission requirements

    Students seeking admission to the graduate program in the Biological Sciences must, under normal circumstances, meet the basic requirements of Graduate Studies specified in the ADMISSION section of this catalogue. In addition, students must make a satisfactory score on the GRE, taken no later than the completion of their first semester of graduate training, before acceptance into candidacy for the degree. Also, two letters of recommendation from the Biology faculty in the student's undergraduate institution are required with the application for admission. Based on review of a student's undergraduate transcript, the Department of Biological Sciences may require completion of undergraduate stem courses as conditions for admission.

Master of Arts, Plan I. This degree is designed for those students who wish to continue at the graduate level any minor program they may have begun as an undergraduate. Although this degree program is well suited for many training objectives, it is most often recommended for secondary teachers who wish to prepare in two fields. This plan requires 38 semester hours of graduate credit in residence, 29 of which must be in courses numbered 500 and above. Twenty-six hours are taken in Biology, including BIO 510, 511. A minor of 12 semester hours of graduate credit is required in a field that logically supports the major. A scholarly paper is required.

Master of Arts, Plan II. This degree program is designed for those students who elect all of their courses from those offered in the Biology program unless otherwise authorized by the Graduate Advisor. Although this degree program is well suited for many training objectives, it is most often recommended for secondary teachers who wish to enhance their education in the Biological Sciences. This plan requires 38 semester hours of graduate credit within the academic program, 29 of which must be 500 or above. BIO 510 and 511 are included in the 38 hours. A scholarly paper is required.

Master of Science, Plan I. Not available in Biology.

Master of Science, Plan II. This degree program is designed for those students who elect all of their courses from those offered in the Biology program unless otherwise authorized by the Graduate Advisor and the faculty research advisor. Students with this degree are prepared for positions as professional biologists in the public or private sector, teaching at the college level or to begin doctoral programs in the biological sciences. This is a research-oriented degree requiring a thesis. This plan requires 32 semester hours of graduate credit, 26 of which must be in courses numbered 500 or above. Six hours of thesis (BIO 698 and 699) and BIO 510 and 511 are included in this 32-hour degree program.

Master of Science, Plan III. This degree is designed for those students who wish to continue at the graduate level any minor program they may have begun as an undergraduate. Students with this degree are prepared for positions as professional biologists in the public or private sector, teaching at the college level or to begin doctoral programs in the biological sciences. This is a research-oriented degree requiring a thesis. This plan requires 38 semester hours of graduate credit, 29 of which must be in courses numbered 500 or above. Included in the 38 hours are BIO 510 and 511 (seminars), BIO 698 and 699 (6 hours of thesis), 18 hours of Biology courses and a minor of 12 hours in a field that supports the major.

Master of Education, Plan II. This degree program is designed to provide additional study in a teaching field for the professional secondary school teacher and is initiated in the College of Education and Applied Science. Students may elect from 12 to 24 semester hours in biology on this 36-semester-hour program. A thesis is not required. Course requirements are adjusted to meet individual student needs by the advisor and department chair. Further information is provided in this catalogue under Teacher Education and Professional Certification Programs.
    In order to receive the MA or MS degree, all graduate students are required to pass a comprehensive examination based on their course work and general biological concepts. The nature of this examination, which may be written and/or oral, will be determined by the faculty. For MA degrees, a scholarly paper is prepared in consultation with the student's faculty advisor. For MS degrees, students complete a thesis research project under supervision of the student's thesis advisor, and present the thesis to the faculty in seminar format (for credit in BIO 511). Also, the thesis must be defended before the student's thesis committee.

* Subject to action by the Board of Regents, The Texas State University System, and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

BIOLOGY COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

BIO 510  GRADUATE SEMINAR. Recent advances in Biology are presented by either faculty or graduate students in a formal seminar. Required of graduate students in Biology. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

BIO 511  GRADUATE SEMINAR. Graduate student presents a formal seminar based on thesis research or scholarly paper. Required of graduate students in Biology. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

BIO 531  CLASSIFICATION AND NATURAL HISTORY OF PLANTS. Classification and natural history of major groups of nonvascular and vascular plants are presented. Emphasis is on morphological recognition, ecological and physiological differences and economic importance of major taxa. Laboratory included. Prerequisites: Introductory Botany course and graduate standing.

BIO 548  COMPARATIVE ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY. A study ofthe physiological adaptive mechanisms and the comparison of adaptive strategies across vertebrate taxa. Emphasis will be directed toward homeostatic mechanisms of water, energy and electrolyte balance, and metabolism. Two-hour laboratory to emphasize investigative skills employing modern laboratory techniques. Independent original research project required. Prerequisites: Organic Chemistry, General Physiology, or instructor's consent.

BIO 562  ADVANCED PLANT PHYSIOLOGY. Further studies of the life processes of plants at the molecular, cellular and organismal levels with focus on current research and recent advances in this field. The design and completion of independent laboratory experiments with review of the relevant literature is required. Two-hour laboratory. Prerequisite: Plant Physiology and Organic Chemistry.

BIO 564  CELL STRUCTURE AND PHYSIOLOGY. Various aspects of membrane and organelle structure, biochemical synthesis and metabolic systems are explored at the cellular and molecular level. Laboratory experiments using current cell methods are assigned for individual student development. Prerequisites: Cell biology and organic chemistry.

BIO 571  EVOLUTION. This course is concerned with modern concepts of the evolution of organisms. Extended reading and classroom discussion supplement the lecture treatment. Three one-hour lectures a week are scheduled. Prerequisite: Introductory genetics.

BIO 575  BACTERIAL PHYSIOLOGY. A study of bacterial metabolism that will include fermentation, anaerobic respiration, bacterial photosynthesis and nitrogen fixation. This course will also discuss how bacteria sense their environment and adjust their metabolism accordingly. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisites: Microbiology, Genetics, and Organic Chemistry II or General Physiology.

BIO 578  VIROLOGY. A study of viruses that infect plants, animals, and bacteria. Areas considered include chemical and structural properties of viruses, virus-host relations, infection and growth phenomena, including interference and regulation. Also included are the roles of viruses as agents of disease and malignancy, and as gene vectors in natural settings but also as tools in biotechnology and gene therapy. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisites: Microbiology, Genetics, and Organic Chemistry.

BIO 580  ADVANCED ECOLOGY. An advanced theoretical and practical study of biotic and abiotic ecosystem interactions encompassing the physiology of individuals, growth of populations including social and species interactions within populations, analysis of population composition and change, the distribution of communities, and the functioning of ecosystems. Independent study of a selected ecological topic required. Prerequisites: General Chemistry I and II, General Ecology.

BIO 581  ECOLOGICAL COMPUTER MODELING. An introduction to the development and application of computer models in ecology and population biology. Principles of modeling, programming concepts, specific model dynamics, and prepackaged computer models will be explored. Two hours lecture and 2 hours laboratory per week. Prerequisite: General Ecology.

BIO 582  ADVANCED ICHTHYOLOGY. Taxonomy, distribution, natural history and economic importance of fishes with emphasis on Texas forms. Field work will include techniques for determining populations, growth studies, food habits and propagation. Two-hour laboratory plus field work. Prerequisites: Introductory biology plus 12 hours advanced biology.

BIO 584  AVIAN BIOLOGY. The classification, anatomy, physiology, natural history and behavior of birds are studied in this course. Laboratories include general anatomy, identification and field techniques used in the study of behavior, migration and population dynamics. Research problems relating to these subjects are selected by the student for independent investigation. Two-hour laboratory plus field work. Prerequisites: Introductory biology plus 12 hours advanced biology.

BIO 585  MAMMALOGY. Various groups of mammals are surveyed in this course. Investigations of problems relating to classification, distribution and life history studies are included. Two-hour laboratory plus field work. Prerequisites: Introductory biology plus 12 hours advanced biology.

BIO 590  LIMNOLOGY. Limnological techniques are stressed with special emphasis on physiochemical conditions of freshwater environments and their effects on aquatic life. Plankton analysis, a study of bottom fauna, lake and stream mapping and evaluation of aquatic productivity are included. Two-hour laboratory plus field work. Prerequisites: BIO 135, 115 and 136, 116 or equivalent and college chemistry.

BIO 591  ADVANCED GENETICS. This is an advanced study of the principles of heredity and the nature and function of the gene. Emphasis will be on molecular genetics with special attention to recent advances in DNA technologies. Laboratory studies include restriction enzyme analyses by electrophoresis, gene cloning, mutagenesis and chromosome banding. Two-hour laboratory. Prerequisite: Introductory Genetics with grade of C or better and organic chemistry.

BIO 595  SPECIAL GRADUATE TOPICS IN BIOLOGY. This course is designed to provide an avenue for selected graduate students to engage in independent studies. Registration is on an individual basis but is limited to students in residence. A topic of study is selected and approved by the Biology faculty. Prerequisites: Graduate standing in Biology and consent of departmental chair.

BIO 596  REPRODUCTIVE PHYSIOLOGY. Physiological control of animal reproduction is the subject of this course. Current literature relating to this subject is critically examined and evaluated. An individual research problem is undertaken by the student. Two-hour laboratory. Prerequisites: Introductory courses in physiology and organic chemistry.

BIO 698, 699  THESIS.