2013–2014 UNIVERSITY CATALOG - Florida Institute of Technology

BIO 2332 PRIMER FOR BIOMATH (1 credit). Introduces the separate languages
of mathematics and biology such that students from the different disciplines can
efficiently develop a biomath glossary to communicate with one another. Focuses
on the current research projects in biology and ecology, and the relevant mathematical
analysis. (Requirement: Instructor approval.) Prerequisites: MTH 1000.
BIO 2801 BIOMETRY (4 credits). Experimental design and hypothesis testing in
the biological sciences, and the analysis of biological data using descriptive statistics
and applying parametric and non-parametric tests. Computer applications include
statistical packages, spreadsheets, graphics preparation and word processing in the
development of reports on modules of field-, clinic- and lab-based studies. (CL)
Prerequisites: BIO 1020.
BIO 2935 FIELD BIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY/SMOKY MOUNTAINS (3 credits).
Field biology and ecology methodology are discussed, demonstrated and applied
in the field to collect data for analysis. Field studies are conducted in the Smoky
Mountains. Prerequisites: BIO 1020.
BIO 2955 FIELD BIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY/CORAL REEFS (3 credits). Field
biology and ecology methodology are discussed, demonstrated and applied in
the field to collect data for analysis. Field studies are conducted in the Bahamas.
Prerequisites: BIO 1020.
BIO 3210 MAMMALIAN PHYSIOLOGY (4 credits). Introduces the study of
bodily functions. Emphasizes biophysical principles and control systems to explain
organ system function and the maintenance of homeostasis. (Q) Prerequisites:
BIO 1020, CHM 2001.
BIO 3220 DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY (4 credits). Overviews developmental
processes including contemporary themes of molecular, cellular and multicellular
aspects of embryonic and postnatal development. Discusses the issues of induction,
regulation, differentiation and senescence. Prerequisites: BIO 2110.
BIO 3410 GENERAL ECOLOGY (4 credits). Studies the distribution and abundance
of organisms, with emphasis at the level of biological populations. Interaction
of populations with the abiotic environment, energetics, population growth, reproduction,
competition, predation, adaptation and evolution. Modular lab exercises
stress the experimental design and conduct, and data analysis. Prerequisites:
BIO 2801.
BIO 3510 INVERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY (4 credits). Lectures and labs on the origins
and adaptive radiation of the kingdom Metazoa, including comparative structure
and function of living and extinct animal phyla, evolution of organ system, and
comparative physiology and ecology. Prerequisites: BIO 1020.
BIO 3601 FIELD METHODS IN FISHERIES SCIENCE (3 credits). Includes lectures
and intensive field/laboratory work covering the theory and practice of fisheries
science techniques. Applies these techniques to development of fishery and habitat
management strategies for fish populations. Includes field studies and examination
of fisheries in the Indian River Lagoon and South Florida. Prerequisites: BIO 2801.
BIO 3625 MOLLUSCAN AQUACULTURE (3 credits). Studies the basic biology,
life history and culture techniques of the major commercially important molluscs.
Covers culture procedures for microalgae. Includes labs culturing selected
microalgal species, and spawning and larviculture of selected bivalve species.
Prerequisites: BIO 3510.
BIO 3701 EVOLUTION (3 credits). Describes the processes resulting in evolutionary
change and the factors affecting those processes. Discusses evolution at all
levels, from cell and molecular evolution to local populations to major groups, and
covers time frames drawing on knowledge of many biological fields. Prerequisites:
BIO 1020, BIO 2110.
BIO 3935 ECOLOGY OF TROPICAL ECOSYSTEMS (3 credits). A three-week
field examination of the aspects of population and community ecology of tropical
rainforest systems in Belize or Costa Rica, Central America. Familiarizes the student
with ecological principles governing the abundance and distribution of species in
different rainforest ecosystems. Prerequisites: BIO 1020.
BIO 3940 TROPICAL MARINE ECOLOGY (3 credits). Includes intensive fieldwork
focusing on tropical marine ecosystems and their biological communities.
Emphasizes biodiversity, the ecology of dominant taxa, interactions between physical
and biological processes, and the structure and function of representative communities.
Prerequisites: BIO 1020.
BIO 4010 BIOCHEMISTRY 1 (4 credits). Introduces the structure and properties
of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and nucleic acids. Includes lectures and labs
involving intermediary metabolism, properties of enzymes, bioenergetics including
oxidative phosphorylation and photosynthesis. Prerequisites: CHM 2002.
BIO 4015 METHODS IN PROTEIN ANALYSIS (3 credits). Focuses on basic
theories and techniques used for protein isolation and characterization. Covers
chromatography, electrophoresis, spectrophotometry, ultracentrifugation, mass
spectrometry, concentration analysis and protein over-expression in Eukaryotic and
Prokaryotic systems. Includes purifying and characterizing proteins. Prerequisites:
BIO 4010.
BIO 4030 CONSERVATION BIOLOGY (3 credits). Studies biodiversity and population
responses to human activity. Highlights decision-making and the active management
of populations and habitats. Investigates the science underlying conservation
of plant and animal communities (terrestrial and marine) and ecosystems. Pays
special attention to the need to develop conservation strategies that accommodate
climate change. Prerequisites: BIO 4410.
BIO 4101 MOLECULAR BIOLOGY (3 credits). Presents the structure, function
and regulation of genetic information. Includes in-depth discussion of nucleic
acid replication, transcription and translation. Introduces uses and applications of
nucleic acids in current research. Prerequisites: BIO 4010.
BIO 4110 BIOCHEMISTRY 2 (4 credits). Lectures and labs involving the metabolism
of carbohydrates, lipids and nitrogenous compounds including amino acids,
proteins and nucleic acids. Discusses in detail the regulation of metabolism, biosynthesis
of macromolecules and control of gene expression. Prerequisites: BIO 4010.
BIO 4120 GENETIC ENGINEERING TECHNIQUES (4 credits). Lectures and labs
on the theory and practice of gene splicing and manipulation, the use of restriction
enzymes, plasmid and phage vectors and the cloning of genes. Also includes nick
translation, random primer labeling, colony hybridization and southern blotting.
(Q) Prerequisites: BIO 4101, BIO 4110.
BIO 4130 NUCLEIC ACID ANALYSIS (4 credits). Lectures and laboratories
involving the theory and practice of current methods of nucleic acid manipulation.
Techniques studied include restriction site mapping, end-labeling, sequencing,
mRNA isolation, cDNA synthesis, DNA:DNA and DNA:RNA hybridization, PCR
technology and DNA fingerprinting. (Q) Prerequisites: BIO 4120.
BIO 4150 SPECIAL TOPICS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY (3 credits). Covers
current and important topics in cell and molecular biology. May include mechanisms
of DNA mutagenesis, DNA damage, prokaryotic and eukaryotic DNA repair
schemes, eukaryotic DNA organization and function, eukaryotic DNA replication
mechanisms and genome instability associate with human disease. Prerequisites:
BIO 4010.
BIO 4201 IMMUNOLOGY (3 credits). Covers basic immunology and the fundamental
principles relating to clinical immunology. Studies the two functional
divisions of the immune system, the innate and the adaptive immune systems,
along with the cells and the soluble factors responsible for the immune response.
Prerequisites: BIO 4010.
BIO 4210 PLANT PHYSIOLOGY (4 credits). Presents the physiological processes
of plants and their interactions with their environment. Covers water relations,
plant biochemistry, plant development and environmental physiology. Prerequisites:
BIO 1020, CHM 2002.
BIO 4301 CELL BIOLOGY (3 credits). Emphasizes the interdependence of three
systems: a membrane-cytoskeletal system, a system that directs genetic information
into synthesis of cell constituents; and a system integrated into membranes
that converts energy, supplied to cells as nutrients or light, into cell function and
cell synthesis. Prerequisites: BIO 1010, CHM 2001.
BIO 4410 COMMUNITY ECOLOGY (4 credits). Studies the composition and
distribution of biological communities and the community responses to wildlife
management, changing climates and other abiotic factors. Includes ecosystems,
biogeography, biodiversity, paleoecology, pollution, population manipulation and
successions. Modular lab exercises stress experimental design and data analysis in
studying communities. (Q) Prerequisites: BIO 2801, BIO 3410.
BIO 4411 CONSERVATION GENETICS (4 credits). Introduces conservation
genetics. Focuses on population genetic theory and emphasizes molecular methods
for examining population differentiation, genetic diversity, the evolution of small
populations, and the management of threatened populations. Lab includes experimental
design, data collection and analysis. Prerequisites: BIO 2110.
BIO 4412 ORNITHOLOGY (4 credits). Studies the evolution, classification,
biogeography, physiology and life history of birds. Emphasizes conservation and
management of populations. Laboratory focuses on field identification, population
dynamics and habitat interactions. Prerequisites: BIO 3410.
2013–2014 Course Descriptions 231