2013–2014 UNIVERSITY CATALOG - Florida Institute of Technology

BIO 5060 BIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY OF SEAGRASSES (3 credits). Lectures,
discussions of recent literature, and independent or group lab study of the truly
marine angiosperms. Covers the systematics, anatomy, physiology and reproduction
of seagrasses, along with autoecology and community ecology of tropical and
temperate seagrass meadows.
BIO 5065 NATURAL HISTORY OF THE INDIAN RIVER LAGOON (3 credits).
Field examination of the flora, fauna and descriptive ecology of the Indian River
system along the east coast of Florida. Emphasizes understanding natural history
in relation to geologic history, biogeography, human society and recent problems
in resource management.
BIO 5075 MULTIVARIATE ANALYSIS IN BIOLOGY (3 credits). Teaches graduate
students how to apply various multivariate techniques in analyzing biological
data using a hands-on problem-solving approach. Includes principal component
analysis, cluster analysis and discriminate function analysis.
BIO 5080 MECHANISMS OF BIOLOGICAL CLOCKS (3 credits). Surveys the
primary literature of processes underlying rhythmicity including neural, cellular
and molecular mechanisms. Focuses on circadian rhythms in vertebrate and
invertebrate animals.
BIO 5085 BIOLOGICAL IMAGING (3 credits). Introduces the application of image
processing techniques to biological problems. Includes the acquisition, enhancement
and quantification of 2-D images, motion analysis, and processing in 3-D.
BIO 5120 ECOLOGY OF TROPICAL COMMUNITIES (3 credits). Lecture and
field examination of aspects of the population and community ecology of tropical
marine systems, especially coral reefs and mangroves. Emphasizes factors influencing
community structure and the relationships between representative populations.
BIO 5140 CORAL ECOLOGY (3 credits). Focuses on both theoretical and practical
aspects of coral ecology, including hands-on taxonomy and assessment of the
functional response of coral reefs to environmental factors and thermal stress at
a global scale. Emphasizes identification of processes and regulatory phenomena
driving the dynamics of coral communities.
BIO 5150 LANDSCAPE ECOLOGY (3 credits). Applies landscape ecology techniques
(spatial sampling, patch dynamics, scale detection, landscape metrics, geographical
information systems, time series, disturbance and pollution, organism
response to landscape patterns) to landscape patterns, connectivity and metapopulations
dynamics, reserve design and ecosystem processes. Prerequisites: BIO 3410.
BIO 5210 APPLIED PHYSIOLOGY (3 credits). Explores the mechanisms by which
the physiological systems of the human body work. Applies these principles to the
important issues in biomedical engineering. Covers neuronal communication,
cardiovascular function in health and disease, respiratory function, kidney and
water/salt balance, bone growth and metabolism, and reproductive endocrinology.
(Requirement: Graduate standing or instructor approval.)
BIO 5420 PRE-COLUMBIAN ECOSYSTEMS (0 credits). Investigates through
ecology the extent to which pre-Columbian occupants of the Americas influenced
ecosystems. Includes archaeological, anthropological and ecological data that contributes
to understanding the key debates about what is natural in the Americas.
(Requirement: Graduate standing.)
BIO 5421 NEOTROPICAL ARCHEOECOLOGY (3 credits). Studies the impact
of human activities on past and present ecology. Integrates regional archaeology
with modern ecology to compare sites with and without past human impacts. Uses
field techniques that include forest census in megadiverse environments, sediment
coring and curation of specimens. Prerequisites: BIO 5420.
BIO 5501 CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY (3 credits). Overviews molecular
mechanisms used to regulate fundamental cellular processes. Emphasizes
gene expression, cell growth, replication and differentiation, and on intercellular
communications.
BIO 5502 MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION (3 credits).
Introduces current concepts of cellular signal transduction. Includes hands-on
experience in essential techniques including production of fusion proteins and
quantitative microinjection.
BIO 5510 CURRENT TOPICS IN ECOLOGY (3 credits). Readings and discussions
of recent advances and new concepts in ecological research.
BIO 5515 PHARMACOLOGY AND DRUG DESIGN (3 credits). Overviews basic
principles of pharmacology, emphasizing preclinical studies used in the development
of new drugs. Includes structure-function relationships, dose-response curves,
target based drug assays, rational drug design and in vitro cytotoxicity assays.
BIO 5517 MODELING FOR ECOLOGY AND BIOLOGY (3 credits). Presents
graduate-level modeling and applications for ecology and biology. Includes allometry,
growth and healing of wounds, population dynamics, competition and symbiosis,
predator-prey relations, community and diversity models, models in biogeography,
evolution and conservation. Prerequisites: BIO 3410.
BIO 5522 BIOINFORMATICS, GENOMICS AND PROTEOMICS (3 credits).
Introduces the new sciences of genomics and proteomics. Emphasizes the software
tools used to search, analyze and understand DNA, RNA and proteins (bioinformatics).
Intended for students planning a career in medicine, biological research,
biotechnology or pharmaceuticals. (Requirement: Graduate standing or instructor
approval.)
BIO 5537 APPLIED BIOTECHNOLOGY (6 credits). Focuses on the collection,
isolation, characterization and screening of natural products, especially from marine
organisms through fieldwork and labs. Includes taxonomy, microbial isolation, collection,
extraction preparation, bioassay and chemical structure determination.
BIO 5539 MICROBIAL BIOTECHNOLOGY (3 credits). Overviews microbes
as producers of economically important proteins and other organic compounds.
Includes expression of proteins from cloned genes, antibiotics, fermentation, bacterial
degradation, environmental applications and culture methodology.
BIO 5545 GROWTH AND DIVISION OF CELLS 1: PROKARYOTES (3 credits).
Covers the molecular biology of microbial reproduction, emphasizing chromosome
and plasmid DNA replication, the cell division cycle, regulators of gene expression
and the mechanisms of cell division in bacteria.
BIO 5569 GENOMIC INSTABILITY AND HUMAN DISEASE (3 credits). Focuses
on the mechanisms and regulatory pathways that maintain genome stability in
humans. Emphasizes how defects in DNA repair, DNA replication and other DNA
damage responses lead to human disease. Considers both classical and recent
studies and methods in the scientific literature.
BIO 5570 DNA STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION (3 credits). Advanced focus on
DNA biology emphasizing current research topics covering DNA structure-function
relationships, particularly the dynamic nature of DNA and the interaction of
DNA and proteins to regulate gene expression. Examines prokaryotic, eukaryotic
and viral systems.
BIO 5571 DNA INTERACTIONS (2 credits). Considers recent literature sources
on how DNA interacts with a variety of agents, energetic radiations, small-molecule
chemical mutagens and carcinogens, and large regulatory and repair protein
molecules. Students assimilate seminar skills required for professional scientific
presentations.
BIO 5572 DNA: CRITICAL LITERATURE ANALYSIS (3 credits). Gives in-depth
consideration to recent literature related to DNA structure and function. Teaches
critical reading, evaluation, reviewing and presentation of scientific papers. Includes
skills needed for writing and reviewing scientific manuscripts. BIO 5570 recommended
as prerequisite. Understanding of DNA structure and biology advised.
BIO 5573 SCIENTIFIC ANALYSIS, WRITING AND PRESENTATION (3 credits).
Gives in-depth consideration to recent literature related to various biology areas.
Teaches how to critically read, evaluate, review and present biological science
papers. Also teaches skills for writing biological abstracts, papers and grants, and
for making professional biology presentations.
BIO 5575 BIOLOGY OF CANCER (3 credits). Comprehensively overviews the
biology and molecular biology of neoplastic disease. Emphasizes recent research
with oncogenes and oncogenic viruses. Presents lectures on causes, spread and
treatment of cancer.
BIO 5576 MOLECULAR GENETICS (3 credits). Covers the essential topics in
molecular genetics, beginning with the classic experiments involving bacteria
and bacteriophage, progressing to the current focus on mapping human disease.
Emphasizes reading and discussing primary research literature with particular
attention on the experimental approaches used.
BIO 5585 PROTEIN STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION (3 credits). Introduces
the essential biochemical and biophysical techniques used for protein expression,
purification and characterization. Covers current research topics in protein
metabolism and human diseases. Also covers protein-based drug and biosensor
development in nanomedicine.
BIO 5630 SENSORY BIOLOGY (3 credits). Introduces vertebrate sensory systems,
emphasizing the mechanisms of sensory processing and perception of events of
varying complexity. Includes student review and discussion of current literature
and several experiments.
BIO 5899 FINAL SEMESTER THESIS (0-2 credits). Variable registration for thesis
completion after satisfaction of minimum registration requirements. (Requirements:
Accepted petition to graduate and approval by Office of Graduate Programs.)
2013–2014 Course Descriptions 233