2003-2005 - Graduate School - The University of Alabama

120 The University of AlabamaDegree RequirementsStudents should refer to the Graduate Student Handbook of the Department of Bio-logical Sciencesfor additional information.Master of science. Two plans, I and II, are available for the M.S. degree. A studentpursuing an M.S. degree under either plan is expected to submit a formal researchproposal by his or her second semester in residence, and to take fi nal written and oralex am i na tions before the degree is granted. Plan I requires 24 hours of coursework anda formal thesis; Plan II requires 30 hours of coursework and a written research reportapproved by the student’s graduate committee. A “B” average must be maintained inall coursework.Doctor of philosophy. A minimum of 48 semester hours of graduate course creditis required for the Ph.D. degree. A “B” average must be maintained in all coursework.Students are also required to take at least 24 hours in BSC 699 Dissertation Research.All requirements for the Ph.D. must be completed within a period of seven years followingadmission to the doctoral program. There is no general requirement for a foreignlanguage, although individual graduate committees may require a language. A formaldissertation is required, in addition to preliminary written and oral examinations and afi nal oral examination.Additional information on the various degree programs is available on request fromThe University of Alabama, Department of Biological Sciences, Box 870344, Tus ca loosa,AL 35487-0344; or visit our Web site: www.as.ua.edu/biology.Course DescriptionsBiological Sciences (BSC)Prerequisite: Graduate standing.Courses at the 500 level are not open to students who have received credit for the samecourses at the 400 level.BSC 500 Vertebrate Functional Morphology. Four hours. Three lectures and onethree-hour laboratory period.Prerequisites: BSC 114:115, BSC 116:117, BSC 300, or permission of the instructor.Morphology of an i mals, pri ma ri ly ver te brates, with emphasis on functional aspects ofanatomy. Lab o ra to ry deals mainly with com par a tive anatomy of the vertebrates. Offeredfall semester.BSC 503:504 Introduction to Biological Sciences Instruction. Two hours.Prerequisites: Strong background in biological sciences, formal application, and interview.Students in the M.S. program who are not teaching assistants may receive up to 2 hours’credit. Students in the Ph.D. program who are not teaching assistants may receive upto 4 hours’ credit provided they teach two different laboratories. Offered fall and springse mes ters.BSC 506 Introduction to Research in Biological Sciences. One hour.Corequisite: Student must be in the fi rst year of the graduate program.Surveys research programs in biological sciences. Offered fall and spring semesters.BSC 507 Research Techniques in Biology. One to six hours.Individualized instruction and the application of research techniques to specifi c problemsfor graduate students in the department. Offered fall and spring semesters.BSC 512 Limnology. Three hours. May be taken sep a rate ly or with BSC 513.A study of freshwater environments and organisms living in lakes, ponds, and streams.Offered fall semester. A. Ward.BSC 513 Limnology Laboratory. Two hours. One laboratory period.An optional lab o ra to ry accompanying BSC 512. Offered fall semester. A. Ward.BSC 514 Dendrology. Three hours. One lecture and one four-hour laboratory period.Identifi cation, classifi cation, characteristics, and distribution of the principal forest treesof the United States. Two weekend fi eld trips are required. Offered alternate fall semesters.Haynes.