Coursework Sequence For Summer and Fall 2007
PDF (12KB)
Summer 2007
BIO417 Herpetology (3 crs)
This course will offer students a comprehensive review of amphibian and reptilian diversity; emphasizing origins, biogeography, morphology, ecology, behavior, and conservation. Natural history and evolutionary relationships will be the unifying themes. The course is a combination of lectures and practical experiences to familiarize students with herpetology. The practical experience will be based on two Saturday field trips. These field trips will expose students to a sample of Pennsylvania’s herpetofauna, and hands-on experience in field research techniques. The practical experience is intended to complement the lectures and will, when possible, follow the topics discussed in such lectures.
BIO491 Selected Topics in Biology: Mammalogy (3 crs)
The lecture portion focuses on the following areas of mammalian biology: evolution, classification, distribution, behavior, reproduction, population characteristics, economic importance, as well as physiology and ecology. Laboratories will cover trapping, morphological characters unique to North American mammals, study skin preparation, and techniques used by mammalogists in the field and laboratory.
Fall 2007
BIO408 Principles of Virology (3 crs)
Covers morphology, replication cycles, and genetics of important bacterial, plant, and
animal viruses as well as the use of viruses in biotechnology and gene therapy. Special
emphasis will be given to viral pathogens of humans including the pathophysiology,
transmission, treatment, and prevention of viral diseases. Newly emerging viral diseases and their impact on society will also be discussed. Graduate students will be expected to submit a
5-10 page term paper on a virology-related topic that is approved by the instructor. Prerequisites: Principles of Biology I and II, Microbiology, Genetics, Cell Biology. Immunology is recommended but not required.
BIO594 Selected Topics in Biology: Wildlife Diseases (3 crs)
This course focuses on the principles, abundance, mechanisms, and importance of diseases of wildlife. A variety of pathogens and hosts will be used throughout the course to study the ecology and physiology of propagation mechanisms. Pathogenicity and the mechanisms that produce pathology will also be discussed.
