Stephen F. Austin State University

Department of Biology

Areas of Study & Degree

Faculty

Objectives

The biology department's mission is to produce broadly trained biologists with the skills and knowledge that will prepare them to succeed in the biological field of their choosing. The academic programs offered have the intellectual breadth and academic rigor needed to achieve this objective. The Department of Biology has established three goals to meet the mission:

  1. graduates will possess a fundamental knowledge of living organisms;
  2. graduates will possess critical thinking skills and be able to apply the scientific method to solve problems; and
  3. graduates will appreciate and be able to describe the role that advances in biology play in our society.

Student Organizations

Definition of the Major

Students wishing to choose a major in biology should consult the chair of the department early in their university career. Since the department includes a number of biological disciplines, no single curriculum can be listed for all majors. All students majoring in biology are required to take 22 hours from a life science core, including BIO 130, 131, 133, 341, 370, 470 as well as ecology BIO 313 or 403 or 450. See below for a detailed explanation under the heading Biology Major Requirements. Each student is strongly encouraged to work closely with a departmental adviser to design the program best suited to the interests and goals of the student.

While completing a common core of courses that is taken by all majors, students must select from the following degree tracks: botany, cell and molecular biology, or ecology and evolutionary biology. The list of required courses within each degree track is listed under the heading Degree Tracks.

A minimum of 40 semester hours of biology, including the core curriculum, (with 15 hours in advanced courses) is required for a B.S. degree with a major in biology. Biology majors also must satisfy all the requirements of the B.S. degree for the College of Sciences and Mathematics outlined earlier in the bulletin.

Students who major in biology must complete the following requirements:

Biology majors contemplating graduate work are advised to complete MTH 233, CHE 331 and 332, and PHY 131 and 132.

Each student also is required to complete a minor of 18 to 24 semester hours in a single discipline. At least six hours in the minor must be in advanced-level courses at SFA. Biology majors may choose a combined-sciences minor consisting of CHE 133, 134; eight hours from GOL 131, 132 or PHY 131, 132; plus six advanced hours from CHE, GOL or PHY. Biology majors contemplating graduate work are advised to elect a minor in a selected science or in mathematics.

Definition of the Minor (20-23 Hours)

A biology minor may be earned by taking 20-23 hours of biology. All those seeking a minor must successfully complete (a C or better) BIO 130, 131, and 133. The minor may be completed by taking three additional upper division biology courses. All general and specific course prerequisites are applicable. The following courses may not be used to complete a minor: BIO 121, 123, 238, 239, 301, 308. Additionally, only three hours of BIO 300 may be counted towards the minor.

Certification for High School Life Sciences Teaching

Requirements for certification are listed in the Educator Certification section of this bulletin. A summary of the biology course requirements for certification is listed below under the emphasis Educator Certification.

Biology Major Requirements: B.S. Degree

  1. Core Requirements (22 hours)
    1. Life Science Core (19 hours): 130, 131, 133, 341, 370 and 470
    2. Ecology (4 hours): 313 or 403 or 450
  2. Degree Tracks (18 hours each)
    Students are required to select from one of the degree tracks listed below. BIO 300, 471 and 472 may also fulfill requirements for a degree track if the topic is deemed appropriate by the instructor and the department chair. Consult with an adviser for assistance. Remember, a minimum of 40 semester hours (of biology) is required for a major in biology.
    1. Botany (17-19 hours)
      1. Required:
        1. Three to four hours from: Physiology/Anatomy 401 or 404
        2. Three hours from: Plant Diversity 251 or 435
        3. Three hours from: Mycology 312 or 424
        4. biology electives: (eight to nine hours)
    2. Cellular & Molecular Biology (16-20 hours)
      1. Required:
        1. Three to four hours from: Physiology 327 or 404
        2. Three to four hours from: Organismal 342 or 309 or 401
        3. Three hours from: Cell and Molecular 402 or 431
        4. biology electives: (seven to nine hours)
    3. Ecology & Evolutionary Biology (14-22 hours)
      1. Required:
        1. Three to four hours: Physiology 327 or 404
        2. Three to four hours from additional botany1
        3. Three to four hours from additional zoology2
        4. Three to four hours from additional organismal biology3
        5. biology electives: (two to six hours)
          • 1Additional botany: 225, 250, 251, 401, 404, 424, 435
          • 2Additional zoology: 342, 327, 343, 353, 407, 430, 433, 436, 437, 438, 439
          • 3Additional botany, zoology, mycology or microbiology. A particular biology course can be used to fill only one of the core requirements.

Botany: In addition to the biology core: 401 (Plant Anatomy) or 404 (Plant Physiology) as the required physiology/anatomy course; 251 (Plant Kingdom) or 435 (Plant Systematics) as the required plant diversity course; 312 (Mycology) or 424 (Plant Pathology) as the mycology course; and additional hours from any of the biology courses not specifically excluded by the biology major.

Cellular and Molecular Biology: In addition to the biology core: 327 (Human Physiology) or 404 (Plant Physiology) as the required physiology course; 342 (Comparative Anatomy) or 309 (Microbiology) or 401 (Plant Anatomy) as the required organismal course; 402 (Cellular Biology) or 431 (Molecular Biology) as the cell and molecular course; and additional hours from any of the biology courses not specifically excluded by the biology major.

Ecology and Evolutionary Biology: In addition to the biology core: 327 (Human Physiology) or 404 (Plant Physiology) as the required physiology course; an additional botany course (225, 250, 251, 401, 404, 424 or 435); an additional zoology course (342, 327, 343, 353, 406, 407, 430, 433, 436, 437, 438 or 439); an additional organismal course (additional botany, mycology or microbiology); and additional hours from any of the biology courses not specifically excluded from the biology major.

Teacher Certification

Refer to the Educator Certification portion of this bulletin in the College of Education section for specific professional teacher education coursework requirements.

Freshman Year (32-34 hours)
BIO 130 or 131, 131L or 133, 133L 3-4 hrs BIO 130 or 131, 131L or 133,133L 3-4 hrs
Freshman English 3 hrs Freshman English 3 hrs
CHE 133, 133L 4 hrs CHE 134, 134L 4 hrs
MTH 138 3 hrs MTH 133 3 hrs
Elective 3 hrs Elective 3 hrs
16-17*hrs 16-17* hrs

*Upon approval of the adviser, certain courses required for the B.S. degree outlined for the College of Sciences and Mathematics earlier in this bulletin may be substituted for one or more of the courses shown above.

The Graduate Major and Minor

The biology department offers a graduate program for students who plan to work toward the master's degree. For detailed information concerning the graduate major and minor programs in the biology department, refer to the Graduate Bulletin.

General Course Prerequisites

A minimum grade of C is required in all courses that are prerequisites to a biology course. Students must be TSI complete or exempt or have completed all required developmental courses with Cs or better in order to enroll in BIO 130, 131, 133, 238 and 239.

Courses in Biology (BIO)

Unless otherwise indicated, courses are 3 semester hours credit, 3 hours lecture per week.

121.

Concepts of Biology - Four semester hours, three hours lecture per week, two hours laboratory per week. Concepts-oriented course for the non-science major. Study of the origin of life, the cell, growth and reproduction, genetics, and evolution. May not be used to meet graduation requirements by students majoring in the College of Sciences and Mathematics or for certification of high school teachers in biology. Required lab fee. Prerequisites: TSI complete in English and reading.

123.

Human Biology - Four semester hours, three hours lecture per week, two hours laboratory per week. Biological principles for non-science majors. Study of the evolution of man, organ systems and the human organism. May not be used to meet graduation requirements of students majoring in the College of Sciences and Mathematics or for certification of high school teachers in biology. Required lab fee. Prerequisites: TSI complete in English and reading.

130.

Principles of Cell and Molecular Biology - Three semester hours, three hours lecture per week. An introductory cell biology course. Topics include the structure of the cell and cell components, both eukaryotic and prokaryotic. The processes of DNA replication and gene expression, including protein processing and routing. Photosynthesis, respiration and chemotrophy as means of energy production. The cell cycle and its regulation.

131.

Principles of Botany (BIOL 1411) - Four semester hours, three hours lecture per week, two hours lab per week. Introduction to the fundamental principles of botany and the plant sciences. Topics include the study of plant form, function and reproduction, and an overview of plant diversity, including bryophytes, ferns and seed plants. Required lab fee.

133.

Principles of Zoology (BIOL 1413) - Four semester hours, three hours lecture per week, two hours lab per week. Fundamental principles of animal life, including invertebrate and vertebrate animals. Required lab fee.

220.

Medical Terminology - Three semester hours, three hours lecture per week. Covers the highly specialized and specific medical terms used in the health care professions, providing explanations of terms, clinical procedures and abbreviations. Prerequisites: BIO 130, 133 or 238.

225.

Local Flora - Three semester hours, two hours lecture, three hours lab per week. Field and laboratory studies of common local ferns, conifers and wildflowers. Recommended for biology and non-biology majors. Required field trips, travel fee and lab fee.

238.

Human Anatomy and Physiology I (BIOL 2401) - Four semester hours, three hours lecture, three hours lab per week. Structure and function of the skeletal, muscular and nervous systems, including sense organs. Not open to students who have received credit for BIO 327. Not open for credit for biology majors or minors. Required lab fee.

239.

Human Anatomy and Physiology II (BIOL 2402) - Four semester hours, three hours lecture, three hours lab per week. Structure and function of the circulatory, respiratory, digestive, excretory, endocrine and reproductive systems. Not open to students who have received credit for BIO 327. Not recommended for biology majors or minors. Prerequisite: successful completion of BIO 238. Required lab fee.

275.

Special Problems - Individual study and/or laboratory research conducted under the supervision of a biology faculty member. Variable credit one to three hours. May be repeated for a maximum of three credit hours toward a degree plan.

300.

Contemporary Biology - Three semester hours, three hours lecture per week. Survey of biological principles and their application to the contemporary newsworthy problems as they apply to the biological future of man. Variable topics, such as recent advances of medicine, the population explosion, world food problems, environmental pollution, genetic engineering, epidemics and natural disasters. Maximum of six hours for biology major.

301.

Planetary and Space Life Sciences - Four semester hours, three hours lecture, two hours laboratory per week. Designed for Interdisciplinary Studies EC-4 or Grades 4-8 degree programs for teacher certification, this concept-based course concentrates on Earth as a life-support system for its inhabitants and is taught from the perspective that the students are part of the living, changing Earth. This course may not be used to meet graduation requirements by a student majoring/minoring in the College of Sciences and Mathematics. Required lab fee and travel fee.

302.

Cancer Biology - Three semester hours, three hours lecture. Survey of topics relevant to the biology of cancer, including cancer epidemiology, viral causes of cancer, the genes and metabolic pathways behind cancer development, the role of DNA damage in cancer, events leading to metastasis, and methods of treating cancer, including the development of targeted therapies. Prerequisite: BIO 130, 131 or 133, or permission of the instructor.

303.

Pollution of the Aquatic Environment - Three semester hours, three hours lecture per week. An introduction to the impact of human activities on aquatic ecosystems, including cultural eutrophication, thermal pollution, impact of the nuisance invasive species, radioactive contamination, acid rain and toxic wastes. Prerequisites: BIO 131 and 133.

304.

Marine Biology - Three semester hours, three hours lecture per week. This course introduces all main aspects of marine environments, including properties of seawater, ocean currents, classification of marine environments, structure and functioning of aquatic communities, as well as the impact of the habitat destruction and nuisance invasive species on the biodiversity and productivity of marine ecosystems. Prerequisites: BIO 131 and 133.

308.

Pre-nursing Microbiology - Four semester hours, three hours lecture, four hours laboratory per week. Nursing majors will study the nature of microorganisms and their ability to interact with humans. Students also will learn current techniques used to identify, culture, and control microorganisms. Does not meet degree requirements for biology major. Prerequisites: one semester of biology and one semester of chemistry. Required lab fee. Prerequisites: BIO 238 and 239, and CHE 111 or 133.

309.

Microbiology - Four semester hours, three hours lecture, four hours lab per week. Morphology, physiology, genetics and classification of microorganisms, with relationship to man. Required lab fee. Prerequisites: BIO 130, 131, 133 and CHE 133.

312.

Mycology - Three semester hours, two hours lecture, three hours lab per week. Structure, classification and identification of fungi, including those of economic importance. Required lab fee. Prerequisites: BIO 131 and 133.

313.

General Ecology - Three semester hours, two hours lecture, three hours lab per week. Principles of ecology, with special reference to populations and their ecosystems, distribution, biotic communities and environmental relationships. Required field trips, travel fee and lab fee. Prerequisites: BIO 131, 133 and MTH 138.

327.

Human Physiology - Three semester hours, three hours lecture per week. Functions of the major systems of the body. Not open to students who have received credit for BIO 238. Prerequisites: BIO 130 and 133.

341.

Genetics - Four semester hours, three hours lecture, three hours lab per week. An introduction to modern genetic principles, including inheritance patterns, chromosomes structure and function, gene expression and regulation, DNA replication and repair, and the behavior of genes in populations. Required lab fee. Prerequisites: BIO 130, 131, 133; CHE 133, 134.

342.

Comparative Vertebrate Zoology (BIOL 2428) - Four semester hours, three hours lecture, six hours lab per week. Anatomical study of the vertebrates, with major emphasis on comparisons of organ systems. Vertebrate relationships, origins and adaptations. Representative forms in the laboratory. Prerequisite: BIO 133 or equivalent. Required lab fee.

343.

General Entomology - Three semester hours, two hours lecture, three hours lab per week. Basic principles of insect life. Anatomy, physiology, life cycles, classification, ecology and control methods. Required lab fee. Prerequisites: BIO 131 and 133, or permission of instructor.

345.

Vertebrate Embryology - Four semester hours, two hours lecture, six hours lab per week. Animal development. Laboratory studies of the frog, chick and pig embryos, with reference to human development. Prerequisite: BIO 342 (241). Required lab fee.

350.

Economic Botany - Three semester hours, three lecture hours per week. Fundamental concepts and processes involving plants. Examination of the diversity of plants and their role in the biosphere. The relationship and importance of plants to humans. Recommended for biology and non-biology majors.

351.

Plant Kingdom - Three semester hours, two hours lecture, three hours lab per week. Comparative study of organisms traditionally classified in the plant kingdom, including algae, bryophytes, ferns, and allies and seed plants. The course will highlight evolutionary trends in reproductive morphology and adaptations to a desiccating environment. Required lab fee. Prerequisite: BIO 131.

353.

Economic Entomology - Four semester hours, three hours lecture, three hours lab per week. Study of destructive and beneficial insects. Emphasis on recognition and control. Required lab fee. Prerequisites: BIO 131, 133 or permission of the instructor.

370.

Evolution - Three semester hours, three hours lecture per week. Basic principles, mechanism and patterns of evolution, including a historical survey of related ideas. Prerequisite: BIO 341.

401.

Plant Anatomy - Three semester hours, two hours lecture, three hours lab per week. Study of plant cells, tissues, tissue systems and development of seed plant stems, roots and leaves. Required lab fee. Prerequisite: BIO 130 and 131, or permission of the instructor.

402.

Cellular Biology - Three semester hours, three hours lecture per week. Structure and function of eukaryotic cells. Topics include architecture of the cell and function of cellular components; the cytoskeleton; interactions between the cell and the extra cellular matrix; regulation of cell growth, differentiation and division; and mechanisms of cellular transport. Prerequisite: BIO 341.

403.

Terrestrial Plant Ecology - Three semester hours, three hours lecture per week. This course introduces students to basic ecological concepts from both the perspective of plant communities (synecology) and of populations or individual species (autecology). Additionally, the course introduces students to current vegetation sampling methodology and to the analysis of multivariate vegetation data. Required lab fee and travel fee. Prerequisites: BIO 130, 131 and 133.

404.

Plant Physiology - Four semester hours, three hours lecture, three hours lab per week. Survey of the principal physiological processes of higher plants, including water relations, respiration, photosynthesis and mineral nutrition. Required lab fee. Prerequisites: BIO 130, 131 and CHE 133, 134.

407.

Behavioral Ecology - Three semester hours, three hours lecture per week. The study of how animal behaviors influence survival and reproduction of individuals in different ecological settings. The course will examine the ecological context in which behaviors evolve and will consist of lectures and class discussions of assigned readings of important behavioral studies. Prerequisite: BIO 313 or FOR 209.

408.

Pathogenic Bacteriology - Four semester hours, three hours lecture, three hours lab per week. Basic survey of medically important bacteria. Includes mechanisms of pathogenesis, collection and transport of specimens, initial specimen processing, and identification of isolates by classical, automated and molecular techniques. Prerequisite: BIO 309. Required lab fee.

410.

Fundamentals of Immunology - Four semester hours, three hours lecture, three hours lab per week. Basic survey of the immune system with focus on the human and mouse models. Covers the origin and differentiation of the hematopoietic system; antibody structure and function; and basic serologic techniques such as ELISA, fluorescence microscopy, agglutination, precipitation and gel diffusion. Prerequisites: BIO 309 and 341. Required lab fee.

411.

Phylogenetics - Three semester hours, three hours lecture per week. Examination of the methods used to reconstruct and evaluate the strength of evolutionary trees (phylogenies). The methods used to test evolutionary hypotheses using these evolutionary trees also will be examined. Additionally, the course will examine the logic and assumptions associated with each methodological approach. Outside readings and participation in class discussions will be required. Prerequisite: BIO 130, 131, 133, 341, 370 or permission of instructor.

412.

Field Biology - Six semester hours, five-week summer session. Quantitative studies of ecological communities. Analysis of biodiversity and ecological relationships through participation in field research projects. Possible topics include population, community ecosystem, and evolutionary and/or behavioral ecology. A maximum of six credits of 412 or 414 may be applied to the biology major. An additional six credits may be used toward advanced electives. Transportation expenses will be required. Lab fee required. Prerequisites: 18 hours of biology, biology major or minor, and permission of the instructor.

414.

Field Course in Applied Ecological Methods - Six semester hours, five-week summer session. Research projects will involve methods and instrumentation for documenting ecological patterns. Students will learn to collect and analyze data using the newest and/or most widely accepted tools available. A maximum of six credits of 412 or 414 may be applied to the biology major. An additional six credits may be used toward advanced electives. Transportation expenses will be required. Lab fee required. Prerequisite: 18 hours of biology, biology major or minor, and permission of the instructor.

415.

Principles of Electron Microscopy - Four semester hours, two hours lecture, six hours lab per week. Introduction to the biological applications of transmission and scanning electron microscopy. Required lab fee. Prerequisites: Senior standing with a major or minor in the sciences and permission of the instructor.

420.

Virology - Four semester hours, three hours lecture, three hours lab per week. Basic study of viruses with laboratory. Covers viral structure, genome organization, replication strategies and medical implications of infection. Laboratory includes bacteriophages, animal and plant viral propagation, basic tissue culture, PCR for viral detection, and fluorescence and electron microscopy for viral identification. Prerequisites: BIO 309 and 341. Required lab fee.

424.

Plant Pathology - Three semester hours, two hours lecture, three hours lab per week. Principles of plant pathology. Survey of fungal, bacterial and viral diseases of plants. Required lab fee. Prerequisites: BIO 131 and Junior or Senior standing (60 or more credit hours completed).

430.

Invertebrate Natural History - Three semester hours, two hours lecture, three hours lab per week. Animals without backbones. Laboratory emphasis on recognition. Brief treatment of insects and parasites. Prerequisites: BIO 131 and 133. Required lab fee.

431.

Molecular Biology - Three semester hours, three hours lecture per week. Structure, function and organization of DNA, DNA replication, transcription, and translation of RNA. Mechanisms of gene expression and regulation. Prerequisite: BIO 341.

433.

Ornithology - Four semester hours, three hours lecture, three hours lab per week. Classification, distribution, ecology and evolution of birds. Emphasis on identification of local species in lab. Field trips, travel fee and lab fee required. Requires concurrent enrollment in lab. Prerequisite: BIO 133 or permission from the instructor.

435.

Plant Systematics - Three semester hours, two hours lecture, three hours lab per week. Diversity of plants, their identification, naming, classification and evolution. Required field trips, travel fee and lab fee. Prerequisite: BIO 131 and BIO 130 or 133.

436.

Mammalogy - Four semester hours, three hours lecture, three hours lab per week. Classification, evolution, natural history and distribution of mammals. Emphasis on natural history and identification of regional species in lab. Field trips required. Requires outside readings and/or research projects. Travel fee and lab fee required. Requires concurrent enrollment in lab. Prerequisite: BIO 133 or permission of the instructor.

437.

Herpetology - Four semester hours, three hours lecture, three hours lab per week. Classification, distribution, ecology and evolution of amphibians and reptiles. Emphasis on natural history and identification of regional species in lab. Field trips required. Requires outside readings, papers and/or research projects. Travel fee and lab fee required. Requires concurrent enrollment in lab. Prerequisite: BIO 133 or permission of instructor.

438.

Ichthyology - Three semester hours, two hours lecture, three hours lab per week. Classification, evolution, natural history and distribution of freshwater fishes. Required field trips. Prerequisite: BIO 133 or permission of the instructor. Required travel fee and lab fee.

439.

Parasitology - Four semester hours, three hours lecture, three hours lab per week. Basic survey of parasites, primarily from the human pathogen perspective. Includes identification and pathogenesis of protozoan, nematode and cestode parasites. Coverage of taxonomic identification of preserved and fresh clinical samples in lab. Prerequisite: BIO 309. Required lab fee.

442.

Molecular Genetics of Human Disease - Three semester hours, three hours lecture per week. A detailed survey of genetic disease mechanisms involving case studies of specific genetic disorders. An examination of specific genes and the effects of mutations upon protein structure and chemistry, and upon the physiology of those affected. Prerequisite: BIO 341.

445.

Developmental Biology - Three semester hours, three hours lecture per week. Fundamental mechanisms of embryonic development. Molecular, cellular and tissue interactions that direct development of vertebrate and invertebrate embryos. Prerequisite BIO 342 (241).

449.

Histology - Four semester hours, two hours lecture, six hours lab per week. Microscopic structure of vertebrate tissues and cells, with consideration of their origin and their function in the adult body. Prerequisite: BIO 342 (241). Offered in fall only. Required lab fee.

450.

Limnology - Four semester hours, three hours lecture, three hours lab per week. Study of the biological, chemical and physical characteristics of the freshwater environment. Required field trips. Prerequisites: BIO 131 and 133. Required travel fee and lab fee.

470.

Seminar in Biology - One semester hour, one-hour lecture per week. For undergraduate credit only. Student participation in general and specific topics in biology; separate section for life sciences teacher certification. May be repeated once on a different topic for credit. Prerequisite: 20 hours in biology.

471.

Special Topics in Biology - Three semester hours, three hours lecture per week. For undergraduate credit only. Special studies in the biological sciences. May be repeated in a different topic. Prerequisite: four semesters of biology.

472.

Special Topics in Biology - Three semester hours, two hours lecture, three hours lab per week. Special studies in the biological sciences. May be repeated in a different topic. Prerequisite: four semesters of biology. Laboratory must be taken concurrently with the lecture.

475.

Special Problems - Three semester hours. For undergraduate credit only. Independent investigations by students guided through individual conferences with the professor willing to work with them. May be repeated for additional credit. Prerequisites: 18 hours of biology with minimum B average and approval of the department chair.