Department of Biology*

www.bio.unc.edu

WILLIAM M. KIER, Chair

* With recommendation of the department and the approval of the Administrative Board of The Graduate School, special courses and the direction of graduate studies are offered by the staff of the Institute of Marine Sciences, Morehead City, North Carolina.

Professors

Albert S. Baldwin, Immunoglobulin Gene Expression

Victoria L. Bautch, Molecular Basis of Development

Kerry S. Bloom, Molecular Genetics

Jeffrey L. Dangl, Genetic and Molecular Analysis of Disease Resistance

Robert J. Duronio, Cell Cycle Control

Patricia G. Gensel, Paleobotany and Morphology

Albert K. Harris, Morphogenesis and Embryology

Alan M. Jones, Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology

Joseph J. Kieber, Plant Cell Biology

William M. Kier, Functional Morphology of Invertebrates, Biomechanics

Joel G. Kingsolver, Evolutionary Ecology and Physiological Ecology

Kenneth J. Lohmann, Neuroethology and Invertebrate Zoology

William F. Marzluff, Transcriptional and Posttranscriptional Regulation of RNA Metabolism, Cell Cycle Regulation during Development

A. Gregory Matera, RNA Processing: Biogenesis of Small Ribonucleoproteins

Ann G. Matthysse, Molecular Biology and Plant Pathology

Steven W. Matson, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry

Robert K. Peet, Plant Ecology

Mark A. Peifer, Developmental Genetics

Charles H. Peterson, Marine Ecology

David Pfennig, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

Patricia J. Pukkila, Molecular Genetics

Edward D. Salmon, Cell Biology

Darrel W. Stafford, Developmental Biochemistry

Peter S. White, Plant Ecology

R. Haven Wiley, Animal Behavior

Associate Professors

Shawn C. Ahmed, Telomeres, DNA Change and Germline Immortality

Christina L. Burch, Experimental Evolution of Viruses

Gregory P. Copenhaver, Plant Genome Biology, Recombination, Centromeres

Robert P. Goldstein, Generation of Cell Diversity in Development

Jason D. Lieb, Specificity and Function in Protein-Genome Interactions

Jason W. Reed, Light Signal Transduction in Plants

Seth R. Reice, Community Ecology, Stream Ecology

Lillie L. Searles, Molecular Biology

Jeff Sekelsky, Meiotic Recombination, DNA Repair

Maria R. Servedio, Evolutionary Theory

Todd J. Vision, Evolutionary and Computational Genetics

Assistant Professors

Sabrina S. Burmeister, Neuroethology

Mara C. Duncan, Membrane Trafficking

Tyson Hedrick, Biomechanics and Animal Locomotion

Allen H. Hurlbert, Community Ecology, Biogeography

Corbin D. Jones, Evolutionary Genetics and Genomics

Sarah Liljegren, Molecular Genetic Analysis of Flower Development

Charles Mitchell, Disease Ecology

Steven Rogers, Cytoskeletal Filaments

Karin S. Pfennig, Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution

Kevin Slep, Cytoskeletal Structure and Dynamics

Keith Sockman, Neuroendocrine Control of Reproductive Flexibility

Research Professors

Sarah R. Grant, Pathogenicity Factors in Pseudomonas Syringae

Punita Nagpal, Plant Development

David Straight, Protein-Protein Interactions

James Umbanhowar, Ecosystem Stability and Function

Chris Willett, Molecular Population and Evolutionary Genetics

Elaine Yeh, Nuclear Division in Yeast

Associated Faculty

John Bruno, Marine Sciences

Stephen T. Crews, Molecular Genetics

Frank L. Conlon, Xenopus, Mesoderm, Heart, Tbox Genes

Michael A. Resnick, Molecular Genetics

Alan Weakley, Plant Systematics

Professors Emeriti

Edward G. Barry

Aristotle J. Domnas

J. Alan Feduccia

Lawrence I. Gilbert

Nelson G. Hairston

Max H. Hommersand

Rogers McVaugh

Donald W. Misch

Helmut C. Mueller

Clifford R. Parks

Tom K. Scott

Alan E. Stiven

The Department of Biology offers a program of study leading to a doctorof philosophy degree in biology. Master's degrees are only received by those students that have progressed far enough in the Ph.D. program, but cannot complete the program. Special departmental rules and guidelines for advanced degrees are available upon request.

Graduate Programs and Facilities

The Department of Biology is housed in three modern buildings and is equipped with modern instrumentation for research and research training in the biological disciplines represented by faculty areas for research. These include

Genetics and Molecular Biology: Genetics is both a discipline (the study of heredity) and an experimental approach (manipulation of genes or the genetic material). Today, most geneticists work at the molecular level by manipulating RNA or DNAor entire genomes. Our group is strong in both model organism genetics and genomics. Areas of emphasis include: biochemistry and molecular biology, chromosome biology, developmental genetics, protein synthesis, enzyme mechanics and plant genetics.

Cell Biology, Development and Physiology: Developmental biologists address the mechanisms through which cells acquire specialized functions to elicit complex body plans. These features are accomplished in part through cell proliferation, migration and shape changes. Our department has a strong research program in these areas, which are major topics in cell biology, as well as in other aspects of developmental biology. Areas of emphasis include: cytology, mitotic and meiotic mechanisms, histochemistry, invertebrate endocrinology, experimental morphogenesis, morphogenetic movements, tissue culture, hormones, plant development, signal transduction, functional morphology, biomechanics and neuroethology, and membrane functions.

Evolutionary Biology: Evolution is inherited change in the characteristics of populations over time. Two major goals of evolutionary biology are to explain the incredible fit of organisms to their environment and the origins of diversity. To this end, we investigate the genetic and ecological mechanisms that shape adaptation with a strong focus on processes that contribute to the origin of species.

Ecology: The study of how organisms interact with each other and their physical environment. Our group has strength in behavioral, conservation, community and evolutionary ecology. Areas of emphasis include population biology, life histories and ecosystem phenomena in terrestrial freshwater and marine systems.

Behavior and Organismal Biology: Organismal biologists seek to understand the remarkable diversity of life forms on Earth by analyzing organismal structure and function. We take an integrative approach to this research, combining analyses at levels ranging from molecules to whole organisms. Our group also endeavors to understand the evolution and mechanisms of behavior. We use theoretical, observational and experimental approaches in a variety of species, from crawling behavior in sea slugs to social communication in primates. Areas of emphasis include social and mating systems of vertebrates, communication, ecology and ontogeny of behavior, predator-prey interactions, marine ecology and oceanography, comparative physiology, neuroethology, and biomechanics.

Plant Biology: We have an active and diverse group that studies features specific to plants or that uses plant models to address questions of broad interest. Areas of emphasis include: host-pathogen interactions, signal transduction, development, and genomics and chromosome biology.

After completing required course work in the department, students in marine biology have access to the research facilities of the Institute of Marine Sciences, Morehead City, North Carolina. By cooperative arrangements, deep water research can be carried out through the use of the research vessel of the Duke University Marine Laboratory.

Interdepartmental degree programs in genetics, ecology, neurobiology and marine science offer unusual opportunities for special training through participation of staff from the Department of Biology and many other departments in arts and sciences and health affairs.

The John N. Couch Biology Library has more than 70,000 volumes and receives more than 1,200 serials related to fields of research in the department. The collection includes treatises, monographs, symposium volumes, reprints, and standard and classical works of research and historical importance. The nearby Health Sciences Library contains additional biological references.

A major research asset is the location of the University, which makes the varied flora and fauna of the Appalachian Mountains, Piedmont Plateau, Coastal Plain and Atlantic Coast accessible for research and instruction. The department operates a small field station a few miles from the Chapel Hill campus in the Mason Farm Biological Reserve, which includes several hundred acres of upland and floodplain habitats.

The Coker Arboretum and the North Carolina Botanical Garden are of value to students in the study of special problems. The Herbarium, containing more than 600,000 specimens, is especially rich in collections of the vascular plants and fungi of the Carolinas and the Southeastern United States.

The Highlands Biological Station, administered for the University system by Western Carolina University, is located in the biologically rich mountains at Highlands, North Carolina. Graduate courses offered cover various parts of the mountain biota. Credit may be obtained through UNC-Chapel Hill or Western Carolina University. A limited amount of research support is available on a competitive basis. (See the annual announcement of the Highlands Biological Station.)

The University is a member of the Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS). Financial support is available for students attending OTS courses in tropical ecology in Costa Rica.

Additional information about the graduate program including instructions for application is available at www.bio.unc.edu.

Fellowships and Assistantships

Application for admission and graduate appointments, accompanied by credentials and Graduate Record Examination scores, and optionally the Advanced Biology score, should be submitted for receipt no later than January 1 (date subject to change at the discretion of the department). Instructions for applying to the biology graduate program can be found on the departmental Web site (www.bio.unc.edu).

All outstanding prospective graduate students who apply for admission are automatically considered for University fellowships.

More than 45 teaching assistantships are open to graduate students. Duties of assistants include preparation for and supervision of laboratory and recitation sections of undergraduate courses. Duties usually require 13–15 hours per week including six contact hours in classes and six to nine hours of preparation or other services associated with instruction.

Research assistantships are available. Salaries and duties are variable as determined by the research needs of faculty supervising the work. Applications for these appointments must be made personally to faculty members directing grant-supported research.

The following awards are specifically for graduate students in the Biology Department.

• The Alma Holland Beers Scholarships are awarded annually to support summer research of students in botany. They are nonservice awards.

• The William Chambers Coker Fellowship is awarded annually to a student or students in the final years of work toward a doctor of philosophy in a botanical field. This is a nonservice award that carries with it an additional supplement for tuition and fees.

• The Mrs. W. C. Coker Fellowship is awarded annually to an outstanding first-year graduate student in plant biology. This is also a nonservice award that carries with it an additional supplement for tuition and fees.

• The H. V. Wilson Marine Scholarship is awarded annually for summer work at a marine laboratory. It is a nonservice award.

Courses for Graduates and Advanced Undergraduates

The stated prerequisites should be interpreted to read "or equivalent" and may be waived by the course instructor for students who are adequately prepared.

321 [124] INTRODUCTION TO IMMUNOLOGY (3). Prerequisites, BIOL 202, 205, and permission of the instructor. This course provides a general overview of the evolution, organization and function of the immune system. Instruction will be inquiry-based with extensive use of informational and instructional technology tools.

324 [135] MOLECULAR BASIS OF DISEASE (3). Prerequisites, BIOL 202 and BIOL 205, or permission of the instructor. This course covers the molecular mechanisms of human diseases, including genetic diseases, infectious diseases, immunodeficiencies, nutritional disorders, cancer, metabolic diseases, cardiovascular diseases and neurological disorders.

350 [126] OCEANOGRAPHY (MASC 401, ENVR 417, GEOL 403) (3). Prerequisite, major in a natural science or at least two college-level courses in natural sciences. The origin of ocean basins, chemistry and dynamics of seawater, biological communities and processes, the sedimentary record and the history of oceanography. Term paper. Intended for students with college science background; other students should see GEOL 103. Three lecture hours a week. Fall, spring. Staff (Marine Sciences).

410 PRINCIPLES AND METHODS OF TEACHING BIOLOGY (4). Prerequisites, two of the three biology core courses: BIOL 201, 202 and/or 205. This course will develop the knowledge and skills teachers need to implement inquiry-based biology instruction: rich, conceptual knowledge of biology and mastery of inquiry-based teaching methods. Fall, spring. Coble.

422 [108] MICROBIOLOGY (3). Prerequisite, BIOL 202 or permission of the instructor. Bacterial form, growth, physiology, genetics and diversity. Bacterial interactions including symbiosis and pathogenesis (animal and plant). Use of bacteria in biotechnology. Brief introduction to fungi and viruses. Fall. Matthysse.

422L [108L] MICROBIOLOGY LABORATORY (1–2). Pre- or corequisite, BIOL 422. Sterile technique, bacterial growth and physiology, bacterial genetics, bacteriophage and bacterial diversity. Fall. Matthysse.

423L LABORATORY EXPERIMENTS IN GENETICS (4). Prerequisite, BIOL 205. Experiments using a range of organisms—from bacteria to Drosophila, higher plants and man—to sample organismal and molecular genetics. One lecture hour, four laboratory hours. Spring. Grant.

425 [122] HUMAN GENETICS (GNET 425) (3). Prerequisite, BIOL 202. Pedigree analysis, inheritance of complex traits, DNA damage and repair, human genome organization, DNA fingerprinting, the genes of hereditary diseases, chromosomal aberrations, cancer and oncogenes, immunogenetics and tissue transplants. Three lecture hours a week. Spring. Sekelsky, Copenhaver.

426 [134] BIOLOGY OF BLOOD DISEASES (PATH 426) (3). Prerequisite, BIOL 205 or permission of the instructor. An introduction to the biology and pathophysiology of blood and the molecular mechanisms of some human diseases, including malignant neoplasms, anemias, hemophilias, thrombophilias, atherosclerosis and viral infections. Fall. Church (Pathology).

427 [127] HUMAN DIVERSITY AND POPULATION GENETICS (3). Prerequisites, BIOL 202 and 201 or permission of the instructor. This course investigates the facts, methods and theories behind human population genetics, evolution and diversity. Specifically, it addresses questions of human origins, population structure and genetic diversity. Fall. C. Jones.

430 [130] INTRODUCTION TO BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY (CHEM 430) (3). Prerequisites, CHEM 262 or 262H, CHEM 262L or 263L, and BIOL 101. The study of cellular processes including catalysis, metabolism, bioenergetics and biochemical genetics. The structure and function of biological macromolecules involved in these processes is emphasized. Fall and spring. Biological Chemistry faculty.

434 [164] MOLECULAR BIOLOGY (3). Prerequisites, CHEM 261 and BIOL 202. Emphasis is on prokaryotic molecular biology, plasmids, lambda-phage and single-strand phages. Three lecture hours a week. Spring. Searles.

436 [131] ENDOCRINOLOGY (3). Prerequisite, BIOL 205 or 252. Principles of neuroendocrine and endocrine systems of vertebrates and selected invertebrates with consideration of the anatomy and physiology of glands of internal secretion. Hormone chemistry and interendocrine relationships are also emphasized. Three lecture hours a week..

438 [190] FRONTIERS IN CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY (4). Prerequisites, two courses in biology and permission of the instructor. Does not count toward a major in biology. Available by correspondence. Fall.

439 [165] INTRODUCTION TO SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION (3). Prerequisites, BIOL 101, 202 and 205. This course presents an introduction to signal transduction pathways used by higher eukaryotes. Several signaling paradigms will be discussed to illustrate the ways that cells transmit information. Three lecture hours per week.

441 [104] VERTEBRATE EMBRYOLOGY (3). Prerequisite, BIOL 252 or 205. Principles of development with special emphasis on gametogenesis, fertilization, cleavage, germ layer formation, organogenesis and mechanisms, with experimental analysis of developmental processes. Three lecture hours a week. Spring. Harris.

441L [104L] VERTEBRATE EMBRYOLOGY LABORATORY (1). Pre- or corequisite, BIOL 441. Descriptive and some experimental aspects of vertebrate development. Three laboratory hours a week. Spring. Harris.

443 [144] DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY (3). Prerequisites, BIOL 202 or 205 and CHEM 261. An experimental approach to an understanding of animals and plants. The approach covers developmental processes, molecular, genetic, cell biological and biochemical techniques, with an emphasis on the molecules involved in development.

445 [169] CANCER BIOLOGY (3). Prerequisites, BIOL 202 and 205. Selected examples will be used to illustrate how basic research allows us to understand the mechanistic basis of cancer and how these insights offer hope for new treatments. Spring. Duronio, Peifer.

446 [166] UNSOLVED PROBLEMS IN CELLULAR BIOLOGY (3). Prerequisite, BIOL 205. A survey of areas of current interest in cytology, embryology and genetics with concentration on problems that remain unsolved but that appear to be near solution. Three lecture and discussion hours a week. Fall. Harris.

447 [129] LABORATORY IN CELL BIOLOGY (4). Prerequisite, grade of C or better in BIOL 205. Modern methods to study cells, technical skills necessary for research in cell and molecular biology, knowledge of good lab practice, operation of technical instrumentation. Three lecture and three laboratory hours a week. Spring. A. Jones.

448 [167] ADVANCED CELL BIOLOGY (3). Prerequisite, BIOL 205. An advanced course in cell biology, with emphasis on the biochemistry and molecular biology of cell structure and function. Three lecture hours a week. Fall. Kieber.

450 [121] INTRODUCTION TO NEUROBIOLOGY (3). Prerequisite, BIOL 205. Survey of neurobiological principles in vertebrates and invertebrates, including development, morphology, physiology and molecular mechanisms. Three lectures a week. Fall. Lohmann.

451 [120] COMPARATIVE PHYSIOLOGY (3). Prerequisites, BIOL 101 and 101L, PHYS 104 and PHYS 105. An examination of the physiology of animals using a comparative approach. Both invertebrate and vertebrate animals are discussed in order to elucidate general principles. Spring. Kier, Hedrick.

452 [170] MATHEMATICAL AND COMPUTATIONAL MODELS IN BIOLOGY (MATH 452) (4). Prerequisites, BIOL 201 and 202, MATH 231 and either MATH 232 or STOR 155. This course will introduce analytical, computational and statistical techniques, such as discrete models, numerical integration of ordinary differential equations, and likelihood functions, to explore topics from various fields of biology. Lab is included. Fall. Servedio, Hedrick.

453 [150] ANIMAL SOCIETIES AND COMMUNICATION (3). Pre- or corequisite, BIOL 278. Comparative review of animal societies; diversity of social structure, social dynamics, communication, ecology and evolution of social organization. Three lecture hours a week. Fall. (Alternate years.) Wiley, Sockman.

454 [158] EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS (3). Prerequisites, BIOL 201 and 202 or permission of the instructor. The roles of mutation, migration, genetic drift and natural selection in the evolution of the genotype and phenotype. Basic principles are applied to special interest topics. Three lecture hours a week. Fall. (Alternate years). Vision.

455 [154] BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE (3). Prerequisite, BIOL 205 or permission of the instructor. The neurobiological basis of animal behavior at the level of single cells, neural circuits, sensory systems and organisms. Lecture topics range from principles of cellular neurobiology to ethological field studies. Spring. Burmeister.

456 [157] PROBLEMS IN VERTEBRATE EVOLUTION (GEOL 456) (3). Prerequisites, BIOL 276 or permission of the instructor. A study of the major transitions in vertebrate evolution and associated problems in evolutionary biology, structural change, paleoecology, biogeography and earth history, physiology and behavior. Three lecture hours a week..

457 [148] MARINE BIOLOGY (MASC 442) (3). Prerequisite, MASC 101, BIOL 201 or 475, or permission of the instructor. A survey of plants and animals that live in the sea: characteristics of marine habitats, organisms and the ecosystems will be emphasized. Marine environment, the organisms involved and the ecological systems that sustain them. Fall.

458 SENSORY NEUROBIOLOGY AND BEHAVIOR (3). Prerequisite, BIOL 205. An exploration of sensory systems and sensory ecology in animals. Topics range from neurophysiological function of sensory receptors to the role of sensory cues in animal behavior.

459 [195] FIELD BIOLOGY AT HIGHLANDS BIOLOGICAL STATION (1-4). Prerequisite, BIOL 101 or equivalent, or permission of the instructor. Content will vary. Summer field biology at the Highlands Biological Station will generally focus on the special faunal and floristic processes and patterns characteristic of the southern Appalachian mountain region. Five lecture and three to five laboratory and field hours per week, depending on credit. Summer. Staff.

461 [112] FUNDAMENTALS OF ECOLOGY (ECOL 461, ENST 461) (4). Prerequisite, BIOL 201. Students will develop a comprehensive understanding of the field of ecology, including modern and emerging trends in ecology. They will develop literacy in the fundamental theories and models that capture ecological processes; emphasis will also be placed on the relevance of ecology and ecological research for human society.

462 [146] MARINE ECOLOGY (MASC 440) (3). Prerequisite, BIOL 201 or 475. Survey of ecological processes that structure marine communities in a range of coastal habitats. Course emphasizes experimental approaches to addressing basic and applied problems in marine systems. Spring. Bruno.

463 FIELD ECOLOGY (4). Prerequisite, BIOL 201. Application of ecological theory to terrestrial and/or freshwater systems. Lectures will acquaint students with these systems and emphasize quantitative properties of interacting population and communities within them. The required laboratory will teach techniques and methodology applicable for analysis of these systems. Individual and group projects will emphasize experimental testing of ecological theory in the field. Two lecture and six field hours a week. Spring. (Alternate years.) Reice.

469 [151] BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY (3). Prerequisite, BIOL 201 or 278. Behavior as an adaptation to the environment. Evolution of behavioral strategies for survival and reproduction. Optimality and games that animals play. Three lecture hours a week. Spring. (Alternate years.) K. Pfennig.

471 [132] EVOLUTIONARY MECHANISMS (4). Prerequisites, BIOL 202 and 201 or permission of the instructors. Introduction to mechanisms of evolutionary change, including natural selection, population genetics, life history evolution, speciation, and micro- and macroevolutionary trends. Three lecture hours plus two hours of laboratory/recitation per week. Fall. D. Pfennig, Burch.

472 [103] INTRODUCTION TO PLANT TAXONOMY (4). Prerequisites, BIOL 271 and/or 272 or permission of the instructor. Introduction to the taxonomy of vascular plants. Principles of classification, identification, nomenclature and description. Laboratory and field emphasis on phytography, families, description, identification and classification of vascular plant species. Three lecture and three laboratory hours a week.

475 [105] BIOLOGY OF MARINE ANIMALS (4). Prerequisites, BIOL 101 and 101L and one additional course in biology. An introduction to the major animal phyla emphasizing form, function, behavior, ecology, evolution and classification of marine invertebrates. Three lecture and three laboratory hours per week. Spring. (Alternate years). Lohmann.

476 [114] AVIAN BIOLOGY (3). Prerequisites, BIOL 101 and 101L and one additional course in biology. A study of avian evolution, biogeography, ecology and behavior with emphasis on North Carolina avifauna. Three lecture hours a week. Fall. (Alternate years.) Wiley.

476L [114L] AVIAN BIOLOGY LABORATORY (1). Pre- or corequisite, BIOL 476. Techniques for the study of avian evolution, ecology and behavior with emphasis on North Carolina birds. Three laboratory or field hours a week, including one or two weekend field trips. Fall. (Alternate years.) Wiley.

478 [110] INVERTEBRATE PALEONTOLOGY (GEOL 478) (4). Prerequisite, GEOL 159 or BIOL 101 or permission of the instructor. Introduction to the principles, methods of analysis, and major controversies within paleontology. Examination of the fossil record and its application to problems in evolutionary biology, paleoecology, paleoclimatology and general Earth history. Fall. Carter.

490 [175] SPECIAL TOPICS (3). Permission of the instructor. Content will vary. Three lecture and discussion hours per week by visiting and resident faculty. Fall and spring. Staff.

501 [176] ETHICAL ISSUES IN LIFE SCIENCES (3). Prerequisites, BIOL 202, 205 and permission of the instructor. A consideration and discussion of ethical issues in life sciences including cloning humans, genetic engineering, stem cell research, organ transplantation and animal experimentation. Counts as a course numbered below 400 for biology major requirements.

514 [133] EVOLUTION AND DEVELOPMENT (3). Prerequisites, BIOL 201, 202 and 205. The course examines the mechanisms by which organisms are built and evolve. In particular, it examines how novel and complex traits and organisms arise from interactions among genes and cells. Three lecture hours per week. Fall. D. Pfennig, Goldstein.

522 [109] BACTERIAL GENETICS (3). Prerequisite, BIOL 422. Genetics of eubacteria with emphasis on molecular genetics including regulation of gene expression, transposons, operons, regulons, plasmids, transformation and conjugation. Spring. Matthysse.

524 [424] STRATEGIES OF HOST-MICROBE INTERACTIONS (3). Prerequisites, BIOL 205 and 422 or equivalents. There is great variety in how microbes colonize and live with their hosts. The course will summarize strategies of pathogenicity, symbiosis, commensalism and mutualism. Evolutionary, cellular and molecular aspects will be analyzed.

526 [162] COMPUTATIONAL GENETICS (4). Prerequisites, BIOL 202, COMP 101 and STOR 155. A study of the concepts underlying the bioinformatic tools used in genetics. Topics include alignment, gene finding, expression analysis, mapping, phylogenetics and measuring sequence divergence and polymorphism. Three lecture and two laboratory hours per week. Fall. (Alternate years.) Vision.

529 [429] CLINICAL AND COUNSELING ASPECTS OF HUMAN GENETICS (GNET 635) (3). Prerequisites, BIOL 425 and permission of the instructor. Topics in clinical genetics including pedigree analysis, counseling/ethical issues, genetic testing, screening and issues in human research are taught in a small group format. Active student participation is expected. Three lecture hours per week.

535 [435] MOLECULAR BIOLOGY TECHNIQUES (4). Permission of the instructor; BIOL 434 recommended. Experiments with bacterial phage, nucleic acid isolation and properties, recombinant DNA techniques and DNA sequencing. Additional hours in laboratory will be necessary to complete assignments. Fall. Stafford.

542 [188] LIGHT MICROSCOPY FOR THE BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES (3). Prerequisites, BIOL 205 and permission of the instructor. Introduction to various types of light microscopy, digital and video imaging techniques, and their application in biological sciences. Spring. (Alternate years.) Salmon, Bloom.

551 [155] COMPARATIVE BIOMECHANICS (3). Prerequisites, BIOL 101 and 101L, PHYS 104 and 105. The structure and function of organisms in relation to the principles of fluid mechanics and solid mechanics. Fall. (Alternate years.) Kier.

553 [152] PLANT ANATOMY (5). Prerequisite, BIOL 274. Introduction to the development and comparative anatomy of vascular plants. Practice in methods of anatomical microtechnique. Three lecture and four laboratory hours a week. Fall. (On occasion.) Staff.

554 [153] COMPARATIVE MORPHOLOGY OF VASCULAR PLANTS (5). Prerequisite, BIOL 274. Comparative morphology and evolutionary relationships of the tracheophyta. Both living and fossil forms will be considered. Three lecture and four laboratory hours a week. Spring. (Alternate years.) Gensel.

555 [181] PALEOBOTANY (GEOL 555) (4). Prerequisites, BIOL 101/101L and permission of the instructor. An introduction to the morphology, stratigraphic occurrence and evolutionary relationships of fossil plants. Both macrofossils and microfossils will be considered. Three lecture and three laboratory hours a week. Fall. (Alternate years.) Gensel.

561 [143] ECOLOGICAL PLANT GEOGRAPHY (3). Prerequisite, BIOL 101 or GEOG 110. Description of the major vegetation types of the world including their distribution, structure and dynamics. The principal causes for the distribution of plant species and communities, such as climate, soils and history will be discussed. Fall. (Alternate years.) Peet.

562 [141] STATISTICS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTISTS (ECOL 562, ENST 562) (4). Prerequisite, STOR 155 or equivalent. Introduction to the application of quantitative and statistical methods in environmental science, including environmental monitoring, assessment, threshold exceedance, risk assessment and environmental decision making.

563 [145] STATISTICAL ANALYSIS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION (ECOL 563, ENST 563) (4). Prerequisites, MATH 231 and STOR 151. Application of modern statistical analysis and data modeling in ecological and evolutionary research. Emphasis is on computer-intensive methods and model-based approaches. Familiarity with standard parametric statistics is assumed.

564 [149] ECOSYSTEM STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION (3). Prerequisite, BIOL 201 or a course in limnology or geochemistry. Pattern and process in natural ecosystems, with stress on comparative approaches to ecosystems and analysis. Topics include primary and secondary productivity, nutrient cycling and the biogeochemistry of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Three lecture hours a week. (On occasion.) Staff.

564L [149L] ECOSYSTEM STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION LABORATORY (1). Pre- or corequisites, BIOL 564 and permission of the instructor. Use of data to generate empirical models of ecosystem patterns or processes. Individual research projects. Three laboratory hours a week. Fall or spring. (On occasion.) Staff.

565 [184] CONSERVATION BIOLOGY (3). Prerequisite, BIOL 201. The application of biological science to the conservation of populations, communities and ecosystems, including rare species management, exotic species invasions, management of natural disturbance, research strategies and preserve design principles. Spring. White.

567 [467] EVOLUTIONARY ECOLOGY (3). Prerequisite, BIOL 471 or permission of the instructor. Advanced topics in the evolution of form and function. May include issues in life-history evolution, evolutionary physiology, evolutionary morphology and the evolution of complexity. Three lecture hours per week.

568 DISEASE ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION (3). Prerequisites, BIOL 201, MATH 231 and one course above 400 in ecology or evolution. An advanced class covering the causes and consequences of infectious disease at the levels of whole organisms, populations, communities and ecosystems.

579 [183] ORGANISMAL STRUCTURE AND DIVERSITY IN THE SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS (4). Prerequisite, general biology, ecology or permission of the instructor. An examination of the field biology of selected fungi, plants or animals of the Appalachian Mountains. The morphology, taxonomy, ecology, life history and behavior of the organisms will be explored both in the laboratory and in the field.

With approval of the instructor and The Graduate School, biology majors who need fewer than 15 hours to complete the bachelor's degree and who have at least a B average in biology courses may take one or two courses at the 600-800 level for the purpose of later receiving graduate credit.

Courses for Graduates

621 [161] PRINCIPLES OF GENETIC ANALYSIS I (GNET 621) (3). Prerequisite for undergraduates, BIOL 202. For graduate students, an undergraduate genetics course or permission of the instructor. Genetic principles of genetic analysis in prokaryotes and lower eukaryotes. Fall. Copenhaver, Sekelsky, Ahmed.

622 [168] PRINCIPLES OF GENETIC ANALYSIS II (GNET 622) (4). Prerequisite, BIOL 621 or GNET 621. Principles of genetic analysis in higher eukaryotes; genomics. Spring. Staff.

624 [160] DEVELOPMENTAL GENETICS (GNET 624) (3). Prerequisites, BIOL 202, 205 and permission of the instructor required for undergraduates. Genetic and molecular control of plant and animal development. Extensive reading from primary literature. Fall. Bautch.

625 [270] SEMINAR IN GENETICS (GNET 625) (2). Permission of the instructor. Current and significant problems in genetics. May be repeated for credit. Fall and spring. Bautch, Copenhaver, C. Jones, Peifer, Pukkila, Searles, Sekelsky..

631 [178] ADVANCED MOLECULAR BIOLOGY I (BIOC 631, GNET 631, MCRO 631, PHCO 631) (3). Prerequisites for undergraduates, at least one undergraduate course in both biochemistry and genetics and permission of the instructor. DNA structure, function, and interactions in prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems, including chromosome structure, replication, recombination, repair and genome fluidity. Three lecture hours a week. Fall. Griffith, Ramsden, Sancar.

632 [179] ADVANCED MOLECULAR BIOLOGY II (BIOC 632, GNET 632, MCRO 632, PHCO 632) (3). Prerequisites for undergraduates, at least one undergraduate course in both biochemistry and genetics and permission of the instructor. RNA structure, function and processing in biological systems including transcription, gene regulation, translation and oncogenes. Three lecture hours a week. Spring. Baldwin, Marzluff, Strahl.

639 [272] SEMINAR IN PLANT MOLECULAR AND CELL BIOLOGY (2). Permission of the instructor. May be repeated for credit. Current and significant problems in plant molecular and cell biology are discussed in a seminar format. Fall or spring. Dangl, A. Jones, Kieber, Liljegren.

642 [177] CURRENT TOPICS IN CELL DIVISION (3). Prerequisite, BIOL 205. An advanced course in cell and molecular biology integrating genetic, biochemical and structural aspects of the cell cycle. Principles derived from a variety of biological systems. Extensive reading of classic papers as well as recent literature.

648 [282] PALYNOLOGY (5). Prerequisite, permission of the instructor. A consideration of various aspects of palynology, including the morphology, structure, development, systematics, evolution, preparation techniques and analysis of living and fossil pollen grains, spores and other palynomorphs. Two lecture and six laboratory hours a week. Fall or spring. (Alternate years.) Gensel.

649 [254] SEMINAR IN CELL BIOLOGY (2). Prerequisite, BIOL 205 or permission of the instructor. May be repeated for credit. Fall or spring. Bloom, Goldstein, Harris, Salmon.

657 [140] BIOLOGICAL OCEANOGRAPHY (ENVR 520, MASC 504) (4). Prerequisite, BIOL 201 or 475 or permission of the instructor. Physical, chemical and biological factors characterizing estuarine and marine environments. Emphasizes factors controlling animal and plant populations. Includes experimental approaches and methods of analysis, sampling and identification. Three lecture and two recitation hours a week.

659 [258] SEMINAR IN EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY (2). Prerequisite, BIOL 471 or permission of the instructor. Advanced topics in evolutionary biology. Fall and spring. Burch, Kingsolver, D. Pfennig, K. Pfennig, Servedio, Willett, Vision.

661 [142] PLANT ECOLOGY (4). Prerequisite, BIOL 201. Consideration of terrestrial, vascular plant ecology including environmental physiology, population dynamics and community structure. Laboratory stresses collection and interpretation of field data. Three lecture and three laboratory hours a week. Fall. (Alternate years.) Peet.

662 [247] FIELD PLANT GEOGRAPHY (2). Prerequisites, BIOL 661 or 561 and permission of the instructor. Intensive literature and field study of the plant geography and ecology of a selected region. Weekly seminar-style discussion followed by approximately nine days of field experience. May be repeated for credit. Spring. (Alternate years.) Peet.

663 [185] POPULATION ECOLOGY (3). Prerequisite, BIOL 201. An advanced treatment of topics in animal population and community ecology, stressing analytical and interpretation approaches. Topics will vary from year to year, and the course may be repeated with credit. Three lecture and discussion hours a week.

663L [185L] LABORATORY IN POPULATION ECOLOGY (1). Pre- or corequisites, BIOL 663 and permission of the instructor. Methodology in the analysis and interpretation of population and community phenomena. Three laboratory and field hours a week.

666 [186] COMMUNITY AND SYSTEMS ECOLOGY (3). Prerequisite, BIOL 201. A holistic approach to ecology. State-space modeling of ecological processes. Other topics will vary but may include spatial and temporal heterogeneity in communities and ecosystems, disturbance theory, decomposition, community structure and function, freshwater ecology. Spring. (Alternate years.) Reice.

666L [186L] COMMUNITY AND SYSTEMS ECOLOGY LABORATORY (1). Pre- or corequisite, BIOL 666. Community and/or ecosystem modeling and computer simulation. Experimental analyses and validation in the field. Individual and group projects. Three laboratory and field hours a week. Spring. (Alternate years.) Reice.

669 [255] SEMINAR IN ECOLOGY (ECOL 669) (2). Prerequisite, BIOL 201 or permission of the instructor. May be repeated for credit. Fall and spring. Bruno, Peet, Reice, White.

758 [159] MOLECULAR POPULATION BIOLOGY (MASC 742) (4). Prerequisites, BIOL 471 and permission of the instructor. Hands-on training, experience, and discussion of the application of molecular genetic tools to questions of ecology, evolution, systematics and conservation. Lab/recitation/fieldwork is included and contributes three credit hours to the course.

822 [275] STUDENT RESEARCH SEMINAR (GNET 703) (1). A course to provide public lecture experience to advanced genetics students. Students present personal research seminars based on their individual dissertation projects. Lectures are privately critiqued by fellow students and genetics faculty. Required of all candidates for the degree in genetics. Fall and spring. Genetics faculty.

831 [252] SEMINAR IN INSECT PHYSIOLOGY, BIOCHEMISTRY AND ENDOCRINOLOGY (2). Prerequisite, permission of the instructor. May be repeated for credit. Current topics and discussion in insect physiology, biochemistry and endocrinology.

832 [264] SEMINAR IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY (2). Prerequisite, BIOL 202 or permission of the instructor. May be repeated for credit. Fall or spring. Bautch, Bloom, Stafford.

841 [253] SEMINAR IN EMBRYOLOGY (2). Prerequisite, BIOL 205 or permission of the instructor. May be repeated for credit. Fall or spring. Bautch, Harris.

842 [268] SEMINAR IN CELL BIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY (2). Prerequisite, permission of the instructor or research director.

850 [290] SEMINAR IN NEUROBIOLOGY (NBIO 850, PHCO 850, PHYI 850) (3). Prerequisite, permission of the director of the neurobiology curriculum. An intensive consideration of selected topics and problems in neurobiology. The course focuses on the development of presentation and evaluation skills of the trainees. Six credit hours required for neurobiology graduates. Spring. Faculty of the neurobiology curriculum.

852 [269] SEMINAR IN PLANT SYSTEMATICS (2). Prerequisite, permission of the instructor or the research director. Fall and spring. Gensel.

853 [271] SEMINAR IN PLANT MORPHOLOGY AND ANATOMY (2). Prerequisite, permission of the research director. Fall and spring. Gensel.

854 [266] SEMINAR IN NEUROPHYSIOLOGY (2). Prerequisite, permission of the instructor. May be repeated for credit. Fall or spring. Kier, Lohmann, staff of neurobiology curriculum.

855 [256] SEMINAR IN INVERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY (2). Prerequisite, BIOL 475 or permission of the instructor. May be repeated for credit. Fall or spring. Kier, Lohmann.

856 [257] SEMINAR IN VERTEBRATE EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY (2). Prerequisite, permission of the instructor. May be repeated for credit.

857 [259] SEMINAR IN COMPARATIVE ANIMAL BEHAVIOR (NBIO 857) (2). Prerequisite, permission of the instructor. May be repeated for credit. Fall or spring. Lohmann, Wiley.

858 [260] SEMINAR IN COMPARATIVE PHYSIOLOGY (NBIO 858) (2). Prerequisite, BIOL 451 or permission of the instructor. Fall or spring. Lohmann.

859 [265] SEMINAR IN MARINE BIOLOGY (2). Prerequisite, permission of the instructor. May be repeated for credit. Fall or spring. Kier.

890 [250] SPECIAL SEMINAR (2). Prerequisite, permission of the instructor. Consideration of special topics in biology. May be repeated for credit. Fall or spring (as occasion demands). Staff.

891 [251] GRADUATE SEMINAR IN BIOLOGY (2). Prerequisite, graduate standing or permission of the instructor. A course to provide public lecture experience to advanced biology students. Students present individual research seminars based upon their dissertation projects. Lectures are critiqued by fellow students and biology faculty. Required of all candidates for the degree in biology. Fall and spring. Staff.

Courses numbered 900 and above are designed for applicants for advanced degrees. Each course requires permission of the instructor or the research director. Each may be repeated for two or more semesters for credit.

901 [299] INTRODUCTION TO GRADUATE RESEARCH (Var.). Graduate research for six weeks in two laboratories. Designed primarily to acquaint first-year students with research techniques and to assess their propensity for research. Arranged by mutual agreement of students and faculty members during fall orientation. May be repeated once for credit. Six to nine hours per week. Fall and spring. Staff.

921 [305] RESEARCH IN GENETICS (GNET 905) (2 or more). Ahmed, Bautch, Duronio, Goldstein, Liljegren, Matthysse, Matson, Pukkila, Searles, Sekelsky, Vision.

931 [308] RESEARCH IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY (2 or more). Bloom, Bautch, Duronio, Searles, Stafford.

932 [314] RESEARCH IN PLANT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY (2 or more). Fall and spring. Copenhaver, Dangl, A. Jones, Kieber, Liljegren, Reed.

941 [300] RESEARCH IN CYTOLOGY AND CELL BIOLOGY (2 or more). Bollenbacher, Conlon, Gilbert, Goldstein, Harris, Liljegren, Salmon.

942 [304] RESEARCH IN EMBRYOLOGY (2 or more). Bautch, Harris, Peifer.

943 [309] RESEARCH IN PHYSIOLOGY: CELLULAR, COMPARATIVE, NEUROPHYSIOLOGY (2 or more). Kier, Lohmann, Salmon.

951 [302] RESEARCH IN NEUROBIOLOGY (NBIO 951, PHCO 951, PHYI 951) (2 or more). Lohmann, Wiley, and faculty of the Neurobiology Curriculum.

952 [303] RESEARCH IN ETHOLOGY AND ANIMAL BEHAVIOR (2 or more). Kier, Lohmann, Wiley.

953 [306] RESEARCH IN MARINE SCIENCES (MASC 940) (2 or more). Kier, Lohmann, Peterson.

954 [307] RESEARCH IN MARINE SCIENCES ON MOLLUSCA, CRUSTACEA, ICHTHYOLOGY OR OCEANOGRAPHY (at the Institute for Marine Sciences, Morehead City, N.C.) (2 or more). Approval by the Department of Biology required. Chestnut, Fahy, Peterson, Schwartz.

955 [310] RESEARCH IN VERTEBRATE OR INVERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY (2 or more). Kier, Lohmann.

957 [316] RESEARCH IN PLANT SYSTEMATICS (2 or more). Fall and spring. Staff.

958 [317] RESEARCH IN PLANT MORPHOLOGY AND ANATOMY (2 or more). Fall and spring. Gensel.

959 [318] RESEARCH IN PALEOBOTANY (2 or more). Fall and spring. Gensel.

961 [301] RESEARCH IN ECOLOGY (2 or more). Kingsolver, Peet, Peterson, Reice, Stiven, White, Wiley.

Special Graduate Registration

993 [393] MASTER'S THESIS IN BIOLOGY (3 or more). Fall and spring. Staff.

994 [394] DOCTORAL DISSERTATION IN BIOLOGY (3 or more). Fall and spring. Staff.