Trinity University

The Biology Department recently renumbered our upper-division courses, thus the numbering system indicated here may differ from your Course of Study Bulletin. The numbering system indicated here is correct under the current system.

BIOL 1305 Genetics and Human Affairs
The course is designed to equip students with sufficient factual knowledge to help them intelligently and critically evaluate the problems arising from the recent discoveries in genetics and related life sciences.

BIOL 1307 Biological Impact and Issues
The content of this course deals with the impact of biological knowledge on the issues of society and culture.

BIOL 1309 The Nature of Cancer
This course is a survey of cancer biology examining the development, progression, and treatment of the disease(s).

BIOL 2301 Advanced Placement Credit
Students earning a 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement or 5, 6, or 7 on the higher level International Baccalaureate Biology exams will receive credit for this course.

BIOL 2305 The Science of Novel Environments
This course explores the scientific background supporting the literature studied in CMLT 2301. Emphasized themes include ecological and physical approaches to studying the environment and the biology of crop plants.

BIOL 1311 Integrative Biology I
This course uses a topic-based module approach to introduce students to the wide range of knowledge in the biological sciences and the methods that have built this knowledge base.

BIOL 1312 Integrative Biology II
This course is a continuation of BIOL 1311 and builds on that material with a different set of topic-based modules.

BIOL 1111 Introductory Biology Laboratory
This is an introductory laboratory course that provides an understanding of the scientific methods used to investigate biological questions and how the results of these studies are communicated.

BIOL 1212 Methods for Biological Problem Solving
This methods course develops analytical, laboratory, and field skills through small-scale exercises and investigative experiments.

BIOL 3420 Animal Behavior
This course will investigate both evolutionary and proximate aspects of animal behavior. Using the logical framework of the "four levels of analysis", we will cover: 1) the adaptive value of specific behaviors and the role of natural selection in maintaining behaviors; 2) how behaviors have evolved over time; 3) how behaviors develop within an individual; and 4) the neural, hormonal, and physiological mechanisms underlying behaviors.

BIOL 3426 Vertebrate Evolution
This course is an evolutionary survey of vertebrates that will focus on major evolutionary innovations and systematic relationships, and major features of the anatomy, physiology, life history, and behavior of vertebrate taxa. Field methods for surveying vertebrates will also be covered during various field trips.

BIOL 3427 Plant Biology
This course is a comprehensive study of plants from a variety of perspectives including plant morphology, anatomy, physiology, evolution, and ecology.

BIOL 3430 Genetics
This course provides an understanding of genetics, emphasizing the central role of heredity in life and evolution.

BIOL 3431 Microanatomy
This course explores structure-function relationships through analysis of animal histological features. The microscopy-based laboratory examines tissues by means of comparisons of normal and pathological features.

BIOL 3434 Ecology
This course examines the interactions that determine the distribution and abundance of animals and plants, and includes numerous field excursions in the San Antonio area.

BIOL 3435 Evolution
This course will survey the history of evolutionary thought, the mechanisms and patterns of evolutionary change, and the methods scientists use to study evolution.

BIOL 3441 Plant Physiology
This course explores the physics, chemistry, cell and molecular biology that form the basis of how plants function in and adapt to their environments.

BIOL 3448 Microbiology
This course focuses on the biology of bacteria, including their morphology, growth and nutritional requirements, mechanisms of motility, gene regulation, and antibiotic resistance. Viruses and the Archaea are also considered.

BIOL 3452 Vertebrate Physiology
This course is a study of the principles of homeostasis with emphasis on major vertebrate organ systems.

BIOL 3453 Developmental Biology
This course integrates information from various biology subdisciplines to explore vertebrate body plan pattering, genetic control of the Drosophila body plan, early morphogenesis, cell differentiation, organogenesis, gamete formation, and fertilization.

BIOL 3454 Cell Biology
This course is designed to build an understanding of the fundamental processes that govern the operations of cells, the basic working units of organs and the systems that organs comprise.

BIOL 3457 Neurobiology
This course focuses on the organization and function of nervous tissues and systems.

BIOL 3459 Endocrinology
This course is a study of the function of the endocrine system and how it regulates the metabolic processes of living organisms.

BIOL 3462 Immunobiology
This course investigates the immunological mechanisms that enable animals to respond to foreign substances, and examines the experimental observations upon which current concepts are based.

BIOL 3464 Molecular Biology
This course is an intensive study of prokaryotic and eukaryotic transcription, translation, DNA replication and the experimental tools used to investigate these processes in cells.

BIOL -91 Selected Topics
Study of a topic or field not covered by other courses. Lower division offerings will provide an introductory approach to a topic. Upper division courses will involve in-depth analysis of a specific area and usually require prerequisite courses.

BIOL 3-90 Independent Study
Individual work on problems in biology as indicated by the student's preparation and interest. Projects involve laboratory, field, or literature-based study in collaboration with or under the supervision of a faculty member.

BIOL 3-92 Research Internship
Off-campus study arranged by the student in a research laboratory or other scientific institution.

BIOL 3-98 Thesis Readings
Independent study in selected areas in preparation for the Senior Thesis. Credit may be from 1 to 3 hours per semester.

BIOL 4001 Senior Comprehensive Exam
Each September or early October, those Biology majors who have earned 90 total credit hours or 23 credit hours in Biology by the end of the preceding semester will take the Biology Major Field Test (MFT).

BIOL 4002 Senior Retrospective
Students will meet with their advisers during the first week of classes and schedule a series of meetings that will guide them in the preparation of a written summary addressing their performance on the Biology Major Field Test.

BIOL 4201 Biology Senior Seminar
Built around the Biology Department's seminar series, students will interact with seminar speakers visiting campus to discuss readings provided by the speaker.

BIOL 4351 Conservation Biology
This course will explore the cross-disciplinary nature of conservation biology, which is the applied science of maintaining the earth's biological diversity.

BIOL 4398 Senior Seminar and Thesis Research I
The purpose of this course is to provide opportunity and guidance in research under the direction of a faculty member, toward the preparation of a comprehensive thesis.

BIOL 4399 Senior Seminar and Thesis Research II
This course is a continuation of student projects begun in BIOL 4398. Students are required to write a thesis and make an oral presentation of their research project at an appropriate venue.