Idaho State University Graduate Catalog 2006-2007

College of Arts and Sciences

John L. Kijinski, Ph.D., Interim Dean

• Anthropology
• Art
• Biological Sciences
• Chemistry
• Communication and Rhetorical Studies
• Economics
• English and Philosophy
• Foreign Languages
• Geosciences
• History
• Mass Communication
• Mathematics
• Museum
• Music
• Physics
• Political Science
• Psychology
• Sociology, Social Work, and Criminal Justice
• Department of Theatre and Dance

Department of Anthropology

Chair and Professor Lohse
Professors: Holmer, Loether, Maschner
Associate Professor: Cartwright
Assistant Professors: Glowacka, Novak
Visiting Scholar: Shivachi
Native Language Instructor: Gould
Adjunct Faculty: Bybee, Dean, Hansen, Jackson, Meldrum, Morrow, Petersen, Reedy-Maschner, Ringe-Pace, Thomas, Wolfley, Woods
Research Affiliate Faculty: Dean, Hansen, Reedy-Maschner, Rodseth, Morrow

Mission

The mission of the Department of Anthropology is to research and teach about human behavior in a holistic and respectful manner. Anthropology consists of sub-fields that specialize in the human past, human biology and evolution, language, and bio-cultural behavior. Anthropology provides cross-cultural, international, and global perspectives on past and present human behavior. At ISU, an important part of the anthropology mission is to apply anthropological concepts to the resolution of important social, cultural, and environmental problems of our times. The Department of Anthropology offers a graduate program leading to the Master of Arts or a non-thesis applied Master of Science degree in Anthropology. The option must be selected in consultation with the student’s major advisor.

Learning Objectives

Students who have completed a graduate degree in Anthropology at ISU should be able to:
1. Read and understand anthropological theory at a professional level.
2. Understand current debates within the field of anthropology.
3. Synthesize and critically evaluate the professional literature.
4. Use a comparative approach to theorize about the similarities and differences in the human condition across space and through time.

Measurable Outcomes - The Thesis or Special Project should show the following competencies based on the learning objectives:

1. Write a proposal for pure research or the application of theory to contemporary social issues.
2. Perform quantitative and/or qualitative analysis of data appropriate to the chosen subdiscipline.
3. Competently conceive, conduct, and write-up either research in anthropology or applications of anthropology at a level suitable for publication.

Admission

In addition to the general requirements of the Graduate School, the student must provide:
1. A letter of application, including areas of interest and professional goals
2. Three letters of recommendation
3. Undergraduate transcripts
4. Minimum grade point average of 3.0
5. Total GRE scores which average at least the 50th percentile for admission
6. An undergraduate degree in anthropology is not required for acceptance into the program; however, students without the equivalent of ANTH 501, 503, 530, and an upper division linguistic anthropology course will be required to take these courses or approved readings courses before enrolling in content-respective graduate seminars.

General Requirements

1. A minimum of 30 credits must be taken, including these required courses:
Master of Arts Option
ANTH 605 Seminar in Linguistic
Anthropology 3 cr
ANTH 615 Seminar in Biological
Anthropology 3 cr
ANTH 625 Seminar in Sociocultural
Anthropology 3 cr
ANTH 635 Seminar in Archaeology 3 cr
PLUS
ANTH 641 Research Project 6 cr
OR
ANTH 650 Thesis 6 cr
Total 21 cr

In addition:

Four semesters of foreign language must be completed, or competence must be demonstrated by an examination administered by the Department of Foreign Languages.

Nine credits of graduate level courses approved by the major advisor.

Master of Science Option:

Two of the following graduate seminars:
ANTH 605, 615, 625, 635 6 cr
PLUS
ANTH 641 Research Project 6 cr
OR
ANTH 650 Thesis 6 cr
Total 15 cr

In addition:

Nine credits of advanced techniques and methods courses and six additional credits of graduate level courses approved by the major advisor.

2. Each student must develop a proposed program of study specifying electives and techniques and methods (M.S.) courses in consultation with the student’s major advisor by the end of the first semester. The 12 elective credits may be satisfied by courses taken from the Medical Anthropology Option Area for those students also completing an MPH Degree. Students completing an MS or MA in Anthropology with an MPH degree may apply 12 credits to both degrees.
3. To maintain classified status, the student must register for a minimum of 6 credits each semester of the first year.
4. An acceptable thesis or publishable manuscript must be written and orally defended.

Anthropology Graduate Courses

ANTH g501 History and Theory of Socio-cultural Anthropology 3 credits. Survey of the development of anthropology, various schools of thought, important personalities, and concepts that have contributed to anthropology over time. PREREQ: ANTH 250 OR PERMISSION OF THE INSTRUCTOR.

ANTH g502 Ecological Anthropology 3 credits. Interaction of human biocultural systems and environment. Relations of natural resources, technological inventories, social organization, cultural categories. Native resource management practices. PREREQ: ANTH 230, ANTH 250, ANTH 203 AND BIOL 100, OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

ANTH g503 Method and Theory in Archaeology 3 credits. History of the development of current methods and theory in archaeology and contemporary applications. PREREQ: ANTH 203 OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

ANTH g504 Material Culture Analysis 3 credits. Method and analyses used in archaeology and anthropology to understand the relationship between objects and culture. PREREQ: ANTH 203 OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR. COREQ: ANTH g505.

ANTH g505 Analytical Techniques Laboratory 1 credit. Analytical techniques laboratory to accompany ANTH g504. Students will complete an assigned project in material culture analysis. PREREQ: ANTH 203 OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR. COREQ: ANTH g504

ANTH g506 American Indian Health Issues 3 credits. An overview of health concerns, both current and past, of American Indian people, and the biological and sociocultural factors which influence health status. PREREQ: PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

ANTH g507 Introduction to Medical Anthropology 3 credits. How cultures define health and illness, and how these definitions ultimately influence the health status of individuals. PREREQ: PRIOR ANTHROPOLOGY COURSE OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

ANTH g508 Special Topics in Medical Anthropology 3 credits. Rotating topics, including international health issues, ethno-psychiatry, ethno-medicine and non-western healing systems. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits. PREREQ: ANTH g507 OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

ANTH g509 Clinical Medical Anthropology 3 credits. Explores the culture of biomedicine and the beliefs of patients. Topics include doctor/patient communication, cultural competency, cultural construction of risk, critiques of high-tech medicine and the international pharmaceutical industry.

ANTH g510 Introduction to Cultural Resources Management 3 credits. Introduction to CRM reviewing historic preservation and federal legislation as they pertain to archaeology; practical experience in site survey and recording. PREREQ: ANTH 203 OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

ANTH g513 Old World Archaeology 3 credits. Prehistory of the Old World. Precise areal focus and periods may vary. Includes both theory and exposition. PREREQ: ANTH 203 OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

ANTH g514 New World Archaeology 3 credits. Examination of the prehistory of the Americas with emphasis on the North American Continent. PREREQ: ANTH 203 OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR

ANTH g523 Anthropology of International Health 3 credits. Exploration of critical health issues that exist in the world today from an anthropological perspective. Diseases of poverty/development, emerging infectious diseases, medical tourism and the political arena of international health.

ANTH g524 Ethnomedicine of Latin America 3 credits. Examines traditional medical systems and folk illnesses in order to better understand the underlying logics of healing that exist in Latino populations worldwide. Shamanism, witchcraft, spiritual healing and biomedicine will be addressed.

ANTH g530 Human Origins and Diversity 3 credits. Examines human origins, adaptations and biological diversity within the context of evolutionary processes. Primate lineage will be investigated. PREREQ: ANTH 230 OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

ANTH g532 Human Osteology 3 credits. Provides a working knowledge of skeletal anatomy, primarily focusing on identification of individual bones. Other topics include: osteogenesis, pathologies and applications of knowledge and technique. PREREQ: ANTH 230 AND ANTH 232, OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

ANTH g533 Survey of Living Primates 3 credits. Explores the anatomy, behavioral ecology, and adaptive diversity of extant non-human primates. Begins with the history of human interaction with primates, and continues with a consideration of the major primate taxa and their anatomical and behavioral trends and distinctions. PREREQ: ANTH 230 AND ANTH 232; OR BIOL 101 AND BIOL 102; OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

ANTH g535 Survey of Fossil Primates 3 credits. A survey of the evolutionary history and adaptations of the primates emphasizing the interpretation of their fossil record; their differentiation and adaptive radiations, spanning from the earliest primates in the shadow of the dinosaurs to the enigmatic giants of the Pleistocene. PREREQ: ANTH 230, 232; OR BIOL 101,102; OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

ANTH g539 Principles of Taphonomy 3 credits. Effects of processes which modify organisms between death and the time the usually fossilized remains are studied. Emphasis on vertebrates. Cross-listed with BIOL g539 and GEOL g539. PREREQ: PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

ANTH g549 Methods and Techniques of Ethnographic Field Research 3 credits. Participant observation, field notes, data types, analytical procedures, interviewing skills, oral history, report writing. PREREQ: ANTH 250 OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

ANTH g550 Introduction to Sociolinguistics 3 credits. Study of the patterned covariation of language and society, social dialects and social styles in language; problems of bilingualism, multilingualism, creoles and language uses. Cross-listed as ENGL g588. PREREQ: ANTH 107, ENGL 281, OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

ANTH g552 American Indian Verbal Arts 3 credits. Analysis of current theories in the
study of oral literature and ethnopoetics, focusing on the oral traditions of American Indians. PREREQ: ANTH 107 OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

ANTH g554 Survey of American Indian Languages 3 credits. History of scholarship, analysis and classification of American Indian languages with emphasis on the languages of a particular phylum or geographical area. PREREQ: ANTH 107 OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

ANTH g555 Introduction to Phonetics 3 credits. Introduction to descriptive linguistics focusing on phonetics and phonetic phenomena of English and the other languages of the world. Extensive practice in perception and production of such phenomena. Cross-listed as LANG g555. PREREQ: ANTH/LANG 107.

ANTH g556 Introduction to Phonology and Morphology 3 credits. Phonological theory and analysis; current theories in morphology. Phonological rules, representations, underlying forms, derivation, justification of phonological analyses; morphological structure, derivational and inflectional morphology; relation of morphology to phonology. Cross-listed as LANG g556. PREREQ: ANTH/LANG 107.

ANTH g558 Historical Linguistics 3 credits. The methods and theories of the historical study of language. The comparative method, internal reconstruction, linguistic change over time, genetic typology of languages, and applications to prehistory. PREREQ: ANTH 107.

ANTH g559 Linguistic Field Methods 3 credits. Practical experience in linguistic analysis of a language using data elicited from a native speaker. May be repeated up to 6 credits. PREREQ: ANTH 456 OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

ANTH g563 Applied Statistics in Anthropology 3 credits. Practical applications of commonly used statistical analyses in anthropology. PREREQ: MATH 253 OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

ANTH g564 Advanced Analytical Methods in Anthropology 3 credits. Examination and practical experience in applying advanced quantitative and qualitative methods and analyses in anthropological research. PREREQ: ANTH g563.

ANTH g566 Current Issues in Indian Country 3 credits. Survey of significant issues affecting Indian communities including religious freedom, economic development, judicial systems, treaty rights and environmental regulation.

ANTH g572 Native American Arts 3 credits. Survey of Native American arts and industries, including prehistoric, ethnographic, and contemporary venues. PREREQ: ANTH 238 AND PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

ANTH g574 Special Topics in Indian Education 3 credits. Rotating review of topics dealing with issues in Indian education. Consult current schedule of classes for exact course being taught.

ANTH g576 Seminar in American Indian Studies 3 credits. Advanced level course with critical examination, readings, discussion and presentation of selected issues facing American Indians. PREREQ: 9 CREDITS OF AMERICAN INDIAN STUDIES OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

ANTH g578 Federal Indian Law 3 credits. Examination of tribal governments; their relationship with the federal government; sovereignty, jurisdictional conflicts over land and resources; and economic development. Cross-listed as POLS g578.

ANTH g579 Tribal Governments 3 credits. Complex legal position of Indian tribes as self-governing entities; principles of inherent powers; governmental organization, lawmaking, justice, relation to state and federal government. Cross-listed as POLS g579.

ANTH g580 Varieties of American English 3 credits. In-depth study of various dialects of American English, including historical evolution of different dialects, effects of migration on dialects, and influences of non-English immigrant languages on development of American English. Field work studying the Snake River dialects of Idaho. Cross-listed as ENGL g580. PREREQ: ANTH/LANG/ENGL 107.

ANTH g581 Specializations in Anthropology 3 credits. Rotating specialized topics such as applied anthropology, proxemics, ethnology, religion, international development. See current class schedule for titles. May be repeated up to 6 credits. PREREQ: UPPER DIVISION STATUS OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

ANTH g582 Independent Problems in Anthropology 1-3 credits. Investigation of an anthropological problem chosen by the student and approved by the staff. May be repeated up to 6 credits.

ANTH g583 Field Research 3 credits. Practical experience in field research. May be repeated for up to 6 credits. PREREQ: PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

ANTH g585 Anthropology of War and Violence 3 credits. Survey of war and violence from evolutionary foundations through modern representations. The course covers violence and war among chimpanzees, the genetics and biochemistry of violence, the role of evolution in making humans aggressive, and the history and ethnography of violent conflict around the world. PREREQ: ANY UPPER DIVISION SOCIAL SCIENCE COURSE.

ANTH g586 Archaeology Field School 1-6 credits. Practical field and laboratory training in archaeological excavation techniques and methods of analysis. May be repeated to a total of 6 credits. PREREQ: ANTH 230 OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

ANTH g587 Ethnographic Field School 1-6 credits. Supervised fieldwork in cultural anthropology in a given ethnographic setting where students and faculty work on a specific set of field problems. May be repeated to a total of 6 credits. PREREQ: ANTH 250 AND ANTH g549, OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

ANTH g589 Special Topics in American Indian Studies 3 credits. Rotating review of topics dealing with issues in American Indian studies. Consult current schedule of classes for exact course being taught. May be repeated with different topics.

ANTH g590 Folklore 3 credits. Principles, content, and dissemination of orally transmitted religious beliefs and popular narrative forms in preliterate societies. Also listed as ENGL g590.

ANTH g591 Archaeology Laboratory Analysis 3 credits. Directed analysis of archaeological remains and report writing. May be repeated up to 6 credits. PREREQ: PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

ANTH g593 Interdisciplinary Anthropology 3 credits. Rotating review of cross-disciplinary anthropology: psychological, medical, visual, educational, bio-diversity conservation. See current class schedule for course titles. May be repeated up to 6 credits.

ANTH g594 Visual Anthropology 3 credits. Documentary and ethnographic filmmaking techniques including story structure, interviewing, audio and lighting, camera handling, composition, POV, and editing. Anthropological critiques of visual representation. Students create their own short film for a final project. PREREQ: ANTH 100 OR 250 OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

ANTH g595 Department Colloquium 1 credit. Presentations of current research issues in Anthropology by faculty and students.

ANTH 597 Professional Education Development Topics. Variable credit. A course for practicing professionals aimed at the development and improvement of skills. May not be applied to graduate degrees. May be repeated. May be graded S/U.

ANTH 605 Seminar in Linguistic Anthropology 3 credits. Discussion of theories, methods, and results in linguistic anthropology. PREREQ: ANTH g550 OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

ANTH 610 Seminar in Medical Anthropology 3 credits. Discussion of current topics within the various specializations of medical anthropology. PREREQ: PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

ANTH 615 Seminar in Biological Anthropology 3 credits. Discussion of theories, methods, and results in biological anthropology.
PREREQ: ANTH g530, OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

ANTH 625 Seminar in Sociocultural Anthropology 3 credits. Discussions of theories, methods, and results in sociocultural anthropology. PREREQ: ANTH g501 OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

ANTH 635 Seminar in Archaeology 3 credits. Studies in current theories, methods, and results in archaeological anthropology. PREREQ: ANTH g503 OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

ANTH 641 Research Project 1-6 credits. The student will pursue original research under staff guidance. The final report will result in a publishable manuscript. PREREQ: PERMISSION OF THE CHAIR OF STUDENT’S GRADUATE COMMITTEE. Graded S/U.

ANTH 642 Practicum in Teaching Anthropology 3 credits. Directed preparation of an anthropology course with a review of course materials, format, teaching techniques, films, and other aids. The trainee will participate in a supervised teaching experience.

ANTH 649 Independent Studies 1-4 credits. Independent research under the guidance of faculty. PREREQ: PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

ANTH 650 Thesis 1-6 credits. Graded S/U.

ANTH 655 Internship in Applied Anthropology 3-6 credits. Supervised experience in the development and implementation of an anthropological project.

Department of Art & Pre-Architecture

Chair and Professor Kovacs
Director of M.F.A. Program and Associate Professor Granger
Professors: Dial, Evans, Martin, Warnock
Emeritus Faculty: Brown, Friend, Obermayr

Master of Fine Arts in Art

The MFA degree is the recognized terminal degree in the studio arts. The MFA program is designed to refine the visual art skills of the graduate student in a particular area or areas of concentration by providing the instruction, facilities and time for the student both to develop a significant body of studio work and to expand his or her intellectual horizons in preparation for a rewarding professional career.

Application and Admission Requirements

Applicants for admission to the M.F.A. program must apply to, and meet all criteria for, admission to the Graduate School. For admission to the Master of Fine Arts program in the Department of Art, the Graduate School does not require submission of Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores.

Application must also be made to the Department of Art and Pre-Architecture. Departmental evaluation requires the following materials, which should be sent directly to the Department of Art and Pre-Architecture, Box 8004, Idaho State University, Pocatello ID 83209:
• A letter of intent stating the applicant’s goals and objectives with regard to graduate study;
• A portfolio of work (20 slides of studio work which the applicant feels would most effectively represent his/her involvement, ability, and potential); and
• Three letters of recommendation from undergraduate instructors, or other appropriate individuals, indicating the readiness of the applicant to pursue independent and sustained graduate-level work.

The Department has established March 15 as the application deadline for fall semester admission. Graduate Assistantship applications are also due by March 15.

October 15 is the application deadline for spring semester. (Assistantship applications are not considered for spring semester.)
The entire Graduate Faculty of the Department will review all materials submitted by each applicant. Decisions are made by measuring, as accurately as possible:
• The applicant’s demonstrated preparedness and potential to be successful in the program;
• The sense, on the part of the faculty, that the faculty could contribute, in a meaningful and constructive way, to the student’s development as an artist;
• Available space in the program, as well as faculty and departmental resources.

Other admission requirements include twelve credits of undergraduate Art History course work. Art History deficiencies of up to 6 credits may be compensated for by enrolling in the necessary courses concurrent with graduate work.

Basic requirements are a minimum of 60 credits in graduate courses approved by the Department of Art and the Graduate School. A minimum of six credits must be in the area of art history, and a minimum of 12 credits must be thesis project. The student may elect, as a program option, to take up to six credits in other related areas outside the Art Department. These courses must be departmentally approved. Students are required to complete ART 601 and ART 621. The department will accept a grade of C in one class as long as the minimum overall 3.0 GPA is maintained. The student will have the opportunity to repeat the course.

Each candidate for the MFA degree must exhibit a one-person show during the last semester before the granting of the degree. A collection of slides of the exhibit must be turned in to the Art Department at this time. The thesis project consisting of original creative work by the candidate is the focal point of all the work necessary to the granting of the degree. The MFA degree is the terminal degree in the field of the visual arts. The candidate should have the time and opportunity to create a significant body of work which demonstrates a professional level of competency within a unified creative point of view. A minimum of two years of participation in the program is required for this goal. An oral examination is held concurrently with the thesis project show. Additional information is available from the Department of Art.

Art Graduate Courses

ART g518 Art of the Book 3 credits. Expands the traditional idea of book form with innovative structures and concepts. Textual and nontextual formats and methods for generating ideas for works are addressed. Traditional techniques for bookbinding will also be included. Cross-listed as M C g518.

ART g522 World Arts 3 credits. Study of the art produced in cultures outside of the western tradition. Topics include pre-Hispanic art of Mexico, Central and South American art, and North American Indian art, Oceanic art, and the art of Africa south of the Sahara.

ART g523 Nineteenth Century Art 3 credits. History of the visual arts from the beginning of the 19th century up to the advent of Cubism.

ART g524 Twentieth Century Art 3 credits. History of the visual arts from Cubism to the present.

ART g525 Contemporary Art Forms 3 credits. The study of the major developments of art as an expression of contemporary society. Emphasis on art since 1950. PREREQ: ART 423 OR ART 424 OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

ART g526 Seminar in Art History 3 credits. Extensive reading and discussion in Art History and aesthetics under the supervision of the instructor. May be repeated up to 6 credits.

ART g531-g532 Advanced Printmaking 3 credits. Advanced work in printmaking. Choice of medium. PREREQ: ART 331 AND ART 332.

ART g541-g542 Advanced Painting and Composition 3 credits. Special projects and experimental individual work for advanced students. PREREQ: ART 341 AND ART 342.

ART g551-g552 Advanced Metals-Jewelry 3 credits. Experimental work. Individual projects may include plastics, electroplating, electroforming, advanced fabrication, anodizing or raising techniques. PREREQ: ART 351 AND ART 352.

ART g561-g562 Advanced Weaving 3 credits. Experimental work. Individual projects may include on-loom and off-loom techniques, dyeing processes, basketry, or multilayered fabrics. PREREQ: ART 361 AND ART 362.

ART g571-g572 Advanced Ceramics 3 credits. Individual projects may include ceramic sculpture, mosaics or experimental problems in form and techniques. PREREQ: ART 371 OR ART 372.

ART g581-g582 Advanced Sculpture 3 credits. Experimental work with an emphasis on scale and environmental problems. PREREQ: ART 381 OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

ART g591 Advanced Papermaking 3 credits. Further development of topics from ART 391. PREREQ: ART 391 OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

ART 597 Professional Education Development Topics. Variable credit. A course for practicing professionals aimed at the development and improvement of skills. May not be applied to graduate degrees. May be repeated. May be graded S/U.

ART 601 Independent Study in Drawing 3 credits (required). Individualized course designed to address drawing-specific concerns: technical, material, and/or conceptual possibilities inherent to various drawing media. May be repeated for a total of 6 credits.

ART 621 Graduate Seminar 3 credits (required). Reading and discussion of theories and practices related to the production and presentation of studio art under the supervision of the instructor. Students will research and prepare written presentations for weekly seminar discussion and evaluation.

ART 635 Research in Studio or Theory 4 credits. Investigation of technical, material, and/or aesthetic/theoretical problems in art history/studio areas under the supervision of the instructor.

ART 640 Experimental Problems in Studio 4 credits. Experimentation in technical, material, and aesthetic problems in a studio area under the supervision of the instructor.

ART 645 Studio variable credit. Studio work under the supervision of the instructor. May be repeated up to 12 credits.

ART 649 Thesis Proposal 1 credit. Summary of the objectives and goals of the thesis project prepared under supervision of the student’s advisor. Concurrent with application for admission to candidacy.

ART 650 Thesis Project variable credit; 12 credits required minimum. Preparation and presentation in a one-person show of a significant body of work which demonstrates a professional level of competency within a unified creative point of view. An exhibition and slides of the works are required by the department under the supervision of the candidate’s advisor. A graduate faculty orals committee will review and approve or disapprove the show and thesis proposal. May be repeated up to 16 credits. PREREQ: ART 649. Graded S/U.

ART 699 Special Topics 1-4 credits.

Department of Biological Sciences

Chair and Professor Bowyer
Assistant Chair and Professor Scalarone
Assistant Chair for Graduate Programs and Professor Inouye
Professors: R. Anderson, Farrell, Huntly, C. Peterson, Rodnick, J. Rose, Seeley, Stephens, Winston
Associate Professors: C. Anderson, Brandon, Delehanty, Germino, Hill, Keeley, Magnuson, Meldrum, Sheridan, Shields, R. Smith
Assistant Professors: Baxter, Bearden, Beardsley, DeVeaux, Evilia, Groome, Kelchner, Matocq, TenEyck, Thomas, Williams
Clinical Professor: Spiegel
Clinical Assistant Professors: Galindo, Nehr-Kanet
Adjunct Faculty: Black, Frank, Loxterman
Affiliate Faculty: Apel, Beckmann, Belzer, Berger, Bleich, M. Boeger, W. Boeger, Bryant, Bunde, Burch, Carlson-Lammers, Colwell, Connelly, Cook, Eisentrager, Foster, Galindo, Howard, Kie, LaPatra, Lenington, Loxterman, McGonigle, Newby, Pierce, Poulson, Ptacek, Quarder, Ray, Reed, Roberto, Rosentreter, Schuermann, Schwan, Scoville, Shell, Smith Jr., Stephenson, Stevens, Thompson, Ver Hoef, Watwood, Weinberg, Wells, White, J. Young, M. Young, Zager
Emeritus Faculty: Bowmer, D. Bunde, Griffith, Holte, House, Linder, J. McCune,
R. McCune, Minshall, F. Rose, Saul, Spall, Streubel, Trost, Tullis, White

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Biology

The Doctor of Philosophy is a research degree granted for proven ability, independent investigation, and scholarly contribution in a specialized field. It is not granted solely on the completion of a certain number of credits, and there is no set credit requirement for this degree. The dissertation research must involve original and creative work. Credits for the dissertation and the research on which it is based should comprise a substantial portion of the program.

Admission

For applicants who hold a M.S. degree, entrance into the Ph.D. program requires a minimum GPA of 3.0 for courses taken in the previous degree program, and scores in the 35th percentile or higher on the verbal and quantitative sections of the GRE.

For applicants who hold only a Bachelor’s degree in biological sciences or a closely related discipline, entrance into the Ph.D. program requires a GPA of 3.0 or higher for all undergraduate work and scores in the 50th percentile or higher on the verbal and quantitative sections of the GRE.

Students for whom English is a second language who do not meet the minimum verbal GRE score must meet the Graduate School minimal TOEFL score. Other exceptions to the verbal and quantitative GRE requirements will be granted only in exceptional circumstances.

All applicants must also submit scores for the GRE subject area test in Biology or in Biochemistry/Cell/Molecular Biology.

The application must be approved by a majority vote of the Graduate Programs Committee prior to formal acceptance by the Department. No student in the Department’s Master’s program will be permitted to advance to the Ph.D. program without approval of the Graduate Programs Committee.

Application for advancement must include (1) a letter from the student that provides a rationale for the status change and (2) a letter of support from the major professor.

Progressing Through the Ph.D. Program (10 Easy Steps)

1. Initial Evaluation
The purpose of this evaluation is to provide incoming students with guidance regarding coursework and other studies that will help them to be successful in their degree programs. The evaluation should take place by the end of the second full month in residence (October, for students entering in the fall).
The Evaluation Committee should consist of the major advisor and two other faculty members, at least one of whom is also a regular (i.e., tenure track or research) faculty member in the Department of Biological Sciences. Members of the Evaluation Committee should be chosen by the advisor and student, and may become part of the student’s Advisory Committee.

The result of the Initial Evaluation should be the creation of an Initial Program of Study.

2. Initial Program of Study
Based on the results of the GRE Subject test, the student’s transcripts, and the student’s research interests, the Evaluation Committee should help the student draft an Initial Program of Study that lists coursework the student will take to meet the program requirements and support the student’s research. The Initial Program of Study should indicate how the student will meet the requirement for exposure to three Core Areas (Cellular and Molecular Biology, Organismal Biology, and Ecology & Evolution). A copy of the Initial Program of Study should be given to the Chair of the Graduate Programs Committee and then filed in the student’s permanent file.

3. Core Areas
Students in the Ph.D. program are required to have some exposure to each of the following core areas:
• Cellular and Molecular Biology - which can include cellular structure and function, genetics, and molecular biology
• Organismal Biology - which can include any of the ‘-ologies’, organismal structure, function, development, growth, and diversity
• Ecology and Evolution - which can include population biology, conservation biology, evolutionary ecology, community ecology, population ecology, and behavior

Exposure to these areas can include undergraduate coursework, graduate coursework, or directed readings. The taxonomic focus of coursework may reflect the student’s research focus. For example, a microbiologist could satisfy the first core area with coursework in microbial genetics, the second core area with coursework in microbiology, and the third core area with coursework in microbial evolution, whereas a mammalian physiologist could satisfy the first core area with coursework in population genetics, the second core area with coursework in comparative anatomy, and the third core area with coursework in vertebrate paleontology.

4. Advisory Committee
Ph.D. students should establish an advisory committee no later than the end of their second semester in residence. The Advisory Committee will consist of the major professor, at least three other members of the graduate faculty, and a Graduate Faculty Representative (GFR). The GFR is officially appointed by the Dean of the Graduate School, however, recommendations made by the Department are typically honored by the Graduate Dean.

Because the primary role for GFR is to serve as a representative of the Graduate Faculty, the GFR does not have to be identified during the first year of the student’s program. The Advisory Committee may include individuals from other departments or persons from outside the University who hold affiliate rank in the Department, but the majority of any committee must consist of regular departmental faculty.
Within the broad guidelines outlined in this document and the General Graduate Program Requirements, it is the responsibility of the Advisory Committee to monitor and direct the student’s progress and:
1. identify how the student will satisfy the requirement to have some background in each of the three core areas,
2. review the student’s research proposal, conduct an oral examination following a public presentation of the research proposal, and determine if the student has passed that examination,
3. review and sign the student’s Program of Study, ensuring that it meets the Graduate School requirements (i.e., total number of credits, number of 600-level credits, number of credits if a minor is part of the student’s program),
4. conduct a comprehensive examination after the student has completed the majority of the coursework on the Program of Study, and
5. review the dissertation and conduct a rigorous examination of the candidate’s research before approving and signing the dissertation.
5. Research Proposal

All Ph.D. students are required to develop a research proposal that details how they will develop the research that will form the basis of their dissertation. The proposal should follow the guidelines for an NSF dissertation improvement grant or proposal to a comparable national funding source. The proposal will include: (1) a survey of the literature to develop a rationale for the research, (2) a statement of the problem(s) or hypothesis (es) to be addressed, (3) detailed descriptions of methods including the experimental design and planned statistical analyses, (4) preliminary data (optional, but strongly encouraged), (5) a time line, (6) a bibliography, and (7) a budget.

The student must present the proposal to the department during a one-hour seminar to be scheduled no later than the end of the third semester of residency. The proposal must be provided to all members of the Advisory Committee at least seven days before the seminar. After the seminar, the student will meet with the Advisory Committee for an oral defense of the proposal. The committee may ask to re-examine the student upon revision of the proposal if significant shortcomings are identified.

If the committee decides that the student is not able to demonstrate sufficient mastery of the research area, the committee may recommend that the student not complete the Ph.D. program, but consider alternative possibilities, such as switching to the M.S. program. Following approval of the proposal by the Advisory Committee, the proposal should be submitted to an appropriate agency for funding.

Once the student has successfully defended the research proposal, the student is advanced to candidacy.

6. Revised Program of Study
Following the successful proposal defense, the student should submit to the Assistant Chair for Graduate Programs a Program of Study that has been approved and signed by the Advisory Committee. This form should indicate how the student will satisfy all of the degree coursework requirements. Subsequent substitutions for any courses on this Program of Study must be approved by the student’s Advisory Committee.

7. Minor
There is no requirement for Ph.D. candidates to have a minor, however a candidate may identify a minor that develops expertise in an area outside the major research focus. The minor should consist of 9 or more credit hours that address a common theme. That theme may be in a subject area outside of Biology (e.g., Geosciences), or it may be an area within the Biological Sciences that is distinct from the candidate’s primary research topic. For example, a microbiologist might develop a minor in ecology, a physiologist might develop a minor in environmental science, an ecologist might develop a minor in microbiology, and candidates in any discipline might develop a minor in pedagogy that takes advantage of pedagogical training available in the Department of Biological Sciences and the College of Education.

8. Comprehensive Examination
The student must pass a Comprehensive Examination intended to test his/her preparation for completing the Ph.D. degree program. The Comprehensive Examination should address at least two of the three core areas (see above). The extent to which these areas are addressed in the Comprehensive Examination will be determined by the Advisory Committee, and should reflect the student’s area of research specialization. In addition to the core areas, the Comprehensive Examination should address the specific knowledge the Advisory Committee feels the student will need to successfully address the research that is the focus of the dissertation.

The Comprehensive Examination should be scheduled after the student has completed the majority (i.e., all but one or two classes) of the coursework for the degree program. At least three months prior to the examination, the student should meet with the Advisory Committee to identify the specific areas that will be covered and the committee member who will be responsible for writing questions for each area. If the student has a minor, then a portion of the comprehensive examination should focus on that minor. Students should meet individually with committee members to determine how best to prepare for the specific topics that will be covered by the examination. The examination must be partly written and party oral. Both portions must be passed satisfactorily in order to complete the Comprehensive Examination requirements.

The written portion of the Comprehensive Examination generally will consist of eight sections (each meant to be completed in 3-4 hours). The form of the written portion is flexible. If it is of a ‘closed book’ type, it should not be less than the equivalment of three (8 hour-long) days nor more than five (8 hour-long) days of actual writing time. Normally the written exams will be completed within the span of one week. Evaluation of each section of the written examination is on a pass/fail basis. The student must earn a passing evaluation on at least 75% of the sections to pass the written portion of the comprehensive examination. Failed sections may be repeated once, at a time designated by the student’s Advisory Committee, but within a year of the original examination. The completed and graded written portion of the Comprehensive Examination is to be placed in the student’s departmental file.
The purpose of the oral portion of the examination is to provide an opportunity to clarify and explore further implications of the written examination as well as to present the student with new questions in the same general subject areas as those covered by the written exams. The oral portion should not be given until after the written examination has been evaluated by all of the comittee members, but no later than two weeks after completion of the written portion. The orals must be passed by simple majority vote of the advisory committee. In case of failure, the student may be allowed to retake all or part of the oral examination at the discretion of his/her advisory committee.

If the Graduate Faculty Representative (GFR) was chosen to provide specific expertise to support the student’s graduate program, the GFR should participate in both the written and oral portions of the Comprehensive Examination.

9. Dissertation
Every student working toward the Ph.D. degree must submit a dissertation embodying the results of original and creative research. The dissertation must demonstrate the student’s ability in independent investigation and must be an original contribution to scientific knowledge. It must display mastery of the literature of the subject field and must demonstrate an organized, coherent development of ideas, with a clear exposition of results and creative discussion of the conclusions.

The form and style of the dissertation should comply with the format prescribed by the national- or international-level journal(s) in which the student intends to publish the material and must meet the requirements of “Instructions for Preparing Theses, Dissertations, DA Papers, and Professional Projects,” which is available from the Office of Graduate Studies. Within the framework of these constraints, however, the format of the dissertation can vary, ranging from a series of stand-alone chapters to a single, comprehensive unit. In the former case, a preface that explains the overall layout should be included. After the dissertation has been approved for format and content by the major professor, and at least two weeks before the date of the final examination, the student must deliver a copy of the dissertation to each member of the Advisory Committee.

10. Dissertation Defense
The student’s Advisory Committee, including the GFR, will conduct the final examination of the dissertation. The final defense must be completed at least two weeks before the date set for the commencement exercises at which the student expects to obtain a degree. Students are requried to give a departmental seminar on the dissertation immediately preceding the final defense, and the student is required to publicize the seminar at least one week in advance (i.e., notice in the Departmental Newsletter and notices posted in the Life Sciences Building).

The examination is concerned primarily with the student’s research as embodied in the dissertation, but it may be broader and extend over fields of study related to the dissertation. The final examination is entirely oral and is open to faculty invited by the advisor, Department Chair, or Dean of Graduate Studies. Committee members may ask questions, and those visitors specifically invited to do so by mutual agreement of the student’s Advisory Committee and the Dean of Graduate Studies may also ask questions. A majority of the examining committee must approve the dissertation and the final defense.

Doctor of Arts (D.A.) in Biology

The Doctor of Arts degree in Biological Sciences is granted for proven ability and scholarly attainment in biological science instruction. The program stresses preparation for undergraduate teaching at colleges and universities and the development of research abilities that complement instruction at the college level. The program is concerned with the development of the candidate as a biologist, a scholar, and a professional educator. The program is designed to provide the student with a broad background in the biological sciences, the ability to conduct and interpret research, and excellent pedagogical skills.

Goals of the Program

All D.A. students must demonstrate:
1. a broad background in the biological sciences and an understanding of scientific inquiry;
2. the ability to synthesize concepts of biology and to effectively communicate these concepts;
3. the ability to conduct, analyze, and critique research in biological sciences and biological sciences instruction;
4. the ability to integrate current biological and educational research into their teaching;
5. an understanding of the history and philosophy of science and the impact of contemporary science on society;
6. expertise with teaching strategies appropriate for a variety of teaching and learning environments, including undergraduate research;
7. strong content knowledge in three of the departmental core coursework areas and competency in the remaining three core areas;
8. a well-developed philosophy of education.

Doctor of Arts Fellowships

Students admitted to the program with Fellowship Support can anticipate three years of support, contingent upon satisfactory performance toward their degree. Typically, provisions will be made for a fourth year of support, but the student and his/her major advisor must submit a letter to the departmental Graduate Programs Committee requesting an extension of support and provide a rationale and timeline toward completion of the degree.

Master’s Degree Requirement

All candidates for the program must have completed a Master’s degree prior to entrance into the program. If a student enters the program without having completed a Master’s-level thesis or research paper in biology or a related science, he/she must complete this requirement in addition to the degree requirements or design a dissertation project that incorporates biological research as a major component. This additional requirement may increase the length of time in the program and may limit the flexibility of the degree.

Diagnostic Examination

Incoming D.A. students are required to take an oral diagnostic examination. The purpose of the examination is to assess the student’s potential to become an effective instructor by examining the depth of his/her background in biological science and communicative skills. The examination is meant to be primarily diagnostic, and the results are used by the student’s Advisory Committee to help plan the Program of Study. The examination covers six core conceptual areas of biology (Cell Biology, Genetics, Ecology, Evolution, Physiology, Organismal Biology) and knowledge of pedagogy. The purpose of the oral examination is to validate the results of the Biology GRE and the coursework listed on the student’s transcript, and to observe the student’s oral communicative skills.

The oral examination is conducted no later than six weeks after the beginning of the first semester of the student’s program (exception: for students taking the Biology subject GRE in November of their first semester, the oral exam may be delayed until the end of the student’s first semester). The oral examining committee is appointed by the Chair of the Graduate Programs Committee. After completion of the examination, the oral examining committee will submit suggestions to the student and his/her Advisory Committee for planning the Program of Study. Normally, the student, in conjunction with the committee, will select three of the core areas to emphasize, however they must demonstrate competency in the remaining three areas as well.

Although the diagnostic examination is used primarily for advising purposes, if the student’s performance is generally unsatisfactory, the oral examining committee will select one of the following options: (1) the student may continue in the program but with certain specified additional requirements, (2) the student may take a second oral examination the following semester, or (3) the student will not continue in the program. If the performance on the second oral examination is unsatisfactory, the student will be dismissed from the program.

Advisory Committee

Graduate programs in the Department of Biological Sciences are directed by Advisory Committees selected by the student, in consultation with their advisor. The committee will consist of at least four faculty members, plus a Graduate Faculty Representative (GFR). At least three faculty must be from the Department of Biological Sciences, and at least two committee members should have expertise in the core areas of coursework chosen by the student.

Coursework Requirements

The D.A. degree program requires a minimum of 48 semester credits beyond the Master’s degree. A program of coursework will be established jointly by the student and his/her committee. The program should reflect previous coursework, previous teaching experiences, results of the diagnostic examination, the interests and professional goals of the student, and the goals of the DA in Biological Sciences instruction as previously listed in this document. All DA students are required to take Advanced Studies in College Teaching (4 credits) and a minimum of two Seminars in College Teaching (4 credits). D.A. students are encouraged to participate in topical seminars, professional organizations, grant writing, and to submit their work to education and scientific journals.

Internship Requirements

Internships are a very important part of the D.A. program. Each internship should be a rigorous, thoroughly planned pedagogical activity that provides an opportunity for development of skills in traditional and innovative teaching methods and for utilizing techniques, etc. developed during the program. Students must follow the Guidelines for the Supervised Teaching Internships. The internship requirement is flexible to accommodate the needs of each student.

Written proposals for each internship must be discussed and approved by the student’s committee before the internship begins. Exact procedures for evaluating the internship will depend on the nature of what is done and where it occurs. However, evaluation is considered to be an integral and important part of the internship, and students must develop an evaluation system in concert with the internship supervisors. It is expected that this evaluation will at least include provisions for substantive feedback from students, the major advisor, committee members, and supervising faculty. Students must complete an internship report within one semester of teaching.

Typically, students will be expected to focus on coursework and their scholarly research during their first two semesters in residence, and not begin internships until after their second or third semester in the program. Internships must be completed prior to the last semester of residency. A minimum of 9 credits of internship is required, but no more than 16 can be counted toward the degree. A comprehensive report of each internship, including their evaluation, must be submitted to the student’s committee prior to the final seminar and examination. This comprehensive internship report should be prefaced by a Statement of Teaching Philosophy. A copy of this report will be retained separately in the student’s departmental file unless it is part of the dissertation.

Dissertation Proposal and Defense

During the first three semesters in residence, the student will prepare a written dissertation proposal. The dissertation can be designed to include multiple components such as:
• biological research;
• application of biological research to the classroom;
• pedagogical research related to biological sciences instruction at the college level;
• assessment of student learning;
• in-depth analysis and evaluation of internship teaching;
• multi-media or other curricular development, use, and evaluation;
• conducting research and involving undergraduates in such research, and evaluating the efficacy of such involvement.

The written proposal will include: (1) a survey of the literature to develop a rationale for the research, (2) a statement of the problem(s) or hypothesis (es) to be addressed, (3) detailed descriptions of methods including the experimental design and planned statistical analyses, (4) preliminary data (optional, but strongly encouraged), (5) a time line, (6) a bibliography, and (7) a budget (optional).

When the research proposal has been approved by the major professor and the remainder of the Advisory Committee, the student will prepare and present a one-hour seminar on the proposed research to the Department. This presentation will occur no later than the end of the student’s third semester in residence. Immediately after the seminar, the student will be given an oral examination by his/her Advisory Committee. This examination will focus on the proposed research. The student’s Advisory Committee will evaluate the student’s performance and may (1) admit the student to further work toward the D.A., (2) recommend that the student revise the proposal and/or improve her/his background before attempting to continue graduate work, (3) recommend limitation of the program to the M.S. degree, or (4) in rare cases, recommend dismissal from the graduate program. In the event of the first two decisions, the committee will provide the student with specific recommendations or requirements. In the case of the second decision, the committee also will schedule a second evaluation after not less than one semester.

Once the student has successfully defended the research proposal, the student is advanced to candidacy.

Comprehensive Examination

The comprehensive examination consists of a written and an oral portion. The written examination tests the student’s knowledge of the core areas of biology and the topics covered in the education seminars. Depth and breadth of the examination on these topics should be commensurate with the recommendations from the diagnostic examining committee, and the three selected core areas as represented in the student’s program of study. The oral examination assesses the student’s capability to communicate answers effectively and areas of weakness indicated by the written examination.
Each member of the student’s committee will submit a section of the examination on which the student will be expected to write for 4 to 6 hours. Each committee member will individually determine whether the student passed his/her section of the examination; the student must pass at least 75% of these sections. If the written examination is not passed, the committee may recommend that the student not proceed further in the program, or that the student re-take those portions of the written examination that were not passed.

The oral examination should be scheduled within two weeks of satisfactory completion of the written examination. Failure to pass the oral examination can result in the recommendation that the student not proceed further in the program, or that the oral examination should be re-taken at a later date.

Failure to pass the comprehensive examination twice results in automatic termination from the program.

Doctoral Dissertation

Every student working toward the D.A. degree must submit a dissertation embodying the results of original and creative research. The dissertation must demonstrate the student’s ability in independent investigation and must be a contribution to scientific or science education knowledge. It must display mastery of the literature of the subject field and must demonstrate an organized, coherent development of ideas, with a clear exposition of results and creative discussion of the conclusions.

The form and style of the dissertation should comply with the format prescribed by the journal in which the student intends to publish the material and must meet the requirements of “Instructions for Preparing Theses, Dissertations, DA Papers, and Professional Projects,” which is available from the Office of Graduate Studies. Within the framework of these constraints, however, the format of the dissertation can vary, ranging from a series of stand-alone chapters, to a single, comprehensive unit. In the former case, a preface that explains the overall layout should be included. After the dissertation has been approved for format and content by the major professor, and not later than two weeks before the date of the final examination, the student must deliver a copy of the dissertation to each member of the Advisory Committee (including the GFR).

Dissertation Defense

The student’s Advisory Committee, including the GFR, will conduct the final examination of the dissertation. The final defense must be completed at least two weeks before the date set for the commencement exercises at which the student expects to obtain a degree. Students are requried to give a departmental seminar on the dissertation immediately preceding the final defense. The examination is concerned primarily with the student’s research as embodied in the dissertation, but it will also include the Teaching Internships. A majority of the examining committee must approve the dissertation and the final defense.

Master of Science in Biology or Master of Science in Microbiology

The Master of Science (M.S.) degree is designed to give students an advanced understanding of biology and the capability to conduct biological research. This document describes the requirements for the M.S. degrees in the Department of Biological Sciences, and provides guidelines for developing a program of study. The Department offers M.S. degrees in Biology and Microbiology. These programs are flexible and can be tailored to satisfy the professional and personal needs of each student. The general goals of the programs are that students develop skills in asking meaningful research questions, planning and conducting research, and analyzing and interpreting data. Additional goals are to develop the ability to make presentations at scientific meetings and to write and publish scientific articles. The successful M.S. candidate is expected to acquire breadth in the bilogical sciences and a rigorous understanding of biological concepts and principles. The M.S. programs require a substantial, original research project that culminates in a thesis, a minimum of 30 credits earned in graduate courses and seminars, and expertise in core conceptual areas of the biological sciences and in research design and statistics. Specific requirements in each of these areas are outlined below.

General Requirements

A minimum of 30 graduate credits is required to complete either M.S. degree program. At least 15 credit hours must be earned at the 600-level. Specific requirements include:
BIOL 648 Graduate Problems 1-4 cr
BIOL 650 Thesis 1-6 cr
BIOL 691 Thesis Proposal Semianr 1 cr
BIOL 692 Topical seminar

Students must also take:
6 additional credits of 600-level coursework and an approved statistics course.

Coursework (from undergraduate or graduate studies) is required in each of the following core areas: Cell Biology, Genetics, Ecology, Evolution, Physiology, and Organismal Biology.

Students may take an unlimited number of credits of BIOL 650 and BIOL 648. However, only 6 credits of BIOL 650 and 4 credits of BIOL 648 may be counted toward the required 30 credits.

Advisory Committee

The Advisory Committee consists of a minimum of three faculty members who are members of the ISU graduate faculty. The student, in consultation with the major advisor, selects at least one additional faculty member from the Department of Biological Sciences. An additional faculty member from outside the Department of Biological Sciences, designated as the Graduate Faculty Representative (GFR), also must serve on the committee. The GFR is appointed by the Dean of Graduate Studies, who is open to recommendations from the major advisor. The GFR need only participate in the thesis defense, but may be involved throughout the student’s program. The initial committee meeting should be held during the first semester of the student’s graduate program.

Written Proposal, Proposal Seminar, and Proposal Defense

M.S. students are required to present a seminar on their proposed thesis research in the first year of their program. The purpose of this proposal seminar is to have each student develop and present formal statements of the objectives (hypotheses), design, and importance of their proposed research. Students must submit an abstract to the seminar organizer at least one week prior to their presentation. Students also must write a research proposal and have the proposal approved by the Advisory Committee by the end of the semester in which they present. This proposal will: 1) be at least 5 pages in length, with citations appended, 2) address comments that resulted from the seminar presentation, and 3) be retained in the student’s departmental file.

Thesis, Thesis Seminar, and Thesis Defense

Each M.S. candidate must submit a thesis embodying the results of original and creative research. The thesis must demonstrate the student’s ability in scientific investigation. The thesis must include a comprehensive review of literature on the topic, and must demonstrate an organized, coherent development of ideas, with a clear exposition of results and creative discussion of the conclusions. The form and style of the thesis should comply with the format prescribed by the national- or international-level journal in which the student intends to publish the material and must meet the requirements of “Instructions for Preparing Theses, Dissertations, D.A. Papers, and Professional Projects,” which is available from the Office of Graduate Studies. Within the framework of these constraints, however, the format of the thesis can vary in the number and arrangement of chapters.

Following completion of the written thesis, the student will present the research findings in a seminar. The thesis presentation will be followed by an oral defense conducted by the Advisory Committee. The student is responsible for scheduling the defense with the Graduate School and advertising the thesis seminar, with notices posted in the Life Sciences Building and in the Department newsletter, at least one week in advance of the seminar date. After the thesis has been approved for format and content by the major professor, and not later than two weeks before the date of the final examination, the student must deliver a copy of the thesis to each member of the Advisory Committee.

Following the final examination and approval of the thesis, four unbound copies (two for the library, one for the advisor, and one for the department) of the thesis in its approved form, together with an abstract of not more than 600 words, and a receipt from the ISU Business Office indicating payment of all fees, must be personally delivered to the Office of Graduate Studies for approval by the Dean. The entire thesis will be microfilmed and the abstract will be published by University Microfilms in Thesis Abstracts. The cost of this service will be assessed to the student.

BS/MS Option

The goal of this option is to allow academically strong students to begin work towards an M.S. degree after completing the Junior year. This will allow students to complete an M.S. degree, as well as a B.S. degree, with only one additional year in school. This option is only available to students who have demonstrated an interest in independent research before the end of the Junior year, who can meet the Biological Sciences GPA and GRE requirements for admission to the M.S. program, and who have worked with a member of the Graduate Faculty who has agreed to serve as the student’s Graduate Advisor. After being accepted into the M.S. program, students who pursue this option will have to spend at least two summers doing research and/or coursework. Given its compressed timeline and academic intensity, this option is only available to students who have demonstrated a high level of academic ability.

The student will be required to complete all of the graduation requirements for a B.S. degree in the Department of Biological Sciences. That degree will be awarded when those requirements are met, typically at the end of the 4th year. In completing the graduation requirements for a B.S. degree, these students should have met all of the coursework requirements for admission to the M.S. program.

The student will be admitted Conditionally to the Graduate Program after completing the Junior year. Admission requires that the student meet the existing GPA requirement (at least 3.0 for the Sophomore and Junior years), and earn scores of at least the 35th percentile on the Verbal and Quantitative sections of the GRE. Admission to the Graduate Program will be on a conditional basis, with the following conditions:
1. The student must complete the B.S. degree, which would normally be awarded at the end of the 4th year.
2. The student must present his/her senior thesis research project at the ISU Undergraduate Research Symposium.
3. The student may not be awarded a teaching assistantship or other departmental graduate-level financial assistance until after the B.S. degree has been completed.

The M.S. degree will be awarded only after the student has completed all of the requirements for the M.S. program.

Requirements

These requirements are for undergraduate students admitted to the BS/MS Option ONLY. BS/MS students are restricted to a maximum of six graduate-level credits until after completion of the B.S. degree.

Summer following Junior Year:
BIOS 581 Independent Problems 2 cr
Spring Semester of Senior Year:
BIOS 692 Seminar 1 cr
Other undergraduate and graduate credits, as required by the Department of Biological Sciences.

Master of Natural Science in Biology

The Master of Natural Science (MNS) degree is designed to strengthen an individual’s background in biological sciences for secondary school teaching or for work in nature interpretation or environmental education centers. The student must possess or be working toward a standard teaching certificate, or, under exceptional circumstances, be employed or have specific career objectives that would not require teacher certification (as approved by the Graduate Programs Committee). This degree emphasizes subject matter and is a non-thesis program. It is not designed to prepare students for a doctoral program with a research emphasis or requirement. The degree is granted upon successful completion of a minimum of 30 graduate-level credits and satisfactory performance on a comprehensive written and oral examination.

General Requirements

The MNS degree is primarily a coursework degree and therefore differs from the MS degree in Biology in several important ways. It does not require course prerequisites for admisison. To complete the program, MNS students: 1) need not demonstrate breadth through coursework in each of the Core Areas, 2) are exempt from the Experimental Design/Statistics requirement, and 3) do not complete a Thesis. MNS students must meet Admission, Residency, Transfer of Credit requirements, and minimum Performance Levels.

A minimum of 30 graduate credits is required to complete the MNS degree program. Courses numbered 500 and above, and those completed with a grade of B or better, are the only courses which may be applied toward the degree. It is expected that the courses will enhance both the breadth and depth of the student’s biological content knowledge. At least 20 of the credits must be taken in Biological Sciences. Biology Teaching Methods (BIOS g513) is strongly recommended. A proposed plan of study should be submitted to, and approved by, the student’s advisory comittee by the end of the first semester.

Advisory Committee

The student must select a major advisor, and, in consultation with the advisor, select at least one additional faculty member from the Department of Biological Sciences to serve on an advisory committee. Additionally, a Graduate Faculty Representative (GFR) from outside the Department of Biological Sciences must serve on the committee. The GFR is approved by the Office of Graduate Studies, though students may recommend to the Dean of Graduate Studies a faculty member from another department to serve as GFR. The initial committee meeting should be held in the first semeser of the program. However, the GFR need only attend the final oral comprehensive examination.

Written and Oral Comprehensive Examination

The comprehensive examination consists of a written and an oral portion. The written examination tests the student’s knowledge of biological and educational topics commensurate with the student’s program of study. The oral examination assesses the student’s capability to communicate answers effectively to areas of weakness indicated by the written examination.

The written comprehensive examination must be completed no later than six weeks before the end of the student’s last semester. Each member of the student’s comittee (excluding the GFR) will submit a section of the examination on which the student will be expected to write. The entire examination should be designed to require no more than 10 hours for completion. Each committee member will individually determine whether the student passed his/her section of the examination; the student must pass at least 75% of these sections. If the written examination is not passed, the committee may recommend that the student not proceed further in the program, or that the student re-take those portions of the written examination that were not passed.

The oral comprehensive examination should be schedueld within two weeks of satisfactory completion of the written examination, and no later than three weeks prior to the end of the semester. The oral examination will consist of questions psed by the student’s advisory committee after they have reviewed the results of the written examination. Failure to pass the oral examination can result in the recommendation that the student not proceed further in the program, or that the oral examination be re-taken at a later date. Failure to pass the comprehensive examination twice results in automatic termination from the program.

Master of Clinical Laboratory Science

The M.S. program in Clinical Laboratory Science requires an original research project that culminates in a thesis, a minimum of 32 credits earned in graduate courses (including research and thesis), and expertise in core conceptual areas of Clinical Laboratory Science.

Requirements

Candidates must have a 3.0 GPA for upper division credits taken at the undergraduate level. Scores in the verbal, quantitative and analytical writing portions of the GRE must be submitted; scores of at least the 35th percentile on the verbal and quantitative sections of the GRE are required. If either the GPA or the GRE requirement is not met, the department may choose to admit the candidate to Conditional status.

In addition, admission into the M.S. program will require meeting one of the two following conditions:
1) Professionals already credentialed as Clinical Laboratory Scientists or Medical Technologists: completion of a B.S. or B.A. degree in a related science from an accredited university or college and certification by either NCA or ASCP as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist or Medical Technologist. Categorical certification by either of these registries does not wholly satisfy this requirement
OR
2) Professional entry-level M.S. completing certification requirements while pursuing the M.S. degree: completion of a B.S. or B.A. degree from an accredited institution and completion of the following requirements either prior to entry or during the M.S. program:
a) at least 16 semester hours of chemistry to include inorganic chemistry and some combination or organic, biochemistry and analytical chemistry
b) 16 semester hours of biology, to include at least one semester in microbiology
c) one semester of calculus

The core curriculum in the Clinical Laboratory Science program is accredited by NAACLS (National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science). Successful completion qualifies the candidate to take the national credentialling examinations offered by NCA and ASCP.

Core Curriculum Areas

The three core areas for Clinical Laboratory Science that all students must include in their programs of study are:
Scientific subject core area including pathology, hematology, immunohematology, clinical chemistry, genetics microbiology and molecular biology.
Management core area including information management, statistics, Westgard rules, predictive value theory, personnel, financial organizational and regulatory concepts.

Educational core area including educational design and adult learning for professionals within and outside the clinical laboratory setting.

Students are expected to have significant exposure to these core areas by the time they complete their degree requirements. Students coming in with NCA or ASCP credentials have already demonstrated mastery of the core scientific subject area; those who do not have these credentials will be expected to demonstrate mastery by an examination administered by the program before they finish their M.S. studies.

Students may opt to gain expertise through a variety of mechanisms including independent readings, formal course work, seminars or special projects. For those students who are not already credentialed, an additional 6 credits at the undergraduate level, BIOL 411N Clinical Experience, must be taken. This is usually during the summer semester. This does not count toward the 32 graduate credit requirement.

Required Courses for the M.S. in CLS used to satisfy the core areas described above:

BIOL 411N Clinical Laboratory Site Experience 6 cr
OR
NCA/ASCP certification
(does not count for graduate credit)
BIOL 511S Laboratory Analysis and Management 3 cr
BIOL 691-692 Seminar 2 cr
BIOL 648 Graduate Problems (research) 4 cr
BIOL 650 Thesis 6 cr

The remaining credits are to be taken from graduate-level courses (a minimum of 16 at the 600 level) in one or more of the core areas with the approval of the candidate’s committee.

Three graduate-level courses (6 to 9 credits) approved by the graduate student’s committee may be taken from outside the department (to be taken at Boise State University, Idaho State University, or other approved university) and may include adult education, management, and/or medical informatics.
The thesis project may be in a core scientific subject, management or education or a combination thereof.

Biological Sciences Graduate Courses

BIOL g500 Oral Histology and Embryology 3 credits. The microanatomy and formative processes of the teeth and their surrounding structures.

BIOL g504 Plant Physiology 4 credits. Study of plant physiological processes including water relations, mineral nutrition, photosynthesis, respiration, translocation of photosynthate, secondary compounds and phytohormones. PREREQ: BIOL 202 AND BIOL 203, OR BIOL 101 AND BIOL 102, AND ONE YEAR OF COLLEGE CHEMISTRY.

BIOL g505 Plant Form and Function 3 credits. Integrated studies of anatomical and physiological adaptations of plants to their natural environment. Data collection and analysis will be emphasized. PREREQ: BIOL 102 OR BIOL 203.

BIOL g506 Plant Diversity and Evolution 4 credits. Study of the reproduction, structure, development, evolution, and classification of the fungi, algae, bryophytes, and vascular plants. Lectures, laboratories. PREREQ: BIOL 101 AND BIOL 102.

BIOL g508 Plant Ecology 3 credits. Major factors limiting plant growth and distribution with emphasis on adaptation and response at the individual, population, and community levels. PREREQ: BIOL 202 AND BIOL 203, BIOL 101 AND BIOL 102.

BIOL g509 Plant/Animal Interactions 3 credits. Coevolution of plant and animal form and function emphasizing pollination, herbivory, parasitism, frugivory/seed dispersal, and optimal foraging. PREREQ: BIOL 209

BIOL g511D Clinical Microbiology I 3 credits. Study and identification of medically important bacteria, viruses, fungi, chlamydiae, rickettsiae, and parasites as applicable to laboratory and infection control settings. PREREQ: BIOL 235 OR 221 OR EQUIVALENT, AND PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

BIOL g511E Clinical Microbiology II 3 credits. Advanced topics in clinical microbiology, including application of laboratory techniques to the identification and evaluation of medically important pathogens, and correlations with disease states. PREREQ: BIOL 411D, ADMITTED TO MED TECH INTERNSHIP.

BIOL g511F Clinical Hematology 3 credits. Theoretical and applied aspects of clinical hematology and hemostasis with emphasis on recognition and correlation of abnormal laboratory observations with pathological conditions. PREREQ: PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

BIOL g511G Critical Analysis of Laboratory Values 3 credits. Evaluation of clinical laboratory values with emphasis on advanced methods, specialized statistics, algorithm building, and clinical correlations. PREREQ: PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

BIOL g511I Immunology/Serology/Immunohematology II 3 credits. Advanced topics in immunology/serology/immunohematology. Application of laboratory techniques to the identification and evaluation of antibodies and antigens. Emphasis on transfusion therapy. PREREQ: BIOL 411H, ADMITTED TO MED TECH INTERNSHIP.

BIOL g511J Clinical Chemistry 3 credits. Theoretical and applied aspects of chemistry with emphasis on test development, validation, and use in diagnosis and management of pathological conditions. PREREQ: PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

BIOL g511K Molecular Biology Laboratory Methods 3 credits. Molecular biological techniques necessary for the understanding of research and diagnostics. Specific skills include DNA purification, amplification, cloning, manipulation, analysis, sequencing expression of cloned genes, and computer bioinformatic analysis of this information. PREREQ: PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

BIOL g511M Clinical Laboratory Research 3 credits. Individual theory and application of related topics associated with the clinical laboratory. PREREQ: PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR, ADMITTED TO MED TECH INTERNSHIP.

BIOL g511S Laboratory Analysis and Management 3 credits. Advanced principles of current quality control, personnel, financial and regulatory issues laboratory information systems, management and education. Student presentations required. Students taking the course for graduate credit will develop, complete and present a project.

BIOL g512 Systematic Botany 4 credits. Study of classification and evolution of flowering plants; techniques of phylogeny reconstruction based on molecular and morphological characters. Collection/identification of local flora. Field trips. PREREQ: BIOL 202 AND 203 OR BIOL 101 AND 102.

BIOL g513 Biology Teaching Methods 3 credits. Planning, teaching and evaluating teaching activities. Practical experience in methods used in science classrooms and enhancing professional development. Required for secondary education major in biology. PREREQ 16 CREDIT HOURS OF BIOLOGY AND EDUC 302, OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

BIOL g515 Human Neurobiology 4 credits. Cellular-to-organismal structure and function of the human central nervous system (CNS), and CNS pathologies. PREREQ: PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

BIOL g515L Human Neurobiology Lab 1 credit. Detailed examination of the gross anatomy and pathways of the human central nervous system. PREREQ: PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

BIOL g516 Population/Community Ecology 4 credits. Introduces quantitative analysis of populations and communities, emphasizing demography, distribution, abundance, spatial and temporal dynamics, biodiversity, coexistence, and applications to conservation and land use decision-making. Includes data collection and analysis. PREREQ: BIOL 209.

BIOL g517 Organic Evolution 3 credits. An integrated study of evolution as a unifying concept in biology. An examination of patterns and processes that affect the origin and diversification of species through time. PREREQ: BIOL 358.

BIOL g518 Ecological Topics 1 credit. Flexible use of seminars, lectures, and laboratory/field work dealing with current issues in ecology. Topic/emphasis varies. May be repeated until a maximum of 3 credits is earned. PREREQ: BIOL 209 OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

BIOL g519 Mammalian Histology 4 credits. Study of human animal tissues, including structural and functional characteristics of tissues and organs. PREREQ: BIOL 206, BIOL 207, OR BIOL 303 OR BIOL 301 AND BIOL 302.

BIOL g520 Musculo-Skeletal Anatomy 2 credits. Study of human body structure emphasizing muscular system and its relationship to axial and appendicular skeleton. Focus on extremities, thorax, and pelvis with applications toward normal, diseased and rehabilitative functions. PREREQ: BIOL 301 AND BIOL 302.

BIOL g523 General Parasitology 3 credits. Study of the parasitic symBIOLes of animals, plants and other organisms focusing on concepts, principles, and consequences of such interactions and the coevolutionary processes by which they are created. PREREQ: BIOL 101 AND 102.

BIOL g526 Herpetology 3 credits. The biology of amphibians and reptiles: lecture topics include evolutionary history, functional morphology, physiological ecology, biogeography, reproductive, and population ecology. Laboratories and field trips cover systematic, natural history, and collecting/sampling techniques. PREREQ: BIOL 209.

BIOL g527 Ichthyology 3 credits. The biology of fishes; lecture topics include evolutionary history, functional morphology, physiological ecology, and biogeography. Laboratory and weekend field trips cover identification, life history and collecting techniques. Emphasis on Idaho species. PREREQ: BIOL 209.

BIOL g528 Medical Parasitology and Entomology 3 credits. Study of animal parasites, with an emphasis on protists, helminths and arthropods affecting human health and welfare by their presence or indirectly via pathogens they transmit. PREREQ: BIOL 101 AND BIOL 102.

BIOL g529 Regional Anatomy and Histology 4 credits. Regional approach to gross human anatomy emphasizing the use of prosected materials and microscopic anatomy. Designed primarily for students in the Physician Assistant Program. PREREQ: BIOL 301, BIOL 302.

BIOL g531 General Entomology 3 credits. Study of structure, development, classification, and life histories of insects, including ecological, economic and management considerations. An insect collection may be required. Field trips. PREREQ: BIOL 202 AND BIOL 203, OR BIOL 101 AND BIOL 102.

BIOL g532 Biochemistry 3 credits. Comprehensive discussion/presentation of structure, function and metabolism of biological macromolecules and their constituents, including energetics, regulation, and molecular biology, with emphasis on critical analysis of biochemical issues PREREQ: CHEM 301 OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

BIOL g533 Microbial Physiology 3 credits. Comparative physiology of microorganisms, including structure//function, metabolic diversity, enzyme mechanisms of microbial metabolism, and physiology of extreme organisms. Lectures, Class Exercises. PREREQ: BIOL g532 OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

BIOL g534 Microbial Diversity 3 credits. Enrichment, cultivation, and isolation of prokaryotes from various metabolic groups and environments. Microorganisms will be identified using classical microbial techniques and modern molecular methodologies. PREREQ: BIOL g533 OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

BIOL g535 Vertebrate Paleontology 4 credits. Phylogenetic history of the vertebrates outlined in the light of morphology, classification, evolution, paleoecology, and the significance of fossils. Field trips. Cross-listed as GEOL g535. PREREQ: GEOL g531 OR BIOL 314 OR EQUIVALENT.

BIOL g538 Ornithology 3 credits. Study of the origin, evolution, structure, habits, adaptations, distribution, and classification of birds. Field trips. PREREQ: BIOL 202 AND BIOL 203, OR BIOL 101 AND BIOL 102.

BIOL g539 Principles of Taphonomy 3 credits. Effects of processes which modify organisms between death and the time the usually fossilized remains are studied. Emphasis on vertebrates. Cross-listed with ANTH g539 and GEOL g539. PREREQ: PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

BIOL g540 Human Gross Anatomy 4 credits. Comprehensive regional study of gross human anatomy with emphasis on the upper limb, thorax, abdomen, pelvis and perineum. Designed for the first year dental students and complements BIOL g550. Lecture and laboratory.

BIOL g541 Mammalogy 3 credits. General study of mammals including classification, identification, habits, ecology, economics, and techniques of study, with emphasis on North American forms. Field trips. PREREQ: BIOL 209.

BIOL g543 Endocrinology 3 credits. Study of the anatomy and physiology of the ductless glands and the properties and uses of natural and synthetic hormones. PREREQ: BIOL 303.

BIOL g545 Biochemistry I 3 credits. Introduction to basic aspects of biochemical systems, including fundamental chemical and physical properties of biomolecules. Enzymology including allosterism, metabolic regulation, bioenergetics, and carbohydrate metabolism. PREREQ: CHEM 302 OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

BIOL g546 Selected Topics in Physiology 1 credit. Selected topics in physiology for dental students: blood coagulation-complement-kinin systems, prostaglandin and related substances, vitamins, steroids, mucopolysaccharides, collagen and other extracellular matrix molecules and cyto-and molecular genetics.

BIOL g547 Biochemistry II 3 credits. Functional continuation of g545. Lipid, amino acid and nucleotide metabolism. Emphasis is on metabolic regulation, metabolic dysfunction, biochemical mechanism of hormone action, biochemical genetics, protein synthesis, and metabolic consequences of genetic defects.

BIOL g548 Advanced Experimental Biochemistry 2 credits. Advanced laboratory projects designed to emphasize techniques of qualitative and quantitative biochemical analysis. PREREQ: CONCURRENT ENROLLMENT IN BIOL g547 OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

BIOL g549 Human Physiology I 4 credits. First of a two-course sequence. Physiology of the nervous, muscular, circulatory, respiratory, and excretory systems. PREREQ: BIOL 202; CHEM 111 AND 112; COREQ: BIOL g525.

BIOL g550 Head and Neck Anatomy 4 credits. Comprehensive presentation of the anatomy of the head and neck as it applies to the practice of dentistry. Lecture and laboratory.

BIOL g551 Immunology 3 credits. Fundamental concepts of antibody-mediated and cell-mediated mechanisms of immunity. In-vivo and in-vitro antigen-antibody interactions are discussed. PREREQ: BIOL 235 OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

BIOL g551L Immunology Laboratory 1 credit. Selected laboratory experiments to accompany BIOL g551 Immunology. PREREQ OR COREQ: BIOL g551. OPEN TO NON-MAJORS BY SPECIAL PERMISSION.

BIOL g554 Advanced Immunology 3 credits. Detailed study of selected areas of immunobiology. Course content will vary with current demand. Students will lead discussions and present current literature. PREREQ: BIOL g551 AND PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

BIOL g555 Pathogenic Microbiology 3 credits. How the medically important bacteria, viruses and fungi interact with the host to produce disease, including microbe characteristics, pathogenesis, pathological processes, prevention, and treatment methods. PREREQ: BIOL g551 AND PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

BIOL g555L Pathogenic Microbiology Laboratory 2 credits. Will emphasize procedures for the isolation and identification of pathogenic bacteria. Clinical specimens will be provided for use in identification of unknowns. PREREQ OR COREQ: BIOL g555.

BIOL g556 Human Physiology II 4 credits. Physiology of gastrointestinal, endocrine, and reproductive systems. Includes studies of acid-base balance, peripheral circulation, shock, and temperature regulation. PREREQ: BIOL g549 OR EQUIVALENT.

BIOL g559 Fish Ecology 3 credits. Study of the behavior, habitat use, population dynamics, and management of freshwater fishes, especially salmon and trout. Laboratory and weekend field trips emphasize sampling techniques and data analysis. PREREQ: BIOL 209, BIOL 315, BIOL g527.

BIOL g560 Neuroscience 4 credits. Comprehensive presentation of the anatomy of the central nervous system, the brain and spinal cord. Combined lecture and laboratory demonstration. PREREQ: PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

BIOL g560L Neuroscience Lab 1 credits. Detailed examination of the gross anatomy and pathways of the human central nervous system. PREREQ: PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

BIOL g561 Advanced Genetics 3 credits. Detailed and critical consideration of selected genetic topics with emphasis of recent advances. PREREQ: BIOL 358 AND PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

BIOL g562 Freshwater Ecology 3 credits. Study of the interaction of physical and biotic factors in aquatic communities. Field trips. PREREQ: BIOL 209.

BIOL g563 Human Pathophysiology 4 credits. The study of basic processes underlying diseases with an emphasis on correlating anatomical, functional, and biochemical alterations with clinical manifestations. Laboratory required. PREREQ: BIOL 301 AND BIOL 302, OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

BIOL g564 Lectures in Human Physiology 4 credits. Physiology of the nervous, muscular, circulatory, respiratory, and excretory systems. PREREQ: BIOL 301, BIOL 302, AND ONE YEAR OF COLLEGE CHEMISTRY.

BIOL g565 Microbial Genetics 3 credits. Principles of heredity and variation with application of these principles to bacteria and viruses. PREREQ: BIOL 236; CHEM 302.

BIOL g566 Medical Mycology 3 credits. Lecture/laboratory course addressing medically important fungi. Taxonomy, clinical disease, pathogenesis, immunological diagnosis and laboratory identification of contaminants, opportunists, superficial, cutaneous, subcutaneous and systemic mycoses. PREREQ: BIOL 221 OR 235.

BIOL g567 Microbial Genetics Laboratory l credit. Laboratory investigations of the principles of heredity, variation and genetic exchange in bacteria and bacterial viruses. PREREQ: BIOL 235 OR BIOL 221 AND 223.

BIOL g568 Oral Microbiology 1 credit. Study of microbiology of plaque, caries, periodontal disease, immunobiology of oral disease and control of microorganisms with antimicrobial agents. Four periods devoted to laboratory study of medically important oral microbes. PREREQ OR COREQ: BIOL g555.

BIOL g569 Special Topics in Microbiology 1-4 credits. Study of selected topics in microbiology. Course contents will vary with topics selected. May be repeated with departmental approval for non-repetitive course content. PREREQ: PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

BIOL g570 Cross-Sectional Anatomy 2 credits. Applied regional anatomy as viewed in sectional planes, emphasizing topographic relationships of organs and surface anatomy, with interpretation of correlated CT and MRI imaging. PREREQ: BIOL 301 AND BIOL 302.

BIOL g573 Industrial Microbiology 4 credits. Microbiological and biochemical aspects of fermentative and oxidative processes of industrial importance such as yeast, mold, and bacterial fermentation. PREREQ: BIOL g533.

BIOL g574 Human Anatomy (Occupational Therapy/Physical Therapy) 5 credits. Applied regional anatomy emphasizing the development, histology and gross anatomy of the musculoskeletal, peripheral nervous, and cardiopulmonary systems. Includes laboratory with cadaver dissection. PREREQ: PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

BIOL g575 General Virology 3 credits. Introduction to the general principles of virology through consideration of structure, genetics, replication and biochemistry of animal and bacterial viruses. PREREQ: COMPLETION OF 90 CREDITS.

BIOL g576 Ecology of Water Pollution 3 credits. Study of the causes of pollution and their effects on the aquatic environment and its inhabitants. Special consideration will be given to the biological and chemical assessment of pollution in streams and to its control. Field work. PREREQ: BIOL g562 OR PERMISSION OF DEPARTMENT.

BIOL g577 Bacterial Virology Laboratory 1 credit. Designed to acquaint students with the techniques and experimental principles used in the study of bacterial viruses. Must be accompanied by BIOL g575.

BIOL g578 Animal Virology Laboratory 1 credit. Introduces tissue culture methods and other techniques employed in the study of animal viruses. Must be accompanied by BIOL g575.

BIOL g579 Survey of Electron Microscopy 2 credits. Introduction to the potentialities, theory, techniques, and limitations of electron microscopy. The field will be surveyed as a whole, but primary emphasis will be on biological applications. PREREQ: PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

BIOL g581-g582 Independent Problems 1-4 credits. Individual problems will be assigned to students on the basis of interest and previous preparation. May be repeated. PREREQ: A MINIMUM OF TWO COURSES IN BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES AND PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

BIOL g586 Human Systemic Physiology 5 credits. One semester human physiology course emphasizing the function and regulation of the muscular, skeletal, circulatory, respiratory, urinary, reproductive, and immune systems. PREREQ: CHEM 111 AND CHEM 112; BIOL 301 AND BIOL 302 OR EQUIVALENT.

BIOL g588 Advanced Radiobiology 3 credits. An advanced-level class covering aspects of molecular radiobiology, teratogenesis, oncogenesis, and acute radiation illnesses. It also considers nonstochastic radiation effects and the epidemiology of radiation exposures. Cross-listed as PHYS g 4356. PREREQ: PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

BIOL g589 Field Ecology 3 credits. An intensive field of study of at least one biogeographical region to increase students’ knowledge of and skill with field sampling techniques, field-study design, data collection and analysis, and report preparation. PREREQ: BIOL 209.

BIOL g595 Ethology 3 credits. Behavior of animals and the evolutionary mechanisms that dictate behavioral patterns. PREREQ: UPPER DIVISION OR GRADUATE STATUS.

BIOL 521 Ecological Concepts 3 credits. Major concepts in ecology in relation to environmental degradation, pollution, hazardous materials, and environmental management. Credit may not be used for a graduate degree in biology.

BIOL 597 Professional Education Development Topics. Variable credit. A course for practicing professionals aimed at the development and improvement of skills. May not be applied to graduate degrees. May be repeated. May be graded S/U.

BIOL 601 Animal Behavior 3 credits. Behavior and social organization of animals with particular attention to the vertebrates. Lecture, laboratory, and field work. PREREQ: GRADUATE STANDING AND PERMISSION OF DEPARTMENT.

BIOL 602 Advanced Plant Physiology 3 credits. Study of interrelationships of soil, water, and minerals in the nutrition of plants. PREREQ: BIOL g504.

BIOL 603 Comparative Physiology 3 credits. Study of the ways in which organisms meet their functional requirements. Lecture and laboratory. PREREQ: GRADUATE STANDING AND PERMISSION OF DEPARTMENT.

BIOL 604 Advanced Limnology: Streams and Biotic Production 3 credits. Study of the ecology of streams; chemical, physical, and geological aspects in relation to biota. The production of organic matter in flowing water is emphasized, including the tracing of food chains and food webs and the construction of energy budgets. Field trips. PREREQ: PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

BIOL 605 Biometry 4 credits. Application of descriptive and analytical statistical methods to experimental design and biological research. PREREQ: MATH 143 OR EQUIVALENT OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

BIOL 606 Scientific Writing 3 credits. Review of basic principles of grammar, organization, style, and persuasive argument as applied to specific areas of scientific writing. Each student will write proposals, technical reports and review manuscripts, and reviews of proposals and manuscripts.

BIOL 607 Environmental Physiology 3 credits. Study of the physiological mechanisms and interrelated behavioral patterns by which animals respond to environmental factors. PREREQ: GRADUATE STANDING AND PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

BIOL 610 Principles of Molecular Biology 3 credits. Introduction to subcellular biology and molecular genetics. DNA replication, cell division, the genetic code, transcription, translation, enzyme function, and control mechanisms in procaryotic and eucaryotic cells. PREREQ OR COREQ: BIOL g532.

BIOL 613 Biogeography 3 credits. Discussion of patterns of distribution of species and their historical and ecological causes. Includes research project.

BIOL 614 Evolutionary Ecology 3 credits. Evolutionary theory applied to ecological processes, including selection theory, ecological genetics, life-history evolution and coevolution. PREREQ: BIOL 209, BIOL 358, BIOL g517.

BIOL 616 Advanced Community Ecology 4 credits. Historical and contemporary concepts and methods in community ecology and its interface with other fields, including molecular biology, informatics, conservation, social sciences, and landscape and ecosystem ecology. Emphasizes quantitative models and data analysis.

BIOL 621 Advanced Methods in Microbiology 3 credits. PREREQ: GRADUATE STANDING AND PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

BIOL 623 Soil and Ground Water Bioremediation 3 credits. Theoretical and applied aspects of biological treatment for contaminated subsurface systems. PREREQ: BIOL 587.

BIOL 624 Microbial Ecology 3 credits. Ecological principles applied to microorganisms. PREREQ: GRADUATE STANDING AND A COURSE IN MICROBIOLOGY.

BIOL 628 Cytology and Cell Physiology 4 credits. Advanced study of the functions and structural components of cells. Lecture and laboratory. PREREQ: GRADUATE STANDING AND PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

BIOL 629 Basic Concepts in Biology 3 credits. Considerations of fundamental concepts of biology, their origin and development. PREREQ: PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

BIOL 631-632 Advanced Systematic Botany 3 credits. Classification of plants as it rests on morphological, chemical, ecological, and genetic bases. PREREQ: BIOL g512.

BIOL 633 Advanced Microbial Physiology 3 credits. Advanced topics in microbial physiology and biochemistry. PREREQ: BIOL g532 AND PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

BIOL 634 Intermediary Metabolism 3 credits. Theory, reactions, and methods pertinent to research in intermediary metabolism. PREREQ: BIOL g532 AND PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

BIOL 636 Experimental Intermediary Metabolism 2 credits. Must be accompanied by or preceded by BIOL 634.

BIOL 640 Advanced Topics in Hematology 1-4 credits. Current research and practice in hematology including molecular approaches to diagnosis and treatment and stem cell therapy. May be repeated for a maximum of 4 credits.

BIOL 641 Advanced Topics in Immunology and Immunohematology 1-4 credits. Current research and practice in immunology and immunohematology (transfusion medicine) including molecular approach to diagnosis and treatment. May be repeated for a maximum of 4 credits.

BIOL 642 Advanced Topics in Clinical Chemistry 1-4 credits. Current research and practice in clinical chemistry including innovative instrumentation and molecular diagnostics. May be repeated for a maximum of 4 credits.

BIOL 643 Advanced Topics in Clinical Laboratory Education 1-4 credits. Curriculum design and evaluation in the clinical laboratory setting May be repeated for a maximum or 4 credits.

BIOL 648 Graduate Problems 1-9 credits per semester (may be repeated). Thesis related research. PREREQ: GRADUATE STANDING AND PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR. Graded S/U.

BIOL 650 Thesis 1-6 credits. Graded S/U.

BIOL 651 Advanced Studies in Ecology 2-6 credits. Flexible use of seminars, lectures, and laboratory work dealing with ecological relationships.

BIOL 652 Advanced Studies in Physiology 2-6 credits. Flexible use of seminars, lectures, and laboratory work dealing with problems in physiology.

BIOL 653 Advanced Studies in Vertebrate Zoology 2-6 credits. Flexible use of seminars, lectures, and laboratory work dealing with problems in vertebrate zoology.

BIOL 654 Advanced Studies in Invertebrate Zoology 2-6 credits. Flexible use of seminars, lectures, and laboratory work dealing with problems in invertebrate zoology.

BIOL 655 Advanced Studies in Vertebrate Paleontology 2-6 credits. Flexible use of seminars, lectures, and laboratory work dealing with problems in vertebrate paleontology.

BIOL 656 Advanced Studies in Systematic Biology 2-6 credits. Flexible use of seminars, lectures, and laboratory work dealing with problems in systematic biology.

BIOL 657 Advanced Studies in Plant Biology 2-6 credits. Flexible use of seminars, lectures, and laboratory work dealing with problems in plant biology.

BIOL 658 Advanced Studies in Limnology 2-6 credits. Flexible use of seminars, lectures, and laboratory work dealing with problems in limnology.

BIOL 659 Advanced Studies in Genetics 2-6 credits. Flexible use of seminars, lectures, and laboratory work dealing with problems in genetics.

BIOL 660 Selected Topics in Biochemistry 3 credits. Detailed study of selected areas of biochemistry. Course content will vary with current demand. PREREQ: BIOL g532 OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

BIOL 661 Advanced Studies in Environmental Physiology 2-6 credits. Flexible use of seminars, lectures, and laboratory work dealing with problems in environmental physiology.

BIOL 662 Advanced Studies in Developmental Biology 2-6 credits. Flexible use of seminars, lectures, and laboratory work dealing with problems in developmental biology.

BIOL 670 Selected Topics in Microbiology 1‑4 credits. Detailed study of selected areas of microbiology. Course content will vary with current demand. PREREQ: PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

BIOL 675 Advanced Bacterial Virology 3 credits. Detailed study of selected areas of bacterial virology. Course content will vary with current demand. PREREQ: BIOLg575 AND PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

BIOL 676 Advanced Animal Virology 3 credits. Detailed study of selected areas of animal virology. Course content will vary with current demand. PREREQ: BIOL g575 AND PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

BIOL 679 Electron Microscopy 5 credits. Introduction to uses of the electron microscope in biological research. Designed to develop proficiency in use and operation of the electron microscope, specimen preparation for electron microscopy, and photographic skills as applied to electron microscopy. In addition, students will develop a special project for individual study. Enrollment limited to students who have a demonstrated need to learn electron microscopy techniques. PREREQ: BIOL g579, GRADUATE STANDING, AND PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

BIOL 687 Environmental Science and Pollutants 3 credits. Structure and function of ecosystems, sources and characteristics of hazardous materials, mechanisms and pathways of pollutant transport and degradation, mechanisms of pollutant impact on ecosystems and human health. PREREQ: BIOL 521, AN UNDERGRADUATE ECOLOGY COURSE, OR EQUIVALENT.

BIOL 691 Seminar 1 credit. Review of current research and literature. May be repeated until a maximum of 4 credits is earned. Graded S/U.

BIOL 692 Seminar 1 credit. Review of current research and literature. May be repeated until a maximum of 4 credits is earned. Graded S/U.

BIOL 693 Seminar in College Teaching 2 credit. Review of current research and literature. Rotation of topics will include professional development, theory and practice of science education, and current issues in biology instruction. May be repeated for up to 6 credits. Graded S/U.

BIOL 694 Advanced Studies in College Teaching 2-6 credits. Rotating topics on practical approaches to teaching college-level biology and conducting research in science education. May be repeated for up to 6 credits.

BIOL 699 Doctor’s Dissertation variable credit. Graded S/U.

BIOL 700 Supervised Teaching Internship variable to 9 credits per semester. Graded S/U.

Department of Chemistry

Chair and Professor Holman
Professors: Castle, DeJesus, Kalivas, Rodriguez,
J. Rosentreter
Associate Professors: Goss, Pak
Assistant Professors: Holland, Krumper
Instructor: Braun
Senior Lectureres: Omar, R. Rosentreter
Assistant Lectureres: Jolley, Quarder
Emeritus Faculty: Braun, Faler, B. Ronald, Strommen, Sutter, Wiegand

Master of Science in Chemistry

Thesis Option: The M.S. program, thesis option, requries a substantial, original research project that culminates in a thesis, a minimum of 30 credits (including thesis credit) earned in graduate courses and seminars.

Goals

1. Graduates will attain a broad knowledge in the four major areas of Chemistry.
2. Graduates will conduct novel research in Chemistry.
3. Graduates will be prepared to continue their education in pursuit of a Ph.D.

Admission

Candidates must have at least a 3.0 GPA for all upper-division credits taken in the previous degree program (a B.S. or a B.A. in Chemistry). Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores must be reported. The score in two portions of the GRE (verbal, quantitative, or analytical) must be in the 35th percentile or higher to be considered for admittance with Classified status. If either the GPA or GRE requirement is not met, the Department may recommend to admit the candidate to conditional status.

Several courses are prerequisite for the M.S. degree programs; any student who has not met these requirements through previous course work must take them as part of his/her M.S. program. These are: one semester of calculus, one year of physics, one semester of inorganic chemistry, one year of organic chemistry, one semester of analytical chemistry, and one year of physical chemistry. Because these are undergraduate course prerequisities, any credit earned in taking these courses does not count toward the 30 credit requirement for the M.S.

Requirements

The Master of Science in Chemistry (Thesis Option) requires a minimum of 30 total credits approved by the Department of Chemistry and the Graduate School. Required courses include three of the following:
CHEM 609 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry 3 cr
CHEM 630 Advanced Analytical Chemistry 3 cr
CHEM 655 Advanced Physical Chemistry 3 cr
CHEM 671 Advanced Organic Chemistry 3 cr
AND
CHEM 601 Seminar 2 cr (min.)
CHEM 650 Thesis 6-10 cr

Non-Thesis Option

A non-thesis option exists in which students are required to take 15 credits of approved 600-level chemistry courses, including CHEM 601 (Seminar, 2 credits), and 15 credits of graduate electives.

Combined BS/MS Program in Chemistry

1. Students will obtain a broad knowledge in the four major areas of Chemistry.
2. Graduates will conduct research in a narrow part of one of the above.
3. Graduates will be prepared to continue their education in pursuit of a Ph.D.

Students may be admitted to the program after having completed 64 credit hours. Application for admission must be made to the Chemistry Department.

In addition, the student should have completed the following courses or the equivalent:
CHEM 111-112 General Chemistry I & II 9 cr
CHEM 114 Cations and Anions 1 cr
CHEM 211 Inorganic Chemistry I 2 cr
CHEM 232 Quantitative Analysis 2 cr
CHEM 234 Quantitative Analysis Laboratory 2 cr
CHEM 301-302 Organic Chemistry I & II 6 cr
CHEM 303-304 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I & II 2 cr
MATH 170 Calculus I 4 cr
MATH 175 Calculus II 4 cr
PHYS 211-212 Engineering Physics 8 cr
PHYS 213-214 Engineering Physics Laboratory 2 cr

Requirements (See the suggested schedule)

During the first semester each student is expected to select three faculty members to serve as his/her advisory committee subject to the approval of the Department Chair. In the second semester, each student will form their planned program of study with their research advisor, write a research overview of their project, apply and be admitted to the Graduate School. The student is expected to begin his/her research no later than the beginning of the summer session. Thereafter, individual sections of the research paper will be required as students progress through the program.

Students must apply and be admitted to the Graduate School prior to their fourth year. The student must score at or above the 35th percentile in two areas of the aptitude sections (Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytical/Analytical Writing). Continuation in the program requires that the student maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 from date of admission and annual approval of his/her committee. It will be recommended that students who are not making adequate progress discontinue the program.

The student must complete a total of 158 credit hours. This corresponds to 128 credit hours for the BS degree and 30 credit hours for the MS degree. The final course selection must be approved by the Chemistry Graduate Program Committee. Students are required to have completed all general education requirements by the end of their second year in the combined BS/MS program. It is the intent that all students will finish within the period of 3 years after admission to the program. Successful completion of the program requires that the student write and defend a research paper embodying his/her research before his/her research committee.

Suggested Schedule

The following schedule will show how a typical student might progress through the BS/MS program. Even though courses are listed as suggested, each student is required to meet all course requirements for the BS degree in chemistry (except independent problems CHEM 481 and CHEM 482). Each student is also required to complete all four advanced chemistry courses (CHEM 609, CHEM 630, CHEM 655, and CHEM 671). These courses are taken during the second and third years of the program.

Third Year (Junior)

Fall/Spring
*CHEM 305 Organic Chemistry Laboratory III 2 cr
*CHEM 331 Instrumental Analysis 2 cr
*CHEM 334 Instrumental Analysis Laboratory 2 cr
*CHEM 351 Physical Chemistry 3 cr
*CHEM 352 Physical Chemistry 3 cr
MATH 230 Linear Algebra 2 cr
MATH 360 Differential Equations 3 cr
Electives 11 cr
TOTAL 28 cr
*Must be completed by the end of the junior year.

Summer
CHEM 485 Senior Research 6 cr

Fourth Year (Senior)

Fall/Spring
BIOL g532 Biochemistry 3 cr
CHEM g507 Inorganic Chemistry II 2 cr
CHEM g508 Preparative Inorganic Chemistry 1 cr
CHEM g553 Modern Experimental Physical Chemistry 2 cr
CHEM g566 Structural Analysis in Chemistry 2 cr
CHEM 485 Senior Research 2 cr
CHEM g591 Seminar 1 cr
CHEM 609 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry 3 cr
CHEM 655 Advanced Physical Chemistry 3 cr
Electives 8 cr
TOTAL 27 cr

Summer
CHEM 635 Master’s Research 6 cr

Fifth Year

Fall/Spring
CHEM 630 Advanced Analytical Chemistry 3 cr
CHEM 671 Advanced Organic Chemistry 3 cr
CHEM 601 Seminar 2 cr
CHEM 635 Master’s Research 4 cr
Electives 13 cr
TOTAL 25 cr

Master of Natural Science in Chemistry

The Master of Natural Science (MNS) in Chemistry is designed primarily for teachers and prospective teachers who want to improve their