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2.3.1 COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
All courses listed will not necessarily be offered each year.
Biological Sciences provides three types of courses, each with a different
primary purpose and format.
1) Fundamentals Courses: Fundamentals courses cover subject matter
that is considered central to a comprehensive knowledge of principles and
theories in the department's areas of research emphasis. The scope of these
courses extends beyond that provided at the undergraduate level. These
courses may entail formal lectures, laboratory instruction and/or directed
readings and discussion, but the onus is on the course instructor to ensure
that students are exposed to balanced and comprehensive coverage of the
range of topics considered to represent the field. Because of their central
importance to the Biological Sciences, these courses are offered on a regular,
recurring basis.
2) Special Topics Courses: Special topics courses provide detailed
expertise in theory and/or techniques in areas of researchers' expertise
that are especially relevant to students' thesis research. Although no
less rigorous than fundamentals courses, these courses may provide greater
depth of information over a narrower subject range. The scope of these
courses extends beyond that provided at the undergraduate level. These
courses may involve a combination of lectures, laboratories, discussion,
readings and/or student presentations under the guidance of the instructor.
A Special Topics course will have an explicit subtitle indicating the theme
of a particular offering. Some Special Topics courses will be offered each
year. The themes will vary among years to reflect the expertise of the
instructors available and the current needs of the graduate students.
3) Selected Readings Courses: The primary goal of the Selected
Readings courses is to develop students' skill in objective, critical analysis
of scholarly work among individuals with broadly similar research interests
and backgrounds. An equally important aspect of these courses is to promote
interaction among students and faculty and to help participants become
aware of new research across a range of subdisciplines. The role of students
in selecting and presenting relevant material is central to these courses
.
55-516. Techniques in Molecular Biology
A course designed to introduce the student to a variety of biochemical,
cellular, and molecular techniques. This course is composed of a series
of topics from which students are required to participate in a minimum
of four. The topics include: chromatography, electrophoresis, immunocytochemistry,
electron microscopy, cell culture, cloning and nucleic acid analysis, computer-based
protein and nucleic acid analysis, and radioisotope methods. Students should
consult with their research advisors and supervisory committees in choosing
the topics for study. (Prerequisite: consent of instructor.) (2 lecture
hours, 4 laboratory hours a week for selected experiments during the year,
both terms.) (One term course credit.) (Offered in alternative years.)
55-518. Experimental Design and Analysis in Biological Research
Discussion of philosophical and quantitative approaches used to investigate
biological systems, with emphasis on design and implementation of efficient
and unbiased experiments. Students will use expertise acquired in lectures
and readings to constructively evaluate their own and others' research
proposals through round table discussions and individual presentation.
(Prerequisite/co-requisite: 55-320, or consent of instructor.) (2 discussion
hours a week.)
55-520. Selected Readings in the Biological Sciences
Current publications on common themes of potential significance in
students' area of study will be chosen for round table oral presentation
and discussion. Multiple sections, each with enrolment of 8-12 students
will be offered in the fall term of each year as required. This course
is intended for graduate students in Biological Sciences only. (2 discussion
hours a week.)
55-521. Selected Readings in the Biological Sciences
Current publications on common themes of potential significance in
students' area of study will be chosen for round table oral presentation
and discussion. Multiple sections, each with enrolment of 8-12 students
will be offered in the winter term of each year as required. This course
is intended for graduate students in Biological Sciences only. (2 discussion
hours a week.)
55-528. Molecular Biology of Growth and Development I
An analysis at the molecular level of the growth and development of
prokaryotes, lower eukaryotes, and their plasmids. (Required: consent of
instructor.) (2 discussion hours a week.) (Offered in alternate years.)
55-529. Molecular Biology of Growth and Development II
An analysis at the molecular level of the growth and development of
plants and animals. (Required: consent of instructor.) (2 discussion hours
a week.) (Offered in alternate years.)
55-570. Fundamental Topics in Population and Evolutionary Biology
Major topics may include the evolution of mating systems, population
structure and demography, population genetics and life history variation,
theory of optimal resource use. (Prerequisite/corequisite: 55-324, or consent
of instructor.) (3 lecture/discussion hours a week.) (Offered in alternate
years.)
55-581. Fundamental Topics in Community Ecology
Major topics include niche and diversity theory, trophic complexity
and community stability, assembly of guilds, ecosystem structure and function,
biogeography. (Prerequisite/corequisite: 55-325, or consent of instructor.)
(3 lecture/discussion hours a week.) (Offered in alternative years.)
55-601. Special Topics in Molecular and Developmental Biology
This is a regularly offered course covering subjects that reflect current
graduate program needs and departmental expertise in specific areas. The
course addresses one or more theme subjects in any particular term. Students
receive a course credit for each term in which they register for this course
provided that a particular theme is not repeated. Where a theme parallels
an undergraduate course listing, students may be required to attend some
portion of the undergraduate course as a prerequisite or corequisite. Subjects
that may be offered as special topics include but are not limited to the
following: biology of cell transformation; electron microscopy; genetic
engineering and its applications; advanced topics in immunochemistry; advanced
topics in microbial physiology and ecology; advanced topics in physiology;
plant hormones and development; virology. (Prerequisite: consent of instructor.)
(2-3 discussion hours and/or up to 5 laboratory hours a week.)
55-602. Special Topics in Population and Environmental Biology
This is a regularly offered course covering subjects that reflect current
graduate program needs and departmental expertise in specific areas. The
course addresses one or more theme subjects in any particular term. Students
receive a course credit for each term in which they register for this course
provided that a particular theme is not repeated. Where a theme parallels
an undergraduate course listing, students may be required to attend some
portion of the undergraduate course as a prerequisite or corequisite. Subjects
that may be offered as special topics include but are not limited to the
following: animal behaviour; advanced topics in aquatic ecology; biogeography,
conservation biology, ecotoxicology, quantitative ecology. (Prerequisite:
consent of instructor.) (2-3 discussion hours and/or up to 5 laboratory
hours a week.)
55-603. Special Topics in Biological Sciences I
Special Topics in the Biological Sciences courses may be used to introduce
a new graduate offering, typically on a "trial" basis. Approved courses
taken at Wayne State University or elsewhere, or courses offered by visiting
professors may also fall into the category of Special Topics in the Biological
Sciences. A limited number of these courses may be included in the program
of graduate student.
55-604. Special Topics in Biological Sciences II
Special Topics in the Biological Sciences courses may be used to introduce
a new graduate offering, typically on a "trial" basis. Approved courses
taken at Wayne State University or elsewhere, or courses offered by visiting
professors may also fall into the category of Special Topics in the Biological
Sciences. A limited number of these courses may be included in the program
of a graduate student.
55-797. Thesis Research
An original research project embodied into a concisely written thesis
which conforms to the style and format of a recognized journal in the field
of specialization. The student should register for this course during each
term (including Summer) of residency at the University; however, this course
may not be used for credit toward fulfilling the course requirements in
the Master's program.
55-798. Dissertation Research
An original research investigation the results of which will be embodied
in a concisely written dissertation conforming in style and format to a
recognized journal in the field of specialization. The final paper should
be of the highest quality possible and suitable for publication. The doctoral
student should register for this course commencing the summer term of the
first year of residency and subsequently for each term during which dissertation
research will be carried out. In no case, however, may this course be used
for credit toward fulfilling the course requirements in the Ph.D. program
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