Biological Sciences

Course Descriptions

Biology-General

• BIOB 101N - Discover Biology

  Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate. Offered every term. Contemporary exploration of the organization and complexity of living organisms and the systems in which they live.  The central question of biology--relationship between form and function, acquisition and use of energy, and continuity between generations will be addressed through lectures and laboratory investigations.  Credit not allowed toward a major in biology. Credit not allowed for both BIOB 101N and BIOB 160N.

  Course Attributes:

  • Natural Science Lab Course

• BIOB 130N - Evolution and Society

  Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate. Offered spring. A focus on relationships between evolutionary biology and important social issues, including the evolution of drug-resistant diseases, the construction and use of genetically-modified organism, human evolutionary biology, and experimental laboratory evolution.

  Course Attributes:

  • Natural Science Course

• BIOB 160N - Principles of Living Systems

  Credits: 4. Level: Undergraduate. Offered autumn and summer.  Unifying principles of biological structure-function relationships at different levels of organization and complexity. Consideration of reproduction, genetics, development, evolution, ecosystems, as well as the inter-relationships of the human species to the rest of life.  Lab experiences illustrate biological principles underlying growth, reproduction, development, genetics and physiology.  Credit not allowed for both BIOB 101N and 160N.

  Course Attributes:

  • Natural Science Lab Course
  • Natural Science Course

• BIOB 170N - Princpls Biological Diversity

  Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate. Offered spring and summer.  Survey of the diversity, evolution and ecology of life including prokaryotes, viruses, protista, fungi, plants and animals.

  Course Attributes:

  • Natural Science Course

• BIOB 171N - Princpls Biological Dvrsty Lab

  Credits: 2. Level: Undergraduate. Offered spring and summer.  Coreq., BIOB 170N. The diversity of life including prokaryotes, viruses, protista, fungi, plants and animals including structure and evolutionary relationships.

  Course Attributes:

  • Natural Science Lab Course

• BIOB 191 - Special Topics

  Credits: 1 TO 6. Level: Undergraduate. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.

• BIOB 191N - Special Topics

  Credits: 1 TO 6. Level: Undergraduate. (R-6) Offered intermittently. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.

  Course Attributes:

  • Internships/Practicums
  • Natural Science Course

• BIOB 198 - Internship

  Credits: 1 TO 6. Level: Undergraduate. Prereq., consent of Division. Extended classroom experience that provides practical application of learning during placement off campus. Prior approval must be obtained from the faculty supervisor and the Internship Services office. A maximum of 6 credits of Internship (198, 298, 398, 498) may count toward graduation.

  Course Attributes:

  • Internships/Practicums
  • Internship graduation limit 6

• BIOB 226N - Gen Science: Earth & Life Sci

  Credits: 5. Level: Undergraduate. Offered spring. Prereq., PHSX 225N and M 135 or equiv. Integrated lectures, laboratory exercises, and field trips on topics in earth and biological science for prospective elementary school teachers and the non-scientist. A two-hour laboratory session is required each week and one or two Saturday field trips.

  Course Attributes:

  • Natural Science Lab Course
  • Natural Science Course

• BIOB 260 - Cellular and Molecular Biology

  Credits: 4. Level: Undergraduate. Offered autumn and summer. Prereq. BIOB 160N (preferred) or BCH 110/111 (preferred) or B- or higher in BIOH 112; and either CHMY 123 or CHMY 143. Analytical exploration of the structure and function of the cell, the fundamental unit of life, with an emphasis on energy transformations and information flow. Topics include molecular building blocks, membranes, organelles, and mechanisms of replication, gene expression, metabolism, signal transduction, cell birth, cell death, and cell differentiation.

• BIOB 272 - Genetics and Evolution

  Credits: 4. Level: Undergraduate. Offered spring and summer. Prereq., either BIOB 260 OR both BIOB 160N and BIOB 170N/171N; and one of M 121, 122, 151, 162, or 171. Principles and mechanisms of inheritance and evolution. Population genetics, fossil record, macroevolution, speciation, extinction, systematics, molecular evolution.

• BIOB 291 - Special Topics

  Credits: 1 TO 6. Level: Undergraduate. (R-6) Offered intermittently.  Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.

• BIOB 298 - Internship

  Credits: 1 TO 6. Level: Undergraduate. Offered intermittently.  Prereq., consent of Division. Extended classroom experience that provides practical application of  learning during placement off campus. Prior approval must be obtained from the faculty supervisor and the Internship Services office. A maximum of 6 credits of Internship (198, 298, 398, 498) may count toward graduation.

  Course Attributes:

  • Internships/Practicums
  • Internship graduation limit 6

• BIOB 301 - Developmental Biology

  Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate. Offered autumn. Prereq., BIOB 260; BIOB 272 recommended. An analysis of the origin and development of form and patterns in organisms, stressing the processes of growth and differentiation in plants and animals. Graded traditional letter grade only. 

• BIOB 375 - General Genetics

  Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate. Offered spring. Prereq., BIOB 260 and 272. This course will focus on the molecular genetics of eukaryotes, with special emphasis on transmission genetics and gene structure and regulation.

• BIOB 390 - Undergrad Research

  Credits: 1 TO 10. Level: Undergraduate. (R-10) Offered every term. Prereq., consent of instr. Independent research under the direction of a faculty member.  Graded credit/no credit.

  Course Attributes:

  • Research & Creative Schlrshp

• BIOB 391 - Special Topics

  Credits: 1 TO 10. Level: Undergraduate. (R-10) Offered intermittently.  Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.

• BIOB 392 - Independent Study

  Credits: 1 TO 10. Level: Undergraduate. (R-10) Offered intermittently. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.

• BIOB 398 - Internship

  Credits: 1 TO 6. Level: Undergraduate. Offered intermittently.  Prereq., consent of the Division. Extended classroom experience that provides practical application of learning during placement off campus. Prior approval must be obtained from the faculty supervisor and the Internship Services office. A maximum of 6 credits of Internship (198, 298, 398, 498) may count toward graduation.

  Course Attributes:

  • Internships/Practicums
  • Internship graduation limit 6

• BIOB 410 - Immunology

  Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered autumn. Prereq., Grade of C- or better in BIOB 260. Current concepts and methods in Immunology.

• BIOB 411 - Immunology Laboratory

  Credits: 2. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered autumn.  Coreq., BIOB 410. Modern techniques for analysis of immune responses.

• BIOB 425 - Adv Cell & Molecular Biology

  Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered spring. Prereq., BIOB 260 and 272; BCH 380 strongly recommended.  Cell structure and function, cell cycle, cellular signaling, molecular basis of cancer, regulated cell death, membrane transport, organelle dynamics, cytoskeleton, cell adhesion, and the molecular basis of learning and memory.

• BIOB 440 - Biological Electron Microscopy

  Credits: 2. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered spring.  Prereq., senior standing or consent of instr. Theory of electron microscopy, recent developments in transmission and scanning electron microscopy. Limited experience with the instruments.

• BIOB 468 - Endocrinology

  Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered alternate years. Prereq., BIOB 260 and 272.  Integration of fundamental concepts of endocrinology (such as hormone release, hormone transport and receptor activation) into complex systems (such as reproduction). 

• BIOB 480 - Conservation Genetics

  Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered intermittently. Prereq., BIOB 272.  Genetic basis for solving biological problems in conservation including the genetics of small populations, the application of molecular genetic techniques to conservation biology and case studies of the application of genetics to conservation problems. 

• BIOB 486 - Genomics

  Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered autumn. Prereq., BIOB 272. Principles and mechanisms of genome biology of animals and microbes, including genome function, evolution, and basic molecular and computational methodology used in genome biology.

• BIOB 490 - Adv Undergrad Research

  Credits: 1 TO 10. Level: Undergraduate. (R-10) Offered every term.  Prereq., junior or senior standing and consent of instr.  Independent research under the direction of a faculty member. Graded credit/no credit.

  Course Attributes:

  • Research & Creative Schlrshp

• BIOB 491 - Special Topics

  Credits: 1 TO 10. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. (R-10) Offered intermittently.  Prereq., consent of instr. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.

• BIOB 492 - Independent Study

  Credits: 1 TO 10. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered intermittently.  Prereq., consent of instr. Independent work under the University omnibus option. See index.

  Course Attributes:

  • Omnibus Course

• BIOB 494 - Seminar in Biology

  Credits: 1. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. (R-3) Offered intermittently.  Prereq., consent of instr. A review and discussion of current research. Topics vary.

• BIOB 498 - Internship

  Credits: 1 TO 6. Level: Undergraduate. Offered intermittently.  Prereq., consent of the Division. Extended classroom experience that provides practical application of learning during placement off campus. Prior approval must be obtained from the faculty supervisor and the Internship Services office. A maximum of 6 credits of Internship (198, 298, 398, 498) may count toward graduation.

  Course Attributes:

  • Internships/Practicums
  • Internship graduation limit 6

• BIOB 499 - Undergraduate Thesis

  Credits: 3 TO 6. Level: Undergraduate. (R-6) Offered every term.  Prereq., senior standing and consent of instr.  Preparation of a thesis or manuscript based on undergraduate research for presentation and/or publication.  Student must give oral or poster presentation at the Biological Sciences Undergraduate Research Symposium or a scientific meeting.  Graded credit/no credit.

• BIOB 501 - Grad Issues and Policies

  Credits: 1. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Prereq., graduate standing in biological sciences. Discussion of issues of importance to new graduate students, including the philosophy of graduate education, the mentor-student relationship, the role of the teaching assistant, handling ethical quandaries, library resources and bibliographic searches, animal use policies and issues, proposal writing and the publication process.  Review of ongoing research by faculty in the organismal biology and ecology program.

• BIOB 513 - Community Ecology

  Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered alternate years. Prereq., BIOE 370 or equiv., consent of instr. Current concepts of species interactions, succession, food webs, temporal and spatial patterns and quantitative characterization of community structure.

• BIOB 517 - Adv Plant Ecology

  Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Prereq., upper-division course in ecology or consent of instr. Offered alternate years. Review and discussion of recent advances in plant ecology.

• BIOB 518 - Plant-Consumer Interactions

  Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered alternate years. Prereq. BIOE 370 or equiv.  Ecology and evolution of plant-consumer interactions.  Review of classic and contemporary literature on plant-consumer interactions.

• BIOB 519 - Fire Ecology

  Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered autumn even-numbered years.  Prereq., graduate standing or consent of instr.  Review of fundamental principles and recent advances in fire ecology with the primary focus on biological effects.

• BIOB 522 - Rdgs Morph, Phys, and Zool

  Credits: 1. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. (R-8) Prereq., graduate standing and consent of instr. Review and discussion of current literature in the fields of morphology, physiology, and ecology.

• BIOB 524 - Physiological Plant Ecology

  Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered alternate years. Prereq., BIOE 370 and BIOO 433. The physiological basis of plant adaptation and response to the environment.

• BIOB 526 - Trends in Plant Ecology

  Credits: 2. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. (R-16) Prereq., graduate standing. Current concepts, theory, and experiments in plant ecology.

• BIOB 541 - Electron Microscopy Lab

  Credits: 1 TO 6. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. (R-6) Prereq. or coreq., BIOB 440 or equiv. Practical laboratory experience in the preparation of various samples and hands-on operation of the transmission and/or scanning electron microscopes.

• BIOB 547 - Exptl Mol/Cell/Chem Biol

  Credits: 1. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. (R-8) Offered every term. Prereq., graduate standing or consent of instr.  Focus on experimental design, methods, and presentation of experimental results for graduate students in laboratories with a molecular, cellular or chemical biological focus.

• BIOB 551 - Environmental Field Study

  Credits: 1 TO 3. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. (R-3) Prereq. or coreq.,ENSC 540 or ENST 560. Same as ENSC 551. Designing, executing, and interpreting environmental studies. Project oriented.

• BIOB 561 - Population Genetics Seminar

  Credits: 1 TO 2. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. (R-12) Prereq., consent of instr. or graduate standing. Current topics in population genetics, evolutionary biology, molecular evolution and related topics.

• BIOB 565 - Membrane Dynamics Res Sem

  Credits: 1. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. (R-8) Offered every term. Prereq., graduate standing or consent of instr.  Focus on experimental design, methods, and presentation of experimental results for students conducting research in membrane cell biology, including membrane trafficking and intracellular signaling.

• BIOB 575 - Conservation Research

  Credits: 2. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. (R-6) Same as WBIO 575. Exploration of current topics in conservation biology.

• BIOB 594 - Seminar in Biology

  Credits: 1. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. (R-6) Prereq., graduate standing or consent of instr. A review and discussion of current research in biology. Topics vary.

• BIOB 595 - Special Topics

  Credits: 1 TO 4. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. (R-8) Prereq., graduate standing and consent of instr. Experimental offering of new courses by resident or visiting faculty.

  Course Attributes:

  • Internships/Practicums

• BIOB 596 - Independent Study

  Credits: 1 TO 8. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. (R-8) Prereq., consent of instr. Credit for independent research project unrelated to thesis or dissertation.

  Course Attributes:

  • Service Learning/Volunteer

• BIOB 597 - Research

  Credits: 1 TO 8. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. (R-12) Prereq., consent of instr. Library work involved with preparation of a thesis or dissertation proposal.

• BIOB 598 - Internship

  Credits: 1 TO 8. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. (R-8) Prereq., consent of the Division, graduate standing. Extended classroom experience that provides practical application of learning during placement off campus. Prior approval must be obtained from the faculty supervisor and the Internship Services office.

  Course Attributes:

  • Internships/Practicums

• BIOB 599 - Thesis

  Credits: 1 TO 10. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. (R-10) Prereq., masters student in biology. Field and laboratory research on, and writing of, a student's master's thesis.

• BIOB 699 - Dissertation

  Credits: 1 TO 10. Level: Graduate. (R-20) Prereq., doctoral student in biology. Credit for field and laboratory research on, and writing of, a student's doctoral dissertation.

Biology - Ecological

• BIOE 172N - Introductory Ecology

  Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate. Offered autumn.  An introduction to ecological principles, stressing the structure and function of natural communities and examining human's role in these ecosystems.

  Course Attributes:

  • Natural Science Course

• BIOE 342 - Field Ecology

  Credits: 5. Level: Undergraduate. Offered summers only at Flathead Lake Biological Station.  Prereq., BIOB 272 and one year of college math, including statistics.  The principles and practices of the study of animals and plants in their natural environments, including human influences, with focus on the Crown of the Continent area of the Rock Mountains and taught entirely outdoors.

• BIOE 370 - General Ecology

  Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate. Offered autumn. Prereq., BIOB 272. Analysis of the distribution and abundance of plants and animals. Includes individual, population and community-level processes (e.g., population growth and regulation, competition, predation, succession, nutrient cycling, energy flow and community organization).

• BIOE 371 - Gen Ecology Lab (equiv to 271)

  Credits: 2. Level: Undergraduate. Offered autumn. Prereq. or Coreq., BIOE 370 and either STAT 216 or WILD 240. Methods of describing and testing alternative explanations for patterns in nature. The use of scientific methodology in ecology.

• BIOE 394 - Seminar/Workshop

  Credits: 2. Level: Undergraduate. Offered autumn.  Preparatory readings and attendance at seminars on a wide variety of ecological and wildlife management topics followed by critiques.

• BIOE 403 - Vert Design & Evolution

  Credits: 5. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered autumn. Prereq., BIOB 170N, 171N and 272 and PHSX 205N/206N or 215N/216N.  Evolutionary patterns of animal morphology and the importance of body size on life history patterns.  Phylogenetic study of major extant and extinct vertebrate groups.  Laboratory includes systematic study of organ systems and workshops in experimental functional morphology.

• BIOE 406 - Behavior & Evolution

  Credits: 4. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered autumn. Prereq., BIOB 272. Diversity of animal  behavior in an evolutionary context including inheritance of behavior, diets, avoidance responses, mating systems and sexual selection, parental care, and evolution of animal groups and societies.  Discussion sections examine both landmark and recent literature.

• BIOE 416 - Alpine Ecology

  Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered summers only at Flathead Lake Biological Station.  Prereq., BIOE 342 or BIOE 370/371.  Distribution, abundance and life cycles of plants and animals and their unique ecophysiological adaptations to life in the rigorous environments of the high mountains above the timberline, with emphasis on the Crown of the Continent area.

• BIOE 428 - Freshwater Ecology

  Credits: 5. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered autumn. Prereq., BIOB 160N and either CHMY 123N or 143N.  Physical and chemical dynamics of lakes and streams. Diversity, distribution and dynamics of freshwater organisms.

• BIOE 439 - Stream Ecology

  Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered summers only at Flathead Lake Biological Station.  Prereq., BIOE 342 or BIOE 370/371, CHMY 121N.  The biota and biogeochemical processes of running waters with unifying principles and contemporary research approaches.

• BIOE 440 - Conservation Ecology

  Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered summers only at Flathead Lake Biological Station.  Prereq., BIOE 342 or BIOE 370/371.  Concepts and approaches for sustaining biodiversity and other natural goods and services provided by terrestrial and aquatic systems.

• BIOE 447 - Terrestrial Ecosystem Ecology

  Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered alternate years. Prereq., BIOB 160N and any ecology-themed course or consent of instr. Introduction to systems thinking and the ecosystem concept, review of water and energy balance, carbon cycling and production processes, nutrient cycling, trophic dynamics, and species effects on ecosystem functioning.

• BIOE 448 - Terrestrial Plant Ecology

  Credits: 4. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered autumn. Prereq., an introductory college course in ecology.  The interrelationships between plants and plant communities and their natural environment.

• BIOE 449 - Plant Biogeography

  Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Prereq., consent of instr. Offered alternate years. Description of the distribution of plants and animals at global, continental and regional scales. Analysis of ecological and historical factors influencing distribution and association.

• BIOE 451 - Landscape Ecology

  Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered summers only at Flathead Lake Biological Station.  Prereq., BIOE 342 or BIOE 370/371.  Biophysical processes that determine landscape and ecosystem structure and function using remote sensing tools, geographic information systems and dynamic models to demonstrate landscape change.

• BIOE 453 - Ecology of Small & Large Lakes

  Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered summers only at Flathead Lake Biological Station. Prereq., BIOE 342 or BIOE 370/371, CHMY 121N and CHMY 123N.  The physical, chemical and biological characteristics of lake ecosystems with an emphasis on nutrient cycling, food web interactions and water quality.

• BIOE 458 - Forest and Grassland Ecol

  Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered summers only at Flathead Lake Biological Station.  Prereq., BIOE 342 or BIOE 370/371.  Patterns and processes of the forests and grasslands of the northern Rocky Mountains in the context of principles of population community and ecosystem ecology.

• BIOE 482 - Evolution & Development

  Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered intermittently. Prereq., BIOB 170N and 272.  Lecture, reading and discussion of questions at the intersection of developmental and evolutionary biology. Questions include but are not restricted to: how novel traits arise; how diversity in animal form is generated; and how phenotypic plasticity (environment-sensitive expression of traits) is produced.

• BIOE 490 - Adv Undergrad Research

  Credits: 1 TO 10. Level: Undergraduate. (R-10) Offered every term. Prereq., junior or senior standing and consent of instr. Independent research under the direction of a faculty member. Graded credit/no credit.

• BIOE 594 - Seminar

  Credits: 1 TO 4. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. (R-12). Offered intermittently.  Prereq. graduate standing.  Presentations by student, faculty, and associates on issues and topics in their field.  

Biology-Human

• BIOH 112 - Human Form and Function I

  Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate. Offered autumn. Explores the fundamentals of structure and function at basic cellular and tissue levels, in addition to the anatomy and physiology of the integumentary, musculoskeletal, and nervous systems.

• BIOH 113 - Human Form and Function II

  Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate. Offered spring. Explores the fundamental structures and functions of the endocrine, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, urinary and reproductive systems.

• BIOH 191 - Special Topics

  Credits: 1 TO 6. Level: Undergraduate. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.

• BIOH 291 - Special Topics

  Credits: 1 TO 6. Level: Undergraduate. (R-6) Offered intermittently.  Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.

• BIOH 365 - Human AP I for Health Profsns

  Credits: 0 TO 4. Level: Undergraduate. Offered autumn and summer. Prereq., CHMY 121N or CHMY 141N; BIOB 160N or BIOH 112 or 113. Introduction to basic cellular structure and function. The fundamental facts and concepts of the anatomy and physiology of cells and tissues, the integumentary, musculoskeletal, nervous and special senses with an emphasis on clinical application for students preparing for careers in health care. Laboratory component includes presentation of cadaver prosections and models.

• BIOH 370 - Human AP II for Health Profsns

  Credits: 0 TO 4. Level: Undergraduate. Offered spring. Prereq., BIOH 365. The fundamental facts and concepts of the anatomy and physiology of the endocrine, circulatory, respiratory, digestive, urinary and reproductive systems with an emphasis on clinical application for students preparing for careers in health care. Laboratory component includes presentation of cadaver prosections and models.

• BIOH 398 - Internship

  Credits: 1 TO 6. Level: Undergraduate. Offered intermittently. Prereq., consent of the Division. Extended classroom experience that provides practical application of learning during placement off campus. Prior approval must be obtained from the faculty supervisor and the Internship Services office. A maximum of 6 credits of Internship (198, 298, 398, 498) may count toward graduation.

  Course Attributes:

  • Internship graduation limit 6

• BIOH 405 - Hematology

  Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate. Offered autumn. Prereq., junior level or consent of instr., BIOM 360. Study of blood and diseases of the circulatory system. Blood banking and serology.

• BIOH 423 - TA: Form & Function I

  Credits: 1 TO 3. Level: Undergraduate. (R-4) Offered autumn. Prereq., "A" or "B" in BIOH 112 and 113 and/or one year upper division anatomy and physiology coursework with cadaver lab. Consent of instr. This select group of students teaches regularly scheduled cadaver lab prosection experiences for students enrolled in BIOH 112; assists in preparation and grading of lecture and laboratory visit teaching materials; and assists with proctoring and grading exams of undergraduate students enrolled in BIOH 112.

• BIOH 424 - TA: Form & Function II

  Credits: 1 TO 3. Level: Undergraduate. (R-4) Offered spring. Prereq., "A" or "B" in BIOH 112 and 113 and/or one year upper division anatomy and physiology coursework with cadaver lab. Consent of instr. This select group of students teaches regularly scheduled cadaver lab prosection experiences for students enrolled in BIOH 113; assists in preparation and grading of lecture and laboratory visit teaching materials; and assists with proctoring and grading exams of undergraduate students enrolled in BIOH 113.

• BIOH 456 - Cadaver Dissection I

  Credits: 2. Level: Undergraduate. Offered autumn. Prereq., "A" or "B" in BIOH 365 and 370 or equivalent with cadaver experience. Consent of instr. This course is a practicum that provides the participant the ability to expand their anatomical knowledge base, professional growth, and public speaking skills. The participant will have the unique opportunity to dissect, within a small group, a region of a cadaver and present visible structures to their peers. The cadavers prepared by these students are used for teaching in DBS A&P offerings. Systems presented in autumn semester include integumentary, musculoskeletal and nervous systems.

• BIOH 457 - Cadaver Dissection II

  Credits: 2. Level: Undergraduate. Offered spring. Prereq., "A" or "B" in BIOH 365 and 370 or equivalent with cadaver experience, and a grade of “A” in BIOH 456. Consent of instr. This course is a practicum that provides the participant the ability to expand their anatomical knowledge base, professional growth, and public speaking skills. The participant will have the unique opportunity to dissect, within a small group, a region of a cadaver and present visible structures to their peers. The cadavers prepared by these students are used for teaching in DBS A&P offerings. Systems prepared and presented in spring semester include endocrine, cardiovascular, lymphatic, digestive, urinary and reproductive.

• BIOH 461 - Human Anat/Phys I Tutor/Honors

  Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate. Offered autumn. Prereq., "A" or "B" in BIOH 365 or equiv. and consent of instr. This select group of students performs tutoring for students enrolled in BIOH 365; assists in preparation and grading of lecture and laboratory course teaching materials to undergraduate students enrolled in BIOH 365. Students enrolled in BIOH 461 have the option of co-enrolling in the cadaver dissection course.

• BIOH 462 - Principles Medical Physiology

  Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered spring. Prereq., C (2.00) or better in BIOH 365, 370, and either CHMY 123N or 143N or consent of instr. An advanced course in human physiology for students preparing for careers in health care.

• BIOH 463 - Human Anat/Phys II Tutor/Honor

  Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate. Offered spring. Prereq., "A" or "B" in BIOH 370 or equiv. and consent of instr. This select group of students performs tutoring for students enrolled in BIOH370; assists in preparation and grading of lecture and laboratory course teaching materials to undergraduate students enrolled in BIOH 370. Students enrolled in BIOH 463 have the option of co-enrolling in the cadaver dissection course.

• BIOH 470 - Summer Clinical Laboratory

  Credits: 12. Level: Undergraduate. Offered summer. Prereq., successful completion of medical technology 3+1 on-campus curriculum, admittance into one of our affiliated clinical practicum programs, and consent of instructor. Professional training in clinical laboratory sciences (medical technology).

• BIOH 471 - Professional Training I

  Credits: 13. Level: Undergraduate. Offered autumn. Prereq., BIOH 470. Continuation of BIOH 470. Professional training at clinical site(s).

• BIOH 472 - Professional Training II

  Credits: 12. Level: Undergraduate. Offered spring. Prereq., BIOH 471. Continuation of BIOH 471. Professional training at clinical site(s).

• BIOH 480 - Tchg Anatomy & Physiology I

  Credits: 3 TO 4. Level: Undergraduate. Offered autumn. Prereq., "A" or "B" in BIOH 365 and 370 or equiv. and consent of instr. This select group of students assists in preparation and grading of demonstrations and laboratory teaching materials; and provides laboratory anatomy and physiology instruction to undergraduate students enrolled in BIOH 365. Students enrolling for the 4 credit option will also provide occasional comparable assistance for BIOH 112.

• BIOH 481 - Tchg Anatomy & Physiology II

  Credits: 3 TO 4. Level: Undergraduate. Offered spring. Prereq., "A" or "B" in BIOH 365 and 370 or equiv. and consent of instr. This select group of students assists in the preparation and grading of demonstrations and laboratory teaching materials; and provides laboratory anatomy and physiology instruction to undergraduate students enrolled in BIOH 370. Students enrolling for the 4 credit option will also provide occasional comparable assistance for BIOH 113.

• BIOH 491 - Special Topics

  Credits: 1 TO 10. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. (R-10) Offered intermittently. Prereq., consent of instr. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.

Biology

• BIOL 315 - Peer Advising Internship

  Credits: 1. Level: Undergraduate. (R-6) Offered autumn and spring.  Prereq., consent of instr.  Supervised training and internship for peer advisors who will gain knowledge and ability to communicate degree requirements and relate the various degree offerings to professional and career goals.  No more than two credits are allowed toward upper-division major requirements.

• BIOL 415 - Field Methods in Fisheries

  Credits: 1 TO 4. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered autumn.  Prereq., BIOO 340; Consent of instr. Same as WBIO 441. Field instruction by practicing biologists in techniques for evaluating and managing aquatic habitats and fish populations.

• BIOL 435 - Comparative Animal Physiology

  Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered spring. Prereq., BIOB 260 or equivalent. Animal physiology with emphasis on diversity of functional processes, with strong links to broader ecological and evolutionary contexts.

• BIOL 483 - Phylogenetics & Evolution

  Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Alternating spring semesters. Phylogenies, or evolutionary trees, provide insights into the history of life on Earth, including our own origins. This course focuses on the theoretical foundations of popular methods of reconstructing phylogenies from molecular sequence data and how to implement these methods with computational software for real data sets.  Other current methods for testing evolutionary hypotheses with sequence data will also be introduced.  Same as MICB 483.

• BIOL 484 - Plant Evolution

  Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered fall, alternate years.  Prereq., BIOB 272. Lecture, reading and discussion on the evolutionary processes that shape major patterns of plant diversity.  Topics include but are not restricted to:  local adaptation, floral and mating system evolution, polyploidy, genome evolution, and speciation.

• BIOL 492 - Seminars in Ecol & Res Man

  Credits: 1. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered summers only at Flathead Lake Biological Station.  Prereq., BIOL 342 or BIOE 370/371 or taken concurrently with BIOL 342.  Seminar course that meets weekly for 2 hours in the evening.  Includes seminar speaker and discussion.

Biology-Microbiology

• BIOM 135N - Hot Spring Micb: Yellowstone

  Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate. Offered autumn alternate years.  A field and laboratory based exploration of the microbial diversity of the thermal features of our first national park.  Topics to be discussed include how these communities are shaped by the physical and chemical conditions of the environment and how microorganisms can thrive at life's extremes.  Includes a field trip to Yellowstone National Park.

  Course Attributes:

  • Natural Science Course

• BIOM 227 - Vectors and Parasites

  Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate. Offered spring.  Prereq., college level general biology class is recommended but not required.  An introduction to the major groups of parasites and arthropod-borne pathogens infecting humans worldwide.  The class will stress the biology, transmission dynamics, prevention and control of these organisms. 

• BIOM 250N - Microbiology for Hlth Sciences

  Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate. Offered spring.   Infectious diseases, including concepts of virulence, resistance, prevention and control of microbial diseases in the individual and in the community. If laboratory experience is desired, the student may enroll concurrently in BIOM 251. Credit not allowed toward a major in microbiology.

  Course Attributes:

  • Natural Science Course

• BIOM 251 - Microbiology Hlth Sciences Lab

  Credits: 1. Level: Undergraduate. Offered spring.  Prereq. or coreq., BIOM 250N. Observation of live microorganisms, their characteristics and activities. Experience with microbiological techniques. Credit not allowed toward a major in microbiology.

• BIOM 291 - Special Topics

  Credits: 1 TO 6. Level: Undergraduate. (R-6) Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.

• BIOM 360 - Gen Microbiolgy (equiv to 260)

  Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate. Offered autumn. Prereq., CHMY 123N or 143N; Prereq. or coreq., BIOB 260. Microbial structure and function, growth and reproduction, physiology, ecology, genetics, environmental factors, control of microorganisms and sterility, antimicrobial agents, microbial diversity.

• BIOM 361 - Gen Microbiolgy Lb (equiv 261)

  Credits: 2. Level: Undergraduate. Offered autumn. Prereq. or coreq., BIOM 360. Basic microbiology procedures and techniques.

• BIOM 390 - Undergraduate Research

  Credits: 1 TO 6. Level: Undergraduate. (R-10) Offered every term. Prereq., consent of instr. Independent research under the direction of a faculty member.  Graded credit/no credit.

• BIOM 400 - Medical Microbiology

  Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate. Offered autumn.  Microbial structure and functions, pathogenic microorganisms, virology, immunology. Credit not allowed toward a major in microbiology.

• BIOM 402 - Medical Bacteriology& Mycology

  Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered spring.  Prereq., BIOM 360, 361.  A study of the pathogenic bacteria and fungi and the diseases they produce.

• BIOM 403 - Medicl Bacteriolgy & Myclgy Lb

  Credits: 2. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered spring.  Prereq. or coreq., BIOM 402. Laboratory study of pathogenic bacteria and fungi.

• BIOM 407 - Clinical Diagnosis

  Credits: 2. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered spring.  Prereq., BIOM 402-403. Principles of blood chemistry, urinalysis, hematology and other clinical parameters of disease and health.

• BIOM 408 - Clinical Diagnosis Lab

  Credits: 1. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered spring.  Prereq., or coreq., BIOM 407, BIOM 402-403. Clinical diagnostic methods.

• BIOM 410 - Microbial Genetics

  Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered spring.  Prereq., BIOM 360 and 361.  The molecular genetics of prokaryotic organisms including: structure and replication of the prokaryotic chromosome; gene expression; mutagenesis and DNA repair; plasmids and other tools of genetic engineering; transmission of genetic material and recombination in prokaryotes; regulation of gene expression in prokaryotes; recombinant DNA and biotechnology.

• BIOM 411 - Exprmntl Microbial Genetcs Lab

  Credits: 1. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered spring. Prereq. or coreq., BIOM 410. Experiments in microbial genetics: Analysis of genes and genomes.

• BIOM 415 - Microbial Dvrsty Eclgy & Evltn

  Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered spring. Prereq., BIOB 260, 272, BIOM 360-361 or consent of instr. A broad overview of the physiological, phylogenetic and genomic diversity and ecology of microorganisms within a framework of general ecological principles.  Focuses on microbial interactions with their environment at the level of the individual, population and community, including intimate associations with plants and animals.  Surveys current methods for studying microbial ecology and diversity in the environment.

• BIOM 427 - General Parasitology

  Credits: 2. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered autumn. Prereq., BIOB 272. Parasitism as a biological phenomenon, origin of parasitism, adaptations and life cycles, parasite morphology, fine structure, physiology, parasites and their environment.

• BIOM 428 - General Parasitology Lab

  Credits: 2. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered autumn. Coreq., BIOM 427. Taxonomy, morphology and identification of parasitic protozoa, helminths and arthropods.

• BIOM 435 - Virology

  Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate. Offered spring. Prereq., BIOB 260, and either BIOM 360 or BIOM 400. The general nature of viruses, with emphasis on the molecular biology of animal and human viruses. Co-convenes with BIOM 535.

  Course Attributes:

  • Co-Convened Course

• BIOM 450 - Microbial Physiology

  Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered autumn. Prereq., BIOM 360-361. Microbial structure and function, physiological diversity, microbial metabolism, role of microbial activity in the environment.

• BIOM 451 - Microbial Physiology Lab

  Credits: 1. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered autumn. Coreq., BIOM 450. Experimental approaches to analysis of microbial structure, composition and metabolism.

• BIOM 490 - Adv Undergrad Research

  Credits: 1 TO 10. Level: Undergraduate. (R-10) Offered every term. Prereq., BIOM 360, junior or senior standing and consent of instr.  Independent research under the direction of a faculty member.  Graded credit/no credit.

  Course Attributes:

  • Research & Creative Schlrshp

• BIOM 491 - Special Topics

  Credits: 1 TO 10. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. (R-10) Offered intermittently.  Experimental offerings of new courses, experimental offerings of visiting professors, or one-time offerings of current topics.

• BIOM 494 - Seminar

  Credits: 1. Level: Undergraduate. (R-3) Offered autumn and spring.  Prereq., senior standing in natural sciences. Recent topics in microbiology and related subjects.

• BIOM 498 - Internship

  Credits: 1 TO 6. Level: Undergraduate. (R-6) Offered every term. Prereq., consent of instr. Extended classroom experience which provides practical application of classroom learning during placements off campus.

  Course Attributes:

  • Internships/Practicums
  • Internship graduation limit 6

• BIOM 499 - Undergraduate Thesis

  Credits: 3 TO 6. Level: Undergraduate. (R-6) Offered every term.  Prereq., senior standing and consent of instr.  Preparation of a thesis or manuscript based on undergraduate research for presentation and/or publication.  Student must give an oral or poster presentation at the Biological Sciences Undergraduate Research Symposium or a scientific meeting.  Graded credit/no credit.

• BIOM 502 - Advanced Immunology

  Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered autumn even-numbered years.  Advanced topics and immunological techniques used in modern immunology.

• BIOM 509 - Advanced Virology

  Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered spring add-numbered years.  Prereq., BIOM 435 (MICB 420).  Students are presented with research papers that have been pivotal to the understanding of important molecular or genetic concepts in virology.

• BIOM 530 - Grant Writing

  Credits: 2. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered spring.  Prereq., graduate standing.  Same as BIOC 530. Required course for biochemistry and microbiology graduate students.  Students become acquainted with the grant writing process by writing grants that have received University approval for submission based on student research projects.

• BIOM 535 - Advanced Virology

  Credits: 3. Level: Graduate. Coreq., BIOB 596. A “principles-based” discussion of virology, focusing on the molecular processes and events that must be completed by all viruses for successful replication within an individual host, and spread through host populations. The molecular basis of alternative replication strategies, the interactions of viruses with hosts organisms, and how these interactions lead to disease will be presented with examples drawn from a representative set of more well-understood animal viruses. BIOM 535 emphasizes independent, creative, critical thought. Co-convenes with BIOM 435.

  Course Attributes:

  • Co-Convened Course

• BIOM 540 - Microbial Pathogenesis

  Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered fall.  Prereq., graduate standing.  Current concepts in pathogenesis at the molecular and cellular levels. Focus is on microbial (virla, bacterial) and genetic factors leading to disease and the host's involvement in the process.

• BIOM 545 - Adv Topics in Microb Ecol

  Credits: 1. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. (R-4) Offered every term.  Prereq., graduate standing or consent of instr.  Discussion of selected themes of the ecology of microorganisms with a focus on the recent primary literature.

• BIOM 546 - Experimental Microb Ecol

  Credits: 1. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered every term.  Prereq., graduate standing or consent of instr.  Focus on experimental design, methods, and presentation of experimental results in the area of microbial ecology.

• BIOM 570 - Intro to Research

  Credits: 1. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. (R-2) Offered autumn and spring.  Prereq., graduate standing.  Required course for biochemistry and microbiology graduate students. Instruction in basic research techniques, research equipment and reading in the relevant scientific literature. Students conduct research projects under faculty mentors of their choosing.

• BIOM 580 - Molecular Biol Sem

  Credits: 1. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. (R-2) Offered autumn and spring.  Prereq., graduate standing or consent of instr. Same as BCH 580. A one semester offering required of all new students.

• BIOM 594 - Seminar

  Credits: 1. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. (R-4) Offered autumn and spring.  Prereq., graduate standing or consent of instr.  Same as BCH 594. Presentation of current research in biochemistry and molecular biology by senior graduate students, faculty, and invited outside speakers.

• BIOM 595 - Special Topics

  Credits: 1 TO 3. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. (R-6) Offered intermittently.  Prereq., graduate standing. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.

  Course Attributes:

  • Internships/Practicums

• BIOM 596 - Independent Study

  Credits: 1 TO 6. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. (R-6) Prereq., consent of instr. Credit for independent research project unrelated to thesis or dissertation.

• BIOM 597 - Research

  Credits: 1 TO 18. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. (R-18) Offered intermittently.  Prereq., graduate standing, one semester residence.

• BIOM 599 - Thesis

  Credits: 1 TO 10. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. (R-10) Offered intermittently.  Prereq., master's student in microbiology. Laboratory research for and preparation of a master's thesis.

• BIOM 699 - Dissertation

  Credits: 1 TO 20. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. (R-20) Offered intermittently.  Prereq., doctoral student in microbiology. Laboratory research for and preparation of a doctoral dissertation.

Biology - Organismal

• BIOO 101N - Survey MT Wldlife & Habitats

  Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate. Offered autumn.  Prereq., one course in biology. Interpreting biological patterns associated with selected Montana wildlife species, including mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians.

  Course Attributes:

  • Natural Science Course

• BIOO 105N - Introduction to Botany

  Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate. Offered spring.  Introduction to the plant kingdom including anatomy, physiology and ecology.

  Course Attributes:

  • Natural Science Lab Course
  • Natural Science Course

• BIOO 320 - General Botany

  Credits: 5. Level: Undergraduate. Offered autumn. Prereq., BIOB 170N-171N, 260.  Prereq. or coreq., BIOB 272.  Anatomy, morphology, ecology and physiology of photosynthetic organisms.

• BIOO 335 - Rocky Mountain Flora

  Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate. Offered spring and summer. Prereq., one college-level course in Biology or consent of instr. Elements of the evolution, geography and natural affinities of flowering plants. Identification using a manual of native plants of Montana.

• BIOO 340 - Biology and Mgmnt of Fishes

  Credits: 4. Level: Undergraduate. Offered autumn. Prereq., BIOB 272 and either STAT 216 or WILD 240. Diversity, adaptations and ecology of fishes. Analysis and management of fish populations and communities.

• BIOO 433 - Plant Physiology

  Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered spring. Prereq., BIOB 260 or consent of the instructor. The molecular, biochemical and biophysical basis of plant function, from the subcellular to the whole organism level.

• BIOO 434 - Plant Physiology Lab

  Credits: 1. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered spring. Prereq or coreq., BIOO 433.  Laboratory exercises designed to familiarize students with concepts and techniques in plant physiology.

• BIOO 462 - Entomology

  Credits: 4. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered alternate springs. Prereq. or Coreq., BIOB 272. The classification, morphology, anatomy, development, life-history, behavior and ecology of insects.  Labs include identification of major insect groups, internal and external anatomy and student collections.

• BIOO 470 - Ornithology

  Credits: 4. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered spring. Prereq. or Coreq., BIOB 272; major of biology, Pre-Wildlife Biology, or Wildlife Biology, and must be of junior or senior standing. The classification, structure, evolution, behavior and ecology of birds.

• BIOO 475 - Mammalogy

  Credits: 4. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered autumn. Prereq., BIOB 272. The evolution, systematics, anatomy, physiology and ecology of mammals.

• BIOO 486 - Field Techniq in Mammalogy

  Credits: 2. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered autumn. Prereq., BIOO 475 or equiv. and consent of instr.  A "hands-on" approach to lab and field techniques employed for the study of mammals.  Includes mark/recapture live trapping methods, remote cameras, and tracking plates of non-invasive censussing.

• BIOO 490 - Adv Undergrad Research

  Credits: 1 TO 10. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. (R-10) Offered every term. Prereq., junior or senior standing and consent of instr. Independent research under the direction of a faculty member.

Biology - Systems Ecology

• BIOS 532 - Ecosystem Ecology

  Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered autumn every other year. Prereq. CHMY 141N or the equivalent. Coreq. CHMY 143N and BCH 111. This course includes the fundamentals of an ecosystem approach to ecological research by emphasizing relationships among physical, chemical, and biotic elements of interactive systems. It will provide a fundamental basis for more advanced Systems Ecology courses (e.g., Limnology, Integrated Systems Ecology, Landscape Genetics, etc.).

• BIOS 534 - Integrated Systems Ecology

  Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered spring semester alternate years. Principles, theories and empirical studies that describe the complex attributes and processes of coupled natural and human systems. Landscape, climate, economic and social change dynamics and processes emphasized. Flagship course of the UM-DBS Systems Ecology Program. Students strongly advised but not required to take BIOS 532 Fundamentals of Ecosystem Ecology prior to this course.

Microbiology

• MICB 483 - Phylogenetics & Evolution

  Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate. Alternating spring semesters. Phylogenies, or evolutionary trees, provide insights into the history of life on Earth, including our own origins. This course focuses on the theoretical foundations of popular methods of reconstructing phylogenies from molecular sequence data and how to implement these methods with computational software for real data sets.  Other current methods for testing evolutionary hypotheses with sequence data will also be introduced. 

• MICB 699 - Dissertation

  Credits: 1 TO 20. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. (R-20) Offered intermittently. Prereq., doctoral student in microbiology. Laboratory research for and preparation of a doctoral dissertation.