I. The Department of Biology offers the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees with a major in Biology and concentrations in Botany, Invertebrate Zoology, and Vertebrate Zoology. The Department of Microbiology and Molecular Cell Sciences offers graduate programs leading to the Master of Science or Doctor of Philosophy degrees with a major in Biology and concentrations in Microbiology and Molecular Cell Sciences (see Department of Microbiology and Molecular Cell Sciences).

II. MS Degree Program

Program objectives are: (1) understanding of biological principles, concepts, and theories, and a more in-depth knowledge in a chosen specialty; (2) experience in experimental design, data analysis, and oral and written presentation of research results; ability to be competitive for professional positions in biology and related fields.

A. Program Admission

1. An overall minimum grade point average of 2.75 (on a 4.0 scale) at the undergraduate level.
2. Two letters of recommendation.
3. Scores for the Graduate Record Examination. A minimum of 500 on both the verbal and quantitative portions of the general component of the GRE is usually competitive.
4. Student must have satisfactorily completed ("C" or better) five of the following twelve courses or their equivalents: BIOL 3050 (ecology) BIOL 3730 (physiology), BIOL 3072 (genetics), MMCS 3130 (cell)/MMCS 3500 (microbiology), BIOL 3610 (embryology), BIOL 4630 (endocrinology), MMCS 4375 (molecular biology), BIOL 3620 (comparative anatomy), BIOL 3751 (vertebrate zoology), BIOL 4100 (evolution), BIOL 4604 (behavior).
5. Student must have satisfactorily completed ("C" or better) five of the following nine courses or their equivalents: CHEM 1110 (general chemistry I), CHEM 1120 (general chemistry II), CHEM 3311 (organic chemistry I), CHEM 3312 (organic chemistry II), CHEM 4511 (biochemistry), PHYS 2010 (physics I), PHYS 2020 (physics II), MATH 1910 (calculus), MATH 1601 (statistics).

1. A minimum of 30 semester hours beyond the baccalaureate degree is required.
2. The maintenance of a grade point average of 3.0. Continuation of a student who makes a "3.0" or below is at the discretion of the student’s Advisory Committee.
3. BIOL 7000, 7004, 7600, and 7996. Attendance at departmental seminars is mandatory. BIOL 7000 must be completed during the first year of residence and BIOL 7600 in the last semester.
4. Pass a written examination covering subject matter designated by the Advisory Committee. The test will be administered once each semester and during the summer term on a date published by the department.
5. Presentation of research (7600) and a thesis (7996) as approved by the student’s Advisory Committee.
6. Pass a final oral examination.

1. A minimum of 36 semester hours of graduate courses is required. The total number of semester hours required for graduation will be determined by the student’s Advisory Committee based on academic background. No more than 3 semester hours can be satisfied by BIOL 7092 .
2. BIOL 7004. Attendance at departmental seminars is mandatory.
3. The maintenance of a minimum grade point average of 3.0. Continuation of a student who makes a "3.0" or below is at the discretion of the student’s Advisory Committee.
4. Pass a final written and oral examination which will be administered by the student’s Advisory Committee during the final semester of residence.

III. PhD. Degree Program

Program objectives are: (1) understanding of biological principles, concepts, and theories, and more in-depth knowledge in a chosen specialty; (2) development of expertise in experimental design, data analysis, and oral and written presentation of research results; (4) competitive for professional positions in the biological sciences.

A. Program Admission

1. The prospective doctoral student must normally hold a master’s degree from a recognized institution. However, a student may petition for an optional program leading directly to the PhD.
2. All students will be required to submit satisfactory scores for the General and Advanced Placement Test of the Graduate Record Examination with application to enter the Graduate School. A minimum of 550 each on the verbal and quantitative portions of the GRE is usually competitive. In addition, a score in at least the upper 50th percentile in the GRE Biology subject test is usually expected.
3. Two letters of recommendation. A potential major professor must be identified prior to acceptance.
4. A personal interview with departmental personnel.
5. Students applying for the optional program leading from a BS directly to the PhD must have a 3.5 GPA.
6. Student must have satisfactorily completed ("C" or better) seven of the following twelve courses or their equivalents: BIOL3050 (ecology) BIOL3730 (physiology), BIOL3072 (genetics), MMCS3130 (cell)/MMCS3500 (microbiology), BIOL3610 (embryology), BIOL4630 (endocrinology), MMCS4375 (molecular biology), BIOL3620 (comparative anatomy), BIOL3751 (vertebrate zoology), BIOL4100 (evolution), BIOL4604 (behavior).
7. Student must have satisfactorily completed ("C" or better) five of the following nine courses or their equivalents: CHEM1110 (general chemistry I), CHEM1120 (general chemistry II), CHEM3311 (organic chemistry I), CHEM3312 (organic chemistry II), CHEM4511 (biochemistry), PHYS2010 (physics I), PHYS2020 (physics II), MATH11910 (calculus), MATH1601 (statistics).

1. Course Requirements—BIOL 8000, 8004, 8200, 8600, and 9000. Attendance at departmental seminar is mandatory. BIOL 8000 or an equivalent must have been completed by the end of first year of residence. A minimum of 3 academic years (72 semester hours) beyond the baccalaureate degree is required. A minimum of 30 semester hours (including 18 semester hours of BIOL 9000 Research and Dissertation) must be taken in residence.
2. Foreign Language and Research—Students are required to demonstrate competence in foreign language or research tool areas, or both. This requirement will be determined by each student’s Advisory Committee.
3. Comprehensive Examination and Candidacy—After two-three years in residency, the graduate student must take the written and oral comprehensive examination in his or her major area. Admission to candidacy will be recommended to the Graduate School by the student’s committee upon satisfactory completion of any language requirement, course work, comprehensive examination, and acceptance of the dissertation project.
4. Dissertation and Research Prospectus—A dissertation will be required of all candidates for the doctoral degree. Eighteen (18) hours of research and dissertation credit must be completed during the graduate program. The dissertation must show a mastery of the techniques of scientific research, and it must be a distinct and new contribution to the body of scientific knowledge. The student’s committee must approve the topic, prospectus, and the final dissertation.
5. A minimum of two published or fully accepted papers in refereed scientific journal(s) approved by the dissertation committee is required.
6. Final Examination—The final examination will be conducted by the chair of the student’s committee. The committee will consist, insofar as possible, of the same persons involved in the comprehensive examinations. The final examination will be an oral defense of the dissertation and will be announced and open to the public. Upon successful completion of the examination and all degree requirements, the committee will recommend awarding the PhD.

6050. Field Technique in Ecology. (4). Applied ecology covering practical training in forest, field, aquatic, and atmospheric sampling and analysis. Extended field trips. Two lecture, four laboratory hours per week; $20 material fee. PREREQUISITE: Consent of instructor.

6052. Flora of Tennessee. (3). Field course in identifying native and nonnative species, including key morphological factors necessary to identify plant species, typical habitats of the species identified, and proper procedures for collecting and mounting specimens.

6053. Plant Ecology. (4). Relationships of plants and environmental factors at physiological, population, and community scales; ecosystem dynamics at local and landscape scales; emphasis on field techniques. Two lecture, four laboratory hours per week. PREREQUISITE: BIOL 3050.

6054. Wetland Ecology. (4). Wetlands and wetland resources; attributes of hydrology, biogeochemistry and wetland plants with emphasis on bottomland hardwood forests. Two lecture, four laboratory hours per week; $20 material fee. PREREQUISITES: BIOL 3050 and consent of instructor.

6055. Ecological and Environmental Issues. (3). Ecological perspective on current environmental issues such as conservation and biodiversity, global climatic change, and regulation of chemicals in the environment. Three lecture hours per week. PREREQUISITE: BIOL 3050 or consent of instructor.

6060. Limnology. (4). Physical and chemical attributes of lakes, ponds and streams; organisms of fresh water; problems of production; laboratory work emphasizes Tennessee lakes, and practical training in limnological methods and identification of organisms. Two lecture, four laboratory hours per week; $25 material fee. PREREQUISITE: One year of chemistry.

6071. Human Genetics. (3). Genetic principles as they apply to humans, including pedigree analysis, genetic counseling, cancer, and genomics. Three lecture hours per week. PREREQUISITE: BIOL 3072.

6090-6099. Special Topics. (1-3). Topics are varied and announced in Online course listings; may be repeated with different topics for a maximum of 4 hours. PREREQUISITE: Permission of instructor.

6100. Evolution. (3). Synthesis of principles and concepts of modern evolutionary theory; geological evolution, biological evolution, and evolution of societies; emphasis on recent developments and current controversies.

6604. Animal Behavior. (4). Animal behavior, primarily from ecological, physiological, developmental, and evolutionary perspective. Three lecture, two laboratory hours per week.

6630. General Endocrinology. (3). Anatomy and physiology of the organs of internal secretion; role of hormones in metabolism and development. Three lecture-demonstration hours per week. PREREQUISITE: An upper division physiology course.

6640. Ornithology. (4). Biology of birds, with emphasis on avian anatomy, physiology, behavior, and reproductive biology. Field trips emphasize identification of local species and techniques of field study. Two lecture, four field/laboratory hours per week; $20 material fee.

6644. Ichthyology. (4). Fishes, with special emphasis upon the kinds that occur in Tennessee; collection, preservation and identification; life histories, management, and economic importance of fishes. Two lecture, four laboratory hours per week; $20 material fee.

6651. Field Techniques in Vertebrate Zoology. (4-6). Techniques in extended field study of vertebrates outside the local area. Credit hours to be determined in consultation with instructor. $20 material fee.

6740. Mammalogy. (4). Classification, distribution, life histories, economic importance, techniques of field study, methods of collection and preservation of mammals. Two lecture, four laboratory hours per week; $20 material fee.

6744. Herpetology. (4). Classification, distribution, life histories, techniques of collection and preservation, natural habitats of North American reptiles and amphibians. Two lecture, four laboratory hours per week; $35 material fee.

6745. Tropical Herpetology. (4). Lecture and field-intensive course in herpetology of the tropics; international travel required for laboratory portion of course. PREREQUISITE: general ecology.

6840. Invertebrate Zoology. (4). Invertebrate phyla with emphasis on phylogeny, embryology, and ecology of selected groups. Extended field trip. Two lecture, four laboratory hours per week; $20 material fee.

6900. Entomology. (4). Morphology, physiology, behavior, and ecology of insects. Three lecture, two laboratory hours per week; $20 material fee.

†7000-8000. Orientation to Graduate Studies. (2). Source of literature in field of biology, data presentation, graphic techniques, and manuscript preparation. One lecture, two laboratory hours per week.

7002-8002. Ecotoxicology. (3). Pollutants in ecosystems; environmental fate and distribution, cycling, bioaccumulation, bioavailability, transfer, laboratory and field toxicity evaluations, and environmental risk assessment of contaminants in aquatic and terrestrial systems; toxicology integrated with environmental chemistry, physiology, ecology, and public policy. Three lecture hours per week. PREREQUISITE: Permission of instructor.

7003-8003. Fate of Chemicals in the Environment. (3). Physical, chemical, and biological behavior of chemicals in the environment; distribution and fate of natural and xenobiotic contaminants in water, soil, and air; simple models for describing and predicting how chemicals behave in the environment. Three lecture hours per week. PREREQUISITE: Permission of instructor.

†7004-8004. College Biology Teaching. (1). (Same as MMCS 7004-8004). Under faculty supervision, graduate students participate in teaching of laboratory sections of existing undergraduate courses in the biological sciences (MMCS or BIOL). Student’s performance evaluated by faculty member in charge and appropriate grade assigned.

†7006-8006. Care and Humane Use of Laboratory Animals. (2). (Same as MMCS 7006-8006). Care and use of live vertebrate animals in research and teaching. Students must enroll in this course before working with live vertebrate animals; fulfills requirements of Federal Animal Welfare Act and NIH Guide. One lecture and two laboratory hours per week. PREREQUISITE: Permission of instructor.

7010-8010. Principles and Methods of Systematic Biology. (3). Systematic philosophies and numerical methods developed to deal with systematic and taxonomic problems; discussions of international rules, concept of species, and the roles and aims of practicing systematists; projects designed to give practical experience in analyzing data. Two lecture, two laboratory hours per week.

7011-8011. Advanced Topics in Wetland Ecology. (3). Covers a range of current topics related to wetland science and issues at national and regional levels; includes site visits and case studies on selected wetlands. Two hours lecture and one laboratory/field component. PREREQUISITE: BIOL 4054/6054 or equivalent and permission of instructor.

7012-8012. Plant Ecophysiology. (3). Covers various topics on plant responses to environmental factors, effects of global climate changes on plant health and functioning, and techniques used to quantify environmental variables and plant responses. Three lecture hours. PREREQUISITE: BIOL 3230 or equivalent and permission of instructor.

7015-8015. Aquaculture. (3). Principles and procedures related to the culture of commercially important freshwater organisms under controlled conditions. Three lecture hours per week.

7016-8016. Molecular Systematics and Ecology. (3). Application of systematic and genetic theory to the understanding of part and present patterns and processes in animals, emphasizing laboratory analysis techniques to address a variety of questions on behaviornal, ecological, and evolutionary biology. Two 2-hour combined lab/lectures per week.

7017-8017. Current Topics in Evoluation. (1-3). Lecture, readings, discussion, and oral presentation on evolutionary biology. May be repeated for a maximum of 9 credit hours for PhD students; 6 credit hours for MS students. PREREQUISITE: Permission of instructor.

7018-8018. Current Topics in Physiology. (1-3). Lecture, readings, discussion, and oral presentation on physiology. May be repeated for a maximum of 9 credit hours for PhD students; 6 credit hours for MS students. PREREQUISITE: Permission of instructor.

7019-8019. Current Topics in Animal Behavior. (1-3). Lecture, readings, discussion and oral presentation on animal biology. May be repeated for a maximum of 9 credit hours for PhD students; 6 credit hours for MS students. PREREQUISITE: Permission of instructor.

7020-8020. Current Topics in Ecology. (1-3). Lecture, readings, discussion , and oral presentation on ecology. May be repeated for a maximum of 9 credit hours for PhD students; 6 credit hours for MS students. PREREQUISITE: Permission of instructor.

†7092-8092. Research. (1-6). Consultation, reading, and laboratory work investigating selected topics in biology. Formal paper with review of literature and results of investigation required. Only 4 semester hours credit may be counted toward degree requirements.

7100-8100. Advanced Topics in Evolution. (3). Current concepts and controversies in evolutionary theory. Three lecture hours per week. PREREQUISITE: Permission of instructor.

7130-8130. Comparative Animal Physiology. (4). Analysis of the physiological mechanisms of animal adaptation and their relevance to evolution, distribution, and survival in diverse environments. Two lecture, four laboratory hours per week. PREREQUISITES: An upper division course in physiology and organic chemistry.

7250-8250. Community and Landscape Ecology. (4). Distributions of organisms on worldwide and local basis with emphasis on factors influencing distribution and growth. Two lecture, four laboratory hours per week. PREREQUISITE: BIOL 3050 or consent of the instructor.

7335-8335. Hormones and Behavior. (3). Examines the relationship between endocrinology and behavior in animals and humans and how this relationship underlies survival and reproduction. PREREQUISITE: Endocrinology (BIOL 4630-6630) or permission of instructor.

7340-8340. Behavioral Ecology. (3). Examines the influence of natural selection on animals’ ability to exploit resources, avoid predators, secure mates, rear offspring, and communicate with conspecifics.

7350-8350. Evolutionary Ecology. (3). Provides the basic foundation for applying genetic and evolutionary theory to the ecology of plants and animals; emphasis on genetic and phenotypic adaptations of plants and animals to their environment.

7360-8360. Plant and Environment. (3). Discusses plant responses to environmental changes and potential effects of global climate changes on plant health and function. Two lecture, two laboratory hours per week. PREREQUISITES: plant physiology (BIOL 3230 or equivalent), plant ecology (BIOL 4053-6053 or equivalent), or permission of instructor.

7370-8370. Current Topics in Wetland Ecology and Management. (3). A wide range of topics relating to wetland science and issues at national and regional levels, including wetland classification, hydrology, and biochemistry, with special emphasis on regional bottomland forests. Two lecture, two laboratory hours per week. PREREQUISITES: wetland ecology (BIOL 4054-6054) or equivalent or permission of instructor.

†7600-8600. Seminar in Biology. (1). (Same as MMCS 7600). Selected topics in the biological sciences. Credit is earned when the results of the student’s thesis work is presented.

7610-8610. Environmental Effects on Development. (2). Environment-gene interactions and developmental plasticity; evolutionary, physiological, morphological, and ecological consequences of these interactions. Two lecture hours per week.

7700-40–8700-40. Special Topics in Biology. (1-4). Current topics of special interest in biology. PREREQUISITE: Permission of instructor.

7750-8750. Population Ecology. (4). Examination and quantification of the processes that influence population dynamics. PREREQUISITE: BIOL 3050 or equivalent.

7751-8751. Conservation Biology. (4). Application of biological principles towards the conservation of natural systems and the organisms they contain. Two lecture, four laboratory hours per week. PREREQUISITE: Permission of the instructor.

†7996. Thesis. (1-6). (Same as MMCS 7996).

†8200. Seminar in Biology. (1). (Same as MMCS 8200). Selected topics in biological sciences. Credit is earned when a seminar on the dissertation problem and research is presented to the department during the second year of the doctoral program.

†9000. Doctoral Research and Dissertation. (1-10). (Same as MMCS 9000). The dissertation must be an independent research project applying a mastery of the techniques of scientific research. It must be a distinct and new contribution to the body of scientific knowledge. Minimum total of 18 hours is required.

The courses listed below are taught at the Gulf Coast Research Lab, Ocean Springs, Mississippi. The University of Memphis residence credit is given through affiliation with the laboratory.

6010. Aquaculture. (6). Technology, principles, and problems relating to the science of aquaculture; emphasis on culture of marine species. PREREQUISITES: 16 hours of zoology including invertebrate and vertebrate zoology or ichthyology.

6020. Comparative Histology of Marine Organisms. (1-6). Histological organization of representative marine organisms; fixation, processing, and study of tissues using light microscopy, transmission and scanning electron microscopy; structural changes and physiological changes during life cycle of organism including histopathology. PREREQUISITES: Permission of instructor.

6051. Marine Ecology. (5). Relationship of marine organisms to their environment; effects of temperature, salinity, light, nutrient concentration, currents, food, and competition on abundance and distribution of marine organisms. PREREQUISITES: 16 hours of biology including general zoology, general botany, and invertebrate zoology.

6052. Salt Marsh Plant Ecology. (4). Botanical aspects of local marshes; plant identification, composition, structure, distribution, and development of coastal marshes; biological and physical interrelationships; primary productivity and relation of marshes to estuaries and associated fauna. PREREQUISITES: General botany, plant taxonomy, plant physiology, and general ecology or consent of instructor.

6200. Marine Botany. (4). Local examples of the principal groups of marine algae and maritime flowering plants, treating structure, reproduction, distribution, identification and ecology. PREREQUISITE: Ten hours of biology, including introductory botany, or consent of instructor.

6300. Coastal Vegetation. (3). General and specific aspects of coastal vegetation, with emphasis on local examples. PREREQUISITES: 10 hours of biology, including general botany.

6500. Marine Microbiology. (5). Role of microorganisms in the overall ecology of the oceans and estuaries. PREREQUISITES: General microbiology and environmental microbiology or consent of instructor.

6600. Marine Vertebrate Zoology and Ichthyology. (6). Marine Chordata, including lower groups and the mammals and birds, with most emphasis on the fishes. PREREQUISITES: 16 hours of zoology including comparative anatomy or consent of the instructor.

6610. Early Life History of Marine Fishes. (4). Reproductive strategies and developmental processes of marine fishes; temporal and spatial distribution patterns, population dynamics, and ecological interactions of fish eggs and larvae; methods of sampling and identifying eggs and larvae. PREREQUISITES: Ichthyology, fisheries biology, ecology, and/or consent of instructor.

6646. Marine Fisheries Management. (4). Overview of practical marine fishery management problems. PREREQUISITES: Consent of instructor.

6700. Behavior and Neurobiology of Marine Animals. (4). Behavior, neuroanatomy, and neurophysiology of marine animals; emphasis on the neural mechanisms underlying behavior of selected invertebrates, fishes, birds, and mammals. PREREQUISITES: 16 hours of zoology and or psychology or consent of instructor.

6800. Marine Invertebrate Zoology. (6). Important free-living, marine and estuarine invertebrates of Mississippi Sound and adjacent continental shelf of northeastern Gulf of Mexico; emphasis on structure, classification, phylogenetic relationships, larval development, and functional processes. PREREQUISITES: 16 hours of zoology including introductory invertebrate zoology.

6844. Parasites of Marine Animals. (6). Parasites of marine animals with emphasis on morphology, taxonomy, life histories, and host parasite relationships. Lecture, laboratory and field work. PREREQUISITES: General parasitology or consent of the instructor.

6850. Fauna and Faunistic Ecology of Tidal Marshes. (4). Taxonomy, distribution, trophic relationships, reproductive strategies, and adaptation of tidal marsh animals; emphasis on those occurring in northern Gulf marshes. PREREQUISITES: 16 hours of biology and junior standing or consent of instructor.

†7093. Problems in Zoology. (3-6). Supervised research on specific problems in marine zoology for graduates. PREREQUISITE: BIOL 6800 or 6600.

†Grades of S, U, or IP will be given.