Course Syllabi:
View course syllabi and info via the Biological Sciences
Course Guide
Go in through MY UW (or
log in as Annie Student), go to the Academic panel,
and you will find current biology course information,
often including syllabi, expecations, special events,
methods of evaluating student learning, etc..You can
search this guide by course number, instructor, and
many other key factors.
3 cr (B-E). General biological principles. Topics
include: evolution, ecology, animal behavior, cell structure
and function, genetics and molecular genetics and the physiology
of a variety of organ systems emphasizing function in humans.
P: Open to Fr. Not for credit for those who have taken Zool
151 or 152 or equiv.
(Crosslisted with Botany) I, SS; 5 cr (B-E). First
semester of a two semester course designed for majors in
biological sciences. Topics include: cell structure and
function, cellular metabolism (enzymes, respiration, photosynthesis),
information flow (DNA, RNA, protein), principles of genetics
and a survey of the five major kingdoms of organisms. P:
Open to Fr. HS chem or con reg in coll chem strongly advised.
Not for full credit for those who have taken Bot 100, 130;
Zool 101, 102, 120; or equiv.
(Crosslisted with Botany) I, SS; 5 cr (b-B-E).
Second semester of a two semester course designed for majors
in biological sciences. Continuation of 151. Topics include:
a survey of the five major kingdoms of organisms, selected
topics in plant and animal physiology, the structure and
dynamics of selected ecosystems, speciation and evolutionary
theory. P: Botany/Zoology 151. Not for full credit for those
who have taken Bot 100, 130; Zool 101, 102, 120; or equiv.
(Crosslisted with Genetics, Botany) I; 3 cr (B-E).
Heredity; genetics for students not specializing in life
sciences; principles of heredity; current advances in genetics
applied to humans, animals and plants with their impact
on life sciences and society. Lectures and discussion. P:
crse open to all So; Open to Fr with cons inst; HS or college
crse in biol recommended; not open to pre-med or sci major
without cons inst.
3 cr (b-B-E). A Com-B course that helps students
evaluate societal problems having significant biological
aspects. Three to four books describing such topics are
correlated with reading in biology text. Three term paper,
20 pages total. P: Not open to zoology majors. Open to Fr
but So st recommended.
(Crosslisted with Botany) I, SS; 3 cr (B-E). For
nonbiology students: the relationships of organisms and
the environment. Population dynamics and community organization,
human-environment relationships, action programs. P: Open
to Fr. Does not count toward Botany or Zoology major.
(Crosslisted with Entom) I, SS; 4 cr (B-I). Principles
including morphology and classification; a general collection
of insects required of each student. P: An elem course in
zoology.
(Crosslisted with Envir St) I, II; 2 cr (B-I).
General limnology. Physical, chemical and biological characteristics
and processes of lakes. Environmental problems and rehabilitation
of lakes. P: Intro course in biol; intro course in chem
recommended.
(Crosslisted with Wl Ecol) II; 3 cr (B-I). An
interdisciplinary approach to our complex and often contradictory
relationships with non-human animals, including information
about the nature, needs and behavior of human and non-human
animals in relation to our personal and professional interactions
with them. P: So st.
(Crosslisted with MM&I, Ahabs) II; 3 cr (B-I).
General biology, ecology and phylogeny of animal parasites,
including those of humans; host-parasite interactions; general
epidemiological principles of parasitic infections. P: Intro
course in biology, So st.
(Crosslisted with Wl Ecol, Envir St) I; 3 cr (B-I).
A comprehensive treatment of the ecology, causes, and consequences
of species extinction. Ecology and problems of individual
species, habitat alteration and degradation, socio-economic
pressures and conservation techniques and strategies. P:
So st. An intro biology course strongly recommended.
(Crosslisted with Entom, Ahabs) Even yrs.; I;
3 cr (B-I). Arthropods of medical and veterinary importance,
how they affect their hosts and transmit diseases. P:
Intro course in zool or vet sci.
1 cr (B-I). Presentation of specific problems
illustrative of modern biological investigations, and the
methods used in attacking problems. P: Cons inst & 1
sem college zool or biol.
(Crosslisted with Anthro, Botany) II; 3 cr (B-I).
Evolutionary biology, emphasizing how modern scientists
study evolution. Topics include: nature and mechanisms
of microevolution, macroevolution, adaptation, speciation;
systematics and taxonomy; quantitative genetics and measurement
of natural selection; phylogenetic analyses of behavior,
physiology, morphology, biochemistry; current controversies
in evolution. P: An elem course in zool or botany &
So st; Genetics/Botany/Zool 160 or 466 recommended.
Causes and origins of animal behavior viewed in
historical context including evolutionary, ecological, physiological,
and psychological approaches. P: So st; an intro biol crse.
5 cr (B-I). Basic vertebrate anatomical systems
and a consideration of variations, using functional embryological
and evolutionary approaches. Lab dissection and study of
representative vertebrate material. Two evening practical
exams. P: Intro crse in zool & So st.
(Crosslisted with Botany, Forest) I, SS; 4 cr
(r-B-I). Ecology of individual organisms, populations, communities,
ecosystems, landscapes, and the biosphere. The interaction
of organisms with each other and their physical environment.
These relationships are studied, often in quantitative terms,
in both field and laboratory settings; lecture and lab.
P: Intro crse in botany & zoology, or Bot/Zoo 151-152,
or Biocore 301 or 333; for biol sci majors only.
(Crosslisted with Genetics, Botany) I, II, SS;
3 cr (B-I). Genetics in eukaryotes and prokaryotes. Includes
Mendelian genetics, mapping, molecular genetics, genetic
engineering, cytogenetics, quantitative genetics, and population
genetics. Illustrative material includes viruses, bacteria,
plants, fungi, insects, and humans. P: Algebra, 1 yr chem
& 1 yr biology or cons inst.
3 cr (B-I). This course introduces students
to the major features and mechanisms of early embryonic
development in animals, including (1) the major stages
of early development, (2) how form arises in the embryo
(morphogenesis), (3) how differences arise between cells
in the embryo, and (4) how specific genes control these
processes. P: Zool 101 or Zool 151/152.
(Crosslisted with Entom, Botany) Alt yrs.; II;
3 cr (B-I). Multiple ways in which arthropods exploit
plants, plant traits that deter or augment insects, environmental
mediation of these interactions, effects on population
dynamics, community ecology and co-evolution, and implications
to natural resource management, environmental quality,
and sustainable development. P: One of the following:
Bot/For/Zoo 460, Ent/Pl Path/For 500, Pl Path/Bot 505,
Forestry 550, or Entom 342.
3-5 cr (B-A). This course uses computer and GIS-based
modeling to explore how climate, topography, vegetation
type, and key animal properties all interact to specify
from first principles the energetgics and activity constraints
of animals on any landscape. It links individual, population
and community variables at landscape scales. P: Jr st.
(Crosslisted with Envir St) II; 3 cr (B-I). Interactions
of fishes with their physical, chemical, and biotic environment;
physiological ecology, community ecology and fisheries
sciences. Lake Mendota perch fishery and Shedd Aquarium
field trips. P:1 yr biol & chem & Jr st.
2 cr (B-I). Field lab in the identification, ecology,
and behavior of Wisconsin's birds. Lab demonstrations,
field observations, and habitat censuses. Saturday field
trips throughout southern Wisconsin. P: Zoology 520 taken
previously or con reg.
(Crosslisted with Neurosci, Psych) I; 3 cr (B-I).
Basic mechanisms in cellular neurophysiology: electrophysiology
and chemistry of nerve signals, mechanisms in integration,
simple nervous pathways and their behavioral correlates.
P: Biocore 323 or Zool 151/152 or Zool 101 plus an additional
zool crse & a yr each of chem & physics.
F
524
Neurobiology II: An Introduction to the Brain and Behavior
hide
description
(Crosslisted with Neurosci, Psych, Neurophy) II;
3 cr (B-I). An introduction to studies of the human nervous
system covering neuroanatomy of the brain, neuronal coding,
sensory and motor systems, biological rhythms, arousal,
attention, physiological regulation, reward, aversion,
learning and memory. P: Zool 523, equiv crse in physiol,
or cons inst.
3 cr (B-D). Analysis of animal structure in terms
of design constraints determined by natural selection.
Applications of physical principles in understanding animal
adaptations are emphasized along with the function of
locomotor structures. P: An intermed level crse in biology.
(Crosslisted with Entom) Odd yrs.; II; 3 cr (A).
Comparative behavior of insects. Function and evolution.
P: Entom 302 or equiv; Zool 330 or cons inst.
3 cr (D). Introduction to current quantitative
approaches for analyzing ecosystems. Includes hand-on
experience with ecosystem modeling and parameter estimation.
P:1 yr calculus & a majors course in ecology; or Grad
st.
(Crosslisted with Entom) Alt yrs.; I; 3 cr (B-D).
Introduction to theoretical ecology, including hands-on
experience in computer modeling. For students with ecology
background; does not require a strong math background.
3-credit option requires project and consent of instructor.
P:1 year calculus, Zoo/Bot 260, Zoo/Bot/For 460 or equiv,
& Jr st.
4 cr (B-A). Physical, chemical, and biological
processes of streams and rivers. Consideration of scientific
aspects of current river management issues. Field and
laboratory methods commonly used by stream ecologists
and investigation of southern Wisconsin streams and rivers.
P: Chem 103, 104 or equiv; Zool 315 or equiv; Zool 460
or equiv strongly recommended.
(Crosslisted with Psychology) I or II or SS; 3 cr
(B-A). Signals, contexts, and mechanism of social communication
in animals. Speech and non-verbal communication in human
beings and possible arguments for the evolution of speech
and language. P: Psych 449 or 450 or Zoology 531 or 532.
3 cr (B-D). Developmental anatomy and laboratory
manipulations of representative animal embryos used extensively
for analysis of developmental phenomena (sea urchins, amphibia,
annelids, molluscs, ascidians, insects, chicks, fish, mice).
P: Prev or con reg in either Zoo 440, 470, 625, or Biocore
333, or cons inst.
(Crosslisted with Md Genet, Genetics) Even yrs.;
II; 2 cr (B-I). Fundamental principles of cytogenetics
and special problems of human cytogenetics for biology
and medical students. P: Genetics/Bot/Zool 160 or 466
or Med Genet 721 or cons inst.
(Crosslisted with Forest, Land Arc) Odd yrs.;
II; 2 cr (B-D). Landscape ecology emphasizes the importance
of spatial patterns at broad scales. Concepts and applications
are emphasized, especially for seniors and graduate students
in applied natural resource fields. The course is also
a prerequisite for Zoology/Forest Ecology 665, Advanced
Landscape Ecology. Lecture format with discussion. P:
Botany/Zoology/Forest 460, or Forest 550, a crse in stats,
& cons inst.
Even yrs.; I; 3-4 cr (B-A). An introduction to
the role that hormones play in a variety of physiological
pocesses and behaviors from a molecular to a systems level.
Topics include hormonal involvement in growth, development,
homeostasis, reproduction, and behavior, with an emphasis
on vertebrate systems. P: Background in biochem & cell-molecular
biol recommended, but not required.
3 cr (B-A). Variations of physiological mechanisms
of animals as correlated with their ecology and phylogeny.
P: Biocore 323 or Zool 151/152 or Zool 101 plus an additional
zool crse, a yr each of chem & physics.
(Crosslisted with Anthro, Neurosci, Psych) I;
3 cr (B-D). Evolution of mind. Transitions from primate
through early hominid to modern human intelligence. Modern
studies of brain mechnaisms underlying vision, emotions,
language, memory and learning. Models of the brain as
a "Darwin Machine" generating the narrative
self. P: Jr st; college level elem crse in biology or
psych.
2 cr (B-D). Survey of the principles guiding
neuronal development. Course will cover descriptive and
experimental analyses of developmental mechanisms underlying
the formation of both vertebrate and invertebrate nervous
systems. P: One intermed level crse in biol; background
in development & neurobiol recommended.
(Crosslisted with Biochem, Phmcol-M) Alt yrs.;
I; 3 cr (B-D). Lecture-discussion. Comprehensive coverage
of human hormones, growth factors and other mediators; emphasis
on hormone action and biosynthesis, cell biology of hormone-producing
cells. P: Intro biochem (Biochem 501 or 507 & 508) &
cell biology (Biocore 303 or Zool 570 or Path750) or cons
inst.
(Crosslisted with Neurosci) Alt yrs.; I; 2 cr
(B-A). Seminar course relating major categories of human
neurological and opthalmological disease to fundamental
topics in neurobiology. P: Zool/Neurosci 523 & 524 or
cons inst.
(Crosslisted with Botany, Envir St, Wl Ecol)
II; 3 cr (r-D). The application of ecological and genetic
principles to problems concerning genetic, species, and
community diversity. Topics include the hazards of rarity,
choice and monitoring of indicator species, population
viability analysis, habitat fragmentation, reserve design,
and population recovery programs. P: An ecology crse (eg,
Botany/Zool 460) and genetics (eg, Genetics/ Zool 466).
2 cr (D). A seminar course to provide support
and structure for undergraduates interested in gaining
hands-on experience working as a volunteer with local
environmental, ecological or conservation groups. P: Recommended
for Jr & Sr; graded on a letter basis; requires written
cons inst.
1 cr (A). Student presentations and interchanges
about background, progress and projections with respect
to individual student thesis projects. P: Zoology 681/682
or 691/692.