Advanced Biology Course
BIOL 495 - Biological Effects of CO2 and Climate Change
Departmental Seminars (BIOL 495 section T1) - Biological Effects of CO2 and Climate Change
Course Scheduled: Spring 2020, Tuesdays 3:40 pm to 4:30 pm
Credits: 1 credit
Grading: S/F only
Prerequisites: BIOL 312 (Ecology) or equivalent
Instructor(s): Tom Jurik (jurik@iastate.edu)
There are many ramifications of climate change for life on our planet. In this seminar course, students will read papers from the scientific literature, do a presentation on a topic of choice, and guide discussion of the topic. Topics include but are not limited to: ocean acidification, coral bleaching, phenology, range shifts, potential for migration, community structure, food quality, herbivores, plant productivity, the biota of glaciers, biodiversity, fire, sea levels, climate feedbacks, and more.
BIOL 495 (section EW)
Project Yourself! Collaborative Research with an Aim: Integrated Informatics
Course Scheduled: Fall 2018; specific times/dates to be announced, dependent on enrollees
Credits: 2
Grading: letter grade
Prerequisites: none; students of any major are welcome and juniors/seniors are preferred
Instructor: Eve Wurtele (mash@iastate.edu)
This seminar course is designed for students with varied backgrounds to have an opportunity to work together to create a project that advances science or science education in an area the student cares about. It is a chance to learn skills of collaboration and multidisciplinary research, to be creative, and to make new friends. Examples of projects include:
- Use state-of-the-art bioinformatics software and databases to research the origin and function of a new "orphan" gene in humans
- Design a computer mini-game based on new software to engage middle schoolers about elephant biology
- Create an app or multimedia presentation on the history of women in computer science
- Identify the orphan genes in orangutans
- Analyze epidemiology statistics for the Zika virus
- Computationally annotate the genes in the genome of a recently sequenced species
Students of any major are welcome. Class meetings will discuss a research paper, have a guest speaker, or feature progress reports from students working on their projects. If you are interested in this course, contact the professor directly to obtain the reference number for the course.
BIOL 495 (section GX)
Departmental Seminars (BIOL 495 section GX) - Transcriptome Genomics: An Undergraduate-level Introduction
Course Scheduled: Fall 2019, beginning September 3rd and ending October 8th, meeting Tuesdays 5:10 pm to 6:40 pm
Credits: 1 credit
Grading: S/F only
Instructor(s): Xun Gu (xgu@iastate.edu)
In this BIOL 495 section, students will learn about the cutting-edge progress of comparative genomics of transcriptomes (gene expression) at an introductory level. It will cover topics such as:
- An overview of next generation sequencing (NGS) and RNA-seq
- Detecting differentially expressed (DE) genes
- Patterns of transcriptome evolution
- Case study of brain transcriptome differences between humans and chimpanzees
Students are expected to attend lectures and participate in class discussions. Enrollment will be limited to 25 students.
BIOL 495 (section JS)
Sensory Biology
Course Scheduled: Spring 2017 on Mondays and Wednesdays from 2:10 pm to 3:00 pm
Credits: 2
Instructor: Jeanne Serb (serb@iastate.edu)
This seminar will explore will explore other animals sense and navigate their environments. How do bats find their prey by touch? How do dogs smell time? How do plants see the invisible? How do migrating animals know what direction to fly in? How do brainless animals process sensory information? This seminar will answer these questions and more. If you would like to know more about this seminar, contact the instructor.
BIOL 495 (section RW)
Tree of Life: Survey of the Earth's Living Organisms
Course Scheduled: Spring 2019 on Thursdays from 3:10 pm to 5:00 pm (room 145 Bessey Hall)
Credits: 2
Grading: S/F only
Prerequisites: BIOL 211, BIOL 212, BIOL 315, permission of instructor (intended for juniors and seniors in Biology)
Instructor: Robert Wallace (rwallace@iastate.edu)
This seminar course will be a survey of the diversity of living organisms from all domains and kingdoms, with emphasis on evolutionary relationships, classification, and morphological characteristics of the major groups of the Earth’s biota. Students will review the primary biological attributes of archaea, bacteria, protists, fungi, animals, and plants and learn about the current general classifications, diversity, evolutionary trends, and phylogeny of these groups.
If you are interested in this course, please stop by the Student Services Office (103 Bessey Hall) to obtain the reference number for the course. Enrollment will be limited to 16 students total.
BIOL 495 (section SH)
Plants, Genes and Agriculture
Course Scheduled: Fall 2018 on Mondays from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm (room 334 Bessey Hall) for the first half of the semester
Credits: 1
Grading: S/F only
Prerequisites: BIOL 211, BIOL 212; course intended for Biology and Genetics majors at the sophomore and junior level
Instructor: Stephen Howell (shh@iastate.edu)
This seminar course is based on the book "Plants, genes and Agriculture" edited by Maarten Chrispeels and Paul Gepts. The book deals with the challenges of feeding the growing human population on our planet which is expected to reach nearly 10 billion by 2050. The course will address biological, economic, and sociocultural challenges at an introductory level. It will cover topics such as sustainable food production, plant domestication, agricultural innovations, biotic and abiotic stress, introduced agronomic and consumer traits, and subsistence farming.
Students will make presentations about the chapters of the book and lead discussions. Enrollment will be limited to 20 students. If you are interested in this course, please stop by the Student Services Office (103 Bessey Hall) to obtain the reference number for the course.
December 12, 2019
Professor Tom Jurik is offering a new seminar in the Spring 2020 semester for students interested in exploring how climate change impacts biology. The seminar will count as an advanced biology course for Biology majors and is graded on a satisfactory-fail basis. Students should have a good grasp of ecology before enrolling in the course and course activities will include reading the primary literature on the subject, guiding discussions, and giving presentations. There is a lot to study when it comes to the impacts of climate change on living organisms ranging from ocean acidification to changes in community structure. More information
March 8, 2018
A new seminar course (BIOL 495) taught by Eve Wurtele will be offered in Fall 2018. This course is designed for students with varied backgrounds to have an opportunity to work together to create a project that advances science or science education in an area the student cares about. For more information, visit the course description page.
August 21, 2018
This coming Fall, Dr. Xun Gu will be offering a BIOL 495 seminar on topics related to comparative genomics of transcriptomes (gene expressions) at an introductory level. The course will meet on Thursdays from 5:10 pm to 6:40 pm beginning October 4th and ending November 8th. If you are interested in signing up for this course, contact Dr. Gu by E-mail. See the course description page here for more information.
January 11, 2018
In Spring 2018, Amy Toth and the ISU Bee Laboratory will be offering a 1 credit course called "Current Topics in Bee Biology" (BIOL 490 AT). The course will begin March 5th with meeting times to be determined based on student schedules. Attend ten lectures on bee biology and current issues in bee health, discuss the latest research with experts in the field, take a trip to the ISU Bee Research Facility, and earn advanced biology credit.
May 11, 2021
This Fall, Biology and Genetics major can enroll in an Undergraduate Biology Seminar (BIOL 495) in genome evolution.
Course Scheduled: Fall 2021 on Thursdays from 10:00 am to 11:30 am
Credits: 2
Prerequisites: BIOL 313 (genetics) and BIOL 315 (evolution) or permission of instructor
Instructor: Dr. Jonathan Wendel (jfw@iastate.edu)
To add the course, enter reference number 2075265 in the AccessPlus registration system. Students with questions about the course may contact the instructor directly.
August 10, 2021
Students who are looking for additional advanced biology credits in their program of study should consider taking Dr. Tom Jurik's BIOL 495 seminar this coming Fall.
To register for this course, use the online course registration system in AccessPlus on or after your registration start date. You can view your registration start date in your Student tab of AccessPlus under “Current Stdnt Info.” Instead of using the “Search for Class” dropdown menu, you will need to enter course reference number 2075440 in the appropriate field and then select “Add Class” (see - https://youtu.be/A-_NPO-zPQE?t=185 – for a video walkthrough).
April 24, 2020
The Biology Program is offering a new advanced biology course for students to take as part of their program of study this Fall 2020:
Biology of Aging (BIOL 421X) - 3 credits
Meeting Times for Fall 2020: this course is delivered through web instruction
Instructors: Anne Bronikowski (abroniko@iastate.edu)
Prerequisites: BIOL 211 and BIOL 212
Course Description: Basic biological principles of aging. Course modules include an introduction to the aging process, body systems and normal aging, and environment and the biology of aging. In addition, disorders and diseases of aging, prevention and treatment and exercise and aging topics will be covered.
April 15, 2020
The Biology Program is offering a new advanced biology course for students to take as part of their program of study this Fall 2020:
Bee Biology, Management, and Beekeeping (BIOL 358X) - 3 credits
Meeting Times for Fall 2020: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:40 pm to 2:00 pm
Instructors: Amy Toth (amytoth@iastate.edu) and Randall Cass (randall@iastate.edu)
Prerequisites: previous coursework at the 200-level in biology, entomology, and/or agriculture; or by instructor permission
Course Description: Biology and management of pollinators, focusing on honey bees. Fundamentals of bee biology, life history, behavior, and development. Practical aspects of beekeeping and managementincluding honey production and extraction. Will include hands-on lessons with bee hives at the ISU Horticultural Research Farm.
October 16, 2019
A new advanced biology course will be offered Spring 2020 taught by Dr. Dior Kelley (GDCB).
BIOL 420X. Plant Molecular Biology. (3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereqs: BIOL 211 & BIOL 212. Molecular aspects of plant biology with an emphasis on model seed plants. Topics include plant metabolism, genome organization and expression, cell architecture, membrane transport, protein trafficking and special topics related to development and response to biological and environmental stimuli. Includes examples from contemporary experimental plant biology research.
October 17, 2016
November 28, 2017
A new experimental course on macroevolution (BIOL 465X) is being offered for Spring 2018. Completion of BIOL 315 (biological evolution) is recommended prior to taking this course, which will explore patterns of biodiversity in the fossil record, how traits change over time, the effect of ecological and biogeographic patterns on diversity, and more. Professors Dean Adams and Tracy Heath will be teaching the course, and it will count as an advanced biology course for Biology majors.
March 8, 2018
A new seminar course (BIOL 495) taught by Steven Howell will be offered in Fall 2018. The course will discuss the challenges of feeding a growing human population over the next several decades. For more information, visit the course description page.
April 13, 2016
Topics in Cell Biology (BIOL 428) Revamped for Fall 2016 Semester
The BIOL 428 course hasn't been offered in recent years, and we're excited to announce that this course will be offered Fall 2016! Moe Gupta, one of our faculty members from the Department of Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology (GDCB) will be teaching the course. It will introduce students to multidisciplinary methods used to investigate cell biology and emphasize the dynamic organization and regulation of cellular processes (it will not emphasize biomembranes as the current ISU catalog description suggests). The course is worth 3 credit hours and counts as an advanced biology course for Biology majors. This Fall of 2016, it will meet MWF from 9:00 to 9:50 am.
Course Overview
BIOL 428 will incorporate detailed discussion of a wide range of topics in cell biology. The course aims to convey an understanding of how the structure and function of individual molecules synergize to form the macromolecular machinery capable of performing complex cellular processes. Attention will be given to the dynamic nature of cellular organization, the diverse mechanisms that regulate this organization, and how multiple processes are integrated within the cell (systems biology). The course will also introduce students to an array of interdisciplinary strategies researchers use to investigate cellular function including genetics, cell biology, time-lapse fluorescent microscopy, biochemistry and biophysics. Reading and discussion of original research articles will be used to demonstrate how scientific exploration leads to our knowledge and understanding of cell biology.
October 28, 2016
October 8, 2019
Topics in Cell Biology (BIOL 428) will be offered again for the Spring 2020 semester! This course will be co-taught by Dr. Mohan Gupta and Dr. Diane Bassham.
March 26, 2019
Dr. Xun Gu will be teaching an undergraduate-level introduction to transcriptome genomics this coming Fall 2019. For more information about this opportunity, see here.
October 12, 2018
