University of Idaho General Catalog » Departments of Instruction » Department of Biological Sciences

Biological Sciences

Biology (B.A. or B.S.) Pre-Medical and Pre-Dental Studies Pre-Nursing Studies Pre-Physical Therapy Studies Biochemistry (B.S.Biochem.) Microbiology (B.S.Microbiol.) Medical Technology (B.S.) Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (B.S.M.B.B.) Bioethics Minor Biology Minor Biochemistry Minor Microbiology Minor Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Minor Reproductive Biology Academic Certificate Biological Sciences Graduate Degree Programs

Joseph G. Cloud, Dept. Chair (252 Life Sc. Bldg. 83844-3051; phone 208/885-6280; www.sci.uidaho.edu/biosci). Faculty: Onesmo Balemba, John A. Byers, Joseph G. Cloud, Larry J. Forney, James A. Foster, Peter G. Fuerst, Luke J. Harmon, Rolf L. Ingermann, Craig P. McGowan, James J. Nagler, Scott L. Nuismer, Nils O. Pellmyr, Barrie D. Robison, Erica B. Rosenblum, Deborah L. Stenkamp, John M. Sullivan, Eva M. Top, Holly A. Wichman. Research Assistant Professors: Craig Miller, Xia Zhou. Lecturers: Candi Heimgartner, Denim Jochimsen, Bruce K. Mobarry, Kristin Simokat. Adjunct Faculty: James R. Blackman, Henry A. Charlier, Jennifer R. Chase, Michael W. Doebeli, Sara J. Heggland, Patricia Heglund, Cheryl L. Jorcyk, Kathy R. Magnusson, Andrew Pierce, R. Francis Rosenzweig, Irvin R. Schultz, Ronald W. Strohmeyer, William P. Young. Affiliate Faculty: Celeste Brown, Timothy J. Teyler.

The biological sciences deal with the basic biological principles of all living things. Courses in the Department of Biological Sciences reflect the increased awareness that subdisciplines within biology are merging into a broad principles-based discipline that recognizes the similarities among living organisms. Students will be presented with approaches that are based on unifying biological principles. This will provide them with information that can then be applied to a vast array of novel situations. The B.A. and B.S. degrees in biology offered by the department reflect this integrated view of biology. The Biology Core curriculum involves exposure to concepts fundamental to all living things at several levels of organization. Upper division electives allow students to emphasize natural history, anatomy/physiology, molecular/cellular/developmental biology, or quantitative/integrative biology. Courses are available to students majoring in other disciplines, who wish to increase their knowledge of science, or who wish to obtain a minor in biology. The department offers both Ph.D. and M.S. degrees in biology.

Graduates from the department may enter a variety of fields and many continue their education. Recent graduates have entered allied and public health professions, primary and secondary teaching, agribusiness, medical school, veterinary school, graduate school, law school, state and national agencies that deal with biology (e.g., forestry and fish and game departments, EPA), as well as a variety of environmental consulting agencies and biotechnology companies.

Graduate and undergraduate research concentrations are available in ecology and evolution (animal behavior, genetics, microbial ecology, systematics), medical biosciences (aging, development, neurobiology, physiology) and reproductive biology (development, endocrinology, fertility). Possibilities for multidisciplinary research are further enhanced by interdepartmental graduate programs offered in the neurosciences and bioinformatics.

A wide variety of ongoing projects have produced a stimulating environment for graduate and undergraduate research. These projects include areas such as: the study of germ cell development in salmonids and the establishment of a germplasm repository for threatened and endangered fish; determination of the effects of estrogenic compounds and environmental contaminants on embryo development, reproduction and adult behavior; investigation of the reproductive physiology of vertebrates at the biochemical, cellular and organismal levels; examination of metabolic regulation within gametes of salmonids and sturgeon; hormonal actions at the molecular level; the development of behavior, play, and sexual selection in animals; the ecology and adaptive evolution of prokaryotic organisms; phylogeography, phylogenetics and their use in conservation biology; coevolution of plants and animals; experimental evolution of bacterial viruses; evolution of transposable elements; the biology of aging in mammals, and birds; the structure and function of neuronal tissue during normal development, aging, and regeneration after nerve damage; photoreceptor differentiation during retinal development and regeneration; and the comparative physiology of cardiovascular systems.

For more complete information on research concentrations, please see faculty profiles on the departmental web site at www.sci.uidaho.edu/biosci/.

Admission to graduate programs in the department is based upon an estimate of probable success in work leading to a specific degree. The Graduate Record Examination (aptitude only) is required of all applicants.

Prospective students, or students desiring more information, may write, call (208-885-6329) or email the department (biosci@uidaho.edu).

Courses

See course description section for courses in Biology (Biol).