College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Courses

Biological Sciences

Undergraduate Programs

The department offers a Bachelor of Arts, a Bachelor of Science, and a minor in biology. Bachelor of Science students choose one of six tracks. The Bachelor of Arts program and the comprehensive biology track in the Bachelor of Science provide highly diverse content. The remaining five B.S. tracks emphasize distinct areas: cell and developmental biology, evolution, genetics and biotechnology, neurobiology, and physiology and molecular biology of plants.

The B.A. and all six B.S. programs include a core curriculum consisting of the two-semester course 002:010-002:011 Principles of Biology I-II, 002:128 Fundamental Genetics, and 002:131 Evolution. Each program includes a total of 18-19 courses (63-70 s.h.) in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. All course work prepares students for advanced graduate and professional training in biology and related subjects.

The department offers 002:196 Honors Investigations and 002:199 Introduction to Research to acquaint undergraduate students with the nature of practicing scientists' work. Students associate with one of the department's research groups in experiments, discussion of current research, study of specialized topics, and attendance at research seminars. Admission to the University of Iowa Honors Program is required for 002:196. All students who are accepted by a Department of Biological Sciences faculty sponsor may take 002:199.

Students interested in field biology, zoology, or botany may take varied courses in these subjects offered during the summer at Iowa Lakeside Laboratory, Lake Okoboji, Iowa.

Students who wish to count course work done at another institution toward requirements for a biology degree at Iowa should consult with their biological sciences advisor.

Bachelor of Science in Biology

CHEMISTRY/PHYSICS/MATHEMATICS FOUNDATION

One of these sequences:

029:011-029:012 College Physics I-II

8 s.h.

029:081-029:082 Introductory Physics I-II

8 s.h.

One of these:

22M:016 Calculus for the Biological Sciences

4 s.h.

22M:025 Calculus I

4 s.h.

22M:031 Engineering Mathematics I: Single Variable Calculus

4 s.h.

One of these:

22S:030 Statistical Methods and Computing (preferred for evolution track)

3 s.h.

22S:101 Biostatistics

3 s.h.

BIOLOGY CORE

Tracks for the Bachelor of Science

CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY TRACK

Group 1 (Developmental Biology)

Group 2 (Biochemistry)

Group 3 (Cellular Biology)

Group 4 (Investigative Laboratory)

Group 5 (Electives)

002:138 Genetics and Biotechnology Lab

3 s.h.

002:150 Endocrinology

3 s.h.

002:168 Genes and Development

3 s.h.

002:171 Molecular Genetics

4 s.h.

002:180 Fundamental Neurobiology

4 s.h.

002:184 Developmental Neurobiology

3 s.h.

061:147 Survey of Immunology

4 s.h.

061:157 General Microbiology

5 s.h.

EVOLUTION TRACK

Group 1 (Evolution Core)

One of these:

002:169 Introduction to Bioformatics

4 s.h.

002:170 Bioinformatics

3 s.h.

One of these:

002:160 Molecular Phylogenetics

3 s.h.

002:162 Population Genetics and Molecular Evolution

3 s.h.

Group 2 (Biochemistry)

Group 3 (Investigative Lab)

Group 4 (Electives)

002:100 Plant Diversity and Evolution

4 s.h.

002:103 Biogeography

3 s.h.

002:108 Vertebrate Zoology

4 s.h.

002:136 Conservation Biology

4 s.h.

002:140 Systematics

3 s.h.

002:143 Animal Behavior

4 s.h.

012:122 Evolution of the Vertebrates

3 s.h.

22C:016 Computer Science I

4 s.h.

22S:120 Probability and Statistics

4 s.h.

113:170 Primate Evolutionary Biology

3 s.h.

GENETICS AND BIOTECHNOLOGY TRACK

Group 1 (Genetics Core)

One of these:

002:169 Introduction to Bioinformatics

4 s.h.

002:170 Bioinformatics

3 s.h.

One of these:

002:127 Eukaryotic Molecular Biology

3 s.h.

002:171 Molecular Genetics

4 s.h.

Group 2 (Biochemistry)

Group 3 (Investigative Laboratory)

Group 4 (Electives)

002:104 Introduction to Developmental Biology

3 s.h.

or

002:117 Plant Developmental Biology

3 s.h.

002:114 Cell Biology

3 s.h.

002:133 Cell Biology Lab

3 s.h.

002:162 Population Genetics and Molecular Evolution

3 s.h.

002:168 Genes and Development

3 s.h.

061:147 Survey of Immunology

4 s.h.

NEUROBIOLOGY TRACK

Group 1 (Neurobiology Core)

Group 2 (Biochemistry)

Group 3 (Investigative Laboratory)

Group 4 (Electives)

002:114 Cell Biology

3 s.h.

or

002:155 Cell Physiology

4 s.h.

002:104 Introduction to Developmental Biology

3 s.h.

002:124 Animal Physiology

3 s.h.

002:150 Endocrinology

3 s.h.

002:181 Neurophysiology

3 s.h.

002:184 Developmental Neurobiology

3 s.h.

PHYSIOLOGY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF PLANTS TRACK

Group 1 (Plant Biology and Biochemistry Core)

Group 2 (Investigative Laboratory)

Group 3 (Electives)

002:114 Cell Biology

3 s.h.

or

002:155 Cell Physiology

4 s.h.

002:100 Plant Diversity and Evolution

4 s.h.

002:113 Ecological Plant Anatomy

4 s.h.

002:171 Molecular Genetics

4 s.h.

COMPREHENSIVE BIOLOGY TRACK

Group 1 (Biochemistry)

Group 2 (Molecular Biology)

002:127 Eukaryotic Molecular Biology

3 s.h.

002:171 Molecular Genetics

4 s.h.

Group 3 (Cellular Biology)

Group 4 (Developmental Biology)

Group 5 (Organismal Physiology)

Group 6 (Population Biology)

Group 7 (Investigative Laboratory)

Suggested First-Year Schedule

First-Semester Science Courses

Second-Semester Science Courses

Bachelor of Arts in Biology

CHEMISTRY/PHYSICS/MATHEMATICS FOUNDATION

One of these:

002:123 Plant Biochemistry

3 s.h.

004:122 Organic Chemistry II

3 s.h.

099:110 Biochemistry

3 s.h.

One of these sequences:

029:011-029:012 College Physics I-II

8 s.h.

029:081-029:082 Introductory Physics I-II

8 s.h.

One of these:

22M:016 Calculus for the Biological Sciences

4 s.h.

22M:025 Calculus I

4 s.h.

22M:031 Engineering Mathematics I: Single Variable Calculus

4 s.h.

One of these:

22S:030 Statistical Methods and Computing

3 s.h.

22S:101 Biostatistics

3 s.h.

BIOLOGY CORE

BREADTH MENUS

Molecular and Cellular Biology

Developmental Biology and Physiology

Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

COURSE WITH A LABORATORY

ELECTIVES

012:122 Evolution of the Vertebrates

3 s.h.

027:155 Skeletal Muscle Biology

3 s.h.

061:147 Survey of Immunology

4 s.h.

113:170 Primate Evolutionary Biology

3 s.h.

113:188 Primate Behavior and Ecology

3 s.h.

One of the electives may be chosen from these:

016:136/152:136 History of Medicine in Western Society

3 s.h.

16E:139 Ancient and Medieval Science

3 s.h.

16W:137/152:137 History of Public Health

3 s.h.

16W:138/152:138 History of International Health

3 s.h.

026:104 Introduction to Philosophy of Science

3 s.h.

032:162 Genes and the Human Condition

3 s.h.

In addition, students who have passed 004:121, 004:122, and 099:110 may use 099:110 as a biology elective.

Introduction to Research (002:199, 3 s.h.) may be counted toward the elective requirement for the B.A.

Suggested First-Year Schedule

First-Semester Science Courses

Second-Semester Science Courses

Four-Year Graduation Plan

B.S. in Biology

Before the fifth semester begins: the courses listed above, plus 002:011, 004:121, 22S:030 or 22S:101, two other courses in the major, and at least one-half of the semester hours required for graduation

Before the seventh semester begins: the courses listed above, 029:011 and 029:012 or equivalents, plus five or six more courses in the major, and at least three-quarters of the semester hours required for graduation

Before the eighth semester begins: the courses listed above, plus two or three more courses in the major

During the eighth semester: enrollment in all remaining course work in the major, all remaining General Education courses, and a sufficient number of semester hours to graduate

B.A. in Biology

Before the fifth semester begins: the courses listed above, 002:011, 004:121, 22S:030 or 22S:101, three other courses in the major, and at least one-half of the semester hours required for graduation

Before the seventh semester begins: the courses listed above, 029:011 and 029:012 or equivalents, plus five or six more courses in the major, and at least three-quarters of the semester hours required for graduation

Before the eighth semester begins: the courses listed above, plus two or three more courses in the major

During the eighth semester: enrollment in all remaining course work in the major, all remaining General Education courses, and a sufficient number of semester hours to graduate

Honors

Membership in the University of Iowa Honors Program requires that students maintain a cumulative University of Iowa g.p.a. of at least 3.33. To graduate with honors in biology, students must complete the requirements for a B.S. or B.A. in biology with a g.p.a. of at least 3.33 in all course work in the biology major taken at The University of Iowa (including all biology courses and cognates in chemistry, physics, biochemistry, mathematics, and statistics). In addition, students must fulfill the following requirements: complete 2 s.h. in either 002:198 Honors Seminar in Biology or an advanced-level biology seminar course; complete a minimum of 6 s.h. (taken over two or more semesters) of 002:196 Honors Investigations; write a brief research proposal summarizing the background and goals of their proposed honors research; upon completion of their research, submit an acceptable honors thesis; and give a brief oral presentation of their research findings to other biology honors students.

Students pursuing the B.S. in biology may apply 6 s.h. of 002:196 Honors Investigations toward the investigative laboratory requirement in an appropriate track. Students pursuing the B.A. in biology may apply 6 s.h. of 002:196 Honors Investigations toward the elective laboratory course requirement and count the 2 s.h. earned in 002:198 Honors Seminar in Biology toward the elective requirement.

Biology majors interested in pursuing an honors degree should contact the biology honors advisor as early as possible, preferably in their sophomore or junior year, so that they may be matched with an appropriate lab.

Minor

Graduate Programs

The M.S. and Ph.D. programs emphasize original research and the skills essential for publishing and communicating research findings to the biology community. The department's graduate programs prepare students for careers in the academic research community, education, industry, and government.

Research programs in the department cover most areas of the biological sciences: cell biology, developmental biology, ecology, evolution, genetics, neurobiology, and plant biology. Doctoral students may earn the Ph.D. with specialization in one of four subtracks: cell and developmental biology, evolution, genetics, or neurobiology.

On admission, each new graduate student is assigned a temporary advisor, who guides the student through initial requirements and acts as his or her advocate.

Before registration, new graduate students meet with their temporary advisors to discuss their educational background and to formulate a study plan for the first year. Students may be advised to take specific course work to enhance their background in certain areas.

During the first year, students must make up undergraduate deficiencies in chemistry, genetics, mathematics, and physics. A student with a bachelor's degree outside the biological sciences may request modification of certain area requirements; the Graduate Affairs Committee decides whether portions of the requirements may be waived. Students also take 002:128 Fundamental Genetics during the first year, unless excused from this requirement by the Graduate Affairs Committee. After the first year, students are advised by their research sponsor and dissertation committee.

Minimum entry requirements are:

two semesters of organic chemistry or one semester of organic chemistry and one semester of biochemistry;

one semester of calculus;

two semesters of college physics; and

20 s.h. of course work in biology.

Master of Science with Thesis

After the thesis is accepted by the supervisor and advisory committee, the candidate must pass an oral examination on the research described in the thesis and on related subjects.

Master of Science Without Thesis

Credit earned in courses numbered 100 or above--except courses required to make up deficiencies--may be included in the 34 s.h. if approved by the advisory committee. On completion of the 34 s.h. and acceptance of the research report by the faculty sponsor, the student must pass a written examination covering the graduate program in biology, including the area of the research report.

Doctor of Philosophy

The department expects new Ph.D. students to do research in three laboratories on a rotating basis during their first academic year (August-May). Students consult with their temporary advisors and with prospective faculty research advisors before identifying their preferences for research rotations. They choose a permanent laboratory affiliation based on their rotations.

During the first academic year, students are required to enroll in the department's colloquium, which is based on a weekly Friday seminar series. In the second semester, the colloquium includes a discussion component based on the weekly seminar series. During the first two years, students must enroll in at least two advanced lecture courses. During each year in residence, students also are required to enroll in at least one seminar course that has a significant writing component.

Additional formal course work and proficiency requirements for each Ph.D. student are determined by the dissertation committee on the basis of the student's background and current and prospective research interests. The dissertation committee also determines what portion of the formal course or proficiency requirements the student must complete before the comprehensive examination. In this examination, students must demonstrate knowledge of biology fundamentals and the analytic and synthetic skills necessary to become creative, independent scientists. Once they complete the course work and proficiency requirements and pass the comprehensive examination, students may be admitted to full candidacy for the Ph.D.

Students also must demonstrate teaching skills by assisting in instruction as teaching assistants for at least two semesters.

The program culminates in students' preparation of a dissertation based on original, independent research. Students must pass a final examination that covers the thesis and its specialized field before the Ph.D. is awarded.

Financial Support

Admission

International applicants whose first language is not English must score 570 (paper-based) or 230 (computer-based) or higher on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), and have their score sent to the Office of Admissions. International applicants who received their degrees (either bachelor's or master's) from a U.S. institution are exempt from this requirement. All international students whose first language is not English are required to take an English proficiency exam when they first enroll for classes.

Successful applicants for graduate admission usually have a g.p.a. of at least 3.00 and score above 1200 on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test (combined verbal and quantitative). These criteria are general guidelines for the admissions committee, which also considers letters of recommendation, research experience, and other appropriate criteria.

The department recommends that applicants also take the Graduate Record Examination advanced biology test and submit their scores. Although most applicants have completed undergraduate programs in biology, the department also considers applicants with backgrounds in biophysics, botany, biochemistry, molecular biology, microbiology, and other related areas.

Applications should be submitted by February 1 and must include the GRE test scores. In order to meet the deadline, applicants must take the GRE in October or earlier. Late applications are considered as placement and funding permit.

Students applying for admission to the M.S. with thesis program in biology should have a bachelor's degree in one of the biological sciences. Students with bachelor's degrees in other areas may need to register as nondegree students (A9 or G9) and make up the equivalent of the department's bachelor's degree program prior to consideration for admission. Nondegree students must complete chemistry, physics, and calculus requirements in addition to the biology courses listed in the undergraduate program. Nondegree students should consult the department's graduate program administrator before applying for admission.

The M.S. degree without thesis is an exit degree. Students are not permitted to enter as graduate students with this degree objective.

For more information, visit the Department of Biological Sciences web site.

Applicants must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate College; see the Manual of Rules and Regulations of the Graduate College or the Graduate College section of the Catalog.

Facilities

Facilities include the Keck Dynamic Image Analysis Facility, which couples sophisticated state-of-the-art microscopy and computerized motion analysis to permit three-dimensional real-time analysis of cell movement in vitro and in situ. The Carver Center for Comparative Genomics houses the department's DNA sequencing, quantitative PCR, functional genomics/microarray facilities, and informatics facilities.

A well-staffed microscopy and imaging facility, including access to a newly established confocal microscope, is available for teaching and research.

Two large greenhouses are used in plant research and education.

The department also houses animal-care facilities suitable for mice, rats, rabbits, Xenopus laevis, and zebra fish. These facilities are managed by the University's animal care unit, which is accredited by the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care. A central University facility provides assistance in the preparation of transgenic mice.

The department is also the home of the Developmental Studies Hybridoma Bank, which is affiliated with the National Institute of Health. The hybridoma bank collects and distributes monoclonal antibodies that originate in laboratories all over the world. Its collection now contains more than 700 monoclonal antibodies that are distributed to users internationally for a modest fee.

In addition to department facilities, campuswide facilities include a DNA oligonucleotide synthesis and enzyme lab, oligopeptide synthesis and sequencing equipment, and mass- and NMR spectroscopy facilities. The Center for Biocatalysis and Bioprocessing is available for growing large amounts of microorganisms (e.g., 100 liters) for use in protein isolation.

Iowa Lakeside Laboratory

Courses