Bulletin 2012-2013: Department of Biology

Faculty

Patricia G. Parker, E. Desmond Lee Professor of Zoological Studies, Chairperson
Ph.D., University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Charles R. Granger, Curators’ Distinguished Teaching Professor
Ph.D., University of Iowa
Elizabeth A. Kellogg, E. Desmond Lee Professor of Botanical Studies
Ph.D., Harvard University
Robert E. Ricklefs, Curators' Professor
Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania
Xuemin Wang, E. Desmond Lee Professor of Plant Science
Ph.D., University of Kentucky
Robert J. Marquis, Professor, Scientific Director, Whitney R. Harris World Ecology Center
Ph.D., University of Iowa
Peter F. Stevens, Professor
Ph.D., University of Edinburgh
Teresa Thiel, Professor; Associate Dean of Arts and Sciences
Ph.D., Case Western Reserve University
Godfrey R. Bourne, Associate Professor
Ph.D., University of Michigan
Wendy M. Olivas, Associate Professor
Ph.D., University of Nebraska Medical Center
Bethany K. Zolman, Associate Professor
Ph.D., Rice University
Lisa M. Schechter, Assistant Professor
Ph.D., Harvard University
Mindy Steiniger, Assistant Professor
Ph. D., University of Wisconsin, Madison
Aimee S. Dunlap, Assistant Professor
Ph.D., University of Minnesota
Zuleyma Tang-Martinez, Founders Professor Emerita
Ph.D., University of California-Berkeley
Robert Bader, Professor Emeritus
Ph.D., University of Chicago
James H. Hunt, Professor Emeritus
Ph.D., University of California-Berkeley
Martin Sage, Professor Emeritus
Ph.D., Nottingham University
Monroe Strickberger, Professor Emeritus
Ph.D., Columbia University, NY
Lon A. Wilkens, Professor Emeritus
Ph.D., Florida State University
Albert Derby, Associate Professor Emeritus
Ph.D., City University of New York
Harvey P. Friedman, Associate Professor Emeritus
Ph. D., University of Kansas
Lawrence D. Friedman, Associate Professor Emeritus
Ph.D., University of Wisconsin
Donald E. Grogan, Associate Professor Emeritus
Ph.D., University of Missouri-Columbia
Jane A. Starling, Associate Professor Emerita
Ph.D., The William Marsh Rice University
Patrick L. Osborne, Associate Teaching Professor, Executive Director, Whitney R. Harris World Ecology Center
Ph.D., University of East Anglia
Marc Spingola, Assistant Teaching Professor
Ph.D., University of New Mexico
Michael Howard, Assistant Teaching Professor
Ph.D., University of Miami School of Medicine
Joseph Kamalay, Assistant Teaching Professor
Ph.D. University of California, Los Angeles
Lori L. Paul, Assistant Teaching Professor
Ph.D., Washington University
Christopher D. Wolin, Assistant Teaching Professor
Ph. D., University of California Los Angeles
Kenneth R. Mares, Lecturer
Ph.D., University of Missouri, Kansas City Sonya Bahar, Affiliate Associate Professor
Ph.D., University of Rochester

Affiliated Faculty

Deborah A. Clark, Research Professor
Ph.D., University of Wisconsin
David B. Clark, Research Professor
Ph.D., University of Wisconsin
Terry L. Erwin, Research Professor
Ph.D., University of Alberta
Claude M. Fauquet, Research Professor
Ph.D., University of Strasbourg
William F. Laurance, Research Professor
Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley
Peter H. Raven, Research Professor;
Ph.D., University of California-Los Angeles
M. Jan Salick, Research Professor
Ph.D., Cornell University
Ihsan A. Al Shehbaz, Associate Research Professor
Ph.D., Harvard University
Bruce Allen, Associate Research Professor
Ph.D., University of Cincinnati
Eldridge Bermingham, Associate Research Professor
Ph.D., University of Georgia
Thomas B. Croat, Associate Research Professor
Ph.D., University of Kansas
Peter E. Hoch, Associate Research Professor
Ph.D., Washington University
Peter M. Jorgensen, Associate Research Professor
Ph.D., Aarhus Universitet
Robert E. Magill, Associate Research Professor
Ph.D., Texas A&M
David A. Neill, Associate Research Professor
Ph.D., Washington University
Charlotte Taylor, Associate Research Professor
Ph.D., Duke University
Hendrik H. van der Werff, Associate Research Professor
Ph.D., State University of Utrecht,
George A. Yatskievych, Associate Research Professor
Ph.D., Indiana University
James L. Zarucchi, Associate Research Professor
Ph.D., Harvard
Cheryl S. Asa, Assistant Research Professor
Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison
Stanton Braude, Assistant Research Professor
Ph.D., University of Michigan
Peter M. Richardson, Assistant Research Professor
Ph.D., University of London
George E. Schatz, Assistant Research Professor
Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison
Christopher G. Taylor, Assistant Research Professor
Ph.D., North Carolina State University
Maria Del Carmen Ulloa Ulloa, Assistant Research Professor
Ph.D., Aarhus Universitet
Liming Xiong, Assistant Research Professor
Ph.D., University of Arizona
Yiji Xia, Assistant Research Professor
Ph.D., Iowa State University
Matthew A. Albrecht, Adjunct Assistant Professor
Ph.D., Ohio University
Stephen Blake, Adjunct Assistant Professor
Ph.D., University of Edinburgh
Sharon Deem, Adjunct Assistant Professor
Ph.D., University of Florida
Iván Jiménez, Adjunct Assistant Professor
Ph.D., University of Missouri-St. Louis
Oliver Yu, Adjunct Associate Professor
Ph.D., University of California-San Francisco
James Greg Umen, Adjunct Associate Professor
Ph.D., University of South Carolina
Suzanne Renner, Adjunct Professor
Dr. rer. nat., Universität Hamburg
David Bogler, Adjunct Assistant Professor
Ph.D., University of Texas, Austin
Thomas Brutnell, Adjunct Professor
Ph.D., Yale University

General Information

Degrees and Areas of Concentration
The Department of Biology provides academic programs leading to the B.A. or B.S. in Biology. In cooperation with the College of Education, the department offers the B.S. in Secondary Education with a major in biology and the B.A. or B.S. in Biology with teacher certification. It also offers graduate work leading to the Master of Science and the Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Biology. Biology faculty members are engaged in teaching and research in areas ranging from cell and molecular biology to population and community studies.

Minor in Biology
Students majoring in another discipline may earn a minor in biology by completing a prescribed course of study. Unique programs can be developed to coordinate with special career objectives.

Departmental Honors
The Department of Biology offers an Honors Program to train students in conducting research in areas of biological research currently under study in the Department.

Graduate Studies
The Department of Biology offers graduate work leading to the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in biology. Graduate students will normally work toward an M.S. or Ph.D. degree in two broad areas of biology: a) cellular, molecular, and developmental biology, or b) ecology, evolution, and systematics. Students in the M.S. and Ph.D. programs also have the opportunity to do their graduate work in collaboration with scientists at the Missouri Botanical Garden, the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, or the Saint Louis Zoo through cooperative graduate programs.

Facilities
Department facilities include research and teaching laboratories, environmental chambers, greenhouses, and a large array of supporting modern research instrumentation. Graduate research can be pursued using facilities of the Missouri Botanical Garden, the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, or the Saint Louis Zoo. Several sites within an hour of campus are suitable for regional field studies, including state parks, wildlife conservation areas, the Shaw Nature Reserve, and Washington University's Tyson Research Center. UMSL is a member of the St. Louis University Research Station Consortium that operates Lay and Reis Field Stations in Missouri and is also a member of the Organization for Tropical Studies, which operates three field stations in Costa Rica. CEIBA Biological Centre in Guyana has hosted several UMSL courses and student researchers. Student researchers work independently at research stations throughout the tropics.

Cooperative Programs
The department participates in a cooperative consortium program in biology with Washington University, Saint Louis University, Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, and the Missouri Botanical Garden.

Program Objectives and Career Prospects
The degree program at the baccalaureate level is designed to prepare the student for further professional training in areas such as medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, optometry, plant science, conservation, and related areas or for further graduate training in research in biology.

The Undergraduate Certificates in Biotechnology and Conservation Biology are for majors interested in careers in biotechnology and associated areas and in conservation, respectively.

The Master of Science program is an extension of the undergraduate program and provides the research-oriented training and education necessary for students to enter doctoral programs in biology and develops professional biologists qualified to function in responsible technical positions. It also trains students to become effective secondary school and junior college biology teachers.

The Graduate Certificates in Biotechnology and in Tropical Biology and Conservation provides professional training in the areas of biotechnology and conservation.

The Ph.D. program prepares students to be research biologists in academics or other professional fields in ecology, evolution and systematic and cellular and molecular biology. Employment opportunities are available in college or university research and teaching, in government and public institutions such as museums, botanical gardens and conservation organizations, and in industry.

Undergraduate Studies

General Education Requirements
Students must satisfy the university and college general education requirements. Some Biology courses may be used to meet the science and mathematics requirement of the university.

Candidates for the B.A. degree must fulfill the foreign language requirement of the College of Arts and Sciences. There is no foreign language requirement for the B.S. degree.

Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory Option
Up to 18 credit hours may be taken on a satisfactory/ unsatisfactory (s/u) basis. Excluded from this option are required courses in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics.

Non-major biology courses
The following 1000 level biology courses do not count toward the biology credit hours required for a major in biology. Moreover, if biology majors take these courses, they are treated as biology courses when computing the 70 credit hours outside of biology needed to be included in the 120 total credit hours required for graduation.

BIOL 1012, General Biology
BIOL 1013, General Biology Laboratory
BIOL 1102, Human Biology
BIOL 1131, Human Physiology and Anatomy I
BIOL 1141, Human Physiology and Anatomy II
BIOL 1162, General Microbiology
BIOL 1202, Environmental Biology
BIOL 1350, Conservation of Diversity

Degree Requirements

Bachelor of Arts in Biology
The B.A. degree provides maximum flexibility for biology majors to pursue an undergraduate liberal arts course of study that can lead to professional careers in medicine, allied health, public and environmental health, law, and graduate studies in the life sciences. Candidates must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better in biology courses. Effective fall semester 2009, candidates must also earn a minimum grade of C- in all core courses.

All B.A. degree majors must take at least 39 credit hours but not more than 50 hours in appropriate biology course work. Transfer student must satisfactorily complete at least 18 credit hours of UMSL biology course work (including one laboratory) at the 2000 level or above before receiving a B.A. degree from the College of Arts and Sciences with a major in biology.

Lecture and Seminar Course Requirements
1) Core Courses. The following biology courses or their equivalents are required:

BIOL 1821, Introductory Biology: Organisms and the Environment
BIOL 1831, Introductory Biology: From Molecules to Organisms
BIOL 2012, Genetics
BIOL 3302, Introduction to Evolution
BIOL 3622, Cell Biology
BIOL 4889, Senior Seminar, or BIOL 4985 and BIOL 4986 for those seeking teacher certification.

One of the following diversity courses:
BIOL 2102, General Ecology or
BIOL 2402, Vertebrate Biology or
BIOL 2442, Invertebrate Biology or
BIOL 2482, Microbiology or
BIOL 2501, Biology of Plants or
BIOL 4402, Ornithology or
BIOL 4422, Entomology or
BIOL 4501, Flowering Plant Families: Phylogeny and Diversification

2) Elective Courses.
Three additional biology lecture courses, at the 2000 level or higher are required. They may be selected from any of the lecture or lecture-laboratory courses offered. Selection of these courses should reflect the career interest of the student. Biology courses taken to fulfill basic skill requirements (e.g., statistics requirement or biochemistry optioncan be used to satisfy this requirement).

At least two biology lecture courses taken as part of the core or as electives must be at the 4000 level or higher. No more than one of these higher level courses can be used to fulfill other requirements (e.g., diversity or statistics requirements, or biochemistry option).

Laboratory Course Requirements
Three biology laboratory courses at the 2000 level or higher are required. They may be taken from any of the lecture-laboratory or laboratory courses offered. Two credit hours of BIOL 3699, BIOL 4299, BIOL 4905, or BIOL 4915 (no combination of these courses allowed) can be used to fulfill one laboratory requirement. Students may take CHEM 4733 to satisfy one of these laboratory course requirements, but students may not use both BIOL 4713 and CHEM 4733 to fulfill this requirement.

Basic Skills Requirement
A well-rounded biologist needs certain skills outside the biology subject matter. The basic skills requirement is designed to provide the student with a background in communication skills and knowledge in associated science areas.

1) Communication Skills. Courses in foreign languages and in writing are required for development of the basic communication skills needed to transmit scientific information. The following satisfy this requirement:

Foreign Language
The foreign language requirement of the College of Arts & Sciences fulfills the departmental requirement.

Writing
ENGL 3100, Advanced Expository Writingor ENGL 3160,Writing in the Sciences strongly preferred)

2) Associated Science Area. The following courses or their equivalents must be successfully completed in science areas related to biology:

PHYSICS 1011, Basic Physics
PHYSICS 1012, Basic Physics

CHEM 1111, Introductory Chemistry I or [CHEM 1082 and CHEM 1091]
CHEM 1121, Introductory Chemistry II
CHEM 2612, Organic Chemistry I

One of the following:
CHEM 2223, Quantitative Analysis or
CHEM 2622, Organic Chemistry II or
CHEM 2633, Organic Chemistry Laboratory or
BIOL/CHEM 4712, Biochemistry

MATH 1310, College Algebra
MATH 1035, Trigonometry
MATH 1100, Basic Calculus or MATH 1800, Analytical Geometry and Calculus

One of the following:
BIOL 4122, Biometry or
MATH 1310, Elementary Statistical Methods or
MATH 1320, Applied Statistics I or
ED REM 5730, Educational Statistics or
PSYCH 2201, Psychological Statistics

Bachelor of Science in Biology
The B.S. degree in biology is designed to prepare students for basic technical positions and graduate studies in the life sciences. Candidates for the degree have the same core courses and general education requirements as those seeking the Bachelor of Arts degree, as well as additional requirements in depth of study, laboratory experience, communication skills, and background in associated science areas. Candidates must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better in biology courses. Effective Fall semester 2009, candidates must earn a minimum grade of C- in all core courses.

There is no foreign language requirement for the B.S. degree. However, students should realize that the literature for biological studies is in many different languages and the ability to extract information from this literature is an important skill.

To fulfill the requirements for the B.S. degree a minimum of 44 hours but not more than 50 hours must be completed in appropriate biology course work. Transfer students must satisfactorily complete at least 22 credit hours of UMSL biology course work (including two laboratory courses) at the 2000 level or higher before receiving a B.S. degree in biology.

Lecture and Seminar Course Requirements

Lecture and Seminar Course Requirements

1) Core Courses. The following biology courses or their equivalents are required:

BIOL 1821, Introductory Biology: Organisms and the Environment
BIOL 1831, Introductory Biology: From Molecules to Organisms
BIOL 2012, Genetics
BIOL 3302, Introduction to Evolution
BIOL 3622, Cell Biology
BIOL 4889, Senior Seminar or BIOL 4985 and BIOL 4986 for those seeking teacher certification.

One of the following diversity courses:
BIOL 2102, General Ecology or BIOL 2402, Vertebrate Biology or
BIOL 2442, Invertebrate Biology or
BIOL 2482, Microbiology or
BIOL 2501, Biology of Plants or
BIOL 4402, Ornithology or
BIOL 4422, Entomology or
BIOL 4501, Flowering Plant Families: Phylogeny and Diversification

2) Elective Courses
Four additional biology lecture courses at the 2000 level or higher are required. They may be selected from any of the lecture or lecture-laboratory courses offered. Selection of these courses should reflect the career interest of the student and may be selected from optional academic tracks (see below). Biology courses taken to fulfill basic skill requirements (e.g., statistics requirement or biochemistry option) can be used to satisfy this requirement.

At least two biology lecture courses taken as electives must be at the 4000 level or higher. No more than two of these higher level courses can be used to fulfill other requirements (e.g., diversity or statistics requirements, or biochemistry option).

Laboratory Course Requirements
Four biology laboratory courses at the 2000 level or higher are required. They may be selected from any of the lecture-laboratory or laboratory courses offered. Two credit hours of of BIOL 3699, BIOL 4299, BIOL 4905, or BIOL 4915 (no combination of these courses allowed) can be used to fulfill one laboratory requirement. Students may take CHEM 4733 to satisfy one of these laboratory course requirements, but students may not use both BIOL 4713 and CHEM 4733 to fulfill this requirement.

1) Communication Skills. Courses in both formal speaking and writing are required for development of the basic communication skills needed to transmit scientific information.

Formal Speaking
COMM 1040, Introduction to Public Speaking

Writing
ENGL 3100, Advanced Expository Writing or ENGL 3160, Writing in the Sciences (strongly preferred)

2) Associated Science Area : The following courses or theirequivalents must be successfully completed:

PHYSICS 1011, Basic Physics
PHYSICS 1012, Basic Physics

CHEM 1111, Introductory Chemistry I, or [CHEM 1082 and CHEM 1091]
CHEM 1121, Introductory Chemistry II
CHEM 2612, Organic Chemistry I
CHEM 2622, Organic Chemistry II or BIOL/CHEM 4712, Biochemistry
CHEM 2223, Quantitative Analysis or CHEM 2633, Organic Chemistry Laboratory

MATH 1030, College Algebra
MATH 1035, Trigonometry
MATH 1100, Basic Calculus, or MATH 1800, Analytic Geometry and Calculus I

One of the following:
PHIL 2256, Bioethics or PHIL 3380, Philosophy of Science

Research Opportunity
Students in the B.S. Biology degree program who are interested in gaining research experience are encouraged to take a minimum 2 credit hours of undergraduate research, BIOL 4905. The privilege of doing undergraduate research provides students with a first-hand opportunity to experience the research process under the supervision of a faculty member or off-campus scientist. The project normally includes a library search of pertinent literature, laboratory or field experience, and a summary paper and a presentation, all based on an average 8 hr. per week per credit hour for a 15 week semester.

Departmental Honors Thesis
The Department of Biology offers the more motivated and highly achieving students the opportunity to present primary research in the form of a written Honors Thesis. The first step in conducting an undergraduate thesis is to identify a faculty research mentor; the mentor, along with two UMSL faculty members, will be readers of the thesis. It is highly recommended that students arrange to work full time on their honors thesis during the summer between the junior and senior years. Some funds are available from university, the Harris World Ecology Center, and departmental fellowships, but in more cases support will come from the sponsoring lab.

The thesis will be completed and presented orally in an advertised public forum by the first of the month in which graduation is to occur. The readers of the thesis will decide on the appropriate level of honors, and will report their recommendation to the Dean of Arts and Sciences, so that the student is recognized at graduation as having graduated with Honors in Biology (or High Honors in Biology). In addition to fulfilling the coursework required for a B.S. or B.A. in Biology and the Honors Thesis itself, students must: 1) carry at least a 3.3 GPA, 2) complete a minimum 2 credit hours of BIOL 4905 (Research).

Academic Tracks within the Major of Biology
Biology majors may choose to focus their elective hours in a particular sub-discipline of biology, or academic track. These tracks are groups of departmental courses that fit within sub-disciplines of biology and are recommendations for students wanting to pursue careers in specific sub-disciplines. Academic tracks are NOT majors and are only intended to serve as guides for courses within a particular area of biology and are represented by current faculty expertise. Selecting an academic track does not prevent a student from taking courses in another track. Students should not expect to take all recommended courses for each academic track. Students may choose not to select an academic track. Currently, the Biology Department offers three academic tracks: Cell and Molecular Biology; Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Biology; and Pre-professional/Health Sciences.

Cell and Molecular Biology Track:
BIOL 2482, Microbiology
BIOL 2483, Microbiology Laboratory
BIOL 4442, Developmental Biology
BIOL 4550, Bacterial Pathogenesis
BIOL 4602, Molecular Biology
BIOL 4612, Molecular Genetics of Bacteria
BIOL 4614, Biotechnology Laboratory I
BIOL 4615, Biotechnology Laboratory II
BIOL 4622, Cellular Basis of Disease
BIOL 4632, Nucleic Acid Structure and Function
BIOL 4642, Plant Biology and Biotechnology
BIOL 4652, Virology
BIOL 4712, Biochemistry
BIOL 4713, Techniques in Biochemistry
BIOL 4842, Immunobiology

Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Biology Track:
BIOL 2102, General Ecology
BIOL 2103, General Ecology Laboratory
BIOL 2402, Vertebrate Anatomy, Evolution and Ecology
BIOL 2403, Vertebrate Anatomy, Evolution and Ecology Laboratory
BIOL 2482, Microbiology
BIOL 2483, Microbiology Laboratory
BIOL 2501, Biology of Plants
BIOL 3102, Animal Behavior
BIOL 3103, Animal Behavior Laboratory
BIOL 3123, Tropical Resource Ecology Field Studies
BIOL 3202, Conservation Biology
BIOL 3203, Conservation Biology Laboratory
BIOL 3802, Vertebrate Physiology
BIOL 3803, Vertebrate Physiology Laboratory
BIOL 4102, Behavioral Ecology
BIOL 4112, Evolution of Animal Sociality
BIOL 4122, Biometry
BIOL 4182, Population Biology
BIOL 4192, Intro to Geographic Information Systems
BIOL 4222, Tropical Ecology and Conservation
BIOL 4245, Field Biology
BIOL 4270, Global Climate Change
BIOL 4299, Practicum in Conservation
BIOL 4402, Ornithology
BIOL 4403, Ornithology Laboratory
BIOL 4422, Entomology
BIOL 4423, Entomology Laboratory
BIOL 4501, Flowering Plant Families Phylogeny and Diversification

Pre-professional/Health Sciences Track:
BIOL 2402, Vertebrate Anatomy, Evolution and Ecology
BIOL 2403, Vertebrate Anatomy, Evolution and Ecology Laboratory
BIOL 2482, Microbiology
BIOL 2483, Microbiology Laboratory
BIOL 3802, Vertebrate Physiology
BIOL 3803, Vertebrate Physiology Laboratory
BIOL 4442, Developmental Biology
BIOL 4550, Bacterial Pathogenesis
BIOL 4602, Molecular Biology
BIOL 4622, Cellular Basis of Disease
BIOL 4652, Virology
BIOL 4712, Biochemistry
BIOL 4822, Intro to Neuroscience
BIOL 4842, Immunobiology

Bachelor of Science in Education with Emphasis in Biology
The B.S. Ed. is a professional degree designed for individuals who wish to pursue a teaching career in biology in the secondary schools. The biology requirements parallel those for the B.A. degree with the exception that BIOL 4985, Curriculum and Methods of Teaching Life Sciences, and BIOL 4986, Laboratory in Teaching Life Sciences, are substituted for BIOL 4889, Senior Seminar. Students must also fulfill the requirements for the B.S. Ed. degree as prescribed by the College of Education.

Bachelor of Arts in Biology with Teacher Certification
Biology majors interested in teaching biology in secondary schools may obtain teacher certification in cooperation with the College of Education by fulfilling the B.A. or B.S. with certain prescribed courses in biology, with the exception of BIOL 4889, Senior Seminar, and in addition, completing the following courses:

PSYCH 1003, General Psychology
ED FND 1111, The School in Contemporary Society
ENGL 3160, Writing in the Sciences
HIST 1001, 1002, or 1003, American Civilization
POL SCI 1100, Introduction to American Politics
PHIL 3380, Philosophy of Science
COMM 1040, Introduction to Public Speaking
TH DAN 1210, Fundamentals of Acting
GEOL 1001, General Geology
ATM SC 1001, Elementary Meteorology
ED PSY 3312, The Psychology of Teaching and Learning
ED TEC 2248, Utilization of Computer-Based Materials in Instruction
SEC ED 3213, Techniques of Secondary School Teaching and Field Experiences OR
TCH ED 3310, Introduction to Instructional Methods
SPEC ED 3313, The Psychology and Education of Exceptional Individuals
SEC ED 4391, Teaching Reading in Secondary School

Content Areas
BIOL 4985, Curriculum and Methods of Teaching Life Sciences
BIOL 4986, Laboratory in Teaching Life Sciences
SEC ED 3290, Secondary School Student Teaching
BIOL 4999, Science Teaching Intern Seminar

Because specific biology courses are required for teaching endorsement, students are advised to contact the Department of Biology AND the College of Education for special advising regarding teacher certification.

Minor in Biology
Students may minor in biology by completing a minimum of 19 credit hours in biology, of which at least 9 hours of the biology course credits must be taken in residence at UMSL.

Requirements are:
BIOL 1821, Introductory Biology: Organisms and the Environment, BIOL 1831, Introductory Biology: From Molecules to Organisms, and BIOL 2012, Genetics. Two additional courses totaling no less than 6 credit hours. At least one course should be at the 3000 level or above.

All students must plan an appropriate course of study in consultation with an advisor, and the program must be given prior approval by the Chairperson of the Department of Biology. Under certain circumstances, a student may deviate from the prescribed course of study and substitute a group of courses that exhibit a coherent area of specialization to coordinate with a career objective.

Candidates must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better in the minor, courses may be taken on a satisfactory/ unsatisfactory (s/u) basis.

Minor in Environmental Studies
This is an interdisciplinary program that integrates the natural and physical sciences with the social sciences and humanities to study current environmental problems resulting from human population growth, global climate change, overuse of natural resources, pollution and biodiversity loss. A minimum 18 hours are required, 9 of which must be in the natural and physical sciences, including the listed Honors College courses, and 9 must be from the social sciences and humanities. Both Biology 1202 (Environmental Biology) and Political Science (3480) Environmental Politics must be completed as part of the total 18 hours. A total of 12 hours must be taken at or above the 2000 level, and one course at or above the 3000 level. At least 9 hours must be taken while in residence at UMSL. A minimum GPA of 2.0 is required.

ANTHRO 1005, Introduction to Biological Anthropology
ANTHRO 3270, Human Ecology, Cultural Collapse and Sustainability
BIOL 1202, Environmental Biology
BIOL 1821, Introductory Biology: Organisms and the Environment
BIOL 2102, General Ecology
BIOL 2103, General Ecology Laboratory
BIOL 2501, Biology of Plants
BIOL 3122, Tropical Resource Ecology
BIOL 3202, Conservation Biology
BIOL 3203, Conservation Biology Laboratory
BIOL 3302, Introduction to Evolution
BIOL 4102, Behavioral Ecology
BIOL 4192, Applications of Geographic Information Systems
BIOL 4222, Tropical Ecology and Conservation
BIOL 4245, Field Biology
BIOL 4270, Global Climate Change
BIOL 4402, Ornithology
BIOL 4422, Entomology
BIOL 4501, Plant Families
ECON 4160, Geospatial Analysis in the Social Sciences
ECON 4170, Cost-Benefit Analysis
ECON 4550, Natural Resource Economics
GEOL 1002, Historical Geology
HONORS 2050, Inquiries in the Natural Sciences (when topic appropriate)
HONORS 2051, Inquires in the Sciences: Laboratory or Fieldwork (when topic appropriate)
INTBUS 4281/INTBUS, 5198 Entrepreneurship in the Global Environment
PHIL 2255, Environmental Ethics
POL SCI 3480, Environmental Politics
POL SCI 3595, Studies in Comparative Politics (when topic appropriate)
POL SCI 3850, International Organizations & Global Problem Solving (when topic appropriate)
POL SCI 3900, Special Readings (when topic appropriate)
POL SCI 4460, Urban Planning and Politics

Undergraduate Certificate in Biochemistry
The university offers a certificate program for science majors who are interested in careers in biochemistry. The Biochemistry Certificate is an interdisciplinary specialization that may be earned within either a biology or chemistry major. To earn the certificate, biology majors must enroll in the Biochemistry Certificate Program upon the completion of 60 credit hours, fulfill all the science (biology, chemistry, math, and physics) course requirements for the B.S. degree in biology, and successfully complete the following courses:

CHEM 2622, Organic Chemistry II
BIOL/CHEM 4712, Biochemistry
CHEM 2223, Quantitative Analysis
CHEM 2633, Organic Chemistry Laboratory
BIOL 4713, Techniques in Biochemistry or CHEM 4733, Biochemistry Laboratory
CHEM 4722, Advanced Biochemistry

And three of the following biology courses:
BIOL 2482, Microbiology
BIOL 2483, Microbiology Laboratory
BIOL 3642, Development
BIOL 4602, Molecular Biology
BIOL 4612, Molecular Genetics of Bacteria
BIOL 4614, Biotechnology Laboratory I
BIOL 4622, Cellular Basis of Disease
BIOL 4632, Nucleic Acid Structure and Function
BIOL 4842, Immunobiology

Undergraduate Certificate in Biotechnology
The university offers an undergraduate certificate program for biology majors who are interested in careers in biotechnology including biochemistry, microbiology, molecular biology, cell biology, and developmental biology. To earn the certificate, biology majors must enroll in the Biotechnology Certificate Program upon the completion of 60 credit hours, fulfill all the science (biology, chemistry math, and physics) course requirements for the B.S. degree in biology,and successfully complete the following courses:

BIOL 2013, Genetics Laboratory
BIOL 2482, Microbiology
BIOL 2483, Microbiology Laboratory
CHEM 2622, Organic Chemistry II
BIOL 4614, Biotechnology Laboratory I
BIOL/CHEM 4712, Biochemistry
BIOL 4713, Techniques in Biochemistry or CHEM 4733, Biochemistry Laboratory

One of the following courses:
BIOL 4602, Molecular Biology
BIOL 4612, Molecular Genetics of Bacteria

And one of the following courses:
BIOL 4615, Biotechnology Laboratory II
BIOL 4622, Cellular Basis of Disease
BIOL 4632, Nucleic Acid Structure and Function
BIOL 4652, Virology
BIOL 4842, Immunobiology
CHEM 4722, Advanced Biochemistry

Undergraduate Certificate in Conservation Biology
The Certificate in Conservation Biology is a multidisciplinary program of study integrating theoretical and applied topics associated with conservation biology. The certificate is intended for undergraduate students with majors in biology or in any other field who wish to develop a specialization in conservation. The certificate is offered by the Department of Biology in cooperation with the departments of Anthropology, Economics, History, Political Science, Social Work, and Sociology. Building on a core curriculum, students can elect courses from these departments to complete their requirements. Regularly enrolled undergraduates at UMSL or individuals with baccalaureate degrees who wish to receive a Certificate in Conservation Biology are eligible to participate in the conservation certificate program. To participate, students must apply to the certificate program. Application forms are available from the Biology Department. Guidelines for admission to the certificate program are also available. Individuals with baccalaureate degrees who are interested in this certificate must apply to the university as unclassified undergraduates. The certificate requires completion of 21 credit hours, outlined below. Students should consult the Bulletin with regard to prerequisites for any of the courses listed here.

Core Courses
Biology
BIOL 2102, General Ecology
BIOL 3202, Conservation Biology
BIOL 3203, Conservation Biology Laboratory
BIOL 4299, Practicum in Conservation

Electives: The remaining 11 credits must be selected from courses listed below. Five credits must be taken from within biology and 6 credits outside biology, from at least two departments.

Anthropology
ANTHRO 2120, Native Peoples of North America
ANTHRO 2131, Archaeology of Missouri
ANTHRO 2132, Archaeology of North America

Biology
BIOL 3122, Tropical Resource Ecology
BIOL 3123, Tropical Resource Ecology Field Studies
BIOL 4102, Behavioral Ecology
BIOL 4112, Evolution of Animal Sociality
BIOL 4182, Population Biology
BIOL 4202, Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
BIOL 4245, Field Biology
BIOL 4382, Introduction to Marine Science
BIOL 4402, Ornithology
BIOL 4403, Ornithology Laboratory
BIOL 4422, Entomology
BIOL 4423, Entomology Laboratory
BIOL 4501, Flowering Plant Families Phylogeny and Diversification

Economics
ECON 3300, International Economic Analysis
ECON 3301, Intermediate Economic Theory:
ECON 4550, Natural Resource Economics

History
HIST 3000, Selected Topics, when relevant

Political Science
POL SCI 3480, Environmental Politics
POL SCI 3590, Studies in Comparative Politics, when relevant
POL SCI 3850, International Organizations and Global Problem Solving
POL SCI 4510, Comparative Public Policy and Administrations

Pre-professional Graduation
The Department of Biology sponsors a 3+4 Program for the UMSL College of Optometry.

In this program students may be admitted to the College of Optometry after completing three years (90 semester hours) of study in the Department of Biology. The undergraduate degree is granted when students satisfactorily complete the first year of optometry school. One or more of the following conditions must be met in order to qualify for the undergraduate degree. All general education requirements and all requirements for the major, except electives, must be completed. Any deficiency in required courses must be remedied with courses taken at UMSL within three years after entering the College of Optometry. Up to 6 hours from the College of Optometry may be substituted for undergraduate degree requirements, with approval of the Department of Biology.

UMSL – Logan College (3+3 program)
The Department of Biology has developed a 3+3 articulation agreement with Logan College of Chiropractic (LCC). This program enables qualified students the opportunity to complete a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology for the University of Missouri – St. Louis as well as a Doctor of Chiropractic for Logan College of Chiropractic in six years.

The program is only open to students who enter UMSL as first-time freshmen.

Participants must complete their first 90 hours of college work (3 years) at UMSL following a prescribed curriculum.

Participants who have achieved at least 3.25 GPA at UMSL will automatically be granted admission by Logan College of Chiropractic.

After successfully completing an additional 30 credit hours (4th year) at Logan, a student will receive a BS in Biology degree from UMSL.

After completing two additional years at Logan, the student will receive a doctorate in chiropractic.

The acceptance of transfer credits or testing toward completion of degree requirements shall be governed by current policies of UMSL. However, no more than 20 credits of required courses, and NONE of the science credits required for admission to LCC may be earned via examination or transfer from another school

LCC shall accept, for the entrance date of their choice, all students who successfully complete the Pre-Chiropractic Program with a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher and meet all other criteria for admission

Students who earn less than a 3.25 GPA, but at least a 2.50 GPA, will be eligible for admission to LCC, and will receive appropriate consideration in the admission process for having completed the UMSL Pre-Chiropractic Program, but will not receive the assurance of a seat reserved for students earning a 3.25 or higher GPA

Students will make application to LCC one year in advance of their desired entrance date and will complete all required application procedures thereafter in a timely manner, including submission of recommendation and a satisfactory interview.

This program offers benefits to students (six years instead of seven from high school to doctorate). The University of Missouri courses are listed below:

General Education Requirements (33):
Humanities (9) Select from General Education List
Social Sciences (One course must be a Psychology) (9)
Select from General Education List of courses meeting Social Science Gen. Ed requirements.
American History & Government (3)

Choose (3):
MATH 1310, Elementary Statistical Methods; or
MATH 1320, Applied Statistics I or
BIOL 4122, Biometry
COMM 1040, Introduction to Public Speaking (3)
ENGL 1100, Freshman Composition (3)
ENGL 3160, Writing in the Sciences (3)

Major (58):

Foundation courses

BIOL 1821, Introductory Biology: Organisms and the Environment (5)
BIOL 1831, Introductory Biology: From Molecules to Organisms (5)
BIOL 2012, Genetics (3)
BIOL 2482, Microbiology (3)
BIOL 3622, Cell Biology (3)
BIOL 3302, Introduction to Evolution (3)
BIOL/CHEM 4712, Biochemistry (3)
BIOL 4889, Senior Seminar (2)
PHYSICS 1011, Basic Physics (4)
PHYSICS 1012, Basic Physics (4)
CHEM 1111, Introductory Chemistry I (5)
CHEM 1121, Introductory Chemistry II (5)
CHEM 2612, Organic Chemistry I (3)
CHEM 2622, Organic Chemistry II (3)
CHEM 2633, Organic Chemistry Laboratory (2)
PHIL 2256, Bioethics (3)
MATH 1030, College Algebra (3)
MATH 1035, Trigonometry (2)

Choose (3-5):
MATH 1100 Basic Calculus (3); or MATH 1080 Analytical Geometry& Calculus I (5)

The remaining 30 hours to be taken at Logan include:

Transfer Credits (34):
Anatomy I / Lab (6)
Spinal Anatomy / Lab (5)
Biochemistry I / Lab (4)
Histology / Cell Biology / Lab (5)
Anatomy II / Lab (6)
Neuroanatomy / Lab (5)
Biochemistry II (4)
Physiology I (4)
Microbiology / Lab (4)

Graduate Studies

The graduate program offers both Masters and Ph.D. degrees, as well as Graduate Certificates in Biotechnology and Tropical Biology and Conservation.

Advisors
All graduate students will have a faculty advisor. In the event that a student’s interest changes or the faculty advisor feels the student’s direction no longer falls with his/her area of expertise, the student and advisor should discuss whether a change of advisor is warranted. The graduate director must be notified in writing of any change in advisors. If a student or advisor is uncomfortable discussing the issue directly with the other, he/she is encouraged to meet with the director of the graduate program.

Graduate Assistantships
Stipends for teaching and research assistantships are awarded on a competitive basis to qualified graduate students in masters or PhD. Programs. Tuition fees are waived for graduate assistants. Applications for assistantships must be sent to the Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Biology and received by December 15.

Master of Science in Biology
The Department of Biology offers two ways of achieving the Master of Science degree. The first is a non-thesis option suitable for those who may already have extensive research experience, for educators who seek to upgrade their academic skills but do not require research experience, or for those who need to broaden their biological background. The second is a traditional apprenticeship in research leading to a written thesis. All students admitted to the graduate program are considered to be in the non-thesis program unless they have been accepted into an individual faculty lab. Starting with a common core, both the non-thesis or thesis option may be developed into a final degree program in either of two broad areas in biology: 1) Cell and Molecular Biology or 2) Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics. Non-thesis students may also elect to take courses in both areas.

M.S. Admission Requirements
Applicants to the M.S. program must submit completed application and personal data forms, three letters of recommendation from undergraduate faculty or work supervisors, and transcripts of all previous work. Submission of Graduate Record Examination scores, although not required, is highly recommended and will be helpful for positive consideration of admittance. Admission as a regular graduate student requires graduation from an accredited college with a minimum grade point average overall and in biology courses of 3.0 (where A = 4.0).

All foreign applicants, except those from countries where English is the primary language, must take the TOEFL. Ordinarily, a score of 213 on the computer-based exam (550 on the paper-based exam) or better is required.

In addition to the Graduate School admission requirements, applicants should have completed advanced undergraduate biology courses including genetics, biochemistry, and evolution. Courses in organic chemistry, college physics, and calculus are also expected, and a course in statistics is highly recommended.

Students admitted to the degree program who have not met some of the prerequisites may be asked to pass appropriate courses before graduating. These courses will be agreed upon by the student's advisor and the student during the first semester of enrollment. In particular, undergraduate deficiencies in genetics and either biochemistry or evolution shall be made up by taking the appropriate course(s). Three credits of BIOL 4920 Selected Topics can be given to graduate students for BIOL 2012 (Genetics) or BIOL 3302 (Evolution), if they receive a grade of B or better for all undergraduate course work and complete a graduate level paper assigned by the instructor. Instructor consent is required.

General Requirements
All students are required to take at least 4 but not more than 8 hours of BIOL 6889, Graduate Seminar. Thesis students are required to take BIOL 5089, Ethical Issues in Biology. Students are expected to maintain a GPA of 3.0 or better. Students may choose to specialize in either Cellular and Molecular Biology (CMB) emphasis area or the Ecology, Evolution and Systematics (EES) emphasis area, and appropriate courses in each area will be recommended by the student’s advisor.

Non-thesis Option
Including the general requirement, students must take at least 30 graduate credit hours, of which at least half must be at the 5000 or 6000 level. No more than 5 hours of BIOL 6905, Graduate Research, may be counted toward the degree.

Thesis Option
The student and adviser work together to develop a research plan. The thesis proposal must be approved by the student's adviser and advisory committee before the student enrolls in more than 4 credit hours of BIOL 6905, Graduate Research, and before the student has completed 15 credit hours in the master's program. No more than 13 hours of BIOL 6905, Graduate Research, may be counted toward 30 hours of the degree. A thesis embodying results of original research shall be submitted to and approved by the Department of Biology and the Graduate School. This approval requires both a written thesis and oral presentation and defense.

Doctor of Philosophy in Biology
The doctoral program emphasizes empirical and theoretical approaches to biological research. Students are required to integrate basic skills in biology with focal studies in an emphasis area. The program is designed to provide research experience and training appropriate for advanced positions in academic research and teaching, government and public agencies, and industry.

Ph.D. Admission Requirements
Applicants to the Ph.D. program must submit a formal application to the Graduate Admissions Office. In addition, the applicant should arrange to have sent: three letters of recommendation from faculty members at previously attended colleges or universities, GRE scores (Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytical), and transcripts of all postsecondary academic work. Admission to the Ph.D. program normally requires a minimum grade point average overall and in biology courses of 3.0 (where A=4.0). Applicants from countries where English is not a primary language are required to take the TOEFL examination. Scores must be submitted before admission can be decided. Ordinarily, a score of 550 or better is required.

Applicants should have a bachelor's or M.S. degree from an accredited United States college or university or evidence of equivalent training at an accredited institution outside the United States. They should have the appropriate background for graduate work in biology, including courses in genetics, biochemistry, and evolution. Courses in organic chemistry, college physics, and calculus are expected. A course in statistics is recommended. Students admitted to the Ph.D. program who have not met all the prerequisites may be required to make up deficiencies before admission to candidacy. The deficiencies will be decided during orientation meetings prior to the start of the second semester. Three credits of BIOL 4920 Selected Topics can be given to graduate students for BIOL 2012 or BIOL 3302 if they receive a grade of B or better for all undergraduate course work and complete a graduate-level paper assigned by the instructor. Instructor consent is required.

Ph.D. Degree Requirements
In addition to the general requirements of the Graduate School, the basic requirements for the Ph.D. degree in Biology include 60 graduate credit hours. At least 30 of the 60 hours must be taken at the 5000 or 6000 level. With the explicit consent of the advisory committee, students may take for graduate credit up to 3 credit hours of 3000 level courses in allied departments. All students are required to take BIOL 5089, Ethical Issues in Biology. Courses in biology at the 3000 level and below are not available for graduate credit. At least 31 of the 60 hours must be taken while in residence at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Graduate credit for course work transferred from another program is subject to approval by the graduate committee and by the Graduate School. Graduate courses taken elsewhere will be considered for transfer credit during orientation meetings conducted prior to the start of the second semester of enrollment.

The requirements for all Ph.D. students include:

30 hours of course work, including

At least 6 credits of BIOL 6889, Graduate Seminar
One credit of BIOL 5179, Ethics in Biology (to be taken the first semester)
BIOL 4122, Biometry, or an equivalent undergraduate course in statistics. This requirement is normally waived if the student has already taken an undergraduate course in statistics and received a B- or higher. Bioinformatics can also be substituted for Biometry.

The maximum number of credit hours that may be applied toward the 60-hour requirement is limited as stated below:
BIOL 6889, Graduate Seminar: 10 hours
BIOL 6905, Graduate Research: 30 hours

A combination of 6 total credit hours of the following:
BIOL 5059, Topics in Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics
BIOL 5069, Topics in Cellular and Molecular Biology
BIOL 5079, Topics in Floristic Taxonomy

Emphasis area requirements
Each Ph.D. student is associated either with the Cellular and Molecular Biology (CMB) emphasis area, or the Ecology, Evolution and Systematics (EES) emphasis area. Each of these areas has its own course requirements in addition to the University-wide and department-wide requirements listed above.

Ecology, Evolution and Systematics:
BIOL 5312, Theory of Systematics (3 credit hours)
BIOL 6182, Advanced Population Biology (3 credit hours)
BIOL 5192, Community Ecology (3 credit hours)

Cellular and Molecular Biology:
Three of the following:
BIOL 6602, Advanced Molecular Biology (3 credit hours)
BIOL 6612, Advanced Molecular Genetics of Bacteria (3 credit hours)
BIOL 6615, Advanced Biotechnology Laboratory II (4 credit hours)
BIOL 6622, Advanced Cellular Basis of Disease (3 credit hours)
BIOL 6632, Advanced Nucleic Acid Structure and Function (3 credit hours)
BIOL 6642, Advanced Plant Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering (3 credit hours)

An equivalent graduate level course at another university may be substituted for one of the required courses, if approved by the Graduate Director

Maintenance of Status
All students are expected to maintain a GPA of 3.0 or better. Students will normally meet formally with their thesis committee, or if that has not been formed, with their advisor each year to maintain their status in the program.

First-Year Experience
Ph.D.students in the Cellular and Molecular Biology emphasis area typically rotate through three different labs during their first semester before choosing/being accepted by a particular dissertation advisor. Ph.D. students in the Ecology Evolution and Systematics emphasis area typically are accepted by a particular dissertation advisor as part of the Ph.D. program application/acceptance process. All students are expected to become involved in research by the spring semester of their first year.

Qualifying Examination
All students must pass a qualifying examination consisting of a written and oral component. Students beginning studies in the fall semester will normally take the qualifying examination at the end of their fourth semester of full-time study. Doctoral students who have earned an M.S. degree previously are encouraged to take the examination in their first year.

The examination for Ecology, Evolution and Systematics students evaluates knowledge of fundamental principles presented in formal courses and in papers of special importance in the field. The written exam will be given in April at the end of the spring semester, and the oral portion immediately afterwards.

The Qualifying Examination for Cellular and Molecular students is composed of a written portion in which the student prepares a formal research proposal on a topic different from that of her/his doctoral dissertation research, and an oral portion during which the student defends the research proposal as well as his/her knowledge of the fundamental concepts of molecular biology, cell biology, and biochemistry.

Admission to Candidacy
To be admitted to candidacy, students must satisfy the requirements of the Graduate School, which includes passing all qualifying examinations and completing all required course work.

Dissertation Proposal
All students must defend orally a written dissertation proposal to their dissertation committee. The approved proposal must be submitted to the director of graduate studies in biology. Doctoral students may not enroll in more than 4 credits of graduate research (Biology 6905) before they have received approval for their dissertation proposal. The proposal is to be successfully defended by the end of the sixth semester.

Dissertation
A dissertation embodying the results of original research shall be submitted to and approved by the Department of Biology and the Graduate School. The general regulations of the Graduate School concerning the preparation of the dissertation must be met. These rules include a public oral defense of the written dissertation. Dissertations are to be presented in a style appropriate for one or more publications in scientific journals.

Teaching
At least one semester of supervised teaching is required of all doctoral students.

Graduate Certificate in Biotechnology
The Graduate Certificate in Biotechnology is offered for students with a bachelor's degree who wish to obtain advanced level training in those fields of biology that pertain to biotechnology without necessarily earning a master's degree. Students who enter this program may have a variety of interests, including biochemistry, microbiology, molecular biology, cell biology, developmental biology, or molecular evolution.

Admission
Students who wish to earn a Graduate Certificate in Biotechnology must apply to the Biotechnology Certificate Program for admission to the program. Students must be enrolled in the graduate program at the University of Missouri-St. Louis either as non-degree students or as master's students.

Students who wish to obtain a Master's degree with a Biotechnology Certificate must be accepted into the Master's degree program in Biology as well as into the Biotechnology Certificate Program. Students who apply to the certificate program as non-degree students will earn only the certificate.

Students must have at least a 3.0 GPA for undergraduate course work to be accepted into the program. The minimum course prerequisites for admission to the program are undergraduate courses in genetics, cell biology, and biochemistry.

Requirements
Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 to remain in the certificate program. The certificate is awarded after completion of the courses listed below. Students enrolled in the Master's program may simultaneously earn a graduate degree and count the appropriate courses from the list below toward the Biotechnology Certificate.

The biotechnology certificate requires 18 credit hours of course work.

Requirements
I. BIOL 6615, Advanced Biotechnology Laboratory II

II. BIOL 6602, Advanced Molecular Biology or BIOL 6612, Advanced Molecular Genetics of Bacteria (If both Group II courses are taken, one may be used as elective credit)

III. The remaining 11 credit hours must be taken from the following electives:
Biology
BIOL 4712, Biochemistry
BIOL 4842, Immunobiology
BIOL 5069, Topics in Cellular and Molecular Biology
BIOL 6550, Advanced Bacterial Pathogenesis
BIOL 6612, Advanced Molecular Genetics of Bacteria (if not taken as a required course)
BIOL 6622, Advanced Cellular Basis of Disease
BIOL 6632, Advanced Nucleic Acid Structure and Function
BIOL 6642, Advanced Plant Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering
BIOL 6652, Advanced Virology
BIOL 6699, Graduate Internship in Biotechnology
BIOL 6889, Graduate Seminar, when relevant
BIOL 6915, Graduate Research Practicum
BIOL 6920, Topics in Biology, when relevant

Chemistry
CHEM 4722, Advanced Biochemistry
CHEM 4733, Biochemistry Laboratory
CHEM 4772, Physical Biochemistry

Graduate Certificate in Tropical Biology and Conservation
The Graduate Certificate in Tropical Biology and Conservation is intended for students who wish to pursue a career in conservation biology or ecology from either a research or practical standpoint. Cooperating institutions include the Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis Zoo, Center for International Studies at UMSL, and the Departments of Economics, History, Political Science, and Social Work.

Admission
Student enrolled in UMSL who intend to receive a Graduate Certificate in Tropical Biology and Conservation must complete an application form available from the Graduate School. Student not enrolled in a course of graduate studies at UMSL must apply simultaneously to the University’s Graduate Admissions office. Students who have a baccalaureate degree or are enrolled in graduate work elsewhere may apply for admission to the certificate program without regular admission to the graduate program. Due to limited space, admission will be on a competitive basis based on student motivation and academic qualifications. The minimum admissions requirements include: (1) at least a 3.0 GPA for undergraduate course work or a 3.2 GPA for 12 credit hours of graduate course work; and (2) current enrollment in the graduate program in biology at UMSL having satisfied the prerequisites of the certificate; or completion of a baccalaureate degree and having satisfied the prerequisites of the certificate program. The minimum prerequisites are undergraduate courses in ecology, evolution and genetics.

Requirements
The certificate is awarded after completion of 18 credit hours of core courses and electives with a minimum of 12 credits at the 5000 or 6000 level. Up to 3 credits may be taken at the 2000 - 3000 level upon permission of the Graduate Committee. Electives must include a minimum of 3 credits outside biology with a maximum of 7 outside biology. A maximum of 3 credits may be taken at institutions other than UMSL. Students may simultaneously earn a graduate degree and count credits earned in their degree program toward the certificate when appropriate.

Required Core Courses:
BIOL 6250, Public Policy of Conservation and Sustainable Development, OR
POL SCI 6452, Public Policy of Conservation and Sustainable Development
BIOL 6299, Internship in Conservation Biology ( may be replaced with a biology elective for individuals with applied conservation or environmental agency experience upon consent of the Graduate Committee).

Choice of:
BIOL 6212, Theory and Application of Conservation Biology
BIOL 6222, Advanced Tropical Ecology and Conservation

Electives:
Biology
BIOL 4182, Population Biology
BIOL 4202, Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
BIOL 4402, Ornithology
BIOL 4422, Entomology
BIOL 4501, Flowering Plant Families Phylogeny and Diversification
BIOL 5122, Advanced Tropical Resource Ecology
BIOL 5123, Advanced Tropical Resource Ecology Field Studies
BIOL 5192, Community Ecology
BIOL 6102, Advanced Behavioral Ecology
BIOL 6112, Advanced Evolution of Animal Sociality
BIOL 6182, Advanced Population Biology
BIOL 6192, Applications of Geographic Information Systems
BIOL 6212, Theory and Application of Conservation Biology
BIOL 6222, Advanced Tropical Ecology and Conservation
BIOL 6889, Graduate Seminar, when relevant

Economics
ECON 3300, International Economic Analysis
ECON 4550, Natural Resource Economics

History
HIST 3000, Selected Topics in History, when relevant
HIST 6114, Readings in Latin American History, when relevant
HIST 6115, Readings in African History, when relevant

Political Science
POL SCI 3480, Environmental Politics
POL SCI 3595, Studies in Comparative Politics, when relevant
POL SCI 3830, International Political Economy
POL SCI 3850, International Organizations and Global Problem Solving
POL SCI 3890, Studies in International Relations
POL SCI 4510, Comparative Public Policy and Administration
POL SCI 4850, International law
POL SCI 4940, Leadership and Management in Nonprofit Organizations
POL SCI 6448, Political Economy and Public Policy
POL SCI 6480, Proseminar in International Relations

Social Work
SOC WK 4950, Seminar in Social Work Issues, when relevant