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Department of Biol Geol and Phys Sciences Courses


ASTR 1104   Solar System Laboratory   Laboratory includes observations of the night sky and solar objects with various university telescope systems.  
ASTR 1303   Stars and Galaxies   A descriptive, non-mathematical course that deals mainly with stellar and galactic astronomy, but begins with a brief survey of the solar system. Emphasis is on the study of properties of stars, star clusters, nebulae, interstellar gas and dust, the Milky Way galaxy, and exterior galaxies.  
ASTR 1304   Solar System   A descriptive, non-mathematical course that deals mainly with the solar system and its components. Emphasis is on the study of the celestial sphere, the history of astronomy, motions in the heavens, and the survey of planets.  
BIOL 1107   Biology II Laboratory   The second half of a two semester sequence including foundational concepts of natural selection, evolution, and speciation, anatomy and physiology and diversity of plants and animals, and ecological and environmental principles. This lab will focus on natural selection simulation, phylogenetics, microscopy, animal and plant anatomy, and the diversity of microbes, protisis, fungi, plants, invertebrates, and vertebrates. Required for Biology Majors and Minors. Prerequisites: Biology for Majors II (BIOL 1307) lecture must be taken concurrently or previously.  
BIOL 1111   General Botany Lab    
BIOL 1113   General Zoology Lab   Laboratory activities will reinforce fundamental biological concepts relevant to animals, including systematics, evolution, structure and function, cellular and molecular metabolism, reproduction, development, diversity, phylogeny, and ecology.  
BIOL 1307   Biology for Majors II   The second half of a two semester sequence including foundational concepts of natural selection, evolution, and speciation, anatomy and physiology of plants and animals, diversity of plants and animals, and ecological and environmental principles. Required for Biology Majors and Minors. Prerequisites: Biology for Majors I (BIOL 1306/BIOL1106).  
BIOL 1311   General Botany   A general survey of the plant kingdom which considers the fundamentals of biological facts, laws, and principles as they apply to plants. Structure and functions of the organs of representative plants will be considered.  
BIOL 1313   General Zoology   A general survey of the animal kingdom which considers the fundamentals of biological facts, laws, and principles as they apply to animals. The structure and functions of the organs and systems of representative animals will be covered.  
BIOL 2102   Anatomy/Physiology II Lab   Study of the structure and function of the cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, urinary, immune, endocrine and reproductive systems. This lab will involve inspection of prepared slides, anatomical models, and dissection of mammalian material. Course is intended for pre-nursing, pre-medical, pre-optometry, pre-veterinary students, other pre-health professionals and Biology Majors. Prerequisites: Anatomy& Physiology I lecture and laboratory (BIOL 2301/BIOL2101) required; Anatomy & Physiology II (BIOL 2302) to be taken concurrently or previously.  
BIOL 2121   Microbiology Laboratory   Principles of microbiology, including metabolism, structure and function of microbes. This lab presents an overview of the ubiquity and diversity of microorganisms and will focus on hands-on learning of microscopy, aseptic technique, isolating, culturing and identifying bacteria. This course is designed for Biology Majors and Minors, pre-nursing, pre-dental, and pre-veterinary students. Prerequisites: Microbiology for Science Majors (BIOL 2321) lecture must be taken concurrently or previously.  
BIOL 2302   Anatomy & Physiology II    
BIOL 2320   Pathophysiology   A course offering selected topics in biology. This course may be repeated if topic varies. Prerequisite: General Botany or General Zoology, or consent of instructor.  
BIOL 2321   Microbiology for Science Major   Principles of microbiology, including metabolism, structure and function, genetics and phylogeny of microbes. This course presents an overview of the ubiquity, diversity and evolution of microorganisms, microbial ecology, and medical microbiology. This course is designed for Biology Majors and Minors, pre-nursing, pre-dental, and pre-veterinary students. Prerequisites: Biology for Majors I (BIOL 1306/BIOL 1106) or Anatomy and Physiology I (BIOL 2301/BIOL 2101) required.  
BIOL 2405   Plants and People   A survey of plants and plant products that have major uses in human life. Such uses include food, fiber, medicines, religious sacraments, poisons, stimulants, inebriants, oils, perfumes, dyes, spices, and beverages. Examples from Trans-Pecos Texas will be discussed, including forages, toxic plants and invasive species. Prerequisite: General Botany or equivalent.  
BIOL 2405   Plants and People Lab   A survey of plants and plant products that have major uses in human life. Such uses include food, fiber, medicines, religious sacraments, poisons, stimulants, inebriants, oils, perfumes, dyes, spices, and beverages. Examples from Trans-Pecos Texas will be discussed, including forages, toxic plants and invasive species. Prerequisite: General Botany or equivalent.  
BIOL 3305   Women in Science   Explores the roles and contributions that past and present women have made within the sciences, including: chemistry, earth and physical sciences, biology, and natural resource management.  
BIOL 3307   Animal Behavior   The study of feeding, defense, animal orientation, instinctive behavior, learning, communication, social, and sexual behavior with emphasis on evolutionary and ecological relationships. Prerequisite: General Zoology or equivalent.  
BIOL 3403   Parasitology   A study of the biology, morphology, and ecology of parasitic organisms as they relate to various host-parasite relationships and diseases in animals and man. The diagnosis, pathology, treatment and prevention of parasitism will be discussed. Post mortem examinations and treatment of animals will be performed in labs as available. Prerequisite: General Zoology or equivalent.  
BIOL 3403   Parasitology Lab   A study of the biology, morphology, and ecology of parasitic organisms as they relate to various host-parasite relationships and diseases in animals and man. The diagnosis, pathology, treatment and prevention of parasitism will be discussed. Post mortem examinations and treatment of animals will be performed in labs as available. Prerequisite: General Zoology or equivalent.  
BIOL 3601   General Entomology   A comprehensive introduction to the field of entomology, including functional anatomy, physiology, behavior, ecology, and control of insects. Laboratory section emphasizes taxonomy. Collection of insects is required. Prerequisites: General Zoology or equivalent.  
BIOL 4101   Biology Senior Review    
BIOL 4102   Biological Studies   Individual study of selected topics in biological literature or Field Biology.  
BIOL 4202   Biological Investigations   Individual study of selected topics in biological literature or Field Biology.  
BIOL 4301   Cell Biology   A study of the particulate morphology and basic physiology of the cell and cell organelles, including basic facts, concepts, and problems in modern cellular biology. Prerequisite: General Botany and General Zoology or equivalent.  
BIOL 4305   Applied Entomology    
BIOL 4305   Evolution    
BIOL 4307   Capstone Research    
BIOL 4404   Ornithology   The systematic, phylogeny, natural history and field study of birds with emphasis on those found in the Trans-Pecos region of Texas. Prerequisite: General Zoology or equivalent.  
BIOL 4404   Ornithology Lab   The systematic, phylogeny, natural history and field study of birds with emphasis on those found in the Trans-Pecos region of Texas. Prerequisite: General Zoology or equivalent.  
BIOL 4406   Principles of Ecology   A study of the interrelationships of plants and animals with the environment. To include, but not limited to, energy flow, community and ecosystem development, ecological classification, nutrient cycling, sampling and censusing techniques, limiting factors, predator-prey relationships, and aspects of speciation. Prerequisite: General Botany or General Zoology or equivalent.  
BIOL 4406   Principles of Ecology Lab   A study of the interrelationships of plants and animals with the environment. To include, but not limited to, energy flow, community and ecosystem development, ecological classification, nutrient cycling, sampling and censusing techniques, limiting factors, predator-prey relationships, and aspects of speciation. Prerequisite: General Botany or General Zoology or equivalent.  
BIOL 5100   Non-thesis Oral Exam   Independent study of selected topics in biology.  
BIOL 5100   Oral Exam and Prep II   Independent study of selected topics in biology.  
BIOL 5307   Animal Behavior   A course dealing with selected and timely topics in biology. May be repeated when topic varies.  
BIOL 5307   Topics in Environmental Biol   A course dealing with selected and timely topics in biology. May be repeated when topic varies.  
BIOL 5311   Evolution   The study of the theory and current concepts of evolution, including: natural selection, gene flow, founder effect, and speciation.  
BIOL 5407   Biostatistical Analysis II Lab   A course dealing with selected and timely topics in biology with laboratory. This course may be repeated if topic varies.  
BIOL 5407   Biostatistical Analysis Theory   A course dealing with selected and timely topics in biology with laboratory. This course may be repeated if topic varies.  
BIOL 5407   Ornithology   A course dealing with selected and timely topics in biology with laboratory. This course may be repeated if topic varies.  
BIOL 5407   Ornithology Lab   A course dealing with selected and timely topics in biology with laboratory. This course may be repeated if topic varies.  
BIOL 5407   Principals of Ecology   A course dealing with selected and timely topics in biology with laboratory. This course may be repeated if topic varies.  
BIOL 5407   Principals of Ecology Lab   A course dealing with selected and timely topics in biology with laboratory. This course may be repeated if topic varies.  
BIOL 5607   Advanced Plant Taxonomy    
BIOL 6040   Thesis Research    
BIOL 6301   Thesis Prospectus    
BIOL 6302   Thesis Defense    
CHEM 1111   General Chemistry I Lab    
CHEM 1112   General Chemistry II Lab    
CHEM 1311   General Chemistry I    
CHEM 1312   General Chemistry II    
CHEM 3408   Organic Chemistry II    
CHEM 3408   Organic Chemistry II Lab    
CHEM 4300   Chemistry Research   Individual research or studies on topics of general interest encouraged. May be repeated once for credit. (On demand)  
CHEM 4300   McNair Chemistry Research   Individual research or studies on topics of general interest encouraged. May be repeated once for credit. (On demand)  
CHEM 4300   Welch Chemistry Research   Individual research or studies on topics of general interest encouraged. May be repeated once for credit. (On demand)  
CHEM 4301   Biochemistry I    
GEOL 1103   Physical Geology Lab   Laboratory exercises emphasizing hands-on work with geologic materials as well as application of Physical Geology principles and concepts. Minerals, igneous rocks, sedimentary rocks and metamorphic rocks will be examined, described, tested and identified. Sediment porosity and permeability will be tested. Topographic maps will be examined and a topographic map and cross section drawn. Geologic structures will be examined and a structure cross-section drafted. Geologic maps will be examined and interpreted. Relative dating and absolute dating will be used to interpret timing of geologic events.  
GEOL 1104   Historical Geology Laboratory   Laboratory exercises supporting GEOL 1304 including principles of physical and historical geology. Prerequisites: Geology 1303  
GEOL 1303   Physical Geology   This course covers the nature and properties of the materials which make up the earth, the distribution of these materials throughout the earth, the processes (volcanism, glaciation, stream erosion, weathering, etc.) by which these materials are formed, altered, transported, and deformed and the nature and development of the landscapes.  
GEOL 1304   Historical Geology   A study of the record of life forms (fauna and flora) that evolved throughout the geologic time 4.5 billion years ago up to the occurrence of man. It also covers the physical changes of the earth through 4.5 billion years of advancing and retreating seas, of deposition, and of erosion of rocks, fashioned into mountain ranges-the entire chronological history of how processes of physical geology have operated. Prerequisite: Geology 1303  
GEOL 2408   Geological Field Skills   This course will focus on computational skills and their application to modern field data collection. The course will begin with an overview of computational skills as they relate to field data collection and processing. Students will learn to use Excel, Python, Octave and ArcMap using real data examples. Field trips will then be conducted to collect data. Equipment to be used on the trips will be selected from: an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), a ground based LIDAR instrument, a Total Station, an RTK GPS and an Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP). Prerequisite: GEOL 1304/1104.  
GEOL 2408   Geological Field Skills Lab   This course will focus on computational skills and their application to modern field data collection. The course will begin with an overview of computational skills as they relate to field data collection and processing. Students will learn to use Excel, Python, Octave and ArcMap using real data examples. Field trips will then be conducted to collect data. Equipment to be used on the trips will be selected from: an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), a ground based LIDAR instrument, a Total Station, an RTK GPS and an Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP). Prerequisite: GEOL 1304/1104.  
GEOL 3402   Structural Geology   A study of the deformation of Earth?s crust. Covers stress and strain as well as geometric analysis of the structures (faults, folds, joints, shear zones) that comprise deformation. Construction of geologic maps and cross sections will be included, as will field trips.  
GEOL 3402   Structural Geology Lab   A study of the deformation of Earth?s crust. Covers stress and strain as well as geometric analysis of the structures (faults, folds, joints, shear zones) that comprise deformation. Construction of geologic maps and cross sections will be included, as will field trips.  
GEOL 3403   Advanced GIS   This course is designed to build on the skills learned in the Interdisciplinary GIS class. Topics will include a review of advanced vector analysis, followed by a detailed coverage of raster based analysis. Projects will include the creation and manipulation of digital elevation models, classification on aerial and satellite imagery, and vector to raster conversion and analysis. The projects and assignments will utilize an extensive Trans-Pecos spatial database housed in the Sul Ross GIS lab. Software used will include the Spatial and 3D Analyst extension for ArcGIS and ERDAS Image. Prerequisite: Geology 3401 or approval of instructor.  
GEOL 3403   Advanced GIS Lab   This course is designed to build on the skills learned in the Interdisciplinary GIS class. Topics will include a review of advanced vector analysis, followed by a detailed coverage of raster based analysis. Projects will include the creation and manipulation of digital elevation models, classification on aerial and satellite imagery, and vector to raster conversion and analysis. The projects and assignments will utilize an extensive Trans-Pecos spatial database housed in the Sul Ross GIS lab. Software used will include the Spatial and 3D Analyst extension for ArcGIS and ERDAS Image. Prerequisite: Geology 3401 or approval of instructor.  
GEOL 3411   Invertebrate Paleontology   The course deals with the morphology, classification, identification, evolutionary trends and geological distribution of invertebrate fossils. Laboratory work consists of systematic study of index fossils as well as representative fossils of various phyla. Prerequisite: Geology 1304/1104 or permission of the instructor.  
GEOL 3411   Invertebrate Paleontology Lab   The course deals with the morphology, classification, identification, evolutionary trends and geological distribution of invertebrate fossils. Laboratory work consists of systematic study of index fossils as well as representative fossils of various phyla. Prerequisite: Geology 1304/1104 or permission of the instructor.  
GEOL 4101   Research: Petrographic Studies   Research by the student into a carefully outlined problem in the earth or geologic sciences. May be repeated for credit when topics vary.  
GEOL 4311   Aguja FM Petrography    
GEOL 4311   Needle Peak Geology    
GEOL 4403   Igneous & Met Petrology Lab   A study of the mode of origin, environment, evolution, characteristics and association of igneous and metamorphic rocks. Laboratory consists of hand specimen and petrographic examination of igneous and metamorphic rock suites from differing environments. Prerequisite: Geology 2405, and Chemistry 1311, 1111  
GEOL 4403   Igneous & Met, Petrol Lab   A study of the mode of origin, environment, evolution, characteristics and association of igneous and metamorphic rocks. Laboratory consists of hand specimen and petrographic examination of igneous and metamorphic rock suites from differing environments. Prerequisite: Geology 2405, and Chemistry 1311, 1111  
GEOL 4403   Igneous & Metamorphic Petrol   A study of the mode of origin, environment, evolution, characteristics and association of igneous and metamorphic rocks. Laboratory consists of hand specimen and petrographic examination of igneous and metamorphic rock suites from differing environments. Prerequisite: Geology 2405, and Chemistry 1311, 1111  
GEOL 4601   Field Geology   A six week summer field course on the methods or techniques of geological surveying, the nature and construction of topographic and geological maps, measurement of stratigraphic sections, and preparation of geological reports. Prerequisite: GEOL 3402, 3408, 4401, 4403, or permission of instructor.  
GEOL 5302   Paleo of Marathon Basin   Qualified students may pursue independent laboratory or field problems under the supervision of the staff. A project proposal is required before enrollment.  
GEOL 5322   Stratigraphic Analysis   The determination of the depositional history of sedimentary rocks by the study of lithology and paleontology.  
GEOL 5403   Advanced GIS   This course is designed to build on the skills learned in the Interdisciplinary GIS class. Topics will include a review of advanced vector analysis, followed by a detailed coverage of raster- based analysis. Projects will include the creation and manipulation of digital elevation models, classification on aerial and satellite imagery, and vector-to-raster conversion and analysis. The projects and assignments will utilize an extensive Trans-Pecos spatial database housed in the Sul Ross GIS lab. Software used will include the Spatial and 3D Analyst extension for ArcGIS and ERDAS Image. The graduate requirements will include a term research project related to the individual students research interest. Prerequisite: Geology 3401, Geology 5402, or approval of instructor  
GEOL 5403   Advanced GIS Lab   This course is designed to build on the skills learned in the Interdisciplinary GIS class. Topics will include a review of advanced vector analysis, followed by a detailed coverage of raster- based analysis. Projects will include the creation and manipulation of digital elevation models, classification on aerial and satellite imagery, and vector-to-raster conversion and analysis. The projects and assignments will utilize an extensive Trans-Pecos spatial database housed in the Sul Ross GIS lab. Software used will include the Spatial and 3D Analyst extension for ArcGIS and ERDAS Image. The graduate requirements will include a term research project related to the individual students research interest. Prerequisite: Geology 3401, Geology 5402, or approval of instructor  
GEOL 5404   Invert Paleo    
GEOL 5404   Invert Paleontology Lab    
GEOL 6040   Thesis Research   The student will enroll in this course after earning credit for GEOL 6301 each semester or summer term in which assistance is provided by committee members or when use of the library or other research facilities of Sul Ross State University is made. The course is variable for 1 to 9 credit hours, and may be repeated with approval of advisor. Credit hours earned may not be applied towards the 30 or 36 hours required for the degree. Prerequisite: Master of Science students that have been admitted to candidacy  
GEOL 6301   Thesis Proposal    
GEOL 6302   Thesis Defense    
PHYS 1101   College Physics Laboratory I   This laboratory-based course accompanies PHYS 1301, College Physics I. Laboratory activities will reinforce fundamental principles of physics, using algebra and trigonometry; the principles and applications of classical mechanics and thermodynamics, including harmonic motion, mechanical waves and sound, physical systems, Newton Laws of Motion, and gravitation and other fundamental forces; emphasis will be on problem solving. Corequisite: Physics 1301  
PHYS 1102   College Physics Laboratory II   This laboratory-based course accompanies PHYS 1302, College Physics II. Laboratory activities will reinforce fundamental principles of physics, using algebra and trigonometry; the principles and applications of electricity and magnetism, including circuits, electromagnetism, waves, sound, light, optics, and modern physics topics; with emphasis on problem solving. Corequisite: Physics 1302  
PHYS 1301   College Physics I   Non-calculus based survey course in general physics covering kinematics, dynamics, temperature, heat, thermal properties of matter, and wave phenomena. Emphasis is placed upon the concepts of physics rather than mathematical relationships. Prerequisite: Math 1314 or a satisfactory score on the algebra placement test.  
PHYS 1302   College Physics II   This non-calculus based survey course in general physics covers electricity, magnetism, electromagnetic waves, optics, atomic and nuclear physics, special relativity, and quantum chromo dynamics. Emphasis is placed on the concepts of physics rather than mathematical relationships. Prerequisite: Physics 1301  
PHYS 2126   University Physics Lab II   Laboratory experiments supporting theoretical principles presented in PHYS 2326 involving the principles of electricity and magnetism, including circuits, electromagnetism, waves, sound, light, and optics; experimental design, data collection and analysis, and preparation of laboratory reports. Corequisite: Physics 2326  
PHYS 2326   University Physics II   Continuation of Physics 2325 covering kinetic theory, thermal properties of matter, thermodynamics, electrostatic fields, potential, electric circuits, and magnetic fields. Prerequisites: Physics 2325 and Math 2414