| Zoology |
ZOOL 801 - Conservation Biology
Credits:
4.00
Critical and quantitative investigation of current issues
in the conservation of biological systems. Habitat
restoration, nonidigenous species, harvest strategies,
conserving genetic diversity, population viability
analysis, global climate change, endangered species
recovery, habitat fragmentation, and reserve design are
addressed. Case studies include examples drawn from
terrestrial, aquatic, and marine systems. Weekly
laboratories include trips to local habitats of concern. A
statistics course is highly recommended. Prereq: general
ecology or permission. Special fee. Lab. (Not offered every
year.)
ZOOL 808 - Stream Ecology
Credits:
4.00
Ecological relationships of organisms in flowing water;
streams as ecosystems. Lectures on physical and chemical
features of streams, floral and faunal communities, and
factors controlling populations of benthic invertebrates.
Laboratory exercises employ both field and laboratory
experimental techniques. Weekly seminars on original
research papers. Special fee. (Not offered every year.)
ZOOL 810 - Ichthyology
Credits:
4.00
An introduction to the evolution, systematics, anatomy,
physiology, and ecology of fishes, with an emphasis on New
England species. Prereq: principles of biology or
equivalent. Lab. (Offered alternate years.)
ZOOL 811 - Zooplankton Ecology
Credits:
4.00
Methods of sampling populations; factors regulating
temporal and spatial distribution; trophic interactions of
communities; role of zooplankton in nutrient cycles of
lakes. Experimental techniques employed in field trips to
freshwater habitats. Seminars examine current research in
the primary literature. Prereq: general biology. (Not
offered every year.)
ZOOL 812 - Mammalogy
Credits:
4.00
Evolution, ecology, behavior, physiology, and diversity of
mammals. Focuses on conceptual issues such as the
relations of structure, function, physiology, and ecology
of species; reproductive physiology and life history
strategies; and the evolution of mating systems and social
structure. Requires familiarity with mammalian groups to
the family level and identification of local fauna to
species. Prereq; principles of biology or equivalent. Lab.
(Not offered every year.) Special fee.
ZOOL 813 - Animal Behavior
Credits:
4.00
Introduces the naturalistic study of animal behavior.
Emphasizes the evolution, development, physiology, and
ecology of behavior. Topics include the genetic and
acquired bases of behavior; neuroethology and behavioral
endocrinology; communication; orientation; foraging
strategies; reproductive ecology; and the evolution of
altruistic behavior. Prereq: principles of biology I and II
or equivalent. Lab.
ZOOL 817 - Lake Ecology
Credits:
4.00
Introduction to the ecology of freshwater systems, with
emphasis on lakes. Origins of lakes and effects of
watersheds on lake chemistry, nutrient cycling, and the
lake food web are explored. Other topics include the impact
of human disturbances on productivity and aquatic food web
and methods used for the management and restoration of
lakes. Comparisons are made of the structure and functions
of lake ecosystems found in temperate, tropical and arctic
regions. Prereq: general biology. (Also offered as PBIO 817.
ZOOL 819 - Field Studies in Lake Ecology
Credits:
4.00
Ecology of lakes and other freshwater habitats examined
through field studies. Emphasizes modern methods for
studying lakes, analysis and interpretation of data, and
writing of scientific papers. Seminars on research papers
and student presentations of class studies. Field trips to
a variety of lakes, from the coastal plain to White
Mountains; investigate problems, such as eutrophication,
acidification, biodiversity and biotoxins. Capstone
experiences include interaction with state agencies, lake
stakeholders and the submission of written manuscripts for
publication. Prereq: introductory biology. (Also offered as
PBIO 819.) Special fee. Lab.
ZOOL 825 - Marine Ecology
Credits:
4.00
Marine environment and its biota, emphasizing intertidal
and estuarine habitats. Includes field, laboratory, and an
independent research project. Prereq: general ecology;
permission. Marine invertebrate zoology, oceanography, and
statistics are desirable. (Also offered as PBIO 825.)
Special fee. (Not offered every year.)
ZOOL 832 - Lake Management: A Multidisciplinary Approach
Credits:
4.00
Lectures and seminars on interpreting lake water quality,
developing a natural history inventory for lakes, the
process of creating a lake management plan, and resolution
of conflicting uses of lakes. Students develop actual lake
management plans in cooperation with government agencies
and lake associations. Guest speakers from state agencies
and non-governmental organizations. Introductions to and
use of GIS (Geographic Information Systems) methods for the
analysis of lakes and watersheds. Present lake management
issues from scientific and social science points of view.
Open to students from all disciplines. (Also offered as
PBIO 832.) Special fee. Lab.
ZOOL 833 - Behavioral Ecology
Credits:
4.00
Behavioral adaptations of animals to their environment
including the evolution of behavior and behavioral
genetics; foraging and competition for resources;
reproductive ecology, mating systems and parental care; and
the evolution of cooperative behavior. Examples include
both vertebrates and invertebrates. Emphasis is on critical
understanding of concepts as exhibited in oral and written
exercises. Students conduct independent investigations.
Prereq: animal behavior or ecology or evolution course.
Lab. (Offered in alternate years.)
ZOOL 845 - Biology and Diversity of Insects
Credits:
4.00
Study of the biology of insects, the most diverse group of
organisms, focusing on why they are unique, how they have
become so diverse, and the basis of their success. The
laboratory is designed to develop an understanding of
insect diversity through utilization of different sampling
techniques in several habitats, sorting to "morphospecies",
and use of biodiversity indices. Prereq: principles of
biology I and II or equivalent. Special fee. (Not offered
every year.)
ZOOL 850 - Biological Oceanography
Credits:
4.00
Biological processes of the oceans, including primary and
secondary production, trophodynamics, plankton diversity,
zooplankton ecology, ecosystems and global ocean dynamics.
Field trips on R/V Gulf Challenger and to the Jackson
Estuarine Laboratory. Prereq: one year of biology or
permission of instructor. (Also offered as EOS 850, ESCI
850.) Special fee. Lab. (Not offered every year.)
ZOOL 872 - Fisheries Biology
Credits:
3.00
Principles of fisheries science, with emphasis on
techniques used to assess the biological characteristics
of exploited fish populations and the use of such
information for fisheries management. Prereq: ZOOL 810;
permission. (Not offered every year.)
ZOOL 873 - Physiology of Fish
Credits:
4.00
Investigation of the physiological processes responsible
for maintaining homeostasis in fishes. Focus is on the
function and regulation of the major organ systems during
stress and environmental adaptation. Topics include
reproduction, osmoregulation, digestion, endocrinology and
sensory perception. Prereq: animal physiology or
equivalent;/ or permission.
ZOOL 877 - Neurobiology and Behavior
Credits:
4.00
Survey of fundamental concepts and recent discoveries in
neurobiology. Topics include structure and function of
neurons, development, cellular basis of behavior (sensory
and motor systems), neuropharmacology, and neural
plasticity (learning). Prereq: principles of biology I and
II or permission. Physiology also desirable.
ZOOL 895 - Advanced Studies
Credits:
1.00 to 4.00
Independent study in various areas, including but not
limited to: animal behavior; departmental biology;
ecology; electron microscopy; evolution; genetics;
histology; history of biology; invertebrate biology;
neurobiology and behavior; physiology; teaching practices;
underwater research; vertebrate biology; biological
techniques. Course sections for advanced work, individual
or group seminar. May include reading, laboratory work,
organized seminars, and conferences. Prereq: permission of
department chairperson and staff concerned.
ZOOL 896 - Advanced Studies
Credits:
1.00 to 4.00
See description for ZOOL 895.
ZOOL 899 - Master's Thesis
Credits:
1.00 to 10.00
Prereq: permission of department chairperson and
prospective supervisor. May be repeated up to a maximum of
10 credits. Cr/F.
ZOOL 901 - Research Methods
Credits:
2.00
Introduction to the range of research approaches in
zoology and to the skills needed for success in graduate
school and beyond. Topics include scientific writing,
graphical methods, library techniques, scientific methods
and experimental design, research techniques available, and
seminar presentation. Cr/F. (Offered every fall.)
ZOOL 997 - Seminar
Credits:
1.00 to 2.00
Reports on recent zoological literature. Subject fields
are those listed under ZOOL 895, 896; not all areas
available every semester. Required of graduate students in
zoology. Cr/F.
ZOOL 998 - Seminar
Credits:
1.00 to 2.00
See description for ZOOL 997. Cr/F.
ZOOL 999 - Doctoral Research
Credits:
Cr/F.