Fall 2007 Course Descriptions

All courses below are approved to be taught in Fall 2007; however, some (or all) may not be offered this term.  The course numbers that are offered this term link to the Schedule of Classes.  Class with alternative delivery modes (Web based, cable TV, correspondence, etc) are noted in the Schedule at the section level.  The complete list below is a good indicator of what may be offered over the next few years (contact department about offerings).  For explanations of course elements see the Key to Course Descriptions.

Insect Science (INSC)  Department Info

INSC 411 -- Insect Behavior  (4 units)
Description:  Survey of the behavioral solutions to ecological problems employed by insects and other terrestrial arthropods. Emphasis on patterns highly developed or uniquely expressed in the insects such as social behavior, chemical communication, diet choice, pollination ecology, and parasitoid host finding. Evolutionary perspective, models, and theory. Student research exercises and projects.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Course includes 1 or more field trips.
Identical to:  ENTO 411; ENTO is home department.
May be convened with:  INSC 511.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

INSC 446 -- Insect Pathogens: Biocontrol Agents & Biological Models  (4 units)
Description:  Ecology and biology of insect pathogens (viruses, bacteria, protozoa, nematodes). Diagnostics, safey testing of pathogens. Genomics and genetic engineering of entomopathogens. Insect pathogens as biological model organisms. Applications in medical and veterinary research and pharmaceutical bioprospecting.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Course includes 1 or more field trips.
Prerequisite(s):  ENTO 411, ENTO 415L, ENTO 415M, ENTO 415R or consent of instructor.
Typical structure:  3 hours laboratory, 2 hours lecture, 1 hour discussion.
May be repeated:  for credit 1 time (maximum 2 enrollments).
Identical to:  ENTO 446; ENTO is home department.
May be convened with:  INSC 546.
Usually offered:  Spring.

INSC 457 -- Medical-Veterinary Entomology  (3 units)
Description:  An overview of medically important arthropods and the diseases they transmit. Special attention will be paid to newly emerging and locally important vectors and diseases. Basic coursework in biology or entomology is required.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E. Available to qualified students for Pass/Fail Option.
Prerequisite(s):  ECOL 182, ENTO 415R.
Identical to:  ENTO 457; ENTO is home department.
May be convened with:  INSC 557.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

INSC 503C -- Introduction to Computational Neuroscience  (3 units)
Description:  This course covers the basic simulation techniques for biophysical modeling. Topics include: single and multi compartmental models, intrinsic neuron properties and dendritic integration and large networks of biophysical neurons with realistic stochastic synaptic transmission. Graduate-level requirements include a term project, including hands on simulation and research-level literature searches. Projects will include the analyses of real data.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Identical to:  PSYC 503C; PSYC is home department.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

INSC 503L -- Parasitology Laboratory  (1 unit)
Description:  Graduate-level requirements include an in-depth research paper dealing with the differential diagnostic techniques used to identify a single parasite species.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Identical to:  MIC 503L; MIC is home department.
Usually offered:  Fall.

INSC 503R -- Biology of Animal Parasites  (3 units)
Description:  Biology of host-parasite relationships with emphasis on parasites of veterinary and human importance. Parasite morphology and physiology, life cycles, epidemiology, pathogenesis and zoonotic potential. Graduate-level requirements include an in-depth research paper on the molecular biology/immune response of a single parasite.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Identical to:  MIC 503R; MIC is home department.
Usually offered:  Fall.

INSC 505 -- Aquatic Entomology  (4 units)
Description:  Morphological, physiological and behavioral adaptations of insects to life in water; taxonomy and ecology of aquatic insects. Graduate-level requirements include an original research or review paper on some aspect of aquatic entomology agreed upon by the student and the professor.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Course includes 1 or more field trips.
Identical to:  ENTO 505; ENTO is home department.
Usually offered:  Spring.

INSC 507 -- Insect Physiology  (3 units)
Description:  The fundamental mechanisms regulating insect systems and body functions are examined. The physiology and biochemistry of basic organ systems and processes, including reproduction, development, metabolism, and metamorphosis, will be explored in detail. A background in entomology and biochemistry or cell biology is expected.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  ECOL 182; ENTO 415R or ENTO 515R.
Typical structure:  2 hours lecture, 1 hour discussion.
Identical to:  ENTO 507; ENTO is home department.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

INSC 511 -- Insect Behavior  (4 units)
Description:  Survey of the behavioral solutions to ecological problems employed by insects and other terrestrial arthropods. Emphasis on patterns highly developed or uniquely expressed in the insects such as social behavior, chemical communication, diet choice, pollination ecology, and parasitoid host finding. Evolutionary perspective, models, and theory. Student research exercises and projects. Graduate-level requirements include a written literature review and oral presentation of a selected topic.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Course includes 1 or more field trips.
Identical to:  ENTO 511; ENTO is home department.
May be convened with:  INSC 411.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

INSC 515L -- Insect Biology Laboratory  (1 unit)
Description:  Survey of insect diversity through identification and classification. Graduate-level requirements include making a larger insect collection.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  ECOL 182.
Identical to:  ENTO 515L; ENTO is home department.
Usually offered:  Fall.

INSC 515R -- Insect Biology  (3 units)
Description:  Examination of how insects function morphologically, physiologically, and behaviorally. Investigation of relationships between memebers of Insecta and how they interact with other major taxa, both plant and animal. See http://ag.arizona.edu/classes/ento415/ for class information and list of lectures. Graduate-level requirements include submission of reports on landmark papers in insect biology.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Identical to:  ENTO 515R; ENTO is home department.
Usually offered:  Fall.

INSC 517 -- Insect Systematics  (4 units)
Description:  Principles and methods of insect systematics. A review of the evolution of insects, with an emphasis on their phylogenetic relationships. Practice in identification of adult and immature insects, especially those from Arizona.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Course includes 1 or more field trips.
Typical structure:  3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory.
Identical to:  ENTO 517; ENTO is home department.
Usually offered:  Fall.

INSC 520 -- Insect Molecular Biology  (3 units)
Description:  This course covers molecular biology, common molecular techniques, Drosophila genetics and functional genomics, molecular genetics in other insects, and applications to entomological research and pest control.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  ENTO 415R, Courses in Biochemistry, Cell Biology, or Molecular Genetics or consent of instructor.
May be repeated:  for credit 1 time (maximum 2 enrollments).
Identical to:  ENTO 520; ENTO is home department.
Usually offered:  Fall.

INSC 544 -- Insect Ecology  (3 units)
Description:  The study of how variation in the environment, interactions with other species and the special features of insect "design," have determined the evolution of diverse insect life histories, the dynamics of insect population and the roles of insects in communities.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Identical to:  ENTO 544; ENTO is home department.
Usually offered:  Fall.

INSC 546 -- Insect Pathogens: Biocontrol Agents & Biological Models  (4 units)
Description:  Ecology and biology of insect pathogens (viruses, bacteria, protozoa, nematodes). Diagnostics, safey testing of pathogens. Genomics and genetic engineering of entomopathogens. Insect pathogens as biological model organisms. Applications in medical and veterinary research and pharmaceutical bioprospecting. Graduate-level requirements include students to prepare and give one oral presentation of a specific topic that will be coordinated with the instructor at the beginning of the course. Topics considered in the oral presentations will be included in the final exam.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Course includes 1 or more field trips.
Prerequisite(s):  ENTO 511, ENTO 515L, ENTO 515M, ENTO 515R; or consent of instructor.
Typical structure:  3 hours laboratory, 2 hours lecture, 1 hour discussion.
May be repeated:  for credit 1 time (maximum 2 enrollments).
Identical to:  ENTO 546; ENTO is home department.
May be convened with:  INSC 446.
Usually offered:  Spring.

INSC 557 -- Medical-Veterinary Entomology  (3 units)
Description:  An overview of medically important arthropods and the diseases they transmit. Special attention will be paid to newly emerging and locally important vectors and diseases. Basic coursework in biology or entomology is required. Graduate-level requirements include an in-depth review article on a relevant topic of medical entomology. The paper (15 to 20 pages of double-spaced text, including references) should be written in the same form and bibliographic style as articles in the Annual Review of Entomology. Spelling, grammar, sentence and paragraph construction, and overall organization will be considered for the grade.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Identical to:  ENTO 557; ENTO is home department.
May be convened with:  INSC 457.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

INSC 568 -- Nucleic Acids  (4 units)
Description:  Chemistry, structure, and function of nucleic acids; replication, transcription translation, gene organization, regulation of gene expression and organelle nucleic acids. Both procaryotic and eucaryotic systems will be considered.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  BIOC 411 or consent of instructor.
Identical to:  BIOC 568; BIOC is home department.
Usually offered:  Fall.

INSC 588 -- Principles of Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology  (4 units)
Description:  Detailed introduction to the biology of nerve cells, emphasizing cellular neurophysiology, synaptic mechanisms, and analysis of neural development.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  consult program office before enrolling.
Identical to:  NRSC 588; NRSC is home department.
Usually offered:  Fall.

INSC 589 -- Selected Topics in Systems Neurobiology  (3 units)
Description:  In-depth discussion of exemplary topics explaining the organization, physiology, and function of neural systems, emphasizing sensory systems, motor control, integration, and plasticity.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  NRSC 588; consult program office before enrolling.
Identical to:  NRSC 589; NRSC is home department.
Usually offered:  Spring.

INSC 596G -- Insect Ecology  (1-3 units)
Description:  The development and exchange of scholarly information, usually in a small group setting. The scope of work shall consist of research by course registrants, with the exchange of the results of such research through discussion, reports, and/or papers.
Grading:  Regular or alternative grades can be awarded for this course: A B C D E or S P C D E.
May be repeated:  for a total of 18 units of credit.
Identical to:  ENTO 596G; ENTO is home department.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

INSC 596L -- Introduction to Neural Data Analyses  (3 units)
Description:  This course will cover the basic methods available for the analyses of single unit and multi units spike data. Several measures of neural activity will be discussed, and illustrated on the basis of actual and simulated neural data. Knowledge of Matlab is required, knowledge of basic neurobiology is recommended. Graduate-level requirements include an additional paper.
Grading:  Regular or alternative grades can be awarded for this course: A B C D E or S P C D E.
Identical to:  PSYC 596L; PSYC is home department.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

INSC 599 -- Independent Study  (1-4 units)
Description:  Qualified students working on an individual basis with professors who have agreed to supervise such work. Graduate students doing independent work which cannot be classified as actual research will register for credit under course number 599, 699, or 799.
Grading:  Alternative grades are awarded for this course: S P C D E.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring, Summer.

INSC 613 -- Applied Biostatistics  (4 units)
Description:  Introductory and advanced statistical methods and their applications in ecology. Focuses on how research design dictates choice of statistical models; explores principles and pitfalls of hypothesis testing.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Typical structure:  3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory.
Identical to:  RNR 613; RNR is home department.
Usually offered:  Spring.

INSC 700 -- Methods in Insect Science  (3 units)
Description:  Research rotations in the laboratories of faculty members within the Insect Science program. May not be repeated with the same faculty member.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  consult department before enrolling. Open to majors only.
May be repeated:  for credit 3 times (maximum 4 enrollments).
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring, Summer.

INSC 900 -- Research  (1-8 units)
Description:  Individual research, not related to thesis or dissertation preparation, by graduate students.
Grading:  Alternative grades are awarded for this course: S P C D E K.
May be repeated:  an unlimited number of times, consult your department for details and possible restrictions.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

INSC 920 -- Dissertation  (1-9 units)
Description:  Research for the doctoral dissertation (whether library research, laboratory or field observation or research, artistic creation, or dissertation writing).
Grading:  Alternative grades are awarded for this course: S P E K.
May be repeated:  an unlimited number of times, consult your department for details and possible restrictions.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

INSC 930 -- Supplementary Registration  (1-9 units)
Description:  For students who have completed all course requirements for their advanced degree programs. May be used concurrently with other enrollments to bring to total number of units to the required minimum.
Grading:  a Grade of K is awarded for this course except for the final term.
May be repeated:  an unlimited number of times, consult your department for details and possible restrictions.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.