Undergraduate Courses

CIBI 3001-3002. INTRODUCTION TO THE BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES. Three credit hours per semester. Two hours of lecture and one two-hour laboratory and/or demonstration per week each semester.

A course integrating fundamental biological principles as exemplified in a study of the varieties of and relationships among living organisms.

BIOL 3010. CELL PHYSIOLOGY. Three credit hours. Two hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite: QUIM 3032.

Study of the structure and function of life molecules at the cell level, and the interactions among them.

BIOL 3015. GENETICS. Three credit hours. Two hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite: CIBI 3002 or BIOL 3022 or BIOL 4015 or BIOL 3435 or BIOL 3052.

Study of nuclear and non-nuclear organisms; their nature and the transmission and mode of action of genetic material.

BIOL 3021-3022. ANIMAL BIOLOGY. Three credit hours per semester. Two hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week each semester.

A survey of the animal kingdom, fundamental principles of animal biology, and the uses of the microscope. Structure, functions, habitat, and economic importance of representative groups of animals will be studied in detail. First semester: the nonchordate animals; Second semester: the chordates.

BIOL 3051-3052. GENERAL BIOLOGY I-II. Four credit hours per semester. Three hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week.

Study of the diversity of organisms, the relationships between them and their environment, the fundamental aspects of their structure and function, and the processes that regulate the perpetuation of life.

BIOL 3055. BIBLIOGRAPHY AND LIBRARY RESEARCH IN BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES. One credit hour. One hour of lecture per week.

Introduction to the use of the library: the card catalogue, periodical indices, abstracts, encyclopedias, dictionaries, monographs, and other reference resources in the biological sciences.

BIOL 3125. PRINCIPLES OF ECOLOGY. Three credit hours. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisite: (CIBI 3002 or BIOL 3052) or (BIOL 3043 and BIOL 3044).

The general principles of interrelation between organisms and their environment.

BIOL 3146. ECONOMIC BOTANY. Three credit hours. Two hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite: BIOL 3052 or BIOL 3435 or CIBI 3002.

Origin, classification, characteristics, and human utilization of plants and their products. Field trips are required.

BIOL 3206. PRINCIPLES OF MICROSCOPY. Two credit hours. One hour of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite: BIOL 3052.

History, types, and use of microscopes. Construction, parts, and functions of the compound microscope; techniques to obtain its maximum resolution. Preparation of drawings with the "camera lucida". Basic photomicrography techniques.

BIOL 3225. BIOLOGY OF SEX. Two credit hours. Two hours of lecture per week. Prerequisite: BIOL 3052 or consent of the Director of the Department.

Comparative study of the sexual processes in animals and humans emphasizing the sociobiological and evolutionary aspects.

BIOL 3417. PLANT ORGANISMAL BIOLOGY. Four credit hours. Three hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite: CIBI 3002 or BIOL 3052.

An introductory study of the structure and physiology of the flowering plants. A general survey of the plant kingdom, with emphasis on classification, evolution of vegetative and reproductive structures, and the study of selected life cycles.

BIOL 3425. ANIMAL ORGANISMAL BIOLOGY. Four credit hours. Three hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite: CIBI 3002 or BIOL 3052.

A survey of the different phyla of the animal kingdom. A general account of the morphology, physiology, ecology and evolution of the different groups, with references to their importance to human welfare.

BIOL 3435. ELEMENTARY BOTANY. Four credit hours. Three hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week.

An introductory study of the structure and function of the flowering plants, and a brief survey of the plant kingdom.

BIOL 3715. ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY. Three credit hours. Three hours of lecture per week.

A study of the structure and function of man with emphasis on the physiological principles.

BIOL 3716. ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY LABORATORY. One credit hour. Three hours laboratory per week. Prerequisite: or corequisite: BIOL 3715.

Laboratory experiments with emphasis on the study of the structure of the human body.

BIOL 3725. MICROBIOLOGY. Four credit hours. Three hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week. Not equivalent to BIOL 3770.

A survey of the basic principles of microbiology, with emphasis on the study of microorganisms in relation to human health and disease.

BIOL 3745. AN INTRODUCTION TO MEDICAL MYCOLOGY. Three credit hours. Two hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite: CIBI 3002 or BIOL 3052.

A study of fungi, with special emphasis on human pathogens. Practice is given in the isolation and identification of the most prevalent fungi.

BIOL 3770. GENERAL MICROBIOLOGY. Three credit hours. Two hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisites: (CIBI 3002 and QUIM 3002) or (QUIM 3002 and BIOL 3052) or (QUIM 3002 and BIOL 3435).

The structure, metabolism, growth, genetics, inhibition and death, pathogenicity, taxonomy, and applied considerations of microorganisms.

BIOL 4005. HISTORY OF BIOLOGY. Three credit hours. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisite: Consent of the Director of the Department.

Historical development of the principal concepts and theories in biology from its beginnings to the present. A term paper will be required.

BIOL 4008. IMMUNOLOGY. Three credit hours. Two hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisites: CIBI 3002 and QUIM 3031 or BIOL 3052 and QUIM 3031.

Humoral and cellular mechanisms of the immune response; applications in medicine and biochemistry; laboratory exercises designed to demonstrate antibody production and specificity.

BIOL 4015. GENERAL ZOOLOGY. Three credit hours. Two hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week.

A study of modern principles and problems of animal classification, physiology, ecology and evolution. Presented by means of laboratory exercises, demonstrations, and class discussions. For agricultural students other than those taking the Agricultural Sciences Curriculum.

BIOL 4016. HISTOLOGY. Three credit hours. Two hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite: BIOL 3022 or BIOL 3425.

The microscopic structure of the fundamental tissues of the animal body, with special attention to the vertebrates.

BIOL 4025. MAN AND THE ECOSYSTEM. Three credit hours. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisite: BIOL 3125.

Analysis of the ecological problems of the contemporary world and possible alternative solutions.

BIOL 4027. INTRODUCTION TO VERTEBRATE EMBRYOLOGY. Three credit hours. Two hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite: nine credit hours in Biology.

Elementary principles and fundamental details of the development processes as illustrated by vertebrates. Cell division, germ cell maturation and production, fertilization, cleavage, germ layers, tissue and organ formation. Particular study is made or organogenesis in chick and pig.

BIOL 4335. EVOLUTION. Three credit hours. Three hours of lecture per week.

Mechanisms, processes, and consequences of evolution: factors which cause genetic changes in populations; speciation; population genetics; coevolution, evolution, and the inheritance of animal behavior.

BIOL 4355. HUMAN GENETICS. Two credit hours. Two hours of lecture per week. Prerequisite: BIOL 3015.

A study of inheritance in man. Effects of mutation, selection and racial mixture; the application of genetics to medical problems.

BIOL 4365. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY. Three credit hours. Two hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite: BIOL 3125.

Physical, chemical and biological factors involved in the development and behavior of microorganisms; their interaction with other organisms in nature, and their role in the environment.

BIOL 4366. FOOD MICROBIOLOGY. Three credit hours. Two hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite: BIOL 3770.

Study of microorganisms in processed and non- processed foods.

BIOL 4367. INDUSTRIAL MICROBIOLOGY. Three credit hours. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisite: BIOL 3770.

The biological activities of microorganisms; their importance in the pharmaceutical, food industries, and related areas.

BIOL 4368. MICROBIAL PHYSIOLOGY. Three credit hours. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisite: BIOL 3770.

Chemical and structural composition of microorganisms. Emphasis will be given to their physiological and genetical properties and mechanisms valuable to mankind.

BIOL 4369. PRACTICE IN INDUSTRIAL MICROBIOLOGY. Two credit hours. Four to six hours of practice per week. Prerequisites: BIOL 3770 and BIOL 4367.

Practical experience in Industrial Microbiology in cooperation with private industries or with government.

BIOL 4375. CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY. Three credit hours. Two hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite: BIOL 3770.

Etiology, pathogenicity, epidemiology, and laboratory analysis for the diagnosis of diseases caused by microorganisms. Emphasis will be placed on those diseases of high incidence in Puerto Rico.

BIOL 4376. FRESHWATER BIOLOGY. Three credit hours. Two hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisites: BIOL 3770 and BIOL 3125.

Analysis of the freshwater ecosystem and its importance to human life. Field work is required.

BIOL 4426. ANIMAL PARASITOLOGY. Three credit hours. Two hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite: BIOL 3022 or BIOL 4015 or CIBI 3002 or BIOL 3052.

General principles and origin of parasitism. Study of the principal pathogenic protozoas and helmiths, their life cycles, host relationships and control measures.

BIOL 4428. GENERAL ORNITHOLOGY. Three credit hours. Two hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite: BIOL 3022 or BIOL 3425.

Introduction to the study of birds, their structure, classification, ecological relations, and economic status. Considerable field work is done, and practice is given in the methods of collection and preparation of study skins.

BIOL 4446. INTRODUCTION TO ENTOMOLOGY. Three credit hours. Two hours of lecture and three-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite: BIOL 3022 or BIOL 3425 or BIOL 4015.

An introduction to entomology based on the study of the biology of insects. Students are required to make an insect collection, and practice is given in the determination and recognition of the most important orders and families.

BIOL 4465. TAXONOMY OF VASCULAR PLANTS. Three credit hours. Two hours of lecture and one three- hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite: BIOL 3435 or BIOL 3417 or BIOL 3052.

The principles of taxonomy and their application. A general survey of the groups of vascular plants, with the identification and classification of representatives of the local flora. Field trips.

BIOL 4467. COMPARATIVE VERTEBRATE ANATOMY. Three credit hours. Two hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite: BIOL 3022 or BIOL 3425.

Comparative anatomy of typical vertebrates; interrelation of organ systems of various groups of vertebrates.

BIOL 4505. HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY. Four credit hours. Three hours of lecture, and one three-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisites: BIOL 3052 and QUIM 3031 or CIBI 3002 and QUIM 3031.

Physiological principles of the human body.

BIOL 4556. COMPARATIVE VERTEBRATE PHYSIOLOGY. Three credit hours. Three lectures per week. Prerequisite: QUIM 3031 or QUIM 3071.

Study of the fundamental physiological principles of the vertebrate body.

BIOL 4557. COMPARATIVE VERTEBRATE PHYSIOLOGY LABORATORY. One credit hour. One three-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite or corequisite: BIOL 4556.

Laboratory experiments involving fundamental physiological principles of the vertebrate body.

BIOL 4607. MARINE ECOSYSTEMS OF PUERTO RICO. Three credit hours. Two hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory and/or field trips per week. Prerequisites: BIOL 3125 and BIOL 3425.

Ecology of shallow marine ecosystems of Puerto Rico: predominant flora and fauna, population fluctuations, effects of physical factors, life strategies, and environmental disturbances.

BIOL 4735. MICROBIOLOGY OF WATER AND SEWAGE. Three credit hours. Two hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week.

The fundamental principles of microbiology as they affect engineering problems encountered in connection with water supplies and sewage. Primarily for students in Civil Engineering.

BIOL 4746. ECONOMIC MYCOLOGY. Three credit hours. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisite: CIBI 3002 or BIOL 3052.

A study of fungi, with emphasis on their economic importance. Fungi will be studied as they relate to food production, industrial processes, agriculture, medicine and also as a food source.

BIOL 4761. HUMAN ANATOMY I. Four credit hours. Three hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite: Third or fourth year student.

Human anatomy, including neuroanatomy and osteology of the head, the neck and the extremities.

BIOL 4762. HUMAN ANATOMY II. Four credit hours. Three hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite: BIOL 4761.

Human anatomy, including the great body cavities (thoracic, abdominal, pelvic) and their parieties.

BIOL 4778. DAIRY BACTERIOLOGY. Three credit hours. Two hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite: BIOL 3770.

The relation of microorganisms to milk and milk products from the standpoint of economic dairy bacteriology, and also of milk hygiene and sanitary control.

BIOL 4901-4902. SPECIAL PROBLEMS IN ZOOLOGY. One to three credit hours per semester. Prerequisite: twelve credit hours in Biology or Zoology.

Short research problems will be assigned or may be selected, subject to approval by the instructor. A written report is required upon the completion of the work assigned or elected.

BIOL 4925. SEMINAR. One credit hour. Two hours of lecture per week.

Discussion of recent literature in biology and related fields.

BIOL 4998. CO-OP PRACTICE IN BIOLOGY. From three to six credit hours. Prerequisite: Consent of the Director of the Department.

Practical experience in Biology in cooperation with the public or private agency, institution, university, or industry to be jointly supervised by the Department of Biology, the CO-OP program coordinator, and an official from the cooperating industry, university, or agency.

BIOL 5005. ELEMENTARY PLANT ANATOMY. Three credit hours. Two hours of lecture and one three- hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite: BIOL 3435 or BIOL 3417.

The study of simple and complex tissues of the organs of vascular plants; the study of the characteristics of parenchyma, sclerenchyma and collenchyma cells, as well as the elements composing the xylem and phloem tissues.

BIOL 5007. GENERAL PLANT MORPHOLOGY. Three credit hours. Two hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite: BIOL 3435 or BIOL 3417.

The general principles of plant morphology, including evolutionary tendencies, phylogenetic lines and the life cycles of the principal groups of plants.

BIOL 5008. SANITARY BACTERIOLOGY. Three credit hours. Two hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite: BIOL 3770.

The important groups of bacteria which are of significance in water, milk, and other foods, and the methods used in the bacteriological analysis and control of these products.

BIOL 5009. PTERIDOLOGY. Three credit hours. Two hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite: BIOL 3417 or BIOL 3435.

Lectures and laboratories on the morphology, taxonomy and ecological distribution of the local ferns and their allies. Assigned readings and field trips.

BIOL 5016. PLANT EVOLUTION. Two credit hours. Two hours of lecture per week. Prerequisite: BIOL 3435 or BIOL 3417.

Analysis of the geological, morphological, anatomical, physiological, and geographical evidence showing how the different plant phyla have evolved, with emphasis on the evolution of tracheophytes. Assigned reading reports.

BIOL 5018. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY. Four credit hours. Three hours of lecture and one laboratory of three hours per week. Prerequisites: (QUIM 3032 or QUIM 3062) and (BIOL 3410 or BIOL 3417 or BIOL 3435).

Plant physiology: diffusion, transpiration, absorption and transport, mineral nutrition, metabolism, growth and development, hormones, effects of environmental factors.

BIOL 5395. MOLECULAR GENETICS. Three credit hours. Two hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite: BIOL 3015.

Study of genetic phenomena at the molecular level; nucleic acids, mutations, recombination, complementation, suppression, and control of genetic action.

BIOL 5416. HERPETOLOGY. Three credit hours. Two hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week.

A study of the biology, classification and morphology of amphibians and reptiles, with emphasis on local species. Field trips.

BIOL 5417. ICHTHYOLOGY. Three credit hours. Two hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week.

A study of the biology, classification and morphology of fishes, with emphasis on local species. Field trips.

BIOL 5585. MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY. Three credit hours. Two hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week.

This course offers the student interested in entomology, animal husbandry or veterinary science, an opportunity to become familiar with the recognition, characteristics, habits and control of insects, ticks mites, and other arthropods that attack man and domestic animals.

BIOL 5736. CYTOLOGY. Three credit hours. Two hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week.

Cell function and organization revealed by microscopic and ultra-microscopic structures, related to the metabolic, synthetic and replicating system in cells.

BIOL 5745. INTRODUCTION TO BIOPHYSICS. Three credit hours. Two hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite: FISI 3152.

Physical and quantitative aspects of biological and medical events. Energy interactions, transport phenomena, electrical dissipations, and control systems common in biology.

BIOL 5755. VIROLOGY. Three credit hours. Two hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite: BIOL 3770.

The classification, structure, physiology and biochemical activities of viruses.

BIOL 5765. MYCOLOGY. Three credit hours. Two hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite: BIOL 3770.

A study of the morphology, physiology, classification and relation of fungi to man. Emphasis is given to the isolation and identification of the different groups.

BIOL 5786. PATHOLOGIC HUMAN BIOLOGY. Three credit hours. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisites: BIOL 4505 and FISI 3151.

A systematic study of the dysfunctions of the cardiovascular, digestive, respiratory, genitourinary and endocrine systems.

BIOL 5815. ANIMAL BEHAVIOR. Three credit hours. Two hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week.

A study of activities and responses of animals in meeting their life requirements. Field trips.

BIOL 5955. INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH METHODS IN ECOLOGY. Three credit hours. One hour of lecture and two three-hour laboratory periods per week. Prerequisite: BIOL 3125.

Field and laboratory exercises serve to introduce the student to the basic methods used in ecological research. The student is trained in the use of computers for the analysis of ecological data.

BOTANY - Undergraduate Courses

BOTA 4995-4996. SPECIAL PROBLEMS IN BOTANY. One to three credit hours per semester. One to three research classes per week each semester. Prerequisite: twelve credit hours in Biology or Botany.

ZOOL 5005. INVERTEBRATES OF PUERTO RICO. Three credit hours. Two hours of lecture and one-three hour laboratory per week.

Taxonomy and ecology of the most common invertebrates of Puerto Rico, especially Arthropoda (exclusive of insects and marine forms) and Mollusca. Field trips.