Zoology Course Catalog

AGROECOL/ATMOCN/BOTANY/ENTOM/ENVIRST/GEOG/ZOOLOGY 953: Introduction to Ecology Research at Uw-madison

1–2 credits

Introduction to diverse ecological research across the UW-Madison Campus. Discussions on adapting to graduate school and graduate-level ecological research, key topics in professional development, and research presentations by faculty members.

ANSCI/OBS&GYN/ZOOLOGY 954: Seminar in Endocrinology-reproductive Physiology

1 credits

Promotes scientific and professional development. Presenters develop and deliver research presentations to a scientific audience, field questions, and receive critiques about their presentation style and scientific approach. Additional presentations include professional development, career advancement opportunities, and topics of interest to the endocrinology and reproduction community at large.

ANTHRO/BOTANY/ZOOLOGY 410: Evolutionary Biology

3 credits

Evolutionary biology, emphasizing how modern scientists study evolution. Topics include: nature and mechanisms of microevolution, macroevolution, adaptation, speciation; systematics and taxonomy; quantitative genetics and measurement of natural selection; phylogenetic analyses of behavior, physiology, morphology, biochemistry; current controversies in evolution.

ANTHRO/PSYCH/ZOOLOGY 619: Biology of Mind

Credits unavailable

Origins and structures of mind, brain, and consciousness. Transitions from early mammalian through primate to hominid intelligence. Genetics and plasticity in brain development. Modern studies of human brain mechanisms and consciousness.

ATMOCN/BOTANY/CIVENGR/ENVIRST/GEOSCI/ZOOLOGY 911: Limnology and Marine Science Seminar

1 credits

Sections in various fields of zoological research.

ATMOCN/BOTANY/ENVIRST/GEOG/GEOSCI/ZOOLOGY 980: Earth System Science Seminar

Credits unavailable

Topics in earth system science. Emphasis on the coupling between atmospheric, oceanic and land surface systems, involving physical geochemical and biological processes, and including interactions with human systems.

ATMOCN/ENVIRST/GEOSCI/ZOOLOGY 750: Problems in Oceanography

3 credits

Introduction to techniques used in the study of the biology, chemistry, geology, and physics of the marine environment.

BIOLOGY/BOTANY/ZOOLOGY 151: Introductory Biology

5 credits

Topics include: cell structure and function, cellular metabolism (enzymes, respiration, photosynthesis), information flow (DNA, RNA, protein), principles of genetics and selected topics in Animal Physiology.

BIOLOGY/BOTANY/ZOOLOGY 152: Introductory Biology

5 credits

Topics include: selected topics in plant physiology, a survey of the five major kingdoms of organisms, speciation and evolutionary theory, and ecology at multiple levels of the biological hierarchy.

BIOLOGY/ZOOLOGY 101: Animal Biology

3 credits

General biological principles. Topics include: evolution, ecology, animal behavior, cell structure and function, genetics and molecular genetics and the physiology of a variety of organ systems emphasizing function in humans.

BIOLOGY/ZOOLOGY 102: Animal Biology Laboratory

2 credits

General concepts of animal biology at an introductory level emphasizing the evolutionary relationships between animals. Learn about general body plans and strategies used to accomplish the basic tasks of staying alive in major animal groups using preserved and live animals. Study the diversity within each group of animals by integrating the body plans with the lifestyle and ecology of animals. Dissections of earthworm, freshwater mussel, squid, sea star, and rat aid the study of these general principles.

BOTANY/ENTOM/F&WECOL/ZOOLOGY 821: Foundations of Ecology

Credits unavailable

Foundational ideas in the field of ecology. Discussion topics trace the development of ecology as a discipline, and the roots of modern ecological thought, as well as the research approaches in ecology.

BOTANY/ENTOM/GENETICS/ZOOLOGY 820: Foundations of Evolution

2 credits

Explore some of the most important themes and debates that have permeated evolutionary biology over the last 50 years. Read key papers related to each controversial topic, debate the pros and cons of competing viewpoints, and reflect on the relevance of the issue to contemporary evolutionary biology.

BOTANY/ENTOM/ZOOLOGY 473: Plant-insect Interactions

Credits unavailable

Multiple ways in which arthropods exploit plants, plant traits that deter or augment insects, environmental mediation of these interactions, effects on population dynamics, community ecology and co-evolution, and implications to natural resource management, environmental quality, and sustainable development.

BOTANY/ENVIRST/F&WECOL/ZOOLOGY 516: Conservation Biology

3 credits

Investigate the science behind the protection of nature and preservation of biodiversity by focusing on both the biological and socioeconomic factors that underlie the challenges to and the impacts of conservation efforts. Explore the theory, research, and application of biological conservation from an interdisciplinary, international, solutions-focused perspective. Learn about the many threats to Earth's biodiversity but also examine in-depth and apply approaches to overcome them.

BOTANY/ENVIRST/ZOOLOGY 260: Introductory Ecology

3 credits

The relationships of organisms and the environment. Population dynamics and community organization, human-environment relationships, action programs.

BOTANY/PLANTSCI/ZOOLOGY 830: Ecosystem Simulation Modeling

Credits unavailable

Introduces process-based mathematical models of ecosystems that are simulated on the computer. Ecosystem simulation models describe the major pools and fluxes in an ecosystem and the factors that regulate those fluxes. Mathematical equations are used to represent the processes that control how major pools (state variables) of an ecosystem change over time. Mechanistically rich, process-based ecosystem models are increasingly seen as critical for anticipating ecosystem change in a no-analog world. Learn why and how ecosystem simulation models are used in ecology. Knowledge of general ecology such as (e.g.ZOOLOGY/BOTANY 460) is strongly encouraged.

BOTANY/ZOOLOGY 450: Midwestern Ecological Issues: a Case Study Approach

Credits unavailable

How ecological principles can be used to address contemporary environmental issues such as water quality, invasive species, and population growth. Emphasis on midwestern issues, practical approaches, the role of history, and geographic context.

BOTANY/ZOOLOGY 460: General Ecology

4 credits

Ecology of individual organisms, populations, communities, ecosystems, landscapes, and the biosphere. The interaction of organisms with each other and their physical environment. These relationships are studied, often in quantitative terms, in both field and laboratory settings.

BOTANY/ZOOLOGY 672: Historical Ecology

Credits unavailable

Study the importance of past events for current ecosystems. Emphasizes concepts and applications.

BOTANY/ZOOLOGY 725: Ecosystem Concepts

Credits unavailable

Scope and objectives of ecosystem ecology; roles of theory, long-term studies, comparative studies, and large-scale experiments; scaling problems; ecosystem services and ecological economics; adaptive ecosystem assessment and management.

BOTANY/ZOOLOGY 879: Advanced Landscape Ecology

Credits unavailable

Emphasizes spatial patterning (its development and importance for ecological processes) and often focuses on large regions. Learn concepts, methods, and applications of landscape ecology.

ENTOM/GENETICS/ZOOLOGY 624: Molecular Ecology

Credits unavailable

Basic principles of molecular ecology. Lecture topics include population genetics, molecular phylogenetics, rates and patterns of evolution, genome evolution, and molecular ecology.

ENTOM/MM&I/PATH-BIO/ZOOLOGY 350: Parasitology

Credits unavailable

The biology of water-borne, food-borne, soil-borne and vector-borne parasites of animals including humans. Parasites are explored in the context of transmission, associated disease, diagnosis and treatment options, and environmental, cultural and socioeconomic drivers of disease epidemiology.

ENTOM/ZOOLOGY 302: Introduction to Entomology

4 credits

Principles including morphology and classification.

ENTOM/ZOOLOGY 371: Medical Entomology: Biology of Vector and Vector-borne Diseases

3–4 credits

Explore the biological and molecular adaptations of parasitic arthropods that allow them to feed on vertebrate host and facilitate the transmission of vector-borne pathogens. Examines how anthropogenic activities, behaviors, and effects on climate affect the biology of vectors, the pathogens they transmit, and the emergence of vector-borne epidemics in the world. Emphasis on the molecular and physiological interaction between pathogens, their vector, and the vertebrate host and the fundamentals on how vectors and vector-borne pathogens cause disease in humans. Evaluate real control programs deployed globally for the control of vector-borne diseases.

ENTOM/ZOOLOGY 540: Theoretical Ecology

Credits unavailable

Introduction to theoretical ecology, including hands-on experience in computer modeling.

ENVIRST/F&WECOL/ZOOLOGY 360: Extinction of Species

3 credits

A comprehensive treatment of the ecology, causes, and consequences of species extinction. Ecology and problems of individual species, habitat alteration and degradation, socio-economic pressures and conservation techniques and strategies.

ENVIRST/ZOOLOGY 315: Limnology-conservation of Aquatic Resources

2 credits

General limnology. Physical, chemical and biological characteristics and processes of lakes. Environmental problems and rehabilitation of lakes.

ENVIRST/ZOOLOGY 510: Ecology of Fishes

Credits unavailable

Interactions of fishes with their physical, chemical, and biotic environment; physiological ecology, community ecology and fisheries sciences. Lake Mendota perch fishery and Shedd Aquarium field trips.

ENVIRST/ZOOLOGY 511: Ecology of Fishes Lab

Credits unavailable

Anatomy and taxonomy of Wisconsin fishes and projects in fish ecology.

F&WECOL/LANDARC/ZOOLOGY 565: Principles of Landscape Ecology

Credits unavailable

Emphasizes the importance of spatial patterns at broad scales. Concepts and applications are covered.

F&WECOL/ZOOLOGY 520: Ornithology

Credits unavailable

Introduction to bird biology, ecology, and behavior. Topics include the evolutionary origin of birds and flight, anatomy and physiology, functional morphology, migration, communication, reproductive strategies, ecological adaptations and roles, and biogeographical patterns.

F&WECOL/ZOOLOGY 521: Birds of Southern Wisconsin

Credits unavailable

Outdoor and indoor labs/lectures emphasizing identification of southern Wisconsin birds by sight and vocalization. Two required Saturday field trips in Southern Wisconsin.

F&WECOL/ZOOLOGY 660: Climate Change Ecology

3 credits

The evidence that the Earth's climate is changing at unprecedented rates is now overwhelming. Environmental tipping points are being crossed and many species are adapting or failing to adapt. Climate change poses a significant problem for conserving and managing wildlife and their habitats. Climate change, its ecological impacts, and the principle of climate change adaptation in natural resources conservation will be discussed.

GEOSCI/ZOOLOGY 542: Invertebrate Paleontology

3 credits

The evolutionary history, morphology, and ecology of fossil invertebrates. Labs emphasize fossil identification and recognition of basic morphological features.

NEURODPT/PSYCH/ZOOLOGY 674: Behavioral Neuroendocrinology Seminar

Credits unavailable

Behavior results from a complex interplay among hormones, the brain, and environmental factors. Behaviors and their underlying neural substrates have evolved in response to specific environmental conditions, resulting in vast species diversity in behavioral and neuroendocrine solutions to environmental problems. Designed to explore the primary literature on the neuroendocrine underpinnings of behavior spanning from feeding to sex differences in complex social behaviors. A range of taxonomic groups will be discussed, including (but not limited to) mammals, birds, and fish.

NEURODPT/ZOOLOGY 765: Developmental Neuroscience

Credits unavailable

Analysis of neural development with emphasis on experimental approaches. Combination of lectures and discussions of primary literature. Topics include neural induction, patterning, mechanisms of axon guidance, neural crest cell migration and differentiation, cortical development, and synapse formation and elimination.

PLPATH/ZOOLOGY 154: Tiny Earth: Antibiotic Discovery Research

2 credits

Learn basic methodology in scientific research and discovery, including laboratory techniques, quantitative reasoning, scientific communication, and collaboration. Gain hands-on laboratory experience working with microbes to test original hypotheses concerning the discovery of potential antibiotic compounds while addressing the world's antibiotic resistance crisis by contributing data to the global "Tiny Earth" network of researchers to advance potential drug development. Tiny Earth seeks to encourage students to pursue careers in science through real-world, applied research experiences and aims to address a worldwide health threat of the diminishing supply of effective antibiotics by "student-sourcing antibiotic discovery." Concurrent enrollment inBIOLOGY/BOTANY/ZOOLOGY 152is required for permission to enroll.

PSYCH/ZOOLOGY 523: Neurobiology

3 credits

Basic mechanisms in cellular neurophysiology: electrophysiology and chemistry of nerve signals, mechanisms in integration, simple nervous pathways and their behavioral correlates.

ZOOLOGY 110: Biology in Popular Media

Credits unavailable

Learn introductory biology concepts, and about science as a process while analyzing depictions of biology, biologists and the scientific method in popular movies, TV and documentaries. Evaluate the factuality of biology as it is represented and explore common biology tropes and their impact on science and the public's understanding of biology.

ZOOLOGY 115: Freshwater: Past, Present, and Future

3 credits

Freshwater is one of our most valuable resources, and the basis for life itself. Explores contemporary threats and issues relating to freshwater ecosystems (lakes, rivers, wetlands) ranging from local to global. Covers a broad range of topics in freshwater sciences (invasive species, harmful algal blooms, overfishing, pathogens in drinking water) to provide a representative cross-section of the field. Material will tie directly to local and global societal issues. Integrates insights from biology with other disciplines (chemistry, geosciences, social sciences) to offer a deeper understanding of the threats to freshwater ecosystems, and how this affects human well-being.

ZOOLOGY 153: Introductory Biology

3 credits

Topics include: cell structure and function, cellular metabolism (enzymes, respiration, photosynthesis), information flow (DNA, RNA, protein), principles of genetics, and selected topics in Animal Physiology. Designed for engineering majors that do not need a lab component.

ZOOLOGY 199: Directed Study

1–3 credits

Directed study/independent research. Experience hypothesis development, research through faculty mentorship.

ZOOLOGY 200: Topics in Biology

Credits unavailable

Introductory topics in biological sciences.

ZOOLOGY 275: Biology of the Dinosaurs

3 credits

Biology, ecology and evolution of dinosaurs. Use anatomical correlates and phylogeny to understand physiology, adaptation, and evolutionary transitions. Examples include predator-prey interactions, the evolutionary transition to flight, and how late Mesozoic ecology gave rise to our modern world.

ZOOLOGY 299: Directed Studies in Zoology

1–3 credits

Directed study/independent research. Experience hypothesis development, research through faculty mentorship.

ZOOLOGY 300: Invertebrate Biology and Evolution

Credits unavailable

Introduction to invertebrate diversity and biology, with emphasis on anatomy, development, and systematic relationships of the main animal phyla. Phyla are discussed in the context of major themes in animal evolution, such as the origin of tissue layers, the diversity of feeding mechanisms, the evolution of terrestrialization, patterns of diversification through time, and the conservation of transcriptional circuitry. Focus on animal diversity from a phylogenetic and developmental perspective.

ZOOLOGY 301: Invertebrate Biology and Evolution Lab

Credits unavailable

Introduction to invertebrate diversity and biology, with emphasis on anatomy, development, and systematic relationships of the main animal phyla. Phyla are discussed in the context of major themes in animal evolution, such as the origin of tissue layers, the diversity of feeding mechanisms, the evolution of terrestrialization, patterns of diversification through time, and the conservation of transcriptional circuitry. Focus on animal diversity from a phylogenetic and developmental perspective.

ZOOLOGY 303: Aquatic Invertebrate Biology

Credits unavailable

The form, function, development, basic physiology and ecology of the freshwater and marine invertebrates in the context of their environment. Study live invertebrate specimens, their habitat selection, adaptation and diversity.

ZOOLOGY 304: Marine Biology

Credits unavailable

Explore the biological and ecological systems of the oceans and marginal seas. Focus on understanding how marine organisms interact with their physical environment and how the biological components of the oceans are interconnected through trophic interactions and habitat selection.

ZOOLOGY 316: Laboratory for Limnology-conservation of Aquatic Resources

2–3 credits

Biological, physical, and chemical characteristics and their interrelationships in Wisconsin lakes and streams.

ZOOLOGY 320: Field Marine Biology

Credits unavailable

Provides a hands-on, research-driven experience within a marine environment, centering on exposure to 1) the diverse organisms and ecological interactions of coastal marine habitats 2) conservation issues relevant in these habitats 3) the research process from formulating interesting biological questions to conducting scientific research. Features immersion in a variety of marine habitats along with presentations by experts on marine conservation issues.

ZOOLOGY 333: Marine Ecology

2 credits

An introduction to the physical and chemical properties of marine habitats, how these properties influence the distribution of species and ecosystems, how interactions between species and their environment influence the organisms living in these habitats, and how these interactions relate to the cycling of energy, nutrients, and organic matter through food webs and ecosystems. Cover several different marine ecosystem types and explore adaptations that organisms have developed for living in these environments. Explore current threats facing marine species and habitats along with conservation strategies and successes.

ZOOLOGY 335: Human/animal Relationships: Biological and Philosophical Issues

Credits unavailable

An interdisciplinary approach to our complex and often contradictory relationships with non-human animals, including information about the nature, needs and behavior of human and non-human animals in relation to our personal and professional interactions with them.

ZOOLOGY 370: General Molecular Biology

Credits unavailable

Develop a broad understanding of how life works at the molecular level. Covers structure, chemistry, and functions of macromolecules, focusing primarily on how nucleic acids carry out their central roles in cells, rather than transmission genetics. Other topics include the governing principles by which life evolved, functions, and is organized; the experimental methods used to study these processes; and the historical context for our understanding of them. In other words: soup-to-nuts of nucleic acid biology and chemistry.

ZOOLOGY 399: Internship in Biology

Credits unavailable

Apply academic knowledge to work settings for credit under guidance of an instructor. Students are responsible for arranging the work experience.

ZOOLOGY 400: Topics in Biology

1–3 credits

Various intermediate level topics in Biology. Each section will explore a different topic in biology.

ZOOLOGY 401: Topics in Biology

Credits unavailable

Explore various intermediate level topics in biological sciences through lecture and lab courses. Each section will explore a different topic.

ZOOLOGY 403: Endocrinology

Credits unavailable

An introduction to the role that hormones play in a variety of physiological processes and behaviors from a molecular to a systems level. Topics include hormonal involvement in growth, development, homeostasis, reproduction, and behavior, with an emphasis on vertebrate systems.

ZOOLOGY 405: Introduction to Museum Studies in the Natural Sciences

2–3 credits

Provides an overview of natural history museums, including history, field collecting, specimen preparation, collection preservation, ethics, education and employment opportunities. Introduces the natural science museums and library collections located on the UW campus.

ZOOLOGY 415: Genetics of Human History

Credits unavailable

Covers a range of topics related to human genetics and evolution. Explores questions about what genetic differences between humans tell us about our species' evolutionary and demographic history, and conversely, how our history has shaped the genetic diversity of people living today. At a time of rapidly increasing ability to sequence huge numbers of genomes such questions play a central role in understanding how genetics impacts individuals' disease risks, how to interpret reported ancestry and family history from direct-to-consumer genotyping kits, and how genetics can (or importantly, cannot) inform descriptions of human diversity and concepts of race. Includes topics of diversity and inclusion in genomics studies, with a focus on the application and limits of results obtained from one group to our understanding of other groups.

ZOOLOGY 425: Behavioral Ecology

Credits unavailable

Explore how organisms make decisions and how these decisions affect their survival. These decisions are key aspects of an organism's life, e.g. foraging behavior, mating behavior, anti-predator behavior, and habitat selection. Approaches these questions with the perspective that understanding the proximal and ultimate basis of behavior requires understanding the ecological and evolutionary context of behavior.

ZOOLOGY 430: Comparative Anatomy of Vertebrates

5 credits

Basic vertebrate anatomical systems and a consideration of variations, using functional embryological and evolutionary approaches. Lab dissection and study of representative vertebrate material.

ZOOLOGY 444: Neuronal Cell Biology in Health and Disease

Credits unavailable

Provides an advanced understanding of cell biology as it relates to the nervous system. Covers the neuronal cytoskeleton, molecular motors and their cargos, the secretory system and how it functions in neurons, formation and maintenance of pre- and post-synaptic structures, neuronal organelles and their functions. Discussion of what is known about the disruptions to cell biology of neurons that contributes to neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Charcot Marie Tooth Disease, Spinal Muscular Atrophy, and others.

ZOOLOGY 470: Introduction to Animal Development

Credits unavailable

Introduction to the major features and mechanisms of early embryonic development in animals, including (1) the major stages of early development, (2) how form arises in the embryo (morphogenesis), (3) how differences arise between cells in the embryo, and (4) how specific genes control these processes.

ZOOLOGY 500: Undergraduate Neurobiology Seminar

1 credits

A wide range of topics in neurobiology research from molecular neurobiology to integrative systems. Topics discussed by invited UW-Madison faculty researchers might include: ion channels and synaptic plasticity, neural development, sensory and cognitive physiology, biological basis of behavioral disorders and cognitive decline.

ZOOLOGY 555: Laboratory in Developmental Biology

3 credits

Developmental anatomy and laboratory manipulations of representative animal embryos used extensively for analysis of developmental phenomena (sea urchins, amphibia, annelids, molluscs, ascidians, insects, chicks, fish, mice).

ZOOLOGY 570: Cell Biology

3 credits

Comprehensive course on modern aspects of cell biology.

ZOOLOGY 604: Computer-based Gene and Disease/disorder Research Lab

Credits unavailable

Learn to navigate open access biological and biomedical databases that include a wealth of information regarding genes, gene expression, gene pathways, behavioral characteristics, and disorders or diseases. This includes extracting information to develop new ideas, and using multiple databases to develop new ideas on which genes may be playing important, but previously underappreciated or unknown roles.

ZOOLOGY 611: Comparative and Evolutionary Physiology

Credits unavailable

Examines general physiological principles by comparing taxa from diverse evolutionary histories and ecological adaptations. Examples include adaptation to environments differing in salinity, temperature, altitude, pressure, or pollution, and examines how nervous and endocrine systems evolved to support the adaptations.

ZOOLOGY 612: Comparative Physiology Laboratory

Credits unavailable

Investigating physiological adaptations in different animals. Design and execute experiments.

ZOOLOGY 620: Neuroethology Seminar

Credits unavailable

A group discussion of primary literature articles relevant to the neural basis of behavior with a purpose to understand the neural basis of behavior in animals, to learn to read papers critically and improve discussion leading skills.

ZOOLOGY 655: Modeling Neurodevelopmental Disease

Credits unavailable

Systematically explores current animal models of human diseases that affect the central nervous system. Topics will include birth defects that disrupt normal brain architecture (holoprosencephaly and neural tube closure defects), birth defects affecting the visual system, and postnatal disease, e.g. neurodegeneration and stroke.