Biology and Wildlife
Department Overview
The Department of Biology and Wildlife offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs of study for students passionate about the science of life.
Undergraduates may major in Biological Sciences, Wildlife Biology and Conservation, or Climate and Environmental Change. The Biological Sciences B.A. and B.S. programs provide a broad education in biology that is foundational to careers in health, environment, life science education and research. The Wildlife Biology and Conservation B.S. prepares students for a professional career focused on the management and stewardship of wild animal populations. The Climate and Environmental Change B.S. prepares students for environmentally-focused work in agencies and industry, such as environmental scientist, technician, consultant, or policy analyst. All of our undergraduate programs provide excellent preparation for advanced study in graduate and professional degree programs.
Graduate students may pursue an M.S. degree in Biological Sciences or Wildlife Biology and Conservation, a Ph.D. degree in Biological Sciences, or an M.S. or Ph.D. in Earth System Science with concentration in Ecosystems. Graduate students work closely with a small faculty committee to plan their coursework and research project. Our location offers unparalleled access to northern high-latitude ecosystems and the plants, animals, and microorganisms adapted to these environments, as well as unique opportunities to engage in health research relevant to the needs of the circumpolar North and its communities. UAF offers state-of-the-art laboratory facilities that support a wide range of biological disciplines, including molecular biology, physiology, behavior and ecology, and the chance to interact with a vibrant community of life science researchers.
B.A., Biological Sciences
Undergraduate majors in biological sciences may pursue either a B.A. or a B.S. degree. The B.A. degree is an excellent choice for students who wish to combine biology with another area of study, e.g. education, art, statistics or journalism. Students in the B.A. program supplement their coursework in biology and natural science with courses in the social sciences and humanities, and all students complete a minor. The student integrates these different areas of study within a cross-disciplinary capstone project. More information about the integrative capstone experience can be found on the Biology and Wildlife Department website. Students in the biological sciences B.A. program may adopt an optional concentration in environmental change. The B.A. program, with or without concentration, may be completed either in person or online.
Minimum Requirements for Biological Sciences Bachelor's Degree: 120 credits
Learn more about the bachelor’s degree in biological sciences, including an overview of the program, career opportunities and more.
B.S., Biological Sciences
Relative to the B.A. program, the B.S. in biological sciences contains more coursework in biology and other natural sciences. It provides excellent preparation for a career in health science, environmental management, field and lab biology, and life science education, or advanced study in graduate and professional degree programs. Students in the B.S. program may adopt an optional concentration in one of four sub-disciplines: cell and molecular biology, physiology, biomedical science or ecology and evolutionary biology. All students in the biological sciences B.S. conduct an original research project as part of the capstone experience. More information about the research capstone can be found on the Biology and Wildlife Department website. The B.S. without concentration may be completed either in person or online; however, the concentrations currently require at least some on-campus coursework.
Minimum Requirements for Biological Sciences Bachelor's Degree: 120 credits
Learn more about the bachelor’s degree in biological sciences, including an overview of the program, career opportunities and more.
B.S., Climate and Environmental Change
Effective human responses to the challenge of climate change will require college graduates with broad scientific knowledge who can communicate effectively to a diverse audience. The B.S. in Climate and Environmental Change is an interdisciplinary program of study that combines coursework in physical science, biology, environmental management and social science, with opportunities to acquire additional employable tools such as computer programming, remote sensing and GIS. A subset of courses in the program may be completed online. Many courses in the program focus on the unique challenges of the circumpolar North, where climate is changing most rapidly.
Students emphasize areas of special interest and expertise by choosing among four concentrations representing different aspects of climate change: environmental earth science, physical processes, ecological processes, and sustainability. The concentrations prepare students for different aspects of environmentally-related work in agencies and industry, such as environmental scientist, environmental consultant, environmental technician and environmental policy analyst; and for graduate study in a variety of disciplines, including earth system science, resource management and biology.
Minimum Requirements for Climate and Environmental Change Bachelor's Degree: 120 credits
B.S., Wildlife Biology and Conservation
The Wildlife Biology and Conservation B.S. program prepares students for a professional career that involves wild animal populations and their interactions with people and the environment. Career paths include wildlife management, research, conservation, stewardship, agency administration, tourism, education, communication and consulting. Our B.S. curriculum is designed to help students meet the requirements of a Certified Wildlife Biologist, an internationally recognized certificate administered by The Wildlife Society.1 The undergraduate wildlife program also provides a solid foundation for further study at the graduate level.
The geographic location of UAF offers students unparalleled opportunities to learn about a diversity of wildlife species and the vast northern ecosystems (arctic tundra, boreal forest, temperate coastal rainforest) that they inhabit. Many of our courses include engaging outdoor activities that foster hands-on training. With the Arctic warming 3-4 times faster than the global average, our students have a front-row seat to observe and study the rapidly changing relationships between climate and wildlife.
Students gain real-life exposure to the wildlife profession through interactions with UAF faculty and personnel from several federal (USGS, NPS, USFWS, USFS) and state (ADFG) wildlife and conservation agencies. Students have numerous opportunities to participate in fieldwork, laboratory research and internships that provide invaluable experiences that prepare students for the next stage of their professional careers.
Minimum Requirements for Wildlife Biology and Conservation Degree: 120 credits
Learn more about the bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology and conservation, including an overview of the program, career opportunities and more.
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Students interested in applying to become a Certified Wildlife Biologist with The Wildlife Society should work with their advisor to ensure that they include the necessary coursework in their degree program.
B.A., Wildlife Ecology and Society
The Wildlife Ecology and Society B.A. program prepares students for a professional career that involves outreach, education, cultural, business/economics, administrative and social dimensions of the wildlife profession. Career paths include wildlife-related positions in tourism, communications, administration, policy, enforcement, hospitality, entertainment and hunting industries. Our B.A. curriculum is designed to serve students interested in a more holistic and interdisciplinary approach that integrates the social sciences with wildlife management and conservation.
The B.A. in Wildlife Ecology and Society capitalizes on one of UAF's most distinctive and fascinating qualities of Alaska and the Arctic: direct access to social, economic and ecological systems with unique cultural perspectives and wildlife populations in relatively large, intact and pristine environments. Also, the degree gives students the education and training to help wildlife and people prepare for and adapt to rapidly changing climatic and social conditions in the far north.
Students gain real-life exposure to wildlife-related professions through interactions with UAF faculty, personnel from several federal (USGS, NPS, USFWS, USFS) and state (ADFG) wildlife and conservation agencies, NGOs, Tribal organizations, and the business sector. Students have numerous opportunities to participate in fieldwork, professional events (meetings, workshops, exhibits), and internships that provide invaluable experiences that prepare students for the next stage of their careers.
Minimum Requirements for Wildlife Biology and Conservation Degree: 120 credits
M.S., Ph.D., Biological Sciences
Graduate students in the biological sciences program at UAF conduct independent research in a part of the world changing rapidly due to climate warming. The emphasis of a student’s research is tailored to the student’s academic and career goals. Students are encouraged to make connections with potential mentors on the faculty before applying to the program. A list of faculty with the disciplinary focus of their research appears on the Biology and Wildlife website.
A variety of facilities are available for graduate research. The department has close connections with the Bonanza Creek Long Term Ecological Research program - focused on the boreal forest - and the Toolik Field Station - focused on the Arctic. Facilities available to graduate students on the Troth Yeddha' Campus in Fairbanks include IAB Genomics Core Laboratory, IAB Research Greenhouse, Molecular Imaging Facility, Biological Research and Diagnostics Facility and the Large Animal Research Station. Students and faculty work on systematic collections in the UA Museum of the North using a variety of approaches from traditional morphology to molecular biology.
Most students in the graduate degree programs are funded through research or teaching assistantships. Research assistantships are funded by grants to individual faculty members. Applicants interested in graduate research assistantships should contact individual faculty members for availability. Teaching assistants typically lead laboratory sections of undergraduate courses. Additionally, competitive fellowships and grants are available through the Institute of Arctic Biology, the University of Alaska Foundation, the UAF Graduate School and extramural sources. Graduates of biological sciences M.S. and Ph.D. programs often go on to positions at state and federal resource agencies, research institutions and universities.
Minimum Requirements for Biological Sciences Master's and Doctoral Degrees: M.S.: 30 credits; Ph.D.: 18 thesis credits
Detailed information on graduate programs in biological science is available on the Biology and Wildlife Department website.
M.S., Ph.D., Earth System Science
Earth System Science at UAF is a multidisciplinary degree program that provides the option for a disciplinary concentration in one of eight topics:
- Sustainability
- Ecosystems
- Hydrology
- Atmospheric and Climate Sciences
- Cryosphere
- Solid Earth Geophysics
- Geoscience
- Geospatial Science
The ESS program involves faculty participation from six departments and programs:
- Natural Resources and Environment
- Center for Cross-Cultural Studies
- Biology and Wildlife
- Civil, Geological, and Environmental Engineering
- Atmospheric Sciences
- Geosciences
and five research institutes:
- Institute of Agriculture/Natural Resources and Extension
- Institute of Arctic Biology
- Institute of Northern Engineering
- International Arctic Research Center
- Geophysical Institute.
Minimum Requirements for Earth System Science Degrees: M.S.: 30 credits; Ph.D.: 26-41 credits.
M.S., Wildlife Biology and Conservation
The M.S. degree in wildlife biology and conservation provides students with advanced education, training, and research opportunities in the biology of wild animals and their interactions with people and the environment. The geographic location of UAF offers students unparalleled opportunities to study a diversity of wildlife species in vast northern ecosystems (temperate coastal rainforests, boreal forests, arctic tundra) and state-of-the-art facilities. With the Arctic warming 3-4 times faster than the global average, our graduate students are on the front line of research on the relationships between climate change and wildlife. Some areas of expertise within our graduate program include wildlife population dynamics, species interactions (plant-animal, predator-prey), nutrition and physiology, landscape and movement ecology, management and the human dimensions of wildlife science.
Wildlife students work closely with the Institute of Arctic Biology, Alaska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, UA Museum of the North, several federal (USGS, NPS, USFWS, USFS) and state (ADFG) wildlife and conservation agencies, Alaska Native and nonprofit organizations and consulting businesses. Our department, institutes and collaborating agencies often support graduate student projects and provide post-graduate employment opportunities. Most students receive research or teaching assistantships that provide stipends and reimbursement of tuition costs while pursuing their degree. Ultimately, our students gain the experience, skills and knowledge needed to be leaders in the wildlife profession. After receiving their M.S., the vast majority of our graduate students find positions with state or federal wildlife agencies, nonprofit conservation organizations or pursue a Ph.D.
Minimum Requirements for Wildlife Biology and Conservation Master's Degree: 30 credits (18-24 instructed courses and 6-12 thesis credits)
Detailed information on the graduate program in wildlife biology and conservation is available on the Biology and Wildlife Department website.
Graduate Certificate, Science Teaching and Outreach
The certificate in science teaching and outreach is a voluntary program that prepares science graduate students for science careers that include teaching and/or communicating science to the public. It does NOT meet the requirements for earning a state teaching certificate and will not allow graduates to apply for certified positions in the K-12 school system. The science teaching and outreach certificate will enhance readiness for college-level teaching by providing hands-on training and familiarity with pedagogical theory. The certificate is expected to increase competitive ability in the higher-education job market.
Minimum Requirements for Science Teaching and Outreach Graduate Certificate: 12 credits
Minor, Biological Sciences
The minor in biological sciences provides foundational knowledge in modern biology while allowing flexibility to tailor several courses to the student’s interest.
Minimum Requirements for Wildlife Biology and Conservation Minor: 18 credits
Minor, Wildlife Biology and Conservation
The minor in wildlife biology and conservation offers a minimum set of courses to provide students with an understanding of the principles upon which the management of wildlife populations is based and to familiarize students with techniques used in wildlife management and research.
Minimum Requirements for Wildlife Biology and Conservation Minor: 15 credits
Programs
Degrees
- B.A., Biological Sciences
- B.S., Biological Sciences
- B.S., Climate and Environmental Change
- B.S., Wildlife Biology and Conservation
- B.A., Wildlife Ecology and Society
- M.S., Biological Sciences
- M.S., Earth System Science
- M.S., Wildlife Biology and Conservation
- Ph.D., Biological Sciences
- Ph.D., Earth System Science
Graduate Certificate
Minors
Courses
Biology (BIOL)
BIOL F100X Human Biology (n)
4 Credits
Offered Fall and Spring
Survey of biological principles as applied to human anatomy, physiology, genetics and health.
Prerequisites: Placement in WRTG F111X; placement in MATH F105.
Special Notes: Intended for non-science majors.
Attributes: UAF GER Natural Science Req
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 3 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F101L Introductory Biology Lab
1 Credit
Offered Fall and Spring
Provides laboratory experience emphasizing contemporary biological topics for transfer students who are not science majors and who have completed a natural science course with no laboratory section at another institution. Content aligns with the laboratory section of BIOL F103X. Students having completed BIOL F103X may not register for BIOL F101L.
Prerequisites: A university-level natural science course.
Attributes: UAF GER Natural Science Req
Lecture + Lab + Other: 0 + 3 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F103X Biology and Society (n)
4 Credits
Offered Fall and Spring
Fundamental principles of biology; emphasis on their application to humans in the modern world. Lectures, laboratory demonstrations, experiments and discussions of contemporary biological topics. For non-science majors; cannot be used as a biology elective by biological science majors. Students who have completed BIOL F101L may not register for BIOL F103X.
Prerequisites: Placement in WRTG F111X; placement in MATH F105.
Attributes: UAF GER Natural Science Req
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 3 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F104L BIOL F104X Laboratory (n)
0 Credit
Offered Fall
Laboratory portion of BIOL F104X/WLF F104X.
Co-requisites: BIOL F104X or WLF F104X.
Attributes: UAF GER Natural Science Req
Lecture + Lab + Other: 0 + 3 + 0
Grading System: Non-Graded
BIOL F104X Natural History of Alaska (n)
4 Credits
Offered Fall
Survey of the physical and biological environment of Alaska, including terrestrial and aquatic systems. Topics include the past, present and future climate of Alaska, life histories of common plants and animals, adaptations of organisms to the northern environment, human influences on ecosystems and the management of wildlife and ecosystems.
Prerequisites: Placement in WRTG F111X; placement in MATH F105.
Co-requisites: BIOL F104L or WLF F104L.
Cross-listed with WLF F104X.
Attributes: UAF GER Natural Science Req
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 3 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F111L BIOL F111X Laboratory
0 Credit
Offered Fall
Corequisite: BIOL F111X.
Attributes: UAF GER Natural Science Req
Lecture + Lab + Other: 0 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Non-Graded
BIOL F111X Human Anatomy and Physiology I (n)
4 Credits
Offered Fall
Integrated view of human structure and function. Provides a foundation in relevant chemistry, cell biology, histology and unifying concepts. Covers integumentary, skeletal, muscular and nervous systems.
Prerequisites: Placement in WRTG F111X; placement in MATH F105.
Co-requisites: BIOL F111L.
Attributes: UAF GER Natural Science Req
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 3 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F112L BIOL F112X Laboratory
0 Credit
Offered Spring
Co-requisites: BIOL F112X.
Attributes: UAF GER Natural Science Req
Lecture + Lab + Other: 0 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Non-Graded
BIOL F112X Human Anatomy and Physiology II (n)
4 Credits
Offered Spring
Integrated view of human structure and function. Continuation of Human A&P I. Covers endocrine, cardiovascular, lymphatic, immune, respiratory, digestive, urinary and reproductive systems.
Prerequisites: BIOL F111X.
Co-requisites: BIOL F112L.
Attributes: UAF GER Natural Science Req
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 3 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F115L BIOL F115X Laboratory
0 Credit
Offered Fall and Spring
Co-requisites: BIOL F115X.
Attributes: UAF GER Natural Science Req
Lecture + Lab + Other: 0 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Non-Graded
BIOL F115X Fundamentals of Biology I (n)
4 Credits
Offered Fall and Spring
The first of a two-part course series for science majors, Fundamentals of Biology I covers the chemistry of life, cell structure and function, cellular energetics, cell division, genetics, and evolution.
Prerequisites: Placement in WRTG F111X; placement in MATH F105.
Co-requisites: BIOL F115L.
Recommended: High school biology, high school chemistry.
Attributes: UAF GER Natural Science Req
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 3 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F116L BIOL F116X Laboratory
0 Credit
Offered Fall and Spring
Co-requisites: BIOL F116X.
Attributes: UAF GER Natural Science Req
Lecture + Lab + Other: 0 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Non-Graded
BIOL F116X Fundamentals of Biology II (n)
4 Credits
Offered Fall and Spring
The second of a two-course series for science majors, Fundamentals of Biology II covers speciation, organismal diversity, form and function of plants and animals, and ecology.
Prerequisites: BIOL F115X; placement in WRTG F111X; placement in MATH F105.
Co-requisites: BIOL F116L.
Attributes: UAF GER Natural Science Req
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 3 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F120L BIOL F120X Laboratory
0 Credit
Offered Spring
Co-requisites: BIOL F120X.
Attributes: UAF GER Natural Science Req
Lecture + Lab + Other: 0 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Non-Graded
BIOL F120X Introduction to Human Nutrition
4 Credits
Offered Spring
This course provides students with an understanding of basic nutritional science and how the principles of nutrition can be used to achieve and maintain optimum health and well-being. Students will consider their own food choices in light of the scientific concepts covered in class.
Prerequisites: Placement in WRTG F111X; placement in MATH F105.
Co-requisites: BIOL F120L.
Special Notes: May not be used as a biology elective credit for a major in biological sciences.
Attributes: UAF GER Natural Science Req
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 3 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F140 Introduction to Behavioral Neuroscience Research
1 Credit
Offered Spring
Online asynchronous introductory biomedical research on compulsive-like mice, including data collection, data analysis, and interpretation of results. Learn about obsessive-compulsive disorder in humans and how animal research has the potential to contribute to improving the human condition.
Prerequisites: High school diploma, junior or senior standing in high school with a cumulative and science GPA of at least 3.0 with biology and chemistry course grades of at least 3.0.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 0.5 + 1.5 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F190 Introduction to Alaska Flora
2 Credits
Offered Summer
This class is an introduction to several aspects of Alaska's unique flora. Class modules and hands-on exercises are designed to familiarize you with the identification, description and morphology of our local flora.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 1.5 + 1.5 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F239 Introduction to Plant Biology (n)
4 Credits
Offered Fall
Plant biology including plant form and function (morphology, physiology and development), ecology (including interactions with herbivores, pollinators and microbes), conservation, evolution and economic botany. Emphasis on vascular plants (particularly angiosperms) but includes comparisons with nonvascular plants.
Prerequisites: BIOL F115X; BIOL F116X.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 3 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F240X Beginnings in Microbiology
4 Credits
Offered Fall and Spring
Survey of the microbial world emphasizing the role microorganisms play in human health and life. Major topics include the role of microbes in human diseases and an introduction to the immune system and the human microbiome.
Recommended: One course in high school or college-level biology; one course in chemistry.
Special Notes: Taught asynchronous online.
Attributes: UAF GER Natural Science Req
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 3 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F260 Principles of Genetics
4 Credits
Offered Fall and Spring
Principles of inheritance; physiochemical properties of genetic systems.
Prerequisites: BIOL F115X; BIOL F116X; CHEM F105X; placement in MATH F151X; LS F101X (may be taken concurrently) or successful completion of library skills competency test.
Co-requisites: BIOL F260L.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 3 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F260L BIOL F260 Laboratory
0 Credit
Offered Fall and Spring
Co-requisites: BIOL F260.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 0 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Non-Graded
BIOL F310 Animal Physiology (n)
4 Credits
Offered Spring
Animal function, including respiration, digestion, circulation, nerve and muscle function, hormones and reproduction.
Prerequisites: BIOL F115X; BIOL F116X; CHEM F105X; CHEM F106X.
Co-requisites: BIOL F310L.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 3 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F310L BIOL F310 Laboratory
0 Credit
Offered Spring
Co-requisites: BIOL F310.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 0 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Non-Graded
BIOL F312 Medical Physiology
3 Credits
Offered Spring
This course focuses on pathology to teach advanced concepts in human anatomy and physiology. Case studies and diagnostic problem solving will be used to promote the application of knowledge.
Prerequisites: BIOL F115X and BIOL F116X; or BIOL F111X and BIOL F112X.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F320 Winter Botany
3 Credits
Offered Spring Even-numbered Years
Identification of trees and shrubs by buds, twigs and bark in the winter.
Prerequisites: BIOL F115X, BIOL F116X, BIOL F239.
Special Notes: Asynchronous online.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 2 + 3 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F331 Systematic Botany (n)
3 Credits
Offered Spring Odd-numbered Years
Classification of flowering plants with emphasis on Alaskan flora; familiarity with taxonomy (identification, nomenclature, classification), evolution (speciation, reproductive biology, adaptation, convergence, biogeography) and phylogenetics (morphology and molecules). Lab emphasizes learning representative families and genera of Alaskan flora using keys and manuals.
Prerequisites: BIOL F239.
Recommended: BIOL F260.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 2 + 3 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F335 Principles of Epidemiology
3 Credits
Offered Spring
Introduction to the basic concepts of epidemiology, with examples from human to veterinary medicine, including chronic and infectious disease epidemiology, social epidemiology, outbreak investigation, properties of tests, and an introduction to study design and surveillance.
Prerequisites: STAT F200X.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F342 Microbiology (n)
4 Credits
Offered Spring
Morphology and physiology of microorganisms. The role of these organisms in the environment and their relationship to humans. Concepts of immunology. Laboratory stresses aseptic techniques for handling microorganisms.
Prerequisites: BIOL F115X; BIOL F116X; CHEM F105X.
Co-requisites: BIOL F342L.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 3 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F342L BIOL F342 Laboratory
0 Credit
Co-requisites: BIOL F342.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 0 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Non-Graded
BIOL F360 Cell and Molecular Biology (n)
3 Credits
Offered Fall and Spring
An introduction to the structure and function of cells. Topics include: the structure and function of cellular components, including proteins, membranes and organelles; understanding how cells communicate; and how information is processed in the cell via DNA replication, transcription and translation.
Prerequisites: BIOL F260; CHEM F105X; CHEM F106X (may be taken concurrently).
Cross-listed with CHEM F360.
Special Notes: Taught asynchronously online in fall, face to face in spring.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F371 Principles of Ecology
4 Credits
Offered Fall
Basic principles in physiological, ecosystem, population and community ecology. Environmental factors and their influence on plants and animals. Structure, growth and regulation of populations. The ecosystem concept, biogeochemical cycles, and the structure and function of major terrestrial biomes.
Prerequisites: BIOL F115X; BIOL F116X.
Co-requisites: BIOL F371L.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 3 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F371L BIOL F371 Laboratory
0 Credit
Co-requisites: BIOL F371.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 0 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Non-Graded
BIOL F385 Global Change Biology (n)
3 Credits
Offered Spring
Causes of climate change, the climate record, and the effects of past and forecast climate change on biophysical systems. Consideration of impacts on plants, animals, ice, and people with an emphasis on Alaska and the Arctic.
Prerequisites: BIOL F115X; BIOL F116X; Junior or Senior standing.
Cross-listed with WLF F385.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F392 Seminar
1-6 Credits
Lecture + Lab + Other: 0 + 0 + 1-6
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F392P Seminar
1-6 Credits
Lecture + Lab + Other: 0 + 0 + 1-6
Grading System: Pass/Fail Grades
BIOL F400 Research Capstone in Biological Sciences
0 Credit
Offered Fall and Spring
Enrollment in BIOL F400 signals that a student has initiated a capstone research project, a required element of the Biological Sciences B.S. program. The research project may be completed within a designated course or by working individually with a faculty mentor.
Prerequisites: Junior or senior standing.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 0 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Pass/Fail Grades
BIOL F402 Biomedical and Research Ethics (h)
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
Issues in biomedical ethics. Topics will vary but include discussion of moral principles and problems of research ethics and medical ethics, such as: animal and human experimentation; data management; informed consent; therapeutic and non-therapeutic research; physician/patient relationship; autonomy; assisted reproductive technologies; euthanasia; organ transplantation; and allocation of scarce medical resources.
Prerequisites: WRTG F111X; WRTG F211X, WRTG F212X, WRTG F213X or WRTG F214X; junior or senior standing; a course in philosophy, science, or nursing.
Cross-listed with PHIL F402.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F406 Entomology (n)
4 Credits
Offered Fall Odd-numbered Years
Biology of insects and related arthropods, with emphasis on evolution, ecology, behavior, biodiversity, morphology and systematics. Lab emphasizes identification and collection.
Prerequisites: BIOL F115X; BIOL F116X.
Recommended: Junior or senior standing.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 3 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F410 Integrative Capstone in Biological Sciences
3 Credits
Offered Spring
In this course, students learn concepts of interdisciplinary integration across the sciences, arts, humanities and social sciences. They then develop a capstone project integrating the biological sciences with another discipline, most commonly chosen as their minor. This course meets the capstone requirement for the B.A. in Biological Sciences.
Prerequisites: Students should hold junior or senior standing and be enrolled in the Biological Sciences BA program.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 1.5 + 0 + 4.5
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F412 Exercise Physiology
3 Credits
Offered Fall
Physiology responses and adaptation to exercise in humans, emphasizing energy metabolism, adipose and lean tissue, central and peripheral components of oxidative metabolism and the environmental influences on these parameters.
Prerequisites: BIOL F111X and BIOL F112X; or BIOL F310.
Stacked with BIOL F612.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F415 Systematic and Comparative Biology
4 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
Concepts of systematic biology basic to a rigorous and complete understanding of modern evolutionary theory. Systematics provides the historical framework critical to a variety of comparative analyses in biology. Recent innovations in phylogenetic analyses will be explored in lecture and lab
Prerequisites: BIOL F481.
Stacked with BIOL F615.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 3 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F417 Neurobiology (n)
3 Credits
Offered Fall
Organization and function of the vertebrate nervous system from the subcellular to the organismal levels. Neural bases of sensations, homeostasis, specific behaviors, and psychopathology with the incorporation of current peer-reviewed mammalian behavioral neuroscience research.
Prerequisites: (BIOL F111X and BIOL F112X) or BIOL F310.
Special Notes: Taught asynchronously online.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F418 Biogeography
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
This course explores the geography of life by examining linkages between climate, geomorphology, and ecological communities with emphasis on the biogeography of sub-Arctic, polar and alpine regions.
Prerequisites: NRM F277 or BIOL F371; junior/senior standing.
Stacked with BIOL F618.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F425 Mammalogy (n)
3 Credits
Offered Fall
Variety of mammals, their behavior, life histories, identification, phylogeny and systematics, morphology, distribution and zoogeography.
Prerequisites: BIOL F115X; BIOL F116X; junior standing or above.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 2 + 3 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F426 Ornithology (n)
3 Credits
Offered Spring
Evolution, anatomy, physiology, distribution, migration, breeding biology of birds, their classification and identification.
Prerequisites: BIOL F115X; BIOL F116X; COM F131X or COM F141X; WRTG F111X; WRTG F211X, WRTG F212X, WRTG F213X or WRTG F214X.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 2 + 3 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F427 Ichthyology (n)
4 Credits
Offered Spring
Major groups of fishes, emphasizing fishes of northwestern North America. Classification structure, evolution, general biology and importance to man.
Prerequisites: BIOL F116X.
Cross-listed with FISH F427.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 3 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F430 Plant Physiology and Development
3 Credits
Offered Fall Odd-numbered Years
Physiology and development of vascular plants, stressing the interrelationships between development, growth, water relations, photosynthesis, transport and metabolism.
Prerequisites: BIOL F115X; BIOL F116X; MATH F151X or higher; STAT F200X.
Stacked with BIOL F630.
Special Notes: Available asynchronous online.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F431 Population Genetics
3 Credits
Offered Fall Odd-numbered Years
Processes affecting the distribution of genetic variation in populations of organisms and how it changed through time. Covered topics include characterization of DNA sequence variations, genetic drift, neutral theory, coalescent theory, population substructure, natural selection, inbreeding depression, mating systems and multilocus evolution.
Prerequisites: BIOL F260; STAT F200X or STAT F300.
Stacked with BIOL F631.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F433 Conservation Genetics
3 Credits
Offered Fall Even-numbered Years
Concepts of population genetics, phylogenetics, pedigree analysis, systematics and taxonomy as they apply to conservation of species. Evaluating the impact of small population size, population fragmentation, inbreeding, hybridization, taxonomic uncertainties and other factors on viability and management of species.
Prerequisites: BIOL F260; BIOL F371.
Recommended: NRM F277.
Cross-listed with WLF F433.
Stacked with BIOL F633; WLF F633.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F435 Introduction to Biology of Cancer
3 Credits
Offered Fall Odd-numbered Years
Course covers current concepts and knowledge of cancer, including cancer research and cancer treatment.
Prerequisites: BIOL F360.
Stacked with BIOL F635.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F440 Behavioral Neuroscience Research Capstone
3 Credits
Offered Spring
Online asynchronous comprehensive biomedical research on compulsive-like mice, including data collection, data analysis, and interpretation of results. Learn about obsessive-compulsive disorder in humans and how animal research has the potential to contribute to improving the human condition. Complete the Biology Capstone requirements including writing a full length scientific manuscript.
Prerequisites: Junior or senior undergraduate standing.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 1 + 6 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F441 Animal Behavior
4 Credits
Offered Fall
Evolutionary and ecological principles of individual and social behavior, genetic and physiological basis of behavior, techniques of behavioral observation, experimental manipulation and analysis. Design and implementation of independent research project on live animals. Student projects in this course may satisfy the capstone project requirement of the biological sciences degree.
Prerequisites: BIOL F310; BIOL F481 (may be taken concurrently); COM F131X or COM F141X; STAT F200X; WRTG F111X; WRTG F211X, WRTG F212X, WRTG F213X or WRTG F214X.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 2 + 3 + 3
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F446 Freshwater Habitat Dynamics
3 Credits
Offered Fall Even-numbered Years
Theoretical background of habitat dynamics in freshwaters with a focus on the response of biota and practical application of current sampling methods.
Prerequisites: FISH F110, BIOL F371.
Cross-listed with FISH F446.
Stacked with FISH F646, BIOL F646.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F455 Environmental Toxicology
3 Credits
Offered Fall
Environmental toxicology will focus on the general properties and principles of persistent and/or poisonous (toxic) chemicals commonly encountered in air, water, fish and wildlife. Numerous natural and synthetic chemicals in the environment will be discussed from a global perspective with some bias towards Arctic and sub-Arctic regions.
Prerequisites: CHEM F321 or CHEM F325; BIOL/CHEM F360; COM F131X or COM F141X; WRTG F111X; WRTG F211X, WRTG F212X, WRTG F213X or WRTG F214X.
Cross-listed with CHEM F455.
Stacked with BIOL F656; CHEM F655.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F457 Environmental Microbiology
3 Credits
Offered Spring Odd-numbered Years
This course focuses on the role of microorganisms in environmentally-relevant processes including bioremediation of pollutants, biogeochemical cycling, corrosion and wastewater treatment, including current methods for studying microbial diversity and function.
Prerequisites: BIOL F115X; BIOL F116X; BIOL F342; CHEM F105X; CHEM F106X.
Recommended: CHEM F449.
Stacked with BIOL F657.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F460 Principles of Virology
3 Credits
Offered Spring Even-numbered Years
This course will explore current concepts in the field of virology, with emphasis on the structure, genetic material, and replication strategies of various human and animal viruses. In addition, mechanisms of viral pathogenesis, viral diagnostics, prevention and treatment of viral infection will be presented.
Prerequisites: BIOL F342 (may be taken concurrently) or BIOL F360 (may be taken concurrently).
Stacked with BIOL F660.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F462 Infectious Diseases
3 Credits
Offered Spring Odd-numbered Years
Covers infectious disease biology using examples of different pathogens and exploring the concepts of their biology and the implication of these principles on pathology, epidemiology and sociology of infectious diseases.
Prerequisites: BIOL F360 or BIOL F342.
Stacked with BIOL F662.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F463 Immunology
3 Credits
Offered Fall
Adaptive immune response including its components and activation from cells to molecules, clonal selection, antigen recognition, and discrimination between foreign and self. Concepts applied on the level of intact organisms addressing allergies, autoimmunity, transplantation, tumors and disease.
Prerequisites: BIOL F115X, BIOL F116X; BIOL F310, BIOL F111X; BIOL F112X.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F466 Advanced Cell and Molecular Laboratory
3 Credits
Offered Spring
Modern molecular biological techniques including protein and nucleic acid gel electrophoresis, western blotting, cell fractionation, cellular respiration, enzymology and fluorescence microscopy. Lectures will be supplemented with reading from the primary literature. Student projects in this course may satisfy the capstone project requirements of the biological science degree.
Prerequisites: BIOL F360 or CHEM F360 may be taken concurrently.
Cross-listed with CHEM F466.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 2 + 4 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F469 Landscape Ecology and Wildlife Habitat
3 Credits
Offered Spring
A problem-based learning and critical thinking approach to modern methods in landscape ecology, including geographic information systems, remote sensing, modeling, software and the Internet. Graduate students are expected to help undergraduates with problems and questions.
Prerequisites: BIOL F371; COM F121X, COM F131X or COM F141X.
Cross-listed with WLF F469.
Stacked with BIOL F669; WLF F669.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 2 + 3 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F470 Aquatic Food Web Ecology
3 Credits
Offered Fall Even-numbered Years
Examines theoretical and applied aspects of aquatic food web ecology, from the ecological processes that give rise to patterns in aquatic communities to the incorporation of trophic interactions into ecosystem-based management. Includes a lecture component focused on peer reviewed studies and a lab component focused on applying concepts with data.
Prerequisites: Upper-level undergraduate standing.
Cross-listed with FISH F476; MBI F476.
Stacked with BIOL F670; FISH F676; MBI F676.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 2 + 3 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F471 Population Ecology (n)
3 Credits
Offered Spring Even-numbered Years
Biology of populations of plants and animals, including population structure, natality, mortality, population growth, regulation of population size, population interactions in competition, herbivory, predation and parasitism.
Prerequisites: BIOL F371; MATH F230X or MATH F251X.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 2 + 3 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F472 Community Ecology
4 Credits
Offered Fall Even-numbered Years
Structure of plant and animal communities and their organization. Structuring forces of competition, predation, herbivory, and mutualisms; roles of foodwebs, indirect effects, and spatial and temporal dynamics. Application of community ecology concepts to conservation and restoration. Student projects may satisfy the capstone project requirement of the biological sciences degree.
Prerequisites: BIOL F371; WRTG F111X; WRTG F211X, WRTG F212X, WRTG F213X or WRTG F214X.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 2 + 3 + 3
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F473 Limnology
4 Credits
Offered Fall Odd-numbered Years
The ecology of inland waters emphasizing lakes and rivers. Lecture provides graphically oriented view of concepts. Laboratory involves team-based original research from proposal to manuscript. Student projects in this course may satisfy the capstone project requirement of the biological sciences degree.
Prerequisites: BIOL F115X; BIOL F116X; CHEM F105X; CHEM F106X; WRTG F111X; WRTG F211X, WRTG F212X, WRTG F213X or WRTG F214X.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 2 + 3 + 3
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F476 Ecosystem Ecology
4 Credits
Offered Spring Even-numbered Years
Ecosystem ecology is the scientific study of the interactions among organisms and the non-living environment. The course introduces the ecosystem concept and surveys environmental factors governing ecosystem processes, including major biogeochemical cycles. Includes application of these topics to ecosystem services, sustainability, and responses of ecosystems to global change.
Prerequisites: BIOL F371; STAT F200X Stacked with BIOL F673.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 3
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F481 Principles of Evolution
4 Credits
Offered Fall and Spring
Patterns and processes of evolutionary change. Covered topics include microevolutionary processes, population genetics, quantitative genetics, fitness and adaptation, phylogenetics, speciation and macroevolutionary pattern. The conceptual framework of evolutionary biology is used to understand basic and applied issues in the life sciences, biomedicine, and agriculture.
Prerequisites: BIOL F260; STAT F200X (may be taken concurrently) or STAT F300 (may be taken concurrently).
Co-requisites: BIOL F481L.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 3 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F481L BIOL F481 Laboratory
0 Credit
Co-requisites: BIOL F481.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 0 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Non-Graded
BIOL F483 Stream Ecology
3 Credits
Offered Fall Even-numbered Years
The ecology of streams and rivers focusing on physical, chemical and biological processes.
Prerequisites: BIOL F115X; BIOL F116X; BIOL F371.
Recommended: CHEM F105X; CHEM F106X.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F486 Vertebrate Paleontology (n)
3 Credits
Offered Spring Odd-numbered Years
The study of vertebrate evolution through geologic time. Covers the temporal range, diversity and systematics of major vertebrate groups as documented in the fossil record, with an emphasis on current problems in vertebrate evolutionary pattern and process. Labs emphasize comparative morphology and identification of major vertebrate groups.
Prerequisites: BIOL F310 or GEOS F315.
Cross-listed with GEOS F486.
Stacked with GEOS F686; BIOL F686.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 2 + 3 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F487 Conceptual Issues in Evolutionary Biology
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
Analysis of some of the main models which explain evolutionary change followed by consideration of the practical implications these models have on the study of biological phenomena in general.
Cross-listed with PHIL F487.
Stacked with BIOL F687; PHIL F687.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F488 Arctic Vegetation Ecology: Geobotany
3 Credits
Offered Fall Odd-numbered Years
Arctic plants in relationship to Earth, including Arctic plant identification, climate, geology and geography controls on Arctic plant communities, snow ecology, applications to wildlife studies and current Arctic issues. Consists of lecture, labs and field trips.
Prerequisites: BIOL F115X and BIOL F116X; BIOL F239 or BIOL F371.
Stacked with BIOL F688.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 2.5 + 0.5 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F489 Vegetation Description and Analysis
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
Methods of vegetation science including sampling, classification, gradient analysis, ordination, field description and mapping. Field trips to the plant communities of interior Alaska.
Prerequisites: BIOL F239, BIOL F371 or BIOL F331.
Stacked with BIOL F689.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 2 + 3 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F491 The Human Microbiome
4 Credits
Offered Fall
Biology of host-associated microbiomes with an emphasis on the human microbiome. Investigate microbial impacts on the behavior, physiology and fitness of their host. Explore model and non-model systems. Student projects in this course may satisfy the capstone project requirements of the biological science degree.
Prerequisites: BIOL F260; STAT F200X.
Stacked with BIOL F691.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 3 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F492 Seminar
1-6 Credits
Lecture + Lab + Other: 0 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
Repeatable for Credit: May be taken unlimited times for up to 6 credits
BIOL F492P Seminar
1-6 Credits
Lecture + Lab + Other: 0 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Pass/Fail Grades
Repeatable for Credit: May be taken unlimited times for up to 6 credits
BIOL F498 Research
1-6 Credits
Lecture + Lab + Other: 1-6 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
Repeatable for Credit: May be taken unlimited times for up to 99 credits
BIOL F602 Research Design
3 Credits
Offered Fall
An introduction to the philosophy, performance and evaluation of hypothetical/deductive research in the biological sciences, with emphasis on hypothesis formulation and testing. Each student will develop a research proposal.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
Cross-listed with WLF F602.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F604 Scientific Writing, Editing and Revising in the Biological Sciences
3 Credits
Offered Spring
For students who are ready to produce a manuscript or thesis chapter. Topics include the publication process, selecting a journal, authorship, the components of the scientific paper, revising and editing manuscripts, and responding to reviews. Students will produce a complete manuscript.
Prerequisites: Graduate standing in Biology, Wildlife, or related discipline; permission of instructor.
Cross-listed with WLF F604.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F612 Exercise Physiology
3 Credits
Offered Fall
Physiology responses and adaptation to exercise in humans, emphasizing energy metabolism, adipose and lean tissue, central and peripheral components of oxidative metabolism and the environmental influences on these parameters.
Prerequisites: Graduate standing.
Stacked with BIOL F412.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F613 Resilience Internship
2 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
Students of the Resilience and Adaptation Program participate in internships to broaden their interdisciplinary training, develop new research tools and build expertise outside their home disciplines. Internships are for eight to ten weeks of full time commitment and take place during the student's first summer in the program. In autumn students meet to discuss their internship experiences and make public presentations.
Prerequisites: ANTH F667, BIOL F667, ECON F667 or NRM F667; ANTH F668, BIOL F668, ECON F668 or NRM F668.
Cross-listed with ANTH F617; ECON F613; NRM F613.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 2 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F615 Systematic and Comparative Biology
4 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
Concepts of systematic biology basic to a rigorous and complete understanding of modern evolutionary theory. Systematics provides the historical framework critical to a variety of comparative analyses in biology. Recent innovations in phylogenetic analyses will be explored in lecture and lab
Prerequisites: Graduate standing.
Stacked with BIOL F415.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 3 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F616 Ecological Background for Resilience and Adaptation
1 Credit
Offered Fall
Provides the ecological background that is necessary for understanding the role of ecology in complex systems involving interactions among biological, economic, and social processes. Designed for incoming students of the Resilience and Adaptation Program (RAP), who have not received training in ecology.
Prerequisites: Graduate standing.
Cross-listed with NRM F616.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 1 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F617 Neurobiology
3 Credits
Offered Spring Even-numbered Years
Organization and function of the vertebrate nervous system from the subcellular to the organismal levels. Neural bases of sensations, specific behaviors and homeostasis. Applications of basic neurobiological research to pathological conditions. Examples taken mostly from the recent vertebrate literature.
Prerequisites: BIOL F310; graduate standing.
Stacked with BIOL F417.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F618 Biogeography
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
This course explores the geography of life by examining linkages between climate, geomorphology, and ecological communities with emphasis on the biogeography of sub-Arctic, polar and alpine regions.
Prerequisites: Graduate standing.
Stacked with BIOL F418.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F630 Plant Physiology and Development
3 Credits
Offered Fall Odd-numbered Years
Physiology and development of vascular plants, stressing the interrelationships between development, growth, water relations, photosynthesis, transport and metabolism.
Stacked with BIOL F430.
Special Notes: Available asynchronous online.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F631 Population Genetics
3 Credits
Offered Fall Odd-numbered Years
Processes affecting the distribution of genetic variation in populations of organisms and how it changed through time. Covered topics include characterization of DNA sequence variations, genetic drift, neutral theory, coalescent theory, population substructure, natural selection, inbreeding depression, mating systems and multilocus evolution.
Prerequisites: BIOL F260; STAT F200X or STAT F300.
Stacked with BIOL F431.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F632 Veterinary Bacteriology and Mycology
2 Credits
Offered Spring
This course will discuss bacterial structure, differences between bacterial families, and fungi and their pathogenesis. The basic principles of bacterial and fungal pathogenesis will be presented. Host response to bacterial or fungal infection, immunity and the role of vaccines in disease prevention will be explained.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of first-semester veterinary courses.
Cross-listed with DVM F637.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 2 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F633 Conservation Genetics
3 Credits
Offered Fall Even-numbered Years
Concepts of population genetics, phylogenetics, pedigree analysis, systematics and taxonomy as they apply to conservation of species. Evaluating the impact of small population size, population fragmentation, inbreeding, hybridization, taxonomic uncertainties and other factors on viability and management of species.
Prerequisites: BIOL F260; BIOL F371.
Recommended: NRM F277.
Cross-listed with WLF F633.
Stacked with BIOL F433; WLF F433.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F635 Introduction to Biology of Cancer
3 Credits
Offered Fall Odd-numbered Years
Course covers current concepts and knowledge of cancer, including cancer research and cancer treatment.
Prerequisites: BIOL F360.
Stacked with BIOL F435.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F639 Veterinary Virology
2 Credits
Offered Spring
This course will explore current concepts in the field of veterinary virology, with an emphasis on the viral structure, viral genetic material and viral replication strategies of various animal viruses. In addition, mechanisms of viral pathogenesis, prevention and treatment of viral infection will be presented.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of first-semester veterinary courses.
Cross-listed with DVM F639.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 2 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F640 Veterinary Pathology/Biology of Disease I
5 Credits
Offered Spring
This course will discuss basic principles of disease with special emphasis on processes likely to be encountered veterinary practice. We will discuss these topics organized by underlying disease mechanism. The discussions will move from general cell-mediated processes to more specific disease mechanisms.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of first-semester veterinary courses.
Cross-listed with DVM F640.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 4 + 3 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F641 Animal Welfare
2 Credits
Offered Fall
This course will provide knowledge, skill development and tools necessary for professionals to assess and promote animal welfare and to analyze its associated challenges. It will stress the need for perpetual reassessment of animal welfare knowledge and reinforce the professional's role in staying up-to-date and proactive.
Prerequisites: Completion of first year of veterinary school, or graduate student with approval of instructor.
Cross-listed with DVM F735.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 2 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F644 Advanced Topics in Evolution
3 Credits
Offered Summer Even-numbered Years
Modern theory and subdisciplinary directions in the expanding field of evolutionary biology. Topics include adaptation, speciation, reinforcement, comparative method, group selection, phylogeography, advanced systematics, geographic variation and the role of evolutionary biology in society. May be repeated for credit when content varies.
Prerequisites: Undergraduate course in evolution.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
Repeatable for Credit: May be taken 98 times for up to 294 credits
BIOL F646 Freshwater Habitat Dynamics
3 Credits
Offered Fall Even-numbered Years
Theoretical background of habitat dynamics in freshwaters with a focus on the response of biota and practical application of current sampling methods.
Prerequisites: Graduate standing.
Cross-listed with FISH F646.
Stacked with FISH F446, BIOL F446.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F647 Sustainability in the Changing North
3 Credits
Offered Fall
Explores the basic principles of sustainability of environmental and social systems. Principles are applied across a range of scales from local communities to the globe, with an emphasis on examples in Alaska and the Arctic. Specific attention to the theory and practice of boundary spanning and knowledge coproduction.
Prerequisites: Graduate standing.
Cross-listed with ANTH F647; ECON F647; NRM F647.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F649 Integrated Assessment and Adaptive Management
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
An interdisciplinary exploration of the theoretical and practical considerations of integrated assessment and adaptive management. Students survey concepts important in understanding societal and professional-level decision-making. Students work as individuals and as a team to undertake case studies with relevance to integrated assessment and adaptive management.
Prerequisites: Graduate student standing in a natural science, social science or interdisciplinary program at UAF or another university.
Recommended: ANTH F647, BIOL F647, ECON F647, NRM F647; ANTH F667, BIOL F667, ECON F667, NRM F667.
Cross-listed with ANTH F649; ECON F649; NRM F649.
Special Notes: In case of enrollment limit, priority will be given to graduate students in the Resilience and Adaptation Program in order for them to be able to meet their core requirements.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F656 Environmental Toxicology
3 Credits
Offered Fall
Environmental toxicology will focus on the general properties and principles of persistent and/or poisonous (toxic) chemicals commonly encountered in air, water, fish and wildlife. Numerous natural and synthetic chemicals in the environment will be discussed from a global perspective with some bias towards Arctic and sub-Arctic regions.
Prerequisites: CHEM F449 or one semester each of organic chemistry and cell or molecular biology.
Cross-listed with CHEM F655.
Stacked with BIOL F455; CHEM F455.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F657 Environmental Microbiology
3 Credits
Offered Spring Even-numbered Years
This course focuses on the role of microorganisms in environmentally-relevant processes including bioremediation of pollutants, biogeochemical cycling, corrosion and wastewater treatment, including current methods for studying microbial diversity and function.
Prerequisites: BIOL F115X; BIOL F116X; BIOL F342; CHEM F105X; CHEM F106X.
Recommended: CHEM F449.
Stacked with BIOL F457.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F660 Principles of Virology
3 Credits
Offered Spring Even-numbered Years
This course will explore current concepts in the field of virology, with emphasis on the structure, genetic material, and replication strategies of various human and animal viruses. In addition, mechanisms of viral pathogenesis, viral diagnostics, prevention and treatment of viral infection will be presented.
Prerequisites: Graduate standing.
Stacked with BIOL F460.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F662 Infectious Diseases
3 Credits
Offered Spring Odd-numbered Years
Covers infectious disease biology using examples of different pathogens and exploring the concepts of their biology and the implication of these principles on pathology, epidemiology and sociology of infectious diseases.
Prerequisites: Graduate standing; BIOL F360 or BIOL F342.
Stacked with BIOL F462.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F667 Resilience Seminar I
1 Credit
Offered As Demand Warrants
Provides a forum for new students of the Resilience and Adaptation graduate program to explore issues of interdisciplinary research that are relevant to sustainability. A considerable portion of the seminar is student-directed, with students assuming leadership in planning seminar activities with the instructor.
Prerequisites: Enrolled in Resilience and Adaptation Graduate Program.
Recommended: ANTH F647, BIOL F647, ECON F647 or NRM F647 (taken concurrently).
Cross-listed with ANTH F667; ECON F667; NRM F667.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 2 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Pass/Fail Grades
BIOL F668 Interdisciplinary Research Methods-Resilience Seminar II
1 Credit
Offered As Demand Warrants
Provides a forum for new students of the Resilience and Adaptation graduate program to explore issues of interdisciplinary research relevant to sustainability. The seminar provides support to each student planning his/her summer internship and preparing and presenting a thesis research prospectus.
Prerequisites: ANTH F647, BIOL F647, ECON F647 or NRM F647; ANTH F667, BIOL F667, ECON F667 or NRM F667.
Cross-listed with ANTH F668; ECON F668; NRM F668.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 2 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Pass/Fail Grades
BIOL F669 Landscape Ecology and Wildlife Habitat
3 Credits
Offered Spring
A problem-based learning and critical thinking approach to modern methods in landscape ecology, including geographic information systems, remote sensing, modeling, software and the Internet. Graduate students are expected to help undergraduates with problems and questions.
Prerequisites: Graduate standing.
Cross-listed with WLF F669.
Stacked with BIOL F469; WLF F469.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 2 + 3 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F670 Aquatic Food Web Ecology
3 Credits
Offered Fall Even-numbered Years
Examines theoretical and applied aspects of aquatic food web ecology, from the ecological processes that give rise to patterns in aquatic communities to the incorporation of trophic interactions into ecosystem-based management. Includes a lecture component focused on peer reviewed studies and a lab component focused on applying concepts with data.
Cross-listed with FISH F676; MBI F676.
Stacked with BIOL F470; FISH F476; MBI F476.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 2 + 3 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F673 Ecosystem Ecology
4 Credits
Offered Spring Even-numbered Years
Ecosystem ecology is the scientific study of the interactions among organisms and the non-living environment. The course introduces the ecosystem concept and surveys environmental factors governing ecosystem processes, including major biogeochemical cycles. Includes application of these topics to ecosystem services, sustainability, and responses of ecosystems to global change.
Prerequisites: graduate standing.
Stacked with BIOL F476.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 3
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F679 Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
3 Credits
Offered Spring Odd-numbered Years
The cellular and molecular underpinnings of signaling in the nervous system. Topics include properties of excitable membranes, synaptic transmission, neurological integration, the cellular and molecular basis of learning and memory, and pharmacological treatment of neuronal pathologies.
Prerequisites: Two F300-level courses in BIOL or CHEM; MATH F230X or MATH F251X.
Recommended: MATH F252X.
Cross-listed with CHEM F670.
Stacked with CHEM F470.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F680 Data Analysis in Biology
3 Credits
Offered Spring
Course covers major statistical concepts and techniques using the statistical software R, with emphasis on applications in biology. Reviews probability theory, hypothesis testing, ANOVA, regression, least squares fitting, parametric and nonparametric approaches, and then focuses on random and mixed-effects models, likelihood based fitting, GAMs, GLMs, ordination, and model selection.
Prerequisites: STAT F200X; STAT F401; graduate standing in a biologically oriented field.
Cross-listed with WLF F680.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 2 + 3 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F686 Vertebrate Paleontology
3 Credits
Offered Spring Odd-numbered Years
The study of vertebrate evolution through geologic time. Covers the temporal range, diversity and systematics of major vertebrate groups as documented in the fossil record, with an emphasis on current problems in vertebrate evolutionary pattern and process. Labs emphasize comparative morphology and identification of major vertebrate groups.
Prerequisites: Graduate standing.
Cross-listed with BIOL F486; GEOS F486.
Stacked with GEOS F686.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 2 + 3 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F687 Conceptual Issues in Evolutionary Biology
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
Analysis of some of the main models which explain evolutionary change followed by consideration of the practical implications these models have on the study of biological phenomena in general.
Cross-listed with PHIL F687.
Stacked with BIOL F487; PHIL F487.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F688 Arctic Vegetation Ecology: Geobotany
3 Credits
Offered Fall Odd-numbered Years
Arctic plants in relationship to Earth, including Arctic plant identification, climate, geology and geography controls on Arctic plant communities, snow ecology, applications to wildlife studies and current Arctic issues. Consists of lecture, labs and field trips.
Prerequisites: BIOL F115X and BIOL F116X; BIOL F239 or BIOL F371.
Stacked with BIOL F488.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 2.5 + 0.5 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F689 Vegetation Description and Analysis
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
Methods of vegetation science including sampling, classification, gradient analysis, ordination, field description and mapping. Field trips to the plant communities of interior Alaska.
Prerequisites: BIOL F239, BIOL F371 or BIOL F331.
Stacked with BIOL F489.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 2 + 3 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F691 The Human Microbiome
4 Credits
Offered Fall
Biology of host-associated microbiomes with an emphasis on the human microbiome. Investigate microbial impacts on the behavior, physiology and fitness of their host. Explore model and non-model systems. Student projects in this course may satisfy the capstone project requirements of the biological science degree.
Stacked with BIOL F491.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 3 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
BIOL F692 Seminar
1-6 Credits
Lecture + Lab + Other: 0 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
Repeatable for Credit: May be taken unlimited times for up to 6 credits
BIOL F692P Seminar
1-6 Credits
Lecture + Lab + Other: 0 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Pass/Fail Grades
Repeatable for Credit: May be taken unlimited times for up to 6 credits
BIOL F698 Non-thesis Research/Project
1-12 Credits
Lecture + Lab + Other: 0 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Pass/Fail Grades
Repeatable for Credit: May be taken 98 times for up to unlimited credits
BIOL F699 Thesis
1-12 Credits
Lecture + Lab + Other: 0 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Pass/Fail Grades
Repeatable for Credit: May be taken unlimited times for up to 99 credits
Climate and Environmental Change (CLIM)
CLIM F400 Climate and Environmental Change Capstone ePortfolio
1 Credit
Offered Spring
Each student in this class will build a web-based portfolio showcasing their achievements across courses in the Climate and Environmental Change B.S. program, with reflective annotation relating the work to their values and professional goals. The ePortfolio is a required element of the degree program.
Prerequisites: Senior standing in the Climate and Environmental Change bachelor's degree program.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 1 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Pass/Fail Grades
Science Teaching and Outreach (STO)
STO F401 Communicating Science
2 Credits
Offered Spring Even-numbered Years
This highly interactive course allows students to gain hands-on experience designing and practicing science communication for public audiences. Over the course of the semester, students will design three science communication efforts and present their own science to peers. Students will also explore relevant communication theories and current topics.
Prerequisites: Junior or Senior standing.
Stacked with STO F601.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 2 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
STO F601 Communicating Science
2 Credits
Offered Spring Even-numbered Years
This highly interactive course allows students to gain hands-on experience designing and practicing science communication for public audiences. Over the course of the semester, students will design three science communication efforts and present their own science to peers. Students will also explore relevant communication theories and current topics.
Prerequisites: Graduate standing.
Stacked with STO F401.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 2 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
STO F602 Mentoring in the Sciences
2 Credits
Offered Fall Even-numbered Years
Effective mentoring can be learned, but not taught. Good mentors are normally produced through years of practice, successes and failures, and no two mentoring situations are alike. This course provides a forum for graduate students to develop their mentoring philosophy and build effective mentoring skills.
Prerequisites: Graduate Standing.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 2 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Pass/Fail Grades
STO F603 Instructional Design
1 Credit
Offered Fall Odd-numbered Years
This graduate seminar course will address important components of course planning and instructional design that reflect best practices in science teaching. This course focuses on the overall design of courses, the integration of the various components of a course, the development and implementation of objectives, assessments and syllabus construction.
Prerequisites: Graduate standing.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 1 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
STO F604 Science Teaching and Outreach Internship
4 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
Under the supervision of a faculty member, students gain professional experience in science teaching or communication by choosing one of the following strands: 1) higher education, 2) science communication, or 3) informal education. An internship plan is developed before enrollment and agreed upon by the instructor, faculty mentor and student.
Prerequisites: STO F666 for higher education strand or STO F601 for science communication or informal education strand.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 0 + 0 + 12
Grading System: Pass/Fail Grades
STO F666 Scientific Teaching
2 Credits
Offered Spring Odd-numbered Years
This course explores methods for teaching science at the university level. We emphasize methods of course design, instructional techniques, assessment and course management that have been shown by research to improve student learning. This course is intended for graduate students in the sciences who have an interest in teaching methods.
Prerequisites: Graduate standing.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 2 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
STO F692P Current Topics in Scientific Teaching
1 Credit
This graduate seminar course explores current trends in science education at the pre-college and college levels. Topics may include diversity, technology, active learning and others. The course will rely on readings from primary literature and discussion.
Prerequisites: Graduate standing.
Recommended: STO F601 or STO F666.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 1 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Pass/Fail Grades
Wildlife (WLF)
WLF F101 Survey of Wildlife Science
2 Credits
Offered Fall
An introduction to wildlife science for research, conservation and management. Lectures, presentations, labs and other outside class activities will familiarize students with the field of wildlife biology and the wildlife profession. Special fees apply.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 1 + 2 + 1
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
WLF F104L BIOL F104X Laboratory (n)
0 Credit
Offered Fall
Laboratory portion of BIOL F104X/WLF F104X.
Co-requisites: BIOL F104X or WLF F104X.
Attributes: UAF GER Natural Science Req
Lecture + Lab + Other: 0 + 3 + 0
Grading System: Non-Graded
WLF F104X Natural History of Alaska (n)
4 Credits
Offered Fall
Survey of the physical and biological environment of Alaska, including terrestrial and aquatic systems. Topics include the past, present and future climate of Alaska, life histories of common plants and animals, adaptations of organisms to the northern environment, human influences on ecosystems and the management of wildlife and ecosystems.
Prerequisites: Placement in WRTG F111X; placement in MATH F105.
Co-requisites: BIOL F104L or WLF F104L.
Cross-listed with BIOL F104X.
Attributes: UAF GER Natural Science Req
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 3 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
WLF F301 Design of Wildlife Studies
3 Credits
Offered Spring
Study designs for wildlife populations and their habitats. Probability theory, finite population sampling, capture-mark-recapture sampling and research design will be examined through lectures, labs and a term project.
Prerequisites: WLF F101 (may be taken concurrently); MATH F151X (may be taken concurrently) or MATH F122X (may be taken concurrently).
Recommended: STAT F200X or STAT F300.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 2 + 3 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
WLF F304 Wildlife Internships
1-3 Credits
Offered Fall and Spring
Practical experience in wildlife management in public or private agencies. Projects are approved by faculty member and supervised by professional agency staff. May not be substituted for courses required for major.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 1-3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
Repeatable for Credit: May be taken 3 times for up to 3 credits
WLF F305 Wildlife Diseases
3 Credits
Offered Fall Even-numbered Years
Basic concepts of parasitic, infectious, environmental and nutritional diseases. Specific study of Alaska wildlife diseases. Basic necropsy technique and chemical immobilization.
Prerequisites: BIOL F115X and BIOL F116X.
Recommended: BIOL F310.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
WLF F322 Principles and Techniques of Wildlife Management
3 Credits
Offered Fall
This course applies ecology to the study and management of animals and their habitats. We will discuss management for consumptive and non- consumptive uses of birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians.
Prerequisites: BIOL F371; WLF F101; WRTG F111X; WRTG F211X, WRTG F212X, WRTG F213X or WRTG F214X.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 2 + 3 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
WLF F385 Global Change Biology (n)
3 Credits
Offered Spring
Causes of climate change, the climate record, and the effects of past and forecast climate change on biophysical systems. Consideration of impacts on plants, animals, ice, and people with an emphasis on Alaska and the Arctic.
Prerequisites: BIOL F115X; BIOL F116X; Junior or Senior standing.
Cross-listed with BIOL F385.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
WLF F421 Ecology and Management of Large Mammals
3 Credits
Offered Fall Even-numbered Years
Identification, distribution, life history, ecology and management of North American large mammals. Exploration of roles of reproduction, predation, nutrition, habitat alteration and competition in population dynamics of large mammals, and management and research practices designed for conservation of habitats and populations.
Prerequisites: BIOL F371; WLF F322.
Stacked with WLF F623.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
WLF F425 Ecology and Management of Birds
3 Credits
Offered Spring Odd-numbered Years
Ecology of avian populations with a focus on harvest and habitat management for North American birds. Distributions, life-history, population dynamics, and monitoring and research techniques will be considered.
Prerequisites: BIOL F371; COM F131X or COM F141X; WLF F322.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
WLF F433 Conservation Genetics
3 Credits
Offered Fall Even-numbered Years
Concepts of population genetics, phylogenetics, pedigree analysis, systematics and taxonomy as they apply to conservation of species. Evaluating the impact of small population size, population fragmentation, inbreeding, hybridization, taxonomic uncertainties and other factors on viability and management of species.
Prerequisites: BIOL F260; BIOL F371.
Recommended: NRM F277.
Cross-listed with BIOL F433.
Stacked with BIOL F633; WLF F633.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
WLF F469 Landscape Ecology and Wildlife Habitat
3 Credits
Offered Spring
A problem-based learning and critical thinking approach to modern methods in landscape ecology, including geographic information systems, remote sensing, modeling, software and the Internet. Graduate students are expected to help undergraduates with problems and questions.
Prerequisites: BIOL F371; COM F121X, COM F131X or COM F141X.
Cross-listed with BIOL F469.
Stacked with BIOL F669; WLF F669.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 2 + 3 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
WLF F470 Human Dimensions of Wildlife Management
3 Credits
Offered Spring
Study of the interactions and relationships between people and wildlife, and the thoughts and behaviors of people related to wildlife and their management. This course also considers the social psychology, economic and political components of wildlife management.
Prerequisites: WRTG F111X; WRTG F211X, WRTG F213X; WLF F101; WLF F322; BIOL F371.
Stacked with WLF F670.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 2 + 3 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
WLF F602 Research Design
3 Credits
Offered Fall
An introduction to the philosophy, performance and evaluation of hypothetical/deductive research in the biological sciences, with emphasis on hypothesis formulation and testing. Each student will develop a research proposal.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
Cross-listed with BIOL F602.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
WLF F604 Scientific Writing, Editing and Revising in the Biological Sciences
3 Credits
Offered Spring
For students who are ready to produce a manuscript or thesis chapter. Topics include the publication process, selecting a journal, authorship, the components of the scientific paper, revising and editing manuscripts, and responding to reviews. Students will produce a complete manuscript.
Prerequisites: Graduate standing in Biology, Wildlife, or related discipline; permission of instructor.
Cross-listed with BIOL F604.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
WLF F623 Ecology and Management of Large Mammals
3 Credits
Offered Fall Even-numbered Years
Identification, distribution, life history, ecology and management of North American large mammals. Exploration of roles of reproduction, predation, nutrition, habitat alteration and competition in population dynamics of large mammals, and management and research practices designed for conservation of habitats and populations.
Stacked with WLF F421.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
WLF F625 Population Dynamics of Vertebrates
3 Credits
Offered Spring Even-numbered Years
Sampling vertebrate populations, modeling their population dynamics and the implications for management. Focus will be on study design, model assumptions, estimation of population parameters and inference. State-of-the-art computer applications will be employed in laboratory exercises of actual and simulated data.
Prerequisites: BIOL F371; STAT F401.
Cross-listed with FISH F625.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 2 + 3 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
WLF F633 Conservation Genetics
3 Credits
Offered Fall Even-numbered Years
Concepts of population genetics, phylogenetics, pedigree analysis, systematics and taxonomy as they apply to conservation of species. Evaluating the impact of small population size, population fragmentation, inbreeding, hybridization, taxonomic uncertainties and other factors on viability and management of species.
Prerequisites: BIOL F260; BIOL F371.
Recommended: NRM F277.
Cross-listed with BIOL F633.
Stacked with BIOL F433; WLF F433.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
WLF F669 Landscape Ecology and Wildlife Habitat
3 Credits
Offered Spring
A problem-based learning and critical thinking approach to modern methods in landscape ecology, including geographic information systems, remote sensing, modeling, software and the Internet. Graduate students are expected to help undergraduates with problems and questions.
Prerequisites: Graduate standing.
Cross-listed with BIOL F669.
Stacked with BIOL F469; WLF F469.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 2 + 3 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
WLF F670 Human Dimensions of Wildlife Management
3 Credits
Offered Spring
Study of the interactions and relationships between people and wildlife, and the thoughts and behaviors of people related to wildlife and their management. This course also considers the social psychology, economic and political components of wildlife management.
Stacked with WLF F470.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 2 + 3 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
WLF F680 Data Analysis in Biology
3 Credits
Offered Spring
Course covers major statistical concepts and techniques using the statistical software R, with emphasis on applications in biology. Reviews probability theory, hypothesis testing, ANOVA, regression, least squares fitting, parametric and nonparametric approaches, and then focuses on random and mixed-effects models, likelihood based fitting, GAMs, GLMs, ordination, and model selection.
Prerequisites: STAT F200X; STAT F401; graduate standing in a biologically oriented field.
Cross-listed with BIOL F680.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 2 + 3 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
WLF F692 Graduate Seminar
1-6 Credits
Topics in fish and wildlife management explored through readings, talks, group discussions and guest speakers with a high level of student participation.
Prerequisites: Graduate standing.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 0 + 0 + 1-6
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
Repeatable for Credit: May be taken unlimited times for up to 99 credits
Faculty
Brian Barnes
Professor of Zoophysiology
bmbarnes@alaska.edu
907-474-5641
111 Irving 1 Bldg
Troth Yeddha' Campus
Andrea Bersamin
Professor
Research Areas: Biomedical Science
bersamin@alaska.edu
907-474-6129
228 Arctic Health Research Bldg
Troth Yeddha' Campus
Greg Breed
Associate Professor
Research Areas: Evolution & Biodiversity, Northern Ecosystems, Species Interactions, Wildlife Biology
gabreed@alaska.edu
907-474-1835
401 Irving 1 Bldg
Troth Yeddha' Campus
Syndonia Bret-Harte
Professor
Research Areas: Northern Ecosystems
msbretharte@alaska.edu
907-474-5434
122 Arctic Health Research Bldg
Troth Yeddha' Campus
Todd Brinkman
Associate Professor
Research Areas: Wildlife Biology
tjbrinkman@alaska.edu
907-474-7139
323B Murie Bldg
Troth Yeddha' Campus
Abel Bult-Ito
Professor of Neurobiology and Neurophysiology
Research Areas: Biomedical Science
abultito@alaska.edu
907-474-7158
113F Murie Bldg
Troth Yeddha' Campus
Ellen Candler
Jack Chen
Professor of Virology; Deputy Director, Alaska State Virology Lab
Research Areas: Biomedical Science
j.chen@alaska.edu
907-474-6966
223B Murie Bldg
Troth Yeddha' Campus
Shawn Crimmins
Assistant Professor of Wildlife Ecology; Assistant Leader, AKCFWRU
Research Areas: Wildlife Biology
smcrimmins2@alaska.edu
907-474-5067
209A Irving 1 Bldg
Troth Yeddha' Campus
Pat Doak
Associate Professor of Biology
Research Areas: Species Interactions
pdoak@alaska.edu
907-474-6449
415B Irving 1 Bldg
Troth Yeddha' Campus
Devin Drown
Associate Professor
Research Areas: Biomedical Science, Evolution & Biodiversity, Microbial Ecology, Northern Ecosystems
dmdrown@alaska.edu
907-474-2602
224 West Ridge Research Bldg
Troth Yeddha' Campus
Eugenie Euskirchen
Associate Professor
Research Areas: Northern Ecosystems
seeuskirchen@alaska.edu
907-474-1958
402 Irving 1 Bldg
Troth Yeddha' Campus
Matt Gilbert
Assistant Professor
Research Areas: Northern Ecosystems, Polar Physiology, Wildlife Biology
mjgilbert@alaska.edu
907-474-5965
323C Murie Bldg
Troth Yeddha' Campus
Falk Huettmann
Professor of Wildlife Ecology
Research Areas: Northern Ecosystems, Wildlife Biology
fhuettmann@alaska.edu
907-474-7882
419 Irving 1 Bldg
Troth Yeddha' Campus
Steffi Ickert-Bond
Professor of Botany, Herbarium Curator, UA Museum of the North
Research Areas: Evolution & Biodiversity, Northern Ecosystems
smickertbond@alaska.edu
907-474-6277
University of Alaska Museum of the North
Troth Yeddha' Campus
Jeremy Jones
Professor of Biology
Research Areas: Northern Ecosystems
Jay.Jones@alaska.edu
907-474-7972
154 Arctic Health Research Bldg
Troth Yeddha' Campus
Anja Kade
Associate Professor
Research Areas: Northern Ecosystems
ankade@alaska.edu
907-474-7465
113B Murie Bldg
Troth Yeddha' Campus
Knut Kielland
Professor
Research Areas: Northern Ecosystems, Species Interactions, Wildlife Biology
kkielland@alaska.edu
907-474-7164
406 Irving 1 Bldg
Troth Yeddha' Campus
Denise Kind
Associate Professor
Research Areas: Evolution & Biodiversity, Species Interactions
dmkind@alaska.edu
907-474-6298
223C Murie Bldg
Troth Yeddha' Campus
Alexander Kitaysky
Professor of Integrative Physiology
Research Areas: Polar Physiology
askitaysky@alaska.edu
907-474-5179
413 Irving 1 Bldg
Troth Yeddha' Campus
Don Larson
Assistant Professor
Research Areas: Polar Physiology
djlarson@alaska.edu
907-474-2693
113D Murie Bldg
Troth Yeddha' Campus
Mary Beth Leigh
Professor of Microbiology
Research Areas: Microbial Ecology, Northern Ecosystems
mbleigh@alaska.edu
907-474-6656
228 West Ridge Research Bldg
Troth Yeddha' Campus
Jeffrey Muehlbauer
Assistant Professor of Fisheries; Unit Leader, AKCFWRU
Research Areas: Northern Ecosystems, Species Interactions
jdmuehlbauer@alaska.edu
907-474-5773
211A Irving 1 Bldg
Troth Yeddha' Campus
Christa Mulder
Professor of Plant Ecology
Research Areas: Northern Ecosystems, Species Interactions
cpmulder@alaska.edu
907-474-7703
412 Irving 1 Bldg
Troth Yeddha' Campus
Mario Muscarella
Assistant Professor of Microbiology
Research Areas: Microbial Ecology, Northern Ecosystems
memuscarella@alaska.edu
907-474-7955
242 West Ridge Research Bldg
Troth Yeddha' Campus
Diane O'Brien
Interim IAB Director; Professor of Biology & Wildlife
Research Areas: Biomedical Science
dmobrien@alaska.edu
907-474-7648
311 Irving 1 Bldg
Troth Yeddha' Campus
Kristin O'Brien
Professor of Biology and Wildlife
Research Areas: Biomedical Science, Polar Physiology
kmobrien@alaska.edu
907-474-5311
323F Murie Bldg
Troth Yeddha' Campus
Derek Sikes
Professor of Entomology, Curator of Insects
Research Areas: Evolution & Biodiversity
dssikes@alaska.edu
907-474-6278
University of Alaska Museum of the North
Troth Yeddha' Campus
Naoki Takebayashi
Associate Professor of Biology
Research Areas: Evolution & Biodiversity
ntakebayashi@alaska.edu
907-474-1178
226 West Ridge Research Bldg
Troth Yeddha' Campus
Diane Wagner
Professor of Biology, B&W Department Chair
Research Areas: Species Interactions
dwagner10@alaska.edu
907-474-5227
101D Murie Bldg
Troth Yeddha' Campus
Donald Walker
Professor of Biology
Research Areas: Northern Ecosystems
dawalker@alaska.edu
907-474-2460
262 Arctic Health Research Bldg
Troth Yeddha' Campus
Kevin Winker
Professor; Curator of Birds
Research Areas: Evolution & Biodiversity
kevin.winker@alaska.edu
907-474-7027
038 University of Alaska Museum of the North
Troth Yeddha' Campus
Diana Wolf
Associate Professor of Biology
Research Areas: Evolution & Biodiversity, Northern Ecosystems, Species Interactions
dewolf@alaska.edu
907-474-5538
240 West Ridge Research Bldg
Troth Yeddha' Campus
