Geomicrobiology Courses at LSU

4002 Special Topics in Geology and Geophysics Prereq.: senior standing in geology or consent of instructor. May be taken for a max. of 9 sem. hrs. of credit when topics vary. Advanced and/or emerging topics in the geosciences. Sometimes, a course relating to geomicrobiology or biogeochemistry may be taught under this course number.

4012 Introduction to Micropaleontology Prereq.: GEOL 3011 or equivalent. 2 hrs. lecture; 3 hrs. lab. Morphology, classification, stratigraphy, paleoecology, and evolutionary patterns of common marine microfossils; emphasis on foraminifera.

4023 Coastal and Shallow-Marine Depositional Systems Also offered as GEOG 4023. Dynamics of sediment transport in coastal zones and on continental shelves; sea- level changes; morphological, sedimentary, and stratigraphic attributes of coastal and shallow-marine lithosomes.

4031 Introductory Sedimentation Prereq.: GEOL 1003. 2 hrs. lecture; 2 hrs. lab. Mineralogy, texture, structures, and stratigraphy of sediments and sedimentary rocks; their origin through weathering, erosion, transportation, deposition, and diagenesis.

4035 Advanced Sedimentology Prereq.: GEOL 3032. Field trip required. Physical sedimentary processes in nonmarine and marine depositional systems, including fluvial, alluvial fan, lacustrine, eolian, and carbonate and clastic marine environments; influence of tectonics, climate, and sea level on sedimentary architecture and sequences.

4043 Earth Materials and the Environment Prereq.: CHEM 1202, GEOL 1001, 2081 or permission of instructor. Earth materials as problems and solutions in environmental issues; physiochemical behavior of asbestiform silicates, silica, zeolites, and associated health hazards; potential geological repositories for hazardous waste.

4044 Petroleum Geology Prereq.: GEOL 2082, 3012, 2071 and MATH 1550. Modern concepts of the origin, migration, entrapment and production of hydrocarbons from sedimentary basins.

4066 Plate Tectonics Prereq.: GEOL 2071. Contemporary concepts of plate tectonics; geophysical observations and geological implications.

4081 Chemical Oceanography Prereq.: consent of instructor. 3 hrs. lecture/seminar. Also offered as OCS 4126. Controls on the mass balance and distribution of major elements, trace elements, heavy metals, dissolved gases, and nutrients in estuarine and open-ocean systems.

4082 Introduction to Geochemistry Prereq.: GEOL 2082 and MATH 1550. Crystal chemistry; application of chemical principles to problems of the origin and evolution of the earth's crust, ocean, atmosphere, and economic resources; major geochemical cycles.

4083 Introduction to Isotope Geology Prereq.: GEOL 2082 and MATH 1550; or equivalent. Principles of nuclear chemistry, radioactive decay, and isotopic fractionation processes; radiometric dating techniques and stable isotopic studies.

4084 Geomicrobiology Prereq.: GEOL 3032, or BIOL 2051, or consent of instructor. See description above.

4085 Geochemistry of Sediments and Natural Waters Prereq.: GEOL 2082 and MATH 1550. Controls on the composition of natural waters and the role of fluid-rock interactions in the geochemical evolution of sedimentary rocks, the ocean, and the atmosphere; major geochemical cycles.

4182 Physical Hydrogeology Prereq.: GEOL 3032 or 4031 and MATH 1552 or permission of instructor. Subsurface fluid flow in geological materials; emphasis on geological controls of the origin and migration of pore water, including saline brines, in sedimentary basins; topics including crustal scale flow, petroleum migration, ore formation, and subsurface flow regimes in Louisiana.

7061 Sequence Stratigraphy Prereq.: GEOL 4031 or equivalent. One-week field trip to the southern Rocky Mountains is required. Principles of physical stratigraphy with emphasis on contemporary concepts about the interaction of tectonics, sea level, and sediment supply in generating a predictable architecture of sedimentary basin fills.

7081 Isotope Geochemistry Prereq.: consent of instructor. 2 hrs. lecture; 2 hrs. lab/demonstration. Stable isotope fractionation in natural systems; emphasis on oxygen, hydrogen, and carbon isotope-ratio variation in natural waters, carbonates, and silicates with application to the solution of petrologic problems.

7083 Mass Spectrometry for Isotope Geology Prereq.: GEOL 4083 or consent of instructor. 2 hrs. lecture; 3 hrs. lab. Principles of thermal ionization mass spectrometry; chemical preparation of geological samples for isotope ratio measurements; use of multicollector solid source mass spectrometer; applications to geological studies.

7084 Isotope Stratigraphy Prereq.: GEOL 7081. Application of isotope techniques to stratigraphy; isotope systematics of sedimentary depositional environments; emphasis on utilization of isotopes as stratigraphic markers; interpretation of geological events from time-series isotope records.

7115 Paleoecology Prereq.: GEOL 3011 and 4031. 2 hrs. lecture; 2 hrs. field trip. Diversity, structure, taphonomy, and evolution of fossil and modern marine assemblages; adaptations and functional morphology; organism-sediment relationships.

7117 Biostratigraphy Prereq.: GEOL 3011 or equivalent. 2 hrs. lecture; 2 hrs. lab. Stratigraphic concepts; modern rules and procedures in interval and assemblage zonations; distribution of stratigraphically important fossil groups; event stratigraphy and chronostratigraphic modeling using computer techniques; applications to global and regional problems.

7120 Paleobiology Prereq.: GEOL 3011 or equivalent. Patterns and processes of evolution as discerned from the fossil record; tempo and mode of evolution, hierarchy and macroevolution, mass extinctions, patterns of diversification; emphasis on development of theories and case studies.

7131 Petrology of Sandstones 2 hrs. lecture; 3 hrs. lab. Petrology and petrography of terrigenous sandstones; applications of sediment mineralogy and texture to the analysis of provenance, deposition, and diagenesis; emphasis on the interrelationship of tectonics and sedimentation.

7133 Sedimentary Petrography of Carbonates 2 hrs. lecture; 3 hrs. lab. Principles governing formation, deposition, and diagenesis of carbonate sediments and sedimentary rocks; lab stresses textural, fabric, and mineral relationship and interpretation of depositional environments and mineral paragenesis of ancient carbonate sequences.

7134 Clay Mineralogy 2 hrs. lecture; 3 hrs. lab/discussion. Mineralogy; geochemistry, and geology of clay minerals; argillaceous sediments and rocks.

7163 Mesozoic and Cenozoic Stratigraphy Paleogeographic development of the earth during the Mesozoic and Cenozoic Eras; emphasis on global reconstructions, climates, and the stratigraphy of major basins.

7183 Physical Geochemistry of Burial Diagenesis Prereq.: GEOL 4082 or equivalent. Quantitative techniques in thermodynamics, kinetics, and mass transport applied to problems of burial diagenesis of sedimentary minerals and fluids.

7900 Special Topics in Geology and Geophysics May be taken for a max. of 12 sem. hrs. of credit when topics vary. Advanced and/or emerging topics in geology and geophysics. Sometimes Geomicrobiology & Biogeochemistry courses are taught under this number.

7909 Directed Research in Geology and Geophysics (1-6 credits) May be taken for a max. of 10 sem. hrs. of credit when topics vary. General student-selected research topics and focused group research, including all topics in geology and geophysics.

7911 Seminar in Geology: Paleontology (2) May be repeated for credit.

7931 Seminar in Geology: Sedimentology (2) May be repeated for credit. Fall semester: carbonate sedimentology; spring semester: clastic sedimentology and sedimentary environments.

7981 Seminar in Geochemistry (2) Prereq.: consent of instructor. May be taken for a max. of 6 hrs. of credit. Mineralogy, paragenesis, geochemistry, and natural occurrence of authigenic silica in sediments; other topics such as hydro geochemistry, isotope geochemistry, and the geochemistry of carbonates.


	Courses for Geomicrobiology and Biogeochemistry Louisiana State University, Geomicrobiology & Environmental Microbiology Studies Group Louisiana State University Dr. Annette Summers Engel Department of Geology and Geophysics E235 Howe-Russell Geoscience Complex Louisiana State University Baton Rouge, LA 70803 office: 225-578-2469 fax: 225-578-2302 G eomicrobiology & E nvironmental M icrobiology S tudies
	Geomicrobiology is an interdisciplinary field. Consequently, there are a variety of courses that can be taken to meet the basic educational and research needs of an aspiring geomicrobiologist or biogeochemist. All students at LSU are in a unique situation because studying interdisciplinary fields is facilitated by both the professors and by the university, per LSU's National Flagship Agenda. Undergraduate students interested in geomicrobiology can major in Geology & Geophysics or Biological Sciences (e.g., with an emphasis in Microbiology) in the college of Basic Sciences. Graduate students can pursue thesis or dissertation research, with accompanying coursework, with professors in the Departments of Geology & Geophysics, Biological Sciences, or in the Department of Environmental Studies or Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences in the School of the Coast and the Environment. For students interested in Geomicrobiology, outlined below are upper-level undergraduate (4000-level) and graduate (7000-level) courses that are offered at LSU, taught either by Dr. Engel or by other faculty on campus in different departments: Current Courses Taught by Dr. Engel Applicable Courses in the Department of Geology & Geophysics Applicable Courses in the Department of Biological Sciences Applicable Courses in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Studies Applicable Courses in the Department of Environmental Sciences
	Current Courses Taught by Dr. Engel GEOL 4084 or BIOL 4084 - Geomicrobiology Course Overview: Microorganisms control important geological processes, including mineral dissolution, mineral precipitation, and the distribution of elements in diverse environments at and below the Earth’s surface. As microbes shape their habitats, the environment geochemically and physically changes over time. These changes, in turn, exert control over the evolution and structure of microbial communities. Consequently, fossils and biochemical tracers provide scientists with a legacy of microbially mediated processes through time. Course Objectives: This interdisciplinary course studies the issues and perspectives of geomicrobiology, considering aspects of geology, geochemistry, mineralogy, microbial ecology, biogeochemistry, and molecular biology. The course will provide students with knowledge of the field of geomicrobiology by examining current scientific studies and discipline advances. THIS COURSE IS COMMUNICATION INTENSIVE (click here to understand more about communication intensive courses). GEOL 7981 - SEMINAR IN GEOCHEMISTRY: MICROBIAL GEOCHEMISTRY Seminar Objective: Microorganisms, due to their presence and active metabolism, alter the distribution of elements on Earth, influence the geochemistry of natural waters, and control important geological and geochemical processes. This interdisciplinary seminar will examine the issues and perspectives of microbial geochemistry, considering various aspects of geochemistry, biogeochemistry, mineralogy and petrology, ecology, and molecular biology. We will also discuss how to read, evaluate, and review the scientific literature more effectively. GEOL 7900 - Special Topics: Biogeochemical Cycles Course Overview: Elements circulate between reservoirs on Earth, including the crust, the atmosphere, and the oceans, and in so doing the elements are linked in global biogeochemical cycles. Biogeochemistry is governed by two major, interdisciplinary themes: (1) the chemistry of the Earth is controlled by the metabolic activities of organisms through time, and (2) the cycles, and planetary stability, are maintained by diverse life processes. Course Objectives: This course will trace the origins and biogeochemical impacts of life on Earth, and will examine ancient and modern processes that have influenced the distribution of major elements. To the extent that humans are now controlling some biogeochemical reactions, we will look to the Earth’s future. The course will provide students with knowledge of the field of biogeochemistry by probing the current scientific studies and discipline advances. Students will apply their new knowledge through class discussions and writing a research proposal. GEOL 7900 - Special Topics: Advanced Approaches in Aqueous Geochemistry (COURSE LINK) Course Overview: Water is an essential component to life. Despite recognizing that water is one of our most important natural resources, the availability of usable (i.e. drinkable) surface and groundwater is diminishing due to contamination, predominately from agricultural, industrial, military, and municipal activities and stresses. For improved remediation, knowledge of the interactive physical, chemical, and biological processes governing the composition of natural waters and geologic materials is needed. This advanced course is designed for graduate students interested in WATER as it relates to their research interests. Course Objectives: This interdisciplinary course will explore a suite of practical field, lab, and computational approaches used for solving problems in aqueous geochemistry, hydrogeology, sedimentology, microbial ecology, and biogeochemistry. To the extent that humans impact water quality issues, water budgets, policy issues, and environmental law with respect to water quality will be discussed. The course will provide students with knowledge of the practice of aqueous geochemistry by studying the basic practices, current scientific studies, and discipline advances. Upon completion of the course, students should be able to (1) Design and implement a sampling regime for geochemical analysis of water, (2) Evaluate geochemical data, (3) Apply the results of particular methods to a particular hydrogeological setting, and (4) Choose environmental quality guidelines appropriate to a particular problem. GEOL 7911 - SEMINAR IN Paleontology: BIOGEOGRAPHY Seminar Overview: Biogeography is recognized as a field of study that deals with the observed distributional patterns of organisms on a global scale. This field, greatly influenced by ecology and evolution principles, has had a long and distinguished history that includes the work of Linnaeus, Darwin, and Wegener. Many scientists recognize that continental plate motion and other large scale geologic forces (including climate change) have altered the arrangement of terrestrial and marine habitats on Earth, and subsequently the distribution of animal and plant life, throughout geologic history. However, the mechanisms that govern the distribution of microorganisms on earth are poorly understood. Our enhanced understanding of species diversification and distribution fundamentally impacts problems relating to species and habitat conservation. Objectives: This seminar will build a basic foundation in conceptual and empirical applications in biogeography, and will explore the literature that emphasizes microbial biogeography problems and research. By the end of the seminar, several objectives will be met: (1) have a greater understanding of ecological and biogeographical terminology; (2) describe microbial diversity on the basis of major microbial biomes; (3) ask biogeographical questions and formulate sound hypotheses to explain the distribution and diversity of geographic ranges of ancient and extant (micro)organisms; and (4) be able to utilize analytical tools to test those (microbial) biogeography hypotheses. GEOL 7931 - SEMINAR IN SEDIMENTOLOGY: KARST Seminar Overview: Karst landscapes cover approximately 20-25% of the earth's surface. This interdisciplinary seminar will examine the morphology, genesis, and hydrology of karst, including the relevant geochemical processes and reaction kinetics that result in the development of modern karst features. Change in karst through time and paleokarst will be discussed in the context of ore and petroleum geology. The role of karst in climate change will also be explored. Objectives: This seminar will expose students to cave and karst issues, and students will gain a greater appreciation of the importance and sensitivity of living with and on karst. Students will enhance their abilities in reading, evaluating, and reviewing the scientific literature, and will improve their skills in scientific communication.
	Applicable Courses in the Department of Geology & Geophysics Department of Geology & Geophysics, School of Basic Sciences All course numbers begin with GEOL. 4002 Special Topics in Geology and Geophysics Prereq.: senior standing in geology or consent of instructor. May be taken for a max. of 9 sem. hrs. of credit when topics vary. Advanced and/or emerging topics in the geosciences. Sometimes, a course relating to geomicrobiology or biogeochemistry may be taught under this course number. 4012 Introduction to Micropaleontology Prereq.: GEOL 3011 or equivalent. 2 hrs. lecture; 3 hrs. lab. Morphology, classification, stratigraphy, paleoecology, and evolutionary patterns of common marine microfossils; emphasis on foraminifera. 4023 Coastal and Shallow-Marine Depositional Systems Also offered as GEOG 4023. Dynamics of sediment transport in coastal zones and on continental shelves; sea- level changes; morphological, sedimentary, and stratigraphic attributes of coastal and shallow-marine lithosomes. 4031 Introductory Sedimentation Prereq.: GEOL 1003. 2 hrs. lecture; 2 hrs. lab. Mineralogy, texture, structures, and stratigraphy of sediments and sedimentary rocks; their origin through weathering, erosion, transportation, deposition, and diagenesis. 4035 Advanced Sedimentology Prereq.: GEOL 3032. Field trip required. Physical sedimentary processes in nonmarine and marine depositional systems, including fluvial, alluvial fan, lacustrine, eolian, and carbonate and clastic marine environments; influence of tectonics, climate, and sea level on sedimentary architecture and sequences. 4043 Earth Materials and the Environment Prereq.: CHEM 1202, GEOL 1001, 2081 or permission of instructor. Earth materials as problems and solutions in environmental issues; physiochemical behavior of asbestiform silicates, silica, zeolites, and associated health hazards; potential geological repositories for hazardous waste. 4044 Petroleum Geology Prereq.: GEOL 2082, 3012, 2071 and MATH 1550. Modern concepts of the origin, migration, entrapment and production of hydrocarbons from sedimentary basins. 4066 Plate Tectonics Prereq.: GEOL 2071. Contemporary concepts of plate tectonics; geophysical observations and geological implications. 4081 Chemical Oceanography Prereq.: consent of instructor. 3 hrs. lecture/seminar. Also offered as OCS 4126. Controls on the mass balance and distribution of major elements, trace elements, heavy metals, dissolved gases, and nutrients in estuarine and open-ocean systems. 4082 Introduction to Geochemistry Prereq.: GEOL 2082 and MATH 1550. Crystal chemistry; application of chemical principles to problems of the origin and evolution of the earth's crust, ocean, atmosphere, and economic resources; major geochemical cycles. 4083 Introduction to Isotope Geology Prereq.: GEOL 2082 and MATH 1550; or equivalent. Principles of nuclear chemistry, radioactive decay, and isotopic fractionation processes; radiometric dating techniques and stable isotopic studies. 4084 Geomicrobiology Prereq.: GEOL 3032, or BIOL 2051, or consent of instructor. See description above. 4085 Geochemistry of Sediments and Natural Waters Prereq.: GEOL 2082 and MATH 1550. Controls on the composition of natural waters and the role of fluid-rock interactions in the geochemical evolution of sedimentary rocks, the ocean, and the atmosphere; major geochemical cycles. 4182 Physical Hydrogeology Prereq.: GEOL 3032 or 4031 and MATH 1552 or permission of instructor. Subsurface fluid flow in geological materials; emphasis on geological controls of the origin and migration of pore water, including saline brines, in sedimentary basins; topics including crustal scale flow, petroleum migration, ore formation, and subsurface flow regimes in Louisiana. 7061 Sequence Stratigraphy Prereq.: GEOL 4031 or equivalent. One-week field trip to the southern Rocky Mountains is required. Principles of physical stratigraphy with emphasis on contemporary concepts about the interaction of tectonics, sea level, and sediment supply in generating a predictable architecture of sedimentary basin fills. 7081 Isotope Geochemistry Prereq.: consent of instructor. 2 hrs. lecture; 2 hrs. lab/demonstration. Stable isotope fractionation in natural systems; emphasis on oxygen, hydrogen, and carbon isotope-ratio variation in natural waters, carbonates, and silicates with application to the solution of petrologic problems. 7083 Mass Spectrometry for Isotope Geology Prereq.: GEOL 4083 or consent of instructor. 2 hrs. lecture; 3 hrs. lab. Principles of thermal ionization mass spectrometry; chemical preparation of geological samples for isotope ratio measurements; use of multicollector solid source mass spectrometer; applications to geological studies. 7084 Isotope Stratigraphy Prereq.: GEOL 7081. Application of isotope techniques to stratigraphy; isotope systematics of sedimentary depositional environments; emphasis on utilization of isotopes as stratigraphic markers; interpretation of geological events from time-series isotope records. 7115 Paleoecology Prereq.: GEOL 3011 and 4031. 2 hrs. lecture; 2 hrs. field trip. Diversity, structure, taphonomy, and evolution of fossil and modern marine assemblages; adaptations and functional morphology; organism-sediment relationships. 7117 Biostratigraphy Prereq.: GEOL 3011 or equivalent. 2 hrs. lecture; 2 hrs. lab. Stratigraphic concepts; modern rules and procedures in interval and assemblage zonations; distribution of stratigraphically important fossil groups; event stratigraphy and chronostratigraphic modeling using computer techniques; applications to global and regional problems. 7120 Paleobiology Prereq.: GEOL 3011 or equivalent. Patterns and processes of evolution as discerned from the fossil record; tempo and mode of evolution, hierarchy and macroevolution, mass extinctions, patterns of diversification; emphasis on development of theories and case studies. 7131 Petrology of Sandstones 2 hrs. lecture; 3 hrs. lab. Petrology and petrography of terrigenous sandstones; applications of sediment mineralogy and texture to the analysis of provenance, deposition, and diagenesis; emphasis on the interrelationship of tectonics and sedimentation. 7133 Sedimentary Petrography of Carbonates 2 hrs. lecture; 3 hrs. lab. Principles governing formation, deposition, and diagenesis of carbonate sediments and sedimentary rocks; lab stresses textural, fabric, and mineral relationship and interpretation of depositional environments and mineral paragenesis of ancient carbonate sequences. 7134 Clay Mineralogy 2 hrs. lecture; 3 hrs. lab/discussion. Mineralogy; geochemistry, and geology of clay minerals; argillaceous sediments and rocks. 7163 Mesozoic and Cenozoic Stratigraphy Paleogeographic development of the earth during the Mesozoic and Cenozoic Eras; emphasis on global reconstructions, climates, and the stratigraphy of major basins. 7183 Physical Geochemistry of Burial Diagenesis Prereq.: GEOL 4082 or equivalent. Quantitative techniques in thermodynamics, kinetics, and mass transport applied to problems of burial diagenesis of sedimentary minerals and fluids. 7900 Special Topics in Geology and Geophysics May be taken for a max. of 12 sem. hrs. of credit when topics vary. Advanced and/or emerging topics in geology and geophysics. Sometimes Geomicrobiology & Biogeochemistry courses are taught under this number. 7909 Directed Research in Geology and Geophysics (1-6 credits) May be taken for a max. of 10 sem. hrs. of credit when topics vary. General student-selected research topics and focused group research, including all topics in geology and geophysics. 7911 Seminar in Geology: Paleontology (2) May be repeated for credit. 7931 Seminar in Geology: Sedimentology (2) May be repeated for credit. Fall semester: carbonate sedimentology; spring semester: clastic sedimentology and sedimentary environments. 7981 Seminar in Geochemistry (2) Prereq.: consent of instructor. May be taken for a max. of 6 hrs. of credit. Mineralogy, paragenesis, geochemistry, and natural occurrence of authigenic silica in sediments; other topics such as hydro geochemistry, isotope geochemistry, and the geochemistry of carbonates.
	Applicable Courses in the Department of Biological Sciences Department of Biological Sciences, School of Basic Sciences All course numbers begin with BIOL. 4053 Fungal Biology Prereq.: BIOL 1202. Description of fungal-human interactions, including ecosystem function, research models, medicine, agriculture, forestry, industry and culture. 4054 Introductory Mycology Prereq.: BIOL 1202 and 1209. 3 hrs. lecture; 3 hrs. lab. Same as PLHL 4054. Developmental morphology, taxonomy, and adaptive strategies of fungi; interactions of fungi with plants and animals. 4084 Geomicrobiology Prereq.: GEOL 3032, or BIOL 2051, or consent of instructor. See description above. 4087 Basic Biochemistry Prereq.: BIOL 2153 and CHEM 2262 or 2462. Credit will not be given for BIOL 4087 and either 4093 or 4094. Cellular macromolecules; production and utilization of energy by the cell; major metabolic pathways and their control; molecular biology. 4090 Marine Microbiology See OCS 4090. 4093 General Biochemistry I Prereq.: BIOL 2153 and CHEM 2262 or 2462. Credit will not be given for BIOL 4087 and either 4093 or 4094. Structure and function of proteins, nucleic acids, lipids and carbohydrates; enzymology; respiration. 4094 General Biochemistry II Prereq.: BIOL 4093. Credit will not be given for BIOL 4087 and either 4093 or 4094. Metabolic pathways; nucleic acid structure; flow of genetic information; regulation of gene expression; recombinant DNA. 4105 Parasitology (3)Prereq.: BIOL 2153. Biology of animal parasites; emphasis on important human parasites. 4106 Parasitology Laboratory Prereq.: credit or concurrent enrollment in BIOL 4105. 3 hrs. lab. Field and laboratory investigations in parasitology. 4110 Introductory Microbial Physiology Prereq.: BIOL 2051 and CHEM 2261 or 2461. Concepts of bacterial nutrition, metabolism, adaptation, and genetics, as related to growth and environment. 4111 Microbial Physiology Laboratory Prereq.: Credit or concurrent registration in BIOL 4110. 6 hrs. lab. Laboratory techniques used to study growth, metabolism, and cellular control of microorganisms. *4124 Microbial Pathogens Prereq.: BIOL 4123.* Survey of pathogenic organisms including bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites; host responses to pathogens. 4125 Prokaryotic Diversity Prereq.: BIOL 2051. Biology of bacteria and archaea; evolution, diversity assessment, systematics, ecology; emphasis on molecular approaches. 4126 Methods in Microbial Diversity Prereq.: BIOL 4125 and consent of instructor. 1 hr. lecture; 6 hrs. lab. Classical and molecular methods used to study microbial diversity. 4147 Biology of Eukaryotic Microorganisms Prereq.: BIOL 2051. 2 hrs. lecture; 4 hrs. lab. Molecular biology, physiology, genetics, morphology, development, and taxonomy of the yeasts, molds, slime molds, algae, and protozoa. 4155 Environmental Physiology Prereq.: BIOL 2153. Physiological adaptations of animals to physical and chemical parameters of the environment. 4156 Environmental Physiology Laboratory Prereq.: credit or concurrent enrollment in BIOL 4155 or equivalent. 3 hrs. lab. Laboratory exercises in environmental physiology. 4157 Cellular Physiology Prereq.: BIOL 2153 and CHEM 2262. 3 hrs. lecture; 3 hrs. lab. Physiological systems in cells and tissues. 4163 Industrial Microbiology Prereq.: BIOL 4110 or equivalent. 2 hrs. lecture; 4 hrs. lab. Microbes used in industrial processes such as production of chemicals, antibiotics, and vitamins. 4190 Introductory VirologyPrereq.: BIOL 2051. Viruses and their host cells; biochemistry and molecular biology of viral infections. 4210 Biological Modeling and Data Analysis Prereq.: MATH 1550, 8 sem. hrs. of introductory biology. 2 hrs. lecture; 2 hrs. lab. Modeling of biological systems; design and analysis of biological experiments; presentation of data. 4246 Microbial Genetics Prereq.: BIOL 2051 and 2153. BIOL 4087 or 4093 recommended. Microbial genetic principles: mutation, conjugation, transformation, recombination, transduction, gene expression; molecular biology of bacteriophage and plasmids; recombinant DNA technology. 4253 Principles of Ecology Prereq.: BIOL 1202, 1209 and MATH 1552 or EXST 2201. Fundamental ecological principles governing the structure and function of populations, communities, and ecosystems; comparative habitat ecology. 4254 Principles of Ecology Laboratory Prereq.: credit or registration in BIOL 4253. 3 hrs. lab. Field service fee. Laboratory exercises in ecology. 4256 Microbial Ecology and Nutrient Cycling in Soils See AGRO 4056/EMS 4056. 4261 Microbiology of Water, Sewage, and Industrial Wastes Prereq.: BIOL 4110. 2 hrs. lecture; 4 hrs. lab. 4262 Marine Communities Prereq.: BIOL 2153. Marine biology; ecology of benthic, planktonic, nektonic, estuarine, oceanic, coral, and mangrove communities; emphasis on Louisiana's coastal environments. 4263 Marine Communities Laboratory Prereq.: credit or concurrent enrollment in BIOL 4262. 4400 Molecular Genetics Laboratory Prereq.: BIOL 2153 and 6 hrs. of biological sciences at the 4000 level or BIOL 4246 and 3 hrs. of biological sciences at the 4000 level. 1 hr. lecture; 4 hrs. lab. Current techniques used to genetically engineer microorganisms, study gene expression and DNA modification, and identify organisms by specific genetic alleles; computer analysis of DNA and protein sequences. 4800 Selected Topics in Biological Sciences Prereq.: BIOL 1001, 1002, 1005; or equivalent. May be taken for a max. of 6 sem. hrs. credit when topics vary. Specific areas of biological sciences; topics offered determined by recent advances in the field, needs of students, and availability of appropriate faculty. Sometimes courses related to Geomicrobiology may be taught under this number. 7022 Marine Microbial Ecology See OCS 7020. 7080 Population Ecology Prereq.: BIOL 4253 or equivalent. Also offered as ENTM 7080. Advanced topics emphasizing animals in population growth and regulation; life histories; foraging behavior; agonism and territoriality; and group behavior. 7083 Community Ecology Prereq.: BIOL 4153 or equivalent. Ecological processes of communities; predation, competition, mutualism, disturbance, succession, island biogeography, and diversity. 7110 Molecular Evolution Prereq.: BIOL 3040. Evolution of genes and genomes; nucleotide substitution rates; positive selection; gene duplication and conversion; transposable elements; evolution of genome size. 7111 Systematic Biology Prereq.: 8 sem. hrs. of 4000-level biological science courses or equivalent; introductory statistics recommended. 3 hrs. lecture; 2 hrs. lab. Theoretical and empirical aspects of systematics and evolutionary biology. 7120 Marine Ecology Prereq.: consent of instructor. 2 hrs. lecture; 3 hrs. lab. and field work. Also offered as OCS 7317. Physical, chemical, and biological environmental factors affecting distribution of marine fauna; communities representative of each of the ecological subdivisions of the world's oceans treated with respect to species composition, food webs, and seasonal changes; human impact on the marine environment. 7125 Invertebrate-Microbial Interactions in Aquatic Environments Prereq.: consent of instructor. 2 hrs. lecture; 3 hrs. lab. Invertebrate-microbial interactions in aquatic food webs; ecological significance of mutualistic, parasitic, and commensal relationships. 7148 Microbial Anatomy and Ultrastructure Prereq.: BIOL 4110 or equivalent. Structure of various microbial forms. 7157 Molecular Adaptation to the Environment Prereq.: consent of instructor. 3 hrs. lecture; 3 hrs. lab. Molecular and physiological mechanisms adapting organisms to environmental factors; emphasis on adaptations permitting organisms to inhabit a diversity of environments. 7161 Higher Bacteria Prereq.: BIOL 4110 or equivalent. Microbial systematics and ecology; emphasis on morphology and physiology of the higher bacteria. 7162 Molecular Biology of Microorganisms Prereq.: BIOL 4146, and either BIOL 4110 or 4094; or equivalent. Synthesis, activity, and interactions of various molecular components of microbial cells; macromolecules and their relationship to cellular function and heredity. 7163 Advanced Technology of Molecular Biology I Prereq.: credit or registration in BIOL 7280 or BIOL 7162. 1 hr. lecture; 6 hrs. lab. Methods in recombinant DNA procedures; isolation of DNA from prokaryotic or eukaryotic sources; DNA cloning; restriction mapping and DNA sequencing. 7164 Advanced Technology of Molecular Biology II Prereq.: credit or equivalent in BIOL 7163. 1 hr. lecture; 6 hrs. lab. Special projects in experimental molecular biology. 7220 Biochemistry and Toxicology of Metals Prereq.: BIOL 4093, 4094; CHEM 2262. See ENVS 7220. 7253 Molecular Population Genetics Prereq.: BIOL 2153 or equivalent. 3 hrs. lecture; 3 hrs. discussion/lab. Molecular genetic variation in natural populations; effects of selection, inbreeding, random drift, migration, and mutation on DNA and protein polymorphisms; emphasis in lab on computer-assisted manipulation and analysis of molecular data. 7800 Special Topics in Biological Sciences Prereq.: consent of instructor. May be taken for a max. of 12 sem. hrs. when topics vary. Specialized topics of current interest in the biological sciences. Sometimes courses related to Geomicrobiology may be taught under this number.
	Applicable Courses in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Studies Department of Oceanography and Coastal Studies, School of the Coast & The Environment All course numbers start with OCS. 4001 Special Topics in Oceanography and Coastal Sciences Credit hours:1-6 May be taken for a max. of 9 sem. Hrs. of credit when topics vary. 4005 Special Field Topics in Oceanography and Coastal Sciences Credit hours:1-6. May be taken for a max. of 9 sem. Hrs. of credit when topics vary. Variable number of weeks at LUMCON or Gulf Coastal Research Laboratory. 4040 Environmental Pollution Transport Processes Prereq. - CHEM 1201, MATH 1550, and PHYS 2001. Application of fluid-earth physical principles to characterize pollutant dispersion and transport processes in atmospheric, oceanic, and terrestrial environments , particularly across the coastal zone. 4041 Salt Marsh Ecology Prereq. - general plant biology and 10 semester hours of biology. Four weeks at Gulf Coastal Research Laboratory, Ocean Springs, Mississippi. Botanical aspects of local marshes; plant identification, composition, structure, distribution, and development of coastal marshes; biological and physical interrelationships; primary productivity and relation of marshes to estuaries and associated fauna. 4090 Marine Microbiology Prereq. - BIOL 2051 or equivalent. Also offered as BIOL 4090. Characterization and ecology of estuarine and open-ocean microorganisms; role of marine bacteria in organic and inorganic cycling processes and food web dynamics; microbial contribution to geomicrobiology, antibiosis and productivity in the sea; indicator species; microbial activities in corrosion, fouling, and seafood-related spoilage and contamination. 4095 Marine Field Ecology Prereq. - general biology, invertebrate of vertebrate zoology, introductory chemistry, and consent of instructor. Five weeks at LUMCON coastal laboratory. Relationships of marine and estuarine organisms to environmental factors; interactions among organisms; ecological processes of energy and materials flow; field studies of communities and ecosystems of the Louisiana coastal zone. 4126 Chemical Oceanography Consent of instructor. 3 hrs. Lecture/seminar. Also offered as Geol 4081. Controls on the mass balance and distribution of major elements, trace elements, heavy metals, dissolved gases, and nutrients in estuarine and open-ocean systems. 4128 Wetland Hydrology and Hydrodynamics Preq. - CE 2200, CSC 1240, and MATH 1552; or equivalent. Application of hydrology and hydrodynamics to wetland studies; computational approaches, using existing water quantity and water quality models, for quantifying and identifying hydrologic and biologic functions in wetlands. 4165 Environmental Chemistry of Wetlands Preq. - CHEM 2060 or equivalent. Transformations of pollutants and toxic substances that affect the solubility , bioavailability, fixation, and degradation of organic and inorganic substances in wetlands; emphasis on biological and physiochemical properties of wetlands that enhance this degradation and fixation. 4170 Physical Oceanography Prereq. - CE 2200 and graduate standing or consent of instructor. Physics of the ocean; with emphasis on dynamical problems; physical properties of sea water, marine instrumentation, flow dynamics in the earthÆs rotating coordinate system, water waves, general circulation. 4410 Ecosystem Modeling and Analysis Prereq - MATH 1552 and knowledge of a programming language. Mathematical description and analysis of ecological systems; emphasis on systems approach using matter and energy flow models for quantifying and analyzing interdependence and dynamics in ecosystems; linear flow models, and computer techniques for modeling, validation, sensitivity analysis, and parameter optimization. 4550 Biological Oceanography Prereq. - two-course undergraduate science sequence above 2000 level, or graduate student status in science department. Participation in oceanographic cruise is generally required. Biology of open oceans, continental shelves, and large river deltas. 4560 Wetland Loss, Restoration, and Management Prereq. - two-course sequence in science above the 2000 level. Participation in field trips to local wetlands and management agencies is required. Coastal wetland loss, restoration and management; wetland values, use, and potential management issues. 7001 Wetlands and Global Climate Mechanisms of emission, field methods of measuring, and soil conditions governing formation of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. The effect of atmospheric carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide on net radiation from the earth. 7001 Introduction to MATLAB Credit hours:1Introduction to the MATLAB programming language with emphasis on basic array manipulation and production of 2D, 3D and animated graphical output. 7010 The concepts of the Ecosystem Prereq. - one-semester course in ecology or consent of instructor. Structure, function, diversity, and succession of ecosystems viewed as a whole and as applied to major biomes. 7020 Marine Microbial Ecology Prereq. - one-semester course in microbiology and consent of instructor. Also offered as BIOL 7022. Microbial ecosystems and population dynamics; response of marine microorganisms to physiochemical factors and environmental alterations; microbial interactions; nutrient regeneration processes; nutritional requirements and microenvironments; modeling and systems analysis in marine microbial ecology. 7028 Numerical Modeling of Ocean Circulation Prereq. - OCS 4170 and ME 4563 or equivalent. Numerical modeling of ocean dynamics; numerical methods; parameterization schemes; review of state-of-the-art models. 7112 Toxicology of Marine Environment Prereq. - ENVS 7100 and 7110. Marine pollution and toxicology of industrial and non-point sources materials related to ecological risk assessment in coastal and marine areas; biological and physiochemical processes and waste in the ocean; laboratory and field techniques in epibiotic, endobiotic, and specification/ geoavailability; fish as a biological model; microcosm theory and design for littoral and neritic habitats; approaches to ecological risk assessment in marine habitats. 7120 Dynamical Oceanography Prereq. - consent of instructor. Dynamics of rotating, stratified, incompressible fluids wit particular application to the oceans; conservations equations and boundary conditions, surface and internal gravity waves, vorticity, geostrophic adjustment, coastal trapped waves. Rossby wave, wind-driven ocean circulation. 7121 Ecology and Management of Tropical Estuaries Prereq. - 6hrs. In marine ecology and consent of the instructor. Two week field trip/ lecture at the centro de Investigaciones y Estudios Avancados in Merida, Mexico. Intensive field course concerning aspects of ecology and management of tropical estuaries; plankton systems, sea grasses, mangroves, benthos, nekton and macroalgae; emphasis on hyman impact and management, global change issues, and use of modeling. 7125 Estuarine Dynamics Prereq. - consent of instructor. Wind-driven and mass-driven currents in estuaries, turbulence and mixing in estuaries, seiches, storm surges, internal waves, salt balance, and inlet flows. 7126 Circulation and Mixing in Coastal Water Prereq. - OCS 4170. Mechanics of circulation in coastal currents; buoyancy driving, wind driving, coastal jets, long shore pressure gradients; physical conditions controlling hypoxia; classification of coastal currents; mixing and dispersion of pollutants and oil slicks for environmental management. 7165 Biogeochemistry of Wetland Soils and Sediments Same as AGRO 7165. Microbial and redox chemistry processes in fresh water, brackish water, and estuarine-flooded soils and sediments affecting the transformations of nutrients and toxic materials. 7311 Marine and Estuarine Plankton Prereq. - background in ecology, invertebrate zoology, limnology, or phycology; and consent of instructor. Structure and function of marine plankton populations; changes related to various environmental factors such as temperature, nutrients, radiation, transparency, currents, and water-masses; phytoplankton, zooplankton and ichthyoplankton food webs, trophic dynamics and case studies; life history, and biodemograhic features; sampling theory, collecting techniques, distribution, abundances, production, analytical models, and economic significance. 7317 Marine Ecology Prereq. - consent of instructor. 2 hrs. lecture; 3 hrs. lab. And field work. Also offered as BIOL 7120. Physical, chemical, and biological environmental factors affecting distribution of marine fauna; communities representative of each of the ecological subdivisions of the world's oceans treated with respect to species composition, food webs, and seasonal changes; human impact on the marine environment. 7370 Seminar - Theoretical Concepts of Ecology Prereq. - one-semester course in ecology or consent of instructor. Ma be repeated for credit. Announced topics.
	Applicable Courses in the Department Environmental Studies Department of Environmental Studies, School of the Coast & The Environment All course numbers start with ENVS. 4010 APPLIED ECOLOGY Prereq.: minimum of 10 sem. hrs. of biological and/or physical science. The biosphere; air, land, and aquatic environments; development of alternative techniques for correcting environmental pollution; environmental risk assessment analysis and management. 4101 ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY See CHEM 4150 Prereq: One course each in quantitative analysis and organic chemistry . Also offered as CHEM 4150. Air and water environmental pollution. 4149 DESIGN OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS Environmental systems planning at local, national, and international levels; identification of system requirements and available resources; definition of constraints, establishment of evaluation criteria; evaluation of alternative concepts and plans for subsystems; implementation using qualitative tradeoffs, mathematical models, and computer simulations. 4261 ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT Methods of stationary power generation; pollution related to fuel production, transportation, and use; energy use and pollution problems related to transportation; energy resources, regulatory aspects, and control technology related to stationary and moving sources of air pollution. 4264 REGULATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS Federal, state, and local regulation for mitigating the occurrence and effects of hazardous events, including the National Flood Insurance Act; Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act and government planning and zoning authority. 4477 ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY: INTRODUCTION AND APPLICATIONS Prereq.: 6 hrs. of chemistry, 6 hrs. of life sciences, and permission of instructor . Introduction to the basic principles of environmental toxicology; applications of these principles in industrial and other job related environments; regulatory perspectives; spills, anthropogenic pollution problems; human risk management; overview of classes of toxic agents, routes of exposure, target tissues (human mammalian), and toxicological testing. 4900 - WATERSHED HYDROLOGY Prereq.: An introductory statistics course. 1 1/2 hrs. lecture; 1 1/2 hrs. lab. Also offered as RNR 4900. The principles of hydrology with emphasis on how natural systems are analyzed, modeled, and used in management decisions; laboratory exercises involve hands-on experience with hydrologic data analysis, use of geographic information systems (GIS), and spatial modeling. 7041 ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ANALYSIS Prereq.: EXST 7003 or 7004 or 7005; ENVS 7040 . Management-oriented approach to major phases of environmental policy; formulation, implementation, evaluation; theoretical bases and analytical techniques. 7043 ENVIRONMENTAL LAW AND REGULATION Introduction to basic principles of federal and state laws, regulations, and court decisions involving pollution of the environment, including the National Environmental Policy Act, Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, Oil Pollution Act; current topical legal developments. 7044 REGULATION OF TOXIC SUBSTANCES Federal laws, regulations, judicial decisions, and policies regarding the development, production, use and disposal of toxic substances, including the Toxic Substances Control Act, Federal Insecticide, Rodenticide, and Fungicide Act, and the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act; toxic tort lawsuits will be reviewed. 7045 LAND USE LAW & REGULATION Federal, state and local laws, regulations, judicial decisions, and policies regarding land use, land use planning and environmental regulation of land use including: zoning, subdivision regulation; planned unit development (PUD); comprehensive land use plans; limits on growth and urban sprawl; and regulatory “takings.” 7046 INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL LAW International and multilateral agreements and practices for controlling pollution and depletion of natural resources; relationship between international trade agreements and environmental quality; other international environmental issues. 7047 ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMICS AND POLICY Prereq.: ECON4720 or equivalent or consent of instructor. Economic concepts applied to the development of appropriate policies to achieve environmental protection goals; emphasis given to linkages between economics instruments that can be used to address environmental concerns. 7050 SPATIAL MODELING OF ENVIRONMENTAL DATA Prereq.: EXST 7003 or 7004 or 7005 . Development of an approach to analyze spatial and temporal processes for environmental data modeling. 7061 WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT AND POLICY Types, sources, and effects of water pollutants; water quality standards and criteria; approaches to water quality management; application of mathematical models to water quality management; federal regulations: the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act; policy analysis for water quality management planning. 7100 ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY Prereq.: CBS 4001. Technical, ecological, and economic considerations relating to air, water, and soil contamination; classification and detection of environmental toxicants; their biological effects on current and future trends in agribusiness and the chemical, transport, and power industries. 7110 TOXICOLOGY OF AQUATIC ENVIRONMENT Prereq.: ENVS 7100. Cross listed with OCS 7110. Aquatic pollution and toxicology of industrial materials related to environmental risk assessment in coastal areas; physical, chemical, and biological factors affecting the fate of toxicants in marine and freshwater coastal areas. 7112 CONCEPTS IN MARINE ECOTOXICOLOGY Prereq.: ENVS 7100 and 7110 or permission of instructor. Also offered as OCS 7772 . Marine pollution and toxicology of industrial and non-point sources materials related to ecological risk assessment in coastal and marine areas; biological processes and wastes in the ocean; physicochemical processes and wastes in the ocean; laboratory and field technique in epibiotic, endobiotic and fecal-sestonic habitats; benthic habitats and metals/chemical specification/ geoavailability; fish as a biological model; microcosm theory and design for littoral and neritic habitats; approaches to ecological risk assessment in marine habitats. 7151 WATERSHED HYDROLOGY AND FLOODPLAIN ANALYSIS See RNR 7151. 7200 COMPARATIVE METABOLISM OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTANTS Prereq.: BIOL 4094 or consent of instructor. Same as CBS 7620 . Biochemical systems from various invertebrate, vertebrate, and plant species; involved in metabolic activation and detoxification of xenobiotic substances; use of these systems as biomonitors of pollution impact. 7220 BIOCHEMISTRY AND TOXICOLOGY OF METALS Prereq.: BIOL 4093, 4094; CHEM 2262. Also offered as BIOL 7220 . Integration of metals and metal complexes with biochemical processes; adaptations of the coordination sphere of metal complexes to life function; metalloenzymes and metalloproteins; properties and modifications of metals that impart specialized biochemical function, as well as toxicity, mutagenicity, carcinogenicity. 7335 WATER QUALITY MODELING FOR MANAGEMENT Prereq.: ENVS 7061 or permission of instructor . Problems and approaches in water quality modeling, with particular attention to model uncertainty, model choice, and applications for management; basic modeling concepts, mechanistic models, empirical models, modern statistical methods, and uncertainty analysis applied to problems of eutrophication, toxic substance, and trend assessment. 7385 DECISION THEORY AND ENVIRONMENTAL RISK ANALYSIS Prereq.: EXST 7003, 7004, or 7005 or equivalent. Fundamental principles and techniques involved in decision making and environmental risk analysis. Methods for identifying decisions that optimize outcomes. Rationality (utility) and interactive (game theory) decision theory, and applications of decision theory to natural resources and environmental policy-making. 7626 TOXICOLOGY IV: GENETIC TOXICOLOGY Prereq: ENVS 4500 or ENVS 7623 and 7624 or approval of instructor. Also offered as CBS 7626; BIOL 7626. Evaluation of induced heritable and/or phenotypic changes in the organism and individual cell; emphasize on human and mammalian species; reproductive toxicology and teratogenesis; testing and screening agents for genotoxic activities; molecular genetic approaches to human and environmental biomonitoring.
	Other relevant courses may be in other schools, such as the School of Renewable Natural Resources. See their webpages or the Course Catalog for more information.