Oklahoma State University

1121

Integrative Biology The Department of Integrative Biology offers BS degree programs in biology, physiology and zoology. The undergraduate degree in biology is appropriate for students wanting to obtain a broad background in the life sciences. Students complete coursework in animal, plant and microbial biology, genetics, ecology, physiology and evolution. This degree meets the requirements for admission to graduate and professional schools and also prepares students for a broad range of biology-related employment opportunities. Students who choose this degree can also select options in allied health, environmental biology, pre-medical sciences or secondary teacher certification. The undergraduate degree in physiology offers specialized coursework as preparation for graduate school or a medically-related professional school. The bachelor’s degree in physiology requires courses in biology, genetics, microbiology, comparative anatomy, biochemistry, physics and chemistry. The mammalian physiology lecture and lab sequence provides a unique capstone experience. Students may also choose to pursue an option in pre-medical sciences. The curriculum in zoology is designed to provide a thorough background in the biology of animals and prepares students for graduate school and many applied and professional careers. The zoology degree requires courses in ecology, evolution, genetics, and vertebrate and invertebrate zoology. Students participate in unique research experiences and/ or internships and develop a good foundation in the related fields of chemistry, physics and mathematics. Options with the zoology degree include ecology and conservation biology, pre-medical sciences and pre- veterinary science. Undergraduate Programs • Biology, BS (p. 1124) • Biology: Allied Health, BS (p. 1127)

parasitology, landscape ecology, molecular systematics, population ecology, aquatic and wetland ecology, and science education. The department includes the Ecotoxicology and Water Quality Research Laboratory and the Oklahoma State University Collection of Vertebrates. Prerequisites Applicants must have completed a baccalaureate degree including 40 semester hours in biology and related areas and have completed the Graduate Record Examination. The Master of Science Degree Students must prepare a research proposal and complete either a thesis or a report. For the thesis option, 30 credit hours are required; for the report option, 32 credit hours. The Doctor of Philosophy Degree Students must prepare a research proposal, pass written and oral comprehensive examinations, and complete a dissertation based on original research worthy of publication. Most students enter the program already with an MS degree and their plan of study must include 60 credit hours. Exceptional students can enter the program directly following the BS; their plan of study must include 90 credit hours. Financial Aid The department employs more than 35 graduate teaching assistants (TA). Faculty members also award research assistantships (RA) based on ongoing grants and contracts. Out-of-state students on RA or TA support are assessed in-state tuition only. However, in-state and out-of-state students on RA or TA support also receive full or partial waivers of in- state tuition. Research Facilities The Department of Integrative Biology occupies a six-floor building with offices, classrooms, laboratories and animal rooms. A broad range of instrumentation is available for both teaching and research. The department maintains laboratories in wildlife toxicology, genetic toxicology, conservation genetics, geographic information systems and remote sensing, and water quality. Specialized equipment within the department includes atomic absorption spectrophotometers, ultraviolet and visible spectrophotometers, ion chromatographs, high pressure liquid chromatograph, liquid scintillation counter, ultracentrifuges, gas chromatograph, ion specific electrodes, forage fiber analyzer, bright field and epifluorescent microscopes and photomicrography systems, cryostats, laminar flow hoods, tissue culture equipment, PCR thermocyclers, ultracold freezers, horizontal starch, agarose, and polyacrylamide gel apparatus, automated DNA sequencer and computer labs. Available for use in field studies is the university-owned Lake Carl Blackwell area. The Department of Integrative Biology also houses the OSU Collection of Vertebrates which includes over 25,000 lots of fish, 14,000 reptiles and amphibians, 3,000 birds, and 13,000 mammals. For more information visit our website: integrativebiology.okstate.edu (http:// integrativebiology.okstate.edu). Faculty Matthew Lovern, PhD—Associate Professor and Interim Head Regents Professors: Anthony Echelle, PhD (emeritus); Stanley Fox, PhD (emeritus); Scott McMurry, PhD; Loren Smith, PhD; Ron Van DenBussche, PhD

• Biology: Environmental Biology, BS (p. 1129) • Biology: Pre-Medical Sciences, BS (p. 1131) • Biology: Secondary Teacher Certification, BS (p. 1134) • Physiology, BS (p. 1136) • Physiology: Pre-Medical Sciences, BS (p. 1138) • Zoology, BS (p. 1141) • Zoology: Ecology and Conservation Biology, BS (p. 1144)

• Zoology: Pre-Medical Sciences, BS (p. 1147) • Zoology: Pre-Veterinary Sciences, BS (p. 1149) • Biological Science (BIOL), Minor (p. 1123) • Zoology (ZOOL), Minor (p. 1140) Graduate Programs Programs of Study

Programs of study leading to MS and PhD degrees are offered in Integrative Biology. The department emphasizes Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Stress. Among faculty research interests are behavioral and evolutionary ecology, conservation biology, cytogenetics, ecotoxicology, ecosystem services, ecological immunology, behavioral endocrinology and neuroendocrinology, theoretical ecology, invertebrate ecology, ichthyology, herpetology, ornithology, mammalogy,