BIOL 509. Evolutionary Biology (3)
Two lectures and two hours of activity.
Prerequisite: Biology 352.
Evolutionary biology including genetics of populations, speciation,
systematic biology, adaptation, role of development in evolution,
evolution of behavior, and comparative biology. Evolutionary
biology as the central organizing principle of biology.

BIOL 510. Molecular Evolution (3)
Prerequisites: Biology 352 and 366 or graduate standing.
Molecular evolution including concepts of homology and convergence,
the nearly neutral theory of evolution, evolution of new protein
function, detecting selection, multi-gene family evolution and evolutionary
genomics.

BIOL 511. Evolution of Development (3)
Prerequisites: Biology 352 and 366.
Dynamic relationship between regulatory functions that control
development and the evolutionary process, and vice versa, illustrated
with evidence derived from developmental, phylogenetic,
paleontological, computational, and ecological research. Emphasis
on genomic regulatory networks of transcriptional regulatory elements
and cell-signaling pathways.

BIOL 512. Evolution and Ecology of Marine Mammals (3)
Two lectures and three hours of laboratory.
Prerequisites: Biology 352 and 354.
Biology of marine mammals including pinniped, cetacean and
sirenian evolution, diet and foraging strategies, social organization,
reproductive strategies, echolocation, diving physiology, and conservation.

BIOL 523. Herpetology (4)
Two lectures and six hours of laboratory.
Prerequisite: Biology 201B. Recommended: Biology 352.
Evolution, systematics, distribution, and ecology of amphibians
and reptiles of the world.

BIOL 524. Ornithology (4)
Two lectures, six hours of laboratory or field excursions, and a
field project.
Prerequisite: Biology 201B. Strongly recommended: Completion
of three to six upper division units in the major.
Study and identification of birds, especially those of the Pacific
Coast and the San Diego region.

BIOL 525. Mammalogy (4)
Two lectures and six hours of laboratory.
Prerequisite: Biology 201B. Strongly recommended: Completion
of three to six upper division units in the major.
Evolution, systematics, distribution and ecology of mammals of
the world.

BIOL 526. Terrestrial Arthropod Biology (4)
Two lectures and six hours of laboratory.
Prerequisite: Biology 201B. Strongly recommended: Biology 352
and completion of three to six upper division units in the major.
Structure, function, behavior, ecology, evolution, and relationships
of major groups of terrestrial arthropods, including insects,
arachnids, and myriapods. Identification and natural history of
southern California diversity.

BIOL 530. Plant Systematics (4)
Two lectures and six hours of laboratory, field trips.
Prerequisite: Biology 201B. Strongly recommended: Completion
of three to six upper division units in the major.
Plant description, identification, classification, and nomenclature
with emphasis on evolutionary patterns, interdisciplinary data acquisition,
and phylogenetic analysis.

BIOL 531. Taxonomy of California Plants (4)
Two lectures and six hours of laboratory.
Prerequisites: Biology 201A and 201B.
Fundamentals of plant taxonomy with emphasis on identification
of plants native and naturalized to California. Plant collecting techniques.
Field trips are required.